The query and its answer

• BareAwareness

  24 Aug 13, 22:22

  Hmm ... this is my new account and it appears like I have to at least post a topic before I can reply to other threads. So I will start with this topic. The topic is about query about Enlightenment. I believe many of us have encountered before question of others asking about: (1) What Enlightenment is like? (2) Has anyone seen an Enlightened being? (3) How do I know whether I have Enlightened? (4) What is the proper way and how do I practice to gain Enlightenment