Stages Of Enlightenment

[Unattacted101]

I was wondering what actual enlightenment is? I have read that there are 3 stages of enlightenment such as after the ego is gone(spiritual awakening) but i have heard that that is only partial enlightenment and not complete enlightenment that the buddha achieved... also i read that god realization is after the ego is gone...Any responses?

[Jarrod]

There are soo many different definitions on this. Some say one stage, some say many. Some say you already have, some say you don't(or you do but you don't ).

Just work on improving yourself in the direction you think is right.

[Old Soul]

Originally Posted by Unattacted101

I was wondering what actual enlightenment is? I have read that there are 3 stages of enlightenment such as after the ego is gone(spiritual awakening) but i have heard that that is only partial enlightenment and not complete enlightenment that the buddha achieved... also i read that god realization is after the ego is gone...Any responses?

i find this guys writing interesting

Spiritual Enlightenment

[Zwynd]

Originally Posted by Unattacted101

I was wondering what actual enlightenment is? I have read that there are 3 stages of enlightenment such as after the ego is gone(spiritual awakening) but i have heard that that is only partial enlightenment and not complete enlightenment that the buddha achieved... also i read that god realization is after the ego is gone...Any responses?

I think the secret to Enlightenment is realizing that there is no such thing as 'Enlightenment' in the way everyone thinks of it. Then, when you look at it that way, there are no stages.

Then you're free because you're not limiting yourself.

"I can't get to stage 6 of "Pure Happiness" yet and be happy now because I still need to deal with stage 9 "Random thoughts"...."

Wouldn't that suck?

[eputkonen]

Originally Posted by Unattacted101

I was wondering what actual enlightenment is? I have read that there are 3 stages of enlightenment such as after the ego is gone(spiritual awakening) but i have heard that that is only partial enlightenment and not complete enlightenment that the buddha achieved... also i read that god realization is after the ego is gone...Any responses?

Enlightenment is a deep realization of who/what you are...seeing beyond this little "me" and this body/mind.

There are no stages or partial enlightenments...either you realize you are not this "I" most people think they are OR you are still caught up in the little "me" with all its problems and conflicts.

[jsam]

I'll add my 2 cents worth of wisdom to this:

I can say from my experience that as mortals, ego-selves, we can experience life in many degrees of "enlightenment". If we have a "big bang" illumination, many little awakenings, or a gradual evolution, we still have to operate in the human world (egoworld) as egos- individual personalities. Although we learn on a deep, non-verbal level that we are the creation, we often slip back into our familiar personal selves. Some individuals can keep their identity in the unity a lot of the time, and others experience it infrequently. This makes it seem that some are "more enlightened" than others. I think it is silly to try to organize and methodologize (is this a word?) the indescribable, or one's relation to it. It is our compulsion to control, that keeps us from realization.
Namaste...John

[Elrond]

"Enlightenment means literally aligning to the Energy of my Source. And genius is only about focusing. Law of Attraction takes care of everything else. Physical humans often want to make enlightenment about finding some process and moving through the process that has been pre-described. But true enlightenment is moving to the rhythm of the internal inspiration that is coming in response to the individual desire. Enlightenment is about allowing my Connection to the Source that is me for the fulfillment of the things that I have individually defined here in my time-space-reality. That's as good as it gets!"

Abraham

[wolfgang]

Originally Posted by Unattacted101

I was wondering what actual enlightenment is? I have read that there are 3 stages of enlightenment such as after the ego is gone(spiritual awakening) but i have heard that that is only partial enlightenment and not complete enlightenment that the buddha achieved... also i read that god realization is after the ego is gone...Any responses?

enlightenment is feeling and knowing everything is one. and I don't think we are suppose to stay in that feeling of oneness at the expense of ego. I see it more as a gathering of everything that would also contain the ego as a base or level or layer in oneness.

we can't think it's either enlightenment or either ego - that both can't exist together. most are only ego. then some get a oneness experience and get stuck there, while denying the ego and maybe losing their job or going insane. or having that spiritual hit and then jumping back to only ego. however, you can't serve two masters. We must serve oneness and let the ego take the backseat and have a good ride.

[robertanthony]

Originally Posted by Zwynd

I think the secret to Enlightenment is realizing that there is no such thing as 'Enlightenment' in the way everyone thinks of it. Then, when you look at it that way, there are no stages.

Then you're free because you're not limiting yourself.

"I can't get to stage 6 of "Pure Happiness" yet and be happy now because I still need to deal with stage 9 "Random thoughts"...."

Wouldn't that suck?

Fabulous Quote

[jsam]

Lots of good comments in this post! You all are invited to my blog Journey to Self Discovery and see what "enlightenment " means to me. Comments and criticisms are welcome!

Namaste! John

[Elrond]

Originally Posted by jsam

Lots of good comments in this post! You all are invited to my blog Journey to Self Discovery and see what "enlightenment " means to me. Comments and criticisms are welcome!

Namaste! John

You don't have to advertise your blog everywhere. You could just put it in your signature... Sounds simpler to me.

[Johnny5]

Originally Posted by Unattacted101

I was wondering what actual enlightenment is? I have read that there are 3 stages of enlightenment such as after the ego is gone(spiritual awakening) but i have heard that that is only partial enlightenment and not complete enlightenment that the Buddha achieved... also i read that god realization is after the ego is gone...Any responses?

In Buddhism, there are four level stages of enlightenment:

The first stage of enlightenment is called Stream Entry. At this stage an individual reach the first stage of sainthood. He/she will have the maximum of seven lifetime to achieve the final stage of enlightenment. Every lifetime after this very lifetime is alway living in a better living condition. He is no longer interested in committing unwholesome deeds. He believes and understands the benefit of practicing the Buddha's teachings.

The second stage of enlightenment is called Once Returner. At this stage an individual reach the second stage of sainthood. He/she will have only more lifetime in human state to achieve the final stage of enlightenment.

The third stage of enlightenment is called Non Returner. At this stage an individual reach the third stage of sainthood. He/she will not come human state any more to achieve the final stage of enlightenment. He/she will achieve the final stage of enlightenment in the Brahma abode. The lifespan of the Brahma abode is about 1/4 of one great eon. It is a very long lifespan. One great eon = 20 eons lifespan.

The fourth stage of enlightenment is called Arahant. At this stage an individual reach the final stage of sainthood. He/she reaches the final stage of enlightenment. The work is done. The Buddha is an Arahant; however, the Buddha practiced to reach this stage without any teacher. His own deeds and merits helped him to reach this stage.

the disciples of the Buddha, follow and practice Buddha's instructions to reach all those above stages of enlightenment.

I hope I give some light on your questions...

Johnny