What is Enlightenment?
There are special sunglasses that allows some colorblind people the ability to see color. They get to understand something that to them was previously ineffable (extremely hard to express and definitively define). People describe it as breathtaking and life-changing. One video even featured an artist reading a book for toddlers that showed all the colors that he had never seen, and him crying from overwhelming happiness. However, for some colorblind people, the glasses don't work and colors will continue to be ineffable to them. In the same way, enlightenment is ineffable. Some people are able to come to understand it and its breathtaking and life-changing, and others simply aren't.
There is a lot of attachment to the words "enlightenment" and "nirvana/nibbana". These are just words used to convey something that is ineffable, and not something that is ethereal or unobtainable. The two concepts are very often confused, even among Buddhists.
In addition, "enlightenment" and "nirvana/nibbana" are more often that not interchangeable. I personally like "enlightenment" more, but you should work with the one that resonates with you more and change it if the other words better for you later.
Keep these concepts in mind as I do my best to describe enlightenment.
A fire may rage and burn 1,000 acres, but when it is cut off from it's fuel, the fire is extinguished. This is enlightenment. When all the causes of suffering (craving) have been extinguished, this is enlightenment.
Once we have eliminated craving and simply accept things for what they are, this is enlightenment. It is by this simple task that is explained in the 4 Noble Truths that shows us how we can obtain enlightenment.
There is a lot of attachment to the words "enlightenment" and "nirvana/nibbana". These are just words used to convey something that is ineffable, and not something that is ethereal or unobtainable. The two concepts are very often confused, even among Buddhists.
In addition, "enlightenment" and "nirvana/nibbana" are more often that not interchangeable. I personally like "enlightenment" more, but you should work with the one that resonates with you more and change it if the other words better for you later.
Keep these concepts in mind as I do my best to describe enlightenment.
What does enlightenment feel like?
The 4 Sublime Attitudes give us an insight as to what enlightenment feels like and what some of it's qualities are. These sublime attitudes are
1. Friendliness
Being free from enmity and being kind to everyone.
2. Compassion
Wanting to help everyone achieve happiness, success, and well-being.
Being happy for someone who has achieved happiness, success, or well-being.
4. Equanimity
A state of mental calmness, composure, and stability.
How do you obtain enlightenment?
Once we have eliminated craving and simply accept things for what they are, this is enlightenment. It is by this simple task that is explained in the 4 Noble Truths that shows us how we can obtain enlightenment.
This sounds pretty simple. Am I missing something?
This line of thought is extremely common and it really just depends on who you ask, even among Buddhists. As I mentioned, people tend to get hung up on certain things and try to define it and put it in a box. When you do that, some meaning is lost, and when people look to that definition, they aren't necessarily seeing what enlightenment truly is.
However, the concept of the Gateless Gate is one that has resonated with me. Imagine you are heading towards ranch. When you set out for the ranch you picture animals everywhere and fences are all over the place separating them. As you get closer to where you think the ranch is, you get worried. You haven't seen a single fence. You get closer and closer and closer till you're right at the heart of the ranch, and you realize that the ranch is free-range and there are no fences. You had been on the ranch for quite some time and just never realized it!
The same is true with enlightenment. You just have to let go of what you think it is, because you already have it. You're already there.
The same is true with enlightenment. You just have to let go of what you think it is, because you already have it. You're already there.
I don't feel enlightened all the time
Traditionally, there are 2 types of enlightenment: sopadhishesa-nirvana (enlightenment with remainder) and parinirvana (enlightenment without remainder).
Enlightenment with remainder is when you have extinguished the fire, but the coals are still smoldering. Life is going to happen as long as we're alive, and situations could arise to re-ignite the flames. However, you are far more likely to extinguish them than you were before. Practicing the 4 Noble Truths and the 8-Fold Path will inevitably give you the skills to make it to where those flames pop up less and less. Eventually, you'll look back and see there weren't fences on the ranch and that you had been there for a long time.
Enlightenment without remainder is when you die, you have no more life to bother you. No job, no family attachments, nothing. You're just dead! While morbid, its also true!
With these definitions in mind, you can think of practical enlightenment as a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets.
With these definitions in mind, you can think of practical enlightenment as a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets.
Why is this simple concept worked up to be something its not?
When something is profound, it is worked up to be something its not. The Buddha was just a man who achieved enlightenment as outlined here, and nothing more. It was his followers who were looking for the fences on the ranch and were unable to see there were none. They made it seem much harder, mysterious, and mystical to achieve than it really is. Some make Buddha out to be god-like. Without a proper understanding that there are no fences, who could blame them though!
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