Guest guest Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Myth #4 = Enlightenment is nothing special. Recently someone quoted a teacher who expounded about how, " Enlightenment is nothing special. " The distinction was made that if someone feels and/or talks about being special because they have been graced with enlightenment, they are not enlightened. The distinction may be accurate enough, because enlightenment brings a profound gratitude and humility, but to say that enlightenment is nothing special is like... someone giving a discourse on oranges who never tasted an orange - they have only studied about them and been in the company of oranges for so long that they feel qualified to speak about oranges... and they conclude that... oranges have no taste. They are nothing special. What?!!!! Enlightenment is beyond special, beyond awesome, juicier than the best orange we have ever tasted, beyond anything we can think or imagine... It is incredibly and superbly special...a peace that passes understanding, a joy beyond words, the truth that sets us free from fear and doubt and shines a whole new light on life. Myth #5 If you're truly enlightened, there is no one left to experience the enlightenment. This is more neo-advaita shuffling, or what is called the mind screw. Of course, there is something there to experience the enlightenment - the new person that enlightenment creates, the Self, the One filled with joy, who now experiences perfect peace of mind, and who is ecstatic about the amazing gift that has been received, and whose heart now swells with love, kindness and compassion for everyone - because the Self and the potential for awakening to Self is seen in every other person. If there were truly no one there to experience the enlightenment, there would be no one there to make such an absurd statement as Myth #5. Myth #6 If someone says they are enlightened, they are not. With enlightenment comes a compelling urge to shout it out and share the good news of its delight. Everyone who has authentically awakened sees enlightenment as the destiny of humankind - and knows that they have been 'called' to declare it because of the thunderbolt of insight that comes with enlightenment. What do you think Buddha, or Jesus, or Ramana would say about this myth? This myth is a warped interpretation of the statements about the inability to express enlightenment in words that will convey its truth. This cannot be done...anymore than anyone can convey the taste of an orange in words. But it does not mean that enlightenment or oranges have not been experienced by those who declare to know them - or that neither are incredibly sweet. By their fruits you shall know them. One Sweet Juicy Special Love, Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Dear Jeff, Excellent! I really liked these.. Needs spreading around. Love Alan--- On Mon, 1/3/10, Papajeff <jeff wrote: Papajeff <jeff Enlightenment and Oranges. Mo' myths Date: Monday, 1 March, 2010, 11:42 Myth #4 = Enlightenmentis nothing special.Recently someone quoted ateacher who expounded abouthow, "Enlightenment is nothingspecial." The distinction wasmade that if someone feelsand/or talks about being specialbecause they have been gracedwith enlightenment, they arenot enlightened. The distinctionmay be accurate enough, becauseenlightenment brings a profoundgratitude and humility, but tosay that enlightenment is nothing special is like...someone giving a discourseon oranges who never tasted an orange - they have onlystudied about them and been inthe company of oranges for solong that they feel qualifiedto speak about oranges...and they conclude that...oranges have no taste. Theyare nothing special. What?!!!!Enlightenment is beyond special,beyond awesome, juicier thanthe best orange we have evertasted, beyond anythingwe can think or imagine...It is incredibly and superblyspecial...a peace that passesunderstanding, a joy beyondwords, the truth that sets usfree from fear and doubt andshines a whole new light on life.Myth #5If you're truly enlightened,there is no one left to experiencethe enlightenment.This is more neo-advaita shuffling,or what is called the mind screw.Of course, there is something thereto experience the enlightenment -the new person that enlightenmentcreates, the Self, the One filled with joy, who now experiences perfect peace of mind, and who is ecstatic about the amazing gift that has been received, and whose heartnow swells with love, kindness and compassion for everyone -because the Self and the potentialfor awakening to Self is seen inevery other person.If there were truly no one thereto experience the enlightenment,there would be no one there to make such an absurd statementas Myth #5.Myth #6If someone says they are enlightened,they are not.With enlightenment comes a compellingurge to shout it