enlightenment

koan · 05-31-2005, 08:10 PM

I put this under philosophy because, although enlightenment is often considered to be a religious experience, it is a mental transition.

What do you think enlightenment would be like? Divine wisdom and understanding. How could it happen and what would life be like to continue living in the world after becoming enlightened?

spot · 05-31-2005, 10:54 PM

There was a provocative article in New Scientist 20 December 2003 which has stayed in my mind ever since. If you look at Metod Saniga's homepage, under Interviews, you can read the essay. It doesn't use the word enlightenment, as far as I recall it, but the discussion on the nature of the perception of time is instructive background for discussing what enlightenment is. Practically everything to do with understanding starts out with the construction of a vocabulary suitable to discuss and manipulate the topic, whether you're considering it yourself, or interpreting your own experience yourself, or building a consensus with others.

If you need access to the New Scientist archive, PM me.

An afterthought - this is from the end of the article, as an indication of where it's headed: ' Does this mean there is no objective physical reality at all? "I believe that there exists what oriental philosophies call the 'absolute', which is beyond the grasp of any conceptual approach," Saniga says. '

koan · 05-31-2005, 11:24 PM

enlightenment is commonly associated with Buddhism and meditation but I think it can be achieved in other ways as well. I think it would be like that "click" when you get a great idea...but better. Though what I can't figure out is what use people would have for the world if they suddenly figured it all out. Perhaps it would give more joy but I would think it would cause more suffering (mentally) to watch all the crap that goes on around them.

spot · 06-01-2005, 03:41 AM

If the Real Buddha is lurking on this thread, would he please stand up and speak? We badly need the voice of experience to make any progress.

koan · 06-01-2005, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spot

If the Real Buddha is lurking on this thread, would he please stand up and speak? We badly need the voice of experience to make any progress.

Perhaps the enlightened folk did take off.

I wouldn't blame them.

john8pies · 06-01-2005, 11:21 AM

I personally think that true enlightenment, and especially the moment it was attained, would be totally magnificent.

05-31-2005, 08:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
koan anomaly Supporting Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 12,699	enlightenment I put this under philosophy because, although enlightenment is often considered to be a religious experience, it is a mental transition. What do you think enlightenment would be like? Divine wisdom and understanding. How could it happen and what would life be like to continue living in the world after becoming enlightened? __________________ Having the right to an opinion does not make your opinion right.
Local Time: 10:56 PM Local Date: 12-03-2008

05-31-2005, 10:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
spot Ichabod Supporting Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Brigstowe Posts: 16,989	Re: enlightenment There was a provocative article in New Scientist 20 December 2003 which has stayed in my mind ever since. If you look at Metod Saniga's homepage, under Interviews, you can read the essay. It doesn't use the word enlightenment, as far as I recall it, but the discussion on the nature of the perception of time is instructive background for discussing what enlightenment is. Practically everything to do with understanding starts out with the construction of a vocabulary suitable to discuss and manipulate the topic, whether you're considering it yourself, or interpreting your own experience yourself, or building a consensus with others. If you need access to the New Scientist archive, PM me. An afterthought - this is from the end of the article, as an indication of where it's headed: ' Does this mean there is no objective physical reality at all? "I believe that there exists what oriental philosophies call the 'absolute', which is beyond the grasp of any conceptual approach," Saniga says. ' Last edited by spot; 05-31-2005 at 11:05 PM. Reason: added final paragraph for clarity
Local Time: 06:56 AM Local Date: 12-04-2008

05-31-2005, 11:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
koan anomaly Supporting Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 12,699	Re: enlightenment enlightenment is commonly associated with Buddhism and meditation but I think it can be achieved in other ways as well. I think it would be like that "click" when you get a great idea...but better. Though what I can't figure out is what use people would have for the world if they suddenly figured it all out. Perhaps it would give more joy but I would think it would cause more suffering (mentally) to watch all the crap that goes on around them. __________________ Having the right to an opinion does not make your opinion right.
Local Time: 10:56 PM Local Date: 12-03-2008

06-01-2005, 03:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
spot Ichabod Supporting Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Brigstowe Posts: 16,989	Re: enlightenment If the Real Buddha is lurking on this thread, would he please stand up and speak? We badly need the voice of experience to make any progress.
Local Time: 06:56 AM Local Date: 12-04-2008

06-01-2005, 11:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
john8pies Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,159	Re: enlightenment I personally think that true enlightenment, and especially the moment it was attained, would be totally magnificent.
Local Time: 07:56 AM Local Date: 12-04-2008

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