How much money do enlightened people have?

[Manomanman]

I have a hypothesis I'd like to test:

Enlightened people are all poor.

If you believe yourself to be enlightened, please share your income if you feel comfortable. We'll compare it to the national average when all contributions are in.

-Jesse

[Angela]

LOL.

The numbers you get are going to reflect the income of people who believe themselves to be enlightened, and are willing to share that with you, rather than people who actually fit the description of "enlightened" (whatever that means), you realize, right?

[vertanno]

None because enlightened people don't exist, not even the Dali Lama, he's just emotionless or emotionally ubermensch...Good laugh though so I've heard.

But I'll say something positive...if I have too...Enlightened people are rich in heart and that is all that can be said about wealthiness. Don't matter whether Jesus was a son of Pharoah or son of carpenter, still an enlightened being fo sure.

[theuprising]

oh yeah, I don't think presently there are any enlightened people, there are loads and loads of "self proclaimed" enlightened people though. And in history, maybe a handful of early indians in vedic times, the buddha, and jesus became enlightened. If them even, assuming enlightenment isn't a huge lie.

[vertanno]

It is a huge lie nowadays, sold as something attainable as you sit at home and talk to people on a forum. Interestingly you mentioned the Buddha, who was prince, and thus not very poor, but um it may be worthwhile to see how live thereafter being enlightened. Did he go back to his palace, or stay habitatually in the woods and his tree? I heard when he firsted he returned he talked to all the wouldhavebeen "movie stars" because they simply asked him to join them for suppa!

[Elrond]

Originally Posted by vertanno

It is a huge lie nowadays, sold as something attainable as you sit at home and talk to people on a forum. Interestingly you mentioned the Buddha, who was prince, and thus not very poor, but um it may be worthwhile to see how live thereafter being enlightened. Did he go back to his palace, or stay habitatually in the woods and his tree? I heard when he firsted he returned he talked to all the wouldhavebeen "movie stars" because they simply asked him to join them for suppa!

Interestingly, as far as I can remember he was born into an affluent and comfortable life due to him having had so good karma (or lack of karma) in his previous life.

[InnerChallenge]

I just don't see how having a certain amount of money can have something to do with being enlightened.

If a person who is enlightened suddenly enherits ten million dollars, does that mean that all out of a sudden he is not enlightened anymore because his bank account got bigger?

[kingsidharth]

Originally Posted by Manomanman

I have a hypothesis I'd like to test:

Enlightened people are all poor.

If you believe yourself to be enlightened, please share your income if you feel comfortable. We'll compare it to the national average when all contributions are in.

-Jesse

Haha! What has money got to do with enlightenment?

1. I know Buddha - he was a prince - filthy rich. but never used that money. never needed any.
   
2. I know Jesus - good enough - never mentioned money problem.
   
3. I know Kirshna - King of Major Kingdom - filthy rich, again never mentioned need of money in his whole life.
   
4. I know Osho - quiet rich - google him.
   
5. I know Abraham Hicks (speak through Esther Hicks) - and She paid more tax this year than putting together all she earned last year! Very rich.
   
6. I know Lousie L Hay - Owner of world's biggest Self-Help publication. Richy rich!
   
7. I know Deepak Chopra- Lives in NY - rich obv
   
8. I know Myself - earns 2/3 of my what my dad does spending 1/3 of time he spends, pay my own school fee and bills. And have more money than any teen of my age could only dream of earning at my age. Quiet rich.

Being rich is sate of mind.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by kingsidharth

Being rich is sate of mind.

That is very, very funny, and I actually laughed out loud.

Being rich is a sate of mind. I love it!

[kingsidharth]

Originally Posted by theuprising

oh yeah, I don't think presently there are any enlightened people, there are loads and loads of "self proclaimed" enlightened people though. And in history, maybe a handful of early indians in vedic times, the buddha, and jesus became enlightened. If them even, assuming enlightenment isn't a huge lie.

Enlightenment is not most often what we think. It is not a static state. But a state of mind just like Joy. Like a Joyous person can slip into anger sometimes so can enlighten person slip into joy and anger sometimes.