out and share thegood news of its delight. Everyonewho has authentically awakened seesenlightenment as the destiny ofhumankind - and knows that they havebeen 'called' to declare it becauseof the thunderbolt of insight thatcomes with enlightenment. What do you think Buddha, or Jesus,or Ramana would say about this myth? This myth is a warped interpretationof the statements about the inability to express enlightenment in words that will convey its truth.This cannot be done...anymore thananyone can convey the taste of anorange in words. But it does not meanthat enlightenment or oranges havenot been experienced by those whodeclare to know them - or that neitherare incredibly sweet.By their fruits you shall know them.One Sweet Juicy Special Love,Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Dear Jeff, As a rule, enlightenment is followed by nirvana/moksha. The Buddha even made a distinction between nirvana with and without substratum remaining. The latter he called "Final Release" (Buddhist Ethics by H. Saddhatissa) The relevant page is 137 and can be read here http://tinyurl.com/yflkuf7 by clicking on the page number. If the issue of craving was a big one some 2,500 years ago already, it might be labeled "gigantic" nowadays. Jan On 3/1/2010 6:42 AM, Papajeff wrote: Myth #4 = Enlightenment is nothing special. Recently someone quoted a teacher who expounded about how, "Enlightenment is nothing special." The distinction was made that if someone feels and/or talks about being special because they have been graced with enlightenment, they are not enlightened. The distinction may be accurate enough, because enlightenment brings a profound gratitude and humility, but to say that enlightenment is nothing special is like... someone giving a discourse on oranges who never tasted an orange - they have only studied about them and been in the company of oranges for so long that they feel qualified to speak about oranges... and they conclude that... oranges have no taste. They are nothing special. What?!!!! Enlightenment is beyond special, beyond awesome, juicier than the best orange we have ever tasted, beyond anything we can think or imagine... It is incredibly and superbly special...a peace that passes understanding, a joy beyond words, the truth that sets us free from fear and doubt and shines a whole new light on life. Myth #5 If you're truly enlightened, there is no one left to experience the enlightenment. This is more neo-advaita shuffling, or what is called the mind screw. Of course, there is something there to experience the enlightenment - the new person that enlightenment creates, the Self, the One filled with joy, who now experiences perfect peace of mind, and who is ecstatic about the amazing gift that has been received, and whose heart now swells with love, kindness and compassion for everyone - because the Self and the potential for awakening to Self is seen in every other person. If there were truly no one there to experience the enlightenment, there would be no one there to make such an absurd statement as Myth #5. Myth #6 If someone says they are enlightened, they are not. With enlightenment comes a compelling urge to shout it out and share the good news of its delight. Everyone who has authentically awakened sees enlightenment as the destiny of humankind - and knows that they have been 'called' to declare it because of the thunderbolt of insight that comes with enlightenment. What do you think Buddha, or Jesus, or Ramana would say about this myth? This myth is a warped interpretation of the statements about the inability to express enlightenment in words that will convey its truth. This cannot be done...anymore than anyone can convey the taste of an orange in words. But it does not mean that enlightenment or oranges have not been experienced by those who declare to know them - or that neither are incredibly sweet. By their fruits you shall know them. One Sweet Juicy Special Love, Jeff --- is supported by . New articles are added there on a continuous basis. Please register at . You will be kept updated and get the new articles which are posted on the site very nicely formatted in your e-mail. Friends, after registering at , if you wish to contribute your writing to the site, please let me know. Your articles should be original, well written, using subtitles, and be carefully proofread and polished. For a list of topics considered, please go to and take a look at the site. Thanks. Namaste and love to all Harsha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 On 01/03/2010 13:42, Papajeff wrote: Myth #4 = Enlightenment is nothing special. Recently someone quoted a teacher who expounded about how, "Enlightenment is nothing special." The distinction was made that if someone feels and/or talks about being special because they have been graced with enlightenment, they are not enlightened. The distinction may be accurate enough, because enlightenment brings a profound gratitude and humility, but to say that enlightenment is nothing special is like... someone giving a discourse on oranges who never tasted an orange - they have only studied about them and been in the company of oranges for so long that they feel qualified to speak about oranges... and they conclude that... oranges have no taste. They are nothing special. What?!!!! Enlightenment is beyond special, beyond awesome, juicier than the best orange we have ever tasted, beyond anything we can think or imagine... It is incredibly and superbly special...a peace that passes understanding, a joy beyond words, the truth that sets us free from fear and doubt and shines a whole new light on life. Myth #5 If you're truly enlightened, there is no one left to experience the enlightenment. This is more neo-advaita shuffling, or what is called the mind screw. Of course, there is something there to experience the enlightenment - the new person that enlightenment creates, the Self, the One filled with joy, who now experiences perfect peace of mind, and who is ecstatic about the amazing gift that has been received, and whose heart now swells with love, kindness and compassion for everyone - because the Self and the potential for awakening to Self is seen in every other person. If there were truly no one there to experience the enlightenment, there would be no one there to make such an absurd statement as Myth #5. Myth #6 If someone says they are enlightened, they are not. With enlightenment comes a compelling urge to shout it out and share the good news of its delight. Everyone who has authentically awakened sees enlightenment as the destiny of humankind - and knows that they have been 'called' to declare it because of the thunderbolt of insight that comes with enlightenment. What do you think Buddha, or Jesus, or Ramana would say about this myth? This myth is a warped interpretation of the statements about the inability to express enlightenment in words that will convey its truth. This cannot be done...anymore than anyone can convey the taste of an orange in words. But it does not mean that enlightenment or oranges have not been experienced by those who declare to know them - or that neither are incredibly sweet. By their fruits you shall know them. One Sweet Juicy Special Love, Jeff well... Enlightenment Means Not describing Nor discussing What enlightenment Is. It is so simple It’s a shame to admit Even the lowest of the base Know it. Yet the most profound intellect Can but glimpse A mere reflection Of its depths. No amount of words Can describe the taste Of honey. Eat! The enlightened ask not They are The answer. respectfully, yosy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2010 Report Share Posted March 2, 2010 Shalom Yossi your comment reflects what michael not only "feels" but its INNER KNOWLEDGE thank you so much chabibi yours in SIGNORE michael - Yosy Monday, March 01, 2010 10:50 PM Re: Enlightenment and Oranges. Mo' myths On 01/03/2010 13:42, Papajeff wrote: Myth #4 = Enlightenmentis nothing special.Recently someone quoted ateacher who expounded abouthow, "Enlightenment is nothingspecial." The distinction wasmade that if someone feelsand/or talks about being specialbecause they have been gracedwith enlightenment, they arenot enlightened. The distinctionmay be accurate enough, becauseenlightenment brings a profoundgratitude and humility, but tosay that enlightenment is nothing special is like...someone giving a discourseon oranges who never tasted an orange - they have onlystudied about them and been inthe company of oranges for solong that they feel qualifiedto speak about oranges...and they conclude that...oranges have no taste. Theyare nothing special. What?!!!!Enlightenment is beyond special,beyond awesome, juicier thanthe best orange we have evertasted, beyond anythingwe can think or imagine...It is incredibly and superblyspecial...a peace that passesunderstanding, a joy beyondwords, the truth that sets usfree from fear and doubt andshines a whole new light on life.Myth #5If you're truly enlightened,there is no one left to experiencethe enlightenment.This is more neo-advaita shuffling,or what is called the mind screw.Of course, there is something thereto experience the enlightenment -the new person that enlightenmentcreates, the Self, the One filled with joy, who now experiences perfect peace of mind, and who is ecstatic about the amazing gift that has been received, and whose heartnow swells with love, kindness and compassion for everyone -because the Self and the potentialfor awakening to Self is seen inevery other person.If there were truly no one thereto experience the enlightenment,there would be no one there to make such an absurd statementas Myth #5.Myth #6If someone says they are enlightened,they are not.With enlightenment comes a compellingurge to shout it out and share thegood news of its delight. Everyonewho has authentically awakened seesenlightenment as the destiny ofhumankind - and knows that they havebeen 'called' to declare it becauseof the thunderbolt of insight thatcomes with enlightenment. What do you think Buddha, or Jesus,or Ramana would say about this myth? This myth is a warped interpretationof the statements about the inability to express enlightenment in words that will convey its truth.This cannot be done...anymore thananyone can convey the taste of anorange in words. But it does not meanthat enlightenment or oranges havenot been experienced by those whodeclare to know them - or that neitherare incredibly sweet.By their fruits you shall know them.One Sweet Juicy Special Love,Jeff:) well...EnlightenmentMeansNot describingNor discussingWhat enlightenmentIs.It is so simpleIt’s a shame to admitEven the lowest of the baseKnow it.Yet the most profound intellectCan but glimpseA mere reflectionOf its depths.No amount of wordsCan describe the tasteOf honey. Eat!The enlightened ask notThey areThe answer.respectfully, yosy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2010 Report Share Posted March 3, 2010 To be enlightened is to be AWAKE. Nothing else. No free pass to heaven, you have been there all along but now you are AWAKE to the fact. Oranges taste the same in a dream or awake. " Nothig Special " , sure on the same level as ________ is nothig special because ______ is everywhere at once. To be AWAKE is to be aware of the everywhereness of _________. Put your preferred appellation in these spaces, God, Brahman, The Tao etc. Oh, did I mention how thrilling it is to be AWAKE. Dave Mahar , " Papajeff " <jeff wrote: > > Myth #4 = Enlightenment > is nothing special. > > Recently someone quoted a > teacher who expounded about > how, " Enlightenment is nothing > special. " The distinction was > made that if someone feels > and/or talks about being special > because they have been graced > with enlightenment, they are > not enlightened. The distinction > may be accurate enough, because > enlightenment brings a profound > gratitude and humility, but to > say that enlightenment is > nothing special is like... > > someone giving a discourse > on oranges who never tasted > an orange - they have only > studied about them and been in > the company of oranges for so > long that they feel qualified > to speak about oranges... > > and they conclude that... > > oranges have no taste. They > are nothing special. What?!!!! > > Enlightenment is beyond special, > beyond awesome, juicier than > the best orange we have ever > tasted, beyond anything > we can think or imagine... > > It is incredibly and superbly > special...a peace that passes > understanding, a joy beyond > words, the truth that sets us > free from fear and doubt and > shines a whole new light on > life. > > > Myth #5 > > If you're truly enlightened, > there is no one left to experience > the enlightenment. > > This is more neo-advaita shuffling, > or what is called the mind screw. > > Of course, there is something there > to experience the enlightenment - > the new person that enlightenment > creates, the Self, the One filled > with joy, who now experiences perfect > peace of mind, and who is ecstatic > about the amazing gift that has > been received, and whose heart > now swells with love, kindness > and compassion for everyone - > because the Self and the potential > for awakening to Self is seen in > every other person. > > If there were truly no one there > to experience the enlightenment, > there would be no one there to > make such an absurd statement > as Myth #5. > > Myth #6 > > If someone says they are enlightened, > they are not. > > With enlightenment comes a compelling > urge to shout it out and share the > good news of its delight. Everyone > who has authentically awakened sees > enlightenment as the destiny of > humankind - and knows that they have > been 'called' to declare it because > of the thunderbolt of insight that > comes with enlightenment. > > What do you think Buddha, or Jesus, > or Ramana would say about this myth? > > This myth is a warped interpretation > of the statements about the inability > to express enlightenment in words > that will convey its truth. > > This cannot be done...anymore than > anyone can convey the taste of an > orange in words. But it does not mean > that enlightenment or oranges have > not been experienced by those who > declare to know them - or that neither > are incredibly sweet. > > By their fruits you shall know them. > > One Sweet Juicy Special Love, > > Jeff > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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