The Dual Paths to Spiritual Enlightenment
Spiritual enlightenment is often perceived as the pinnacle of human consciousness, a state of profound insight and understanding that transcends ordinary perception. But is this enlightenment an attainment through arduous pursuit, or is it a state into which some are born?
The notion of being born spiritually enlightened is intriguing. It implies an intrinsic connection with the divine, an innate wisdom that does not require the rigours of spiritual discipline to uncover. This concept is not new; various traditions speak of souls incarnating with a certain level of spiritual awareness, suggesting that enlightenment is a continuing journey across lifetimes rather than a single life’s goal.
On the other hand, the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment is a cornerstone of many religious and philosophical systems. It is seen as a process of transformation, involving practices such as meditation, self-inquiry, and ethical living. This path suggests that enlightenment is not a starting point but a destination, reached through the cultivation of consciousness and the shedding of ignorance.
The difference between these perspectives raises profound questions. Is enlightenment a universal potential, available to all who seek it, or is it a rarefied state, the birthright of only a chosen few? The journey towards enlightenment, for many, involves peeling back the layers of personal illusion and societal conditioning to reveal a truth that is said to be ever-present, not granted or achieved but realized.
This duality of enlightenment — as both an inherent state and an achievement — reflects the complexity of the human spirit. Perhaps the truest answer lies in the synthesis of both views: that we are all born with a spark of the divine, yet it is through living, learning, and loving that we fan this spark into a flame bright enough to illuminate the depths of our being.
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
Morgan O. Smith 