But as being joyous means that even if you are angry, you know the way back to joy. Enlightenment means, even if you are angry, you know the way back.

One more point on 'self proclaimed' thing. How do you know you have stomach ache? Because you can feel it, but there is no way to prove it expect of how you behave -even people can doubt that one. Similarly, how do you know you are awake (enlightened)? You know it when you are, it's unexplainable - you just know it. You just feel it.

If I were to put it in words, you will feel like I am writing description of a psychological dis-ease. But it's so much ease I tell you. You are so connected inside that no reality seems worth mentioning, only that which you want to happen.

Jesus never mentioned what is, always mentioned Kingdom of Heaven at hand. Buddha never mentioned what-is only power of true self and enlightenment. Krishna never spoke of what-is always of greatness of source and ultimate wisdom.

Your friend from India.

[kingsidharth]

Originally Posted by Angela

That is very, very funny, and I actually laughed out loud.

Being rich is a sate of mind. I love it!

Funny is, it? I am glad it amused you.

Money first comes in consciousness / it becomes state of mind. And then reality.

[kingsidharth]

Originally Posted by InnerChallenge

I just don't see how having a certain amount of money can have something to do with being enlightened.

If a person who is enlightened suddenly enherits ten million dollars, does that mean that all out of a sudden he is not enlightened anymore because his bank account got bigger?

Cannot agree more

[Manomanman]

Enlightened people seek wealth in order to increase their power. It's the scorecard of the physical world.

[thotrevised]

Originally Posted by Manomanman

I have a hypothesis I'd like to test:

Enlightened people are all poor.

If you believe yourself to be enlightened, please share your income if you feel comfortable. We'll compare it to the national average when all contributions are in.

-Jesse

Enough!

Everything that is needed for any chosen level of comfort comes as needed.

[thotrevised]

Originally Posted by Manomanman

Enlightened people seek wealth in order to increase their power. It's the scorecard of the physical world.

It is doubtful that an enlightened person would have any need to "increase their power". Consciousness is their power!

[Manomanman]

I'd like to revise my hypothesis: Enlightened people are ashamed of their income level and don't want to give specific numbers for fear of becoming vulnerable.

I consider myself to be reasonably enlightened, and I am ashamed that my income doesn't yet reflect that.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Manomanman

I'd like to revise my hypothesis: Enlightened people are ashamed of their income level and don't want to give specific numbers for fear of becoming vulnerable.

Boy, you set up some tough hypotheses to test and prove, manomanman!

[rei]

Originally Posted by Manomanman

Enlightened people seek wealth in order to increase their power. It's the scorecard of the physical world.

hmm... maybe you can explain what you mean by "enlightened"?

the way i understand that term, this idea doesn't make much sense. enlightening individuals don't really need to increase their power, especially not through status symbols of the physical world. they may live in luxury, and they may not, but i don't think the ones who end up in luxury are motivated by an increase in the feeling of power shown by other people.

i think enlightened indviduals are more likely to see value in everything, including the physical world, but they may also develop a focus on spiritual wealth, which IS reflected in the external world, but not necessarily through material possessions.

so, like i said, i'm hoping you can explain what you mean by "enlightened" because my understanding of that idea doesn't fit what you're saying.

i'm not sharing my income because (a) i don't toot my own horn, or see the value of labeling myself as enlightened (besides, i feel more natural affinity for the model of ascension these days), (b) i'm more than a number, and (c) your apparent desire to get people defensive with words like "ashamed" and "vulnerability" so they will answer the way you want them to isn't working on me.

[wolfgang]

Originally Posted by Manomanman

I'd like to revise my hypothesis: Enlightened people are ashamed of their income level and don't want to give specific numbers for fear of becoming vulnerable.

I consider myself to be reasonably enlightened, and I am ashamed that my income doesn't yet reflect that.

if an enlightened person is one with no fixed beliefs, then any shame over anything would not be in their make up anymore.

you have a belief that to be enlightened means you have more income, and you believe you are somewhat enlightened - so then if you don't see more income you feel shame because of these beliefs. that belief is not part of being enlightened, i'd say.

