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.
best cleaning company Lincolnshire ..It's not exactly a news flash that we live in... Read More
The deeper beauty of spring is its process. In winter's... Read More
You are a Creative Worker:God carries on creative work through... Read More
Although spring is just around the corner, there have been... Read More
How many of us rush blindly through our days, fall... Read More
Matthew 1:1-17The Genealogy of Jesus Christ1 The book of the... Read More
"Quantum Physics is the science of gods? Newtonian Physics is... Read More
Since my departure from the traditional "Corporate Life" almost 8... Read More
It is life, time for breathing deep, sighs and touching... Read More
Most of us know that the universe - God's universe... Read More
Are you facing some challenges in your life right now?... Read More
Within every obstacle there is an equivalent or greater benefit.~Napoleon... Read More
INTRODUCTIONSpiritual affirmations are positive, statements of intention, that facilitate manifestation.... Read More
The word "gravity" is a word coined by Sir Isaac... Read More
I beheld the sky and its wonders and saw AstonishmentI... Read More
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me,... Read More
I have a long-term goal--a life-long goal really--to develop the... Read More
Symbols and symbolism are popular in almost every civilisation, culture... Read More
The fundamental aim of spiritual study is to get facts... Read More
The world's idea of justice and freedom fall short of... Read More
Do you want victory in your life? Do you have... Read More
"You have not handed me over to the enemy but... Read More
There are many contradictions in life and none more easily... Read More
In the year 2000, I went on a mission trip... Read More
'O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom... Read More
on demand house cleaning Lake Forest ..(Channeled) Spirituality is about everyday life, which includes getting up... Read More
What purpose does keeping a journal serve?Do you write down... Read More
The Emmaus Journal What is Wrong With Being Common? This... Read More
Attachment... Bondage... Moha... state as we may but the meaning... Read More
There is a specific technique that a Shaman uses to... Read More
Walls as a blockade seem to be an integral part... Read More
Let me say that marketing can be a corrupting experience.... Read More
When the Bible makes reference to a "yoke" it is... Read More
The question of life after death is one that continues... Read More
Animal spirit totems can be viewed in different ways according... Read More
We may sometimes consider the difficulty that occurs with our... Read More
I come face to face with self whenever you come... Read More
As humans, we are the species that operate with symbols.... Read More
One of the first issues people on the spiritual path... Read More
Greetings my Dear Beloved SoulsWe have heard your cries, your... Read More
In the movie "Forest Gump" we see Forest succeed in... Read More
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,... Read More
On reading Susan Cato's Time Magazine Canada piece titled, "In... Read More
Would you like an exciting and wonder-full resolution for the... Read More
The lighter side of Tarot deals with games played using... Read More
*Advice on living a humane and compassionate life.According to text... Read More
There's nothing new about "the new age" except the attitude... Read More
Within every obstacle there is an equivalent or greater benefit.~Napoleon... Read More
"Spirit is beyond the void of space. This realm, beyond... Read More
THE GNOSTICS, ESSENES AND THE 'OCCULT':Throughout this book I have... Read More
Spirituality |