“What makes you think you aren’t enlightened?”

The question came from a quiet man who heard my presentation the day before at the Miracles Coaching event in Utah last month.

He went on to say…

“You write in your books that you are in the third stage of awakening but we all heard you speak, and we feel you are enlightened. We felt the energy in the room. We felt what you did for us. We feel you are there. Why don’t you think you are enlightened?”

I was honored and impressed.

After all, he was accusing me of achieving the very state spiritual seekers have been striving for centuries to attain.

It was a compliment.

But I saw this as a moment for him, not me.

“I love the flattering nature of the question,” I said, “but I think you can ask yourself the same thing.”

He looked at me, waiting for more.

“The only thing stopping you from being enlightened is your thinking about being enlightened,” I explained. “Your mind separates you from the experience. It’s probably as true for you as it is for me.”

I could tell he wanted me to explain, so I did…

I'm on cover September 2014 Austin All Natural magazine (Art by Donna Aloia)

I'm on cover September 2014 Austin All Natural magazine (Art by Donna Aloia)

“What most of us do is argue with reality,” I said. “Because we fight and complain and get frustrated over what is, we can’t allow ourselves any peace. When we accept reality, and know that all is good, we move in the direction of awakening, or enlightenment. But most of us simply think ourselves out of our bliss.”

But the gentleman persisted.

“The so called gurus of the world claim to be enlightened and act the part,” he countered. “Because they do, others follow them. Maybe you just need to own that you are enlightened.”

Again, I was tickled at the suggestion.

But I knew I would no more declare enlightenment as he would.

Saying “I’m enlightened” feels like what a non-enlightened person would say.

I’m told Buddha awakened and said we were all awakened but didn’t know it.

Maybe he was right.

Maybe the gentleman at the event was right.

Maybe all you and I need to do is own our enlightenment.

I’ve often said that if you want to tell if you’re enlightened or not, go visit your family.

Your family knows your hot buttons.

They put most of them there.

If you can visit them for a week and still feel at peace in every moment, you may be enlightened.

Then again…

I love the question and offer it to you…

“What makes you think you are not enlightened?”

Well?

Ao Akua,

Joe

PS — Check out Miracles Coaching right here.

Member BBB 2003 - 2015

Member BBB 2003 - 2015

5 Comments

  1. September 1, 2014 at 11:08 am

    I noticed that for some time I feel that that all things are full of life and connected. So I thought I am enlightend.
    The next day I feared that I could un-lighten. Funny thing the light from our neighborhood went down that evening.
    Then I asked myself what is it in me that I can clean about this situation. Starting the cleaning I realized that all day long I thought about losing the enlightment.
    I relaxed into myself again and in that moment the light came back.

  2. Josh-Reply
    September 1, 2014 at 4:29 pm

    Great post!

    I guess I would have to know what the definition of “enlightened” is?

    Is it to be at peace at all times, no matter what is happening to us or around us?

    But then again…aren’t we also emotional beings…isn’t it okay to feel emotions and let them pass through us without clinging onto them?

    As Rumi said…”this being human is a guest house….”

    read below for the rest of the poem

    http://www.gratefulness.org/poetry/guest_house.htm

    So what is “enlightenement” mean to you everyone. Share your thoughts in the comments

  3. September 2, 2014 at 9:16 pm

    Fantastic blog!

    Enlightenment often functions as a distraction.
    It is easy to lose our self in it’s mysticism.

    Your blog is a great reminder that, if one is enlightened…all are enlightened.

    Peace, love & music,
    G-Monk

  4. Jimbo-Reply
    September 3, 2014 at 7:23 am

    Wow, Your comment on family-hot-buttons is what I am learning/struggling with right now. I am learning that when someone hits my hot button, with a hidden smirk they are thinking “I got him . . . I win” – and I must not enter their competitive arena, but get into/remain in the creative mind instead. Much easier said than done, but it is getting a bit easier each time.

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