I'm neither enlightened or rich - but often want to believe I have exactly what I need.

[nicbrahms]

Enlightenment and the quest for it is a crock of ****.

Why on earth would you want to spoil the game by knowing where you came from or where you are going, or the true nature of things.

Knowledge was known before and will be known after existence here, seems a complete waste of time to search for it during funzies time, life here.

Bizarro to me to come here voluntarily to a place of contrast to seek the thing you left and the thing you will be returning to. Duh! Should have just stayed put.

Toodles

[Angela]

Originally Posted by nicbrahms

Enlightenment and the quest for it is a crock of ****.

Nic, everwhere you look today you're seeing crocks of ****! Do you have your **** crock glasses on today?

[wolfgang]

Originally Posted by nicbrahms

Enlightenment and the quest for it is a crock of ****.

isn't it the end of suffering and not operation from the condition mind?

Why on earth would you want to spoil the game by knowing where you came from or where you are going, or the true nature of things.

I've thought the more you are able to see the true nature of things, the easier life is here and now as well as possibly when you pass over it will be less disorienting.

Knowledge was known before and will be known after existence here, seems a complete waste of time to search for it during funzies time, life here.

wouldn't it be more fun to be not suffering or subject to the conditioned mind?

Bizarro to me to come here voluntarily to a place of contrast to seek the thing you left and the thing you will be returning to. Duh! Should have just stayed put.

Toodles

How do we know this idea is true? The idea that we left the place or state that we will go to when we die? What if it's all a bunch of stages of growth of some kind instead? We learn in the school of hard knocks here and end up in another realm that is not so hard, and previously we were experiencing something like being in a cocoon or other spiritual life stage?

[nicbrahms]

Originally Posted by Angela

Nic, everwhere you look today you're seeing crocks of ****! Do you have your **** crock glasses on today?

Lolololololololol, told you I was feeling feisty, yes its my fav saying at moment.

You really make me laugh, I love your vibe girl!

You got it going on, yaheeyyy!

[Angela]

Originally Posted by nicbrahms

Lolololololololol, told you I was feeling feisty, yes its my fav saying at moment.

You really make me laugh, I love your vibe girl!

You got it going on, yaheeyyy!

Likewise, I'm sure, my darling.

"Crock of ****" -- it just makes your facial expression match up exactly with the meaning of the words, doesn't it? I love phrases like that. I feel sorry for the French, because "merde" just doesn't have the same expressiveness to it.

[Daffy Duck]

Originally Posted by nicbrahms

Enlightenment and the quest for it is a crock of ****.

I'm inclined to agree.

At least, when I think of the classic image of an "enlightened" person who meditates for 16 hours a day, I know that I don't want to be that person. So for me, at least, it's a crock of asterisks.

[Weena]

Originally Posted by Daffy Duck

I'm inclined to agree.

At least, when I think of the classic image of an "enlightened" person who meditates for 16 hours a day, I know that I don't want to be that person. So for me, at least, it's a crock of asterisks.

lol, i wonder when in their day they find anytime to do a wee bit of work to help money come along. I mean, you can manifest money but maybe not quite just by sitting and thinking "my intention is set, tomorrow I'll be super rich".

[Weena]

Originally Posted by Manomanman

I consider myself to be reasonably enlightened, and I am ashamed that my income doesn't yet reflect that.

Could you go further in this? I'm trying to understand what the two have to do with each other?

[Michael Chui]

"How much money do enlightened people have?"

Enough.

[Manomanman]

Originally Posted by Weena

Could you go further in this? I'm trying to understand what the two have to do with each other?

An enlightened person would understand the power that money has in the world we live in. They would strive to acquire as much as possible in order to have the greatest influence in the world. They would use their influence as a force to spread their enlightenment throughout the world.

[vertanno]

I have about a fiver on me now. But I get about 200 quid a month, which is quite poor in my opinion.