Thursday, June 14, 2007

How Would Someone Know They Were Enlightened?

Would an enlightened person know they were enlightened?

If so, how would they know they were enlightened? Would they reach the conclusion they were enlightened from observing their behavior over a period of time -- very much like they were observing someone else? Or would something in the nature of enlightenment itself clue them in about the fact they were enlightened?

Would it matter to them that they were enlightened? If so, how would it matter to them?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Here's a statement we can discuss:
Enlightenment is like humility, and humility is a strange thing, because the minute you think you have it, you've lost it. Perhaps?

Seems to me that an enlightened person wouldn't care much for labels. Maybe they could know, but it wouldn't bother them. I don't think it really matters - it's a way of life, not a goal.

Anonymous said...

I'll let you know when I'm enlightened (if I can!).

george.w said...

I have had a few moments of extraordinary consciousness in my lifetime; once in a dream, once in a coffee shop, once on the street. It was like the difference between black & white, and color. The effect those moments has had on other times is that I at least know there's a difference, and am less likely to confuse one with the other.

None of those moments came, however, with a label that said; "this is the upper end of the range." For all I know, it goes way up higher than that.