Being on the spiritual path is one thing. Being enlightened is totally another thing. Sometimes I feel when I hear people talking about being enlightened, it really is not enlightenment at all. It is more an appreciation or recognition of the spiritual path they are on.
The delusion that it is enlightenment causes great harm for one’s spiritual progress. The drive for growth is cut prematurely and it will be hard to invoke growth when the ego is strengthened as it establishes itself in the false delusion of enlightenment.
Sometimes we are in the company of those that also hold this belief, very strongly, that they are enlightened and this creates a false sense of attainment. It becomes a place where we simply massage egos instead of attempting to dissect the ego and remove its influence as the Master of our Life.
Even to state that a path is right is very subjective. When you abide as the Formless, all paths are right. All paths are like many rivers flowing towards the Mighty Ocean of Isness, of Fullness, of the Formless.
This is why it is important to understand that the journey is in progress and that despite knowing the destination, we have to be honest in saying we have not reached there yet. The signs are there, some distance has to be travelled for the mind to be able to integrate with the Formless, the Pure Isness of Life.
For me, you need three things to really excel in your spiritual journey.
One is to be truly honest. If you haven’t attained enlightenment, if you have not attained freedom from the mind then say so.
Two is to be humble. If you haven’t reached it, but you have an amazing spiritual path, an incredible Guru or Teacher then appreciate them but don’t belittle others. Pray that whatever path they are on, that they meet the Formless.
Three is to be passionate. If you haven’t got passion then you will not strive for enlightenment, for freedom from the mind. Passion to become the Formless needs to be your number one priority.
Recognize when a path has now become barren land for you. Before, this path was full of life, full of flowers and beautiful fragrances but now the ego has taken over and taken over the land of your mind. Keep moving forward and try and find a new path where the flowers are blooming again. When you find that path, rest as Formless Awareness, That which You are.
