A Deeper Understanding of Enlightenment
In our quest to understand enlightenment, we often envision it as perpetual positivity, a beacon of good virtues and admirable qualities. However, this view might be a simplistic interpretation of a concept far more profound and encompassing. To grasp the true essence of enlightenment, we must recognize it as the embodiment of nature in its entirety, not just its appealing aspects.
Enlightenment, in its deepest sense, is not limited to the display of positive attributes; it also encompasses the darker, less admired facets of nature. Nature, in its raw form, is an amalgamation of contrasts—beauty and destruction, calm and chaos. Similarly, an enlightened being embodies all these facets, including those we view negatively.
We often celebrate the sunlit parts of nature while disdaining its storms and upheavals. In parallel, enlightened beings, often idealized for their virtues, might also manifest traits or behaviours we consider negative. This doesn’t necessarily diminish their state of enlightenment; rather, it highlights that enlightenment transcends conventional moral dichotomies. It encompasses a full spectrum of qualities, mirroring the complexity and diversity of nature itself.
Perhaps, when an enlightened individual exhibits behaviours we perceive as negative, it’s not a regression to lower psychological states, but an expression of the entire range of human experience. This concept can be challenging to grasp, especially when viewed from the traditional perspective of enlightenment being a state of flawless virtue.
In essence, true enlightenment is beyond the dualities of good and bad, positive and negative. It is a comprehensive expression of nature in all its forms—the gentle breeze and the raging storm. Recognizing this holistic view of enlightenment invites us to expand our understanding and accept the full spectrum of experiences and traits that constitute the enlightened state.
In this light, enlightenment becomes a journey of embracing all aspects of existence, a voyage that transcends conventional wisdom and invites us to witness the universe in its full, unfiltered majesty.
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
Morgan O. Smith 