Yesterday, a marketing guru asked me a question that left me speechless.
I had retained Bob to review the copy on my Mystic Warrior website from a sales perspective. He asked about reader reactions. As we talked, I told him how some readers felt compelled, while in the midst of my book, to put it down and meditate. In several cases, they described tingling sensations on the crown of their head and of receiving "downloads of energy and information." I told Bob they were "attuning with God" and how this is a step towards enlightenment.
That's when he asked me the question that left me speechless.
He asked, "Why would you want to be enlightened?"
Bob wasn't trying to be funny and he wasn't questioning whether this would benefit people. He asked me this to force me to think about the question in a more fundamental way. (You might say he was acting as a "devil's advocate.")
When I first heard his question, I couldn't respond. Going through my mind were the thoughts, "Isn't this what everybody wants?" and "Isn't this the reason for living?" But before I could even speak, I realized this wasn't true.
A belief as an idea that you accept as true-regardless of whether or not it really is. Many times a belief operates subconsciously and is never examined. This is what happened to me. My belief seemed self-evident and yet, it wasn't true for most people. Not everyone wants to become enlightened-at least not consciously.
So I pondered, "Why would you want to be enlightened?"
This is not a simple question to answer. "Why would you want to be rich?" is easy to answer.
"So I can buy a new BMW M5."
"So I can travel throughout Europe staying at the finest hotels."
"So I can help others less fortunate than me."
The reason it's easy to answer is that being rich only satisfies a physical, emotional or intellectual desire.
Striving for enlightenment is not a physical, emotional or intellectual quest. It arises out of a yearning from deep within the soul. It's beyond emotion or intellect. It's a craving to return to God, a desire to be completely and totally one with God.
Throughout the ages mystics have described this experience. Regardless of what formal religion the individual might practice, the experience almost always includes: a sense of being beyond time or space and connected to everything, joy, knowingness, paradoxicality, ineffability, and transiency with permanent changes.
Anyone who has ever approached such an experience never forgets it. Thereafter, nothing else compares. Consequently, you are no longer content merely with great food, awesome sex, mind-blowing entertainment, or extravagant material goods. You want enlightenment.
But the fact is, not everyone has this craving or is even aware it exists. So short of sitting in the presence of an enlightened master, how do you awaken it in people? Does it trivialize it to say it will improve your life, that you'll lead a happier, less stressful life? Does it cheapen it to point out that as you move towards enlightenment and eliminate the veils (beliefs) that hide the true nature of God, that you'll begin to develop your inner senses, often referred to as psychic abilities?
Do you mention all these benefits when someone asks, "Why would you want to be enlightened?"
Or do you simply say, "Because nothing else matters."
Edwin Harkness Spina is the author of the award-winning spiritual thriller Mystic Warrior. Receive a free copy of Mystic Secrets Revealed when you sign up for the mystic warrior newsletter with mystical techniques to improve your life and expand your mind.
post construction cleaning Deerfield ..In the game of billiards there are two things you... Read More
As I sit here and ponder my existence my heart... Read More
As soon as he saw me I saw him. It... Read More
Often, in being dishonest about our own faults and failures,... Read More
It was my intention to explain the word "simple," and... Read More
For the past several years I have struggled with getting... Read More
The psalms of the Bible are a literary treasure chest... Read More
Michael Shermer speaks with the energy and passion of an... Read More
I believe in the source we refer to as 'God'.... Read More
Can I be honest with you? There are days when... Read More
INTRODUCTIONSpiritual affirmations are positive, statements of intention, that facilitate manifestation.... Read More
Why do we have an Ego?Almost all spiritual guides say... Read More
What better example than Jesus' life to explain about having... Read More
Last NAN I explained how to petition the female Saints... Read More
Years ago no matter where I lived, whether a house... Read More
Since I awoke from my three month coma in August... Read More
Many of you come to this site because you are... Read More
Did you ever see something go wrong around you and... Read More
In one forum, one participant posted this query:I think quite... Read More
I was originally brought up Catholic, at the insistence of... Read More
It is my personal view that the reason we call... Read More
I heard recently on a Christian radio station somebody talking... Read More
Those of us, who are familiar with Apostle Paul's sermon... Read More
Prayer. It's the foundation of a Christian mom's life. Why?... Read More
Matthew 2:1-12The Visit of the Wise Men1 Now after Jesus... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Bannockburn ..Enlightenment, which is as varied as each individual's fingerprint, is... Read More
Lonely Song"a box of paints - lament for my da"It... Read More
In Corrogue I feel wonderful.As friends know I love singing.... Read More
There is nothing more valuable to a sentient being then... Read More
Our Creator is an infinitely loving and generous provider -... Read More
The time we spend on earth is very short when... Read More
There are many different and interchangeable terms that are used... Read More
God said, "Thou shalt not?" and we continue to tell... Read More
An angel can be your best friend. Angels have been... Read More
Jack Nicholson (Col. Jessup) (marine cornel) YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE... Read More
"Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught... Read More
The human body is surely a miracle of God's creation.... Read More
In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the... Read More
In the interest of mankind the Angels are delivering messages... Read More
As a Coach and Psychotherapist I have found that the... Read More
Listen to the sound of silence. Enjoy the peace and... Read More
I want to share with you something that happened to... Read More
In God's world, everything can be used as an anology... Read More
Divining Rods, also known as Dowsing Rods, have been used... Read More
Chaos: "complete confusion" and "the formless void before the creation... Read More
Observations from the Town Car... "Home James!"The bulk of driving... Read More
Want more peace and joy in your life? Daily stress... Read More
Those five words are from a song that I remember... Read More
There are many energy beings available to assist us in... Read More
Lectio divina is a very useful and practical discipline for... Read More
Spirituality |