Why Would You Want to be Enlightened?

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.

Airbnb cleaning service Glenview ..
In The News:

Apple releases emergency patches for two zero-day vulnerabilities actively exploited in attacks. iPhone and iPad users urged to update immediately.
DoorDash launches Zesty, an AI-powered social app that recommends restaurants through conversational search, now testing in San Francisco and New York.
Cybersecurity firm Infoblox reveals that over 90 percent of parked domains now redirect visitors to scams and malware, making simple typos extremely dangerous.
The Fox News AI Newsletter covers the latest artificial intelligence technology advancements, including the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
GPT-5.2 is now live for all ChatGPT users with improved coding, writing and image interpretation, with Kurt Knutsson offering his review.
New iPhone replacement scam uses pressure tactics and fake carrier calls to steal devices from buyers. Criminals claim shipping errors and demand urgent returns.
Amazon Ring's new facial recognition feature sparks privacy controversy as Electronic Frontier Foundation critics argue the AI upgrade expands surveillance risks.
New Android banking trojan Sturnus steals credentials, reads encrypted messages and controls devices.
Denmark's 3D-printed student village proves automation builds 36 apartments faster than traditional methods. Skovsporet project shows housing future.
Discover Android's new Sound Notifications feature that alerts you to smoke alarms, doorbells, and baby cries even when wearing headphones.
New SantaStealer malware reportedly threatens holiday shoppers with password theft. This Christmas-themed info-stealer targets browsers and crypto wallets.
The Christmas season brings a surge in Netflix phishing scams targeting shoppers with fake emails. Stacey P received convincing scam but verified account first.
San Francisco Giants invite Jamie Grohsong to throw ceremonial first pitch at Oracle Park after he learned to play baseball with a bionic hand following an injury.
FBI warns cybercriminals are stealing family photos from social media to create fake proof of life images in virtual kidnapping scams targeting victims.
Instagram's new 'Your Algorithm' tool lets you control your Reels feed in real time. The app now gives you power to customize what videos you see.
Major Marquis fintech breach exposes 400,000-plus Americans' data through unpatched SonicWall vulnerability, with Texas hardest hit at 354,000 affected.
Free up iPhone storage fast by clearing large photos and videos from Messages app. Simple steps for iOS users to delete attachments without losing chats.
Scammers are flooding inboxes with fake tracking alerts that mimic real carriers, exploiting the holiday rush to steal logins and personal data.
The Fox News AI Newsletter brings you the latest news on AI technology advancements and the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Texas family reunites with missing 11-year-old cat Grayson after 103 days using Petco Love Lost's AI photo matching technology and community help.
Tired of AI customer service loops? These insider tricks help you escape "frustration AI" and get real human help when you need it most for urgent issues.
Unlock richer audio from your streaming apps with simple tweaks to volume normalization, equalizer settings, and quality preferences for cleaner sound.
Scammers are sending fake Facebook settlement payout emails that mimic legitimate notices from the privacy settlement administrator to deceive users.
Holiday shopping scams surge as fake refund emails target distracted consumers during Black Friday and holiday seasons, costing Americans billions annually.
The AI-powered IRMO M1 exoskeleton features four modes, including turbo, eco, training and rest for hiking, running, cycling and sports with eight-hour battery life.

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

Did you ever see something go wrong around you and... Read More

Connect with Spirit

Spirit - All Around Us, All of Us, Every One... Read More

You Are Not Your Stuff

We humans are a funny, funny breed. We spend our... Read More

Whatd We Miss?

Did we just overlook the amount of love that God... Read More

Mankinds Ten Worst Enemies: #3 Jealousy

Though closely akin and sometimes used synonymously, John Rawls distinguish... Read More

What Animal Communicators Do

Many people are awakening today to the idea that the... Read More

From Spiritual Cry Baby to Bold Seeker of Truth

Ever notice how people dread discussing... Read More

Mankinds Ten Worst Enemies: #1 Pride

We have a proclivity to think of individuals and nations... Read More

What Is The Secret of Life?

The question isn't, "Is there life after death."Rather, the question... Read More

Tarot Basics

A Tarot card deck typically consists of 78 colorful cards... Read More

10 Interesting Facts about Archangel Michael

1. The name Michael means, "Who is like God". In... Read More

The Kabbalah of Transformation: Turning Darkness into Light

THE KABBALAH OF PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION: TURNING DARKNESS INTO LIGHT"In the... Read More

Spiritual Intelligence: How It Benefits A Person

In one forum, one participant posted this query:I think quite... Read More

God Versus the Gods

Aristotle referred to happiness as the most we can achieve.... Read More

Stress Strategy: Flex Your Spiritual Muscles

In his book, Stress Without Distress, Dr. Selye suggests that... Read More

Is It Safe To Walk Into Your Doctors Office?

In a recent case study which I also summarized in... Read More

Giving From the Heart

I thought for sometime that I was hard done bye... Read More

How Does God See You?

How does God see you? Does He like what He... Read More

The Blessing of Violence

An interesting question arose within a poetry workshop I attended... Read More

When Bad Things Happen (Part 1)

Rabbi Kushner in his book "When Bad Things Happen to... Read More

Protector

Some may ask why in a disaster some people are... Read More

Immaterial Gain

Among some of us who deem ourselves spiritual, the use... Read More

Your Guide to the Archangels

An angel can be your best friend. Angels have been... Read More

The Cuddlies

I finally went to the dentist today. I had been... Read More

Where is Your Brother?

The story of Cain and Abel stands very close to... Read More

efficient cleaning crew Highland Park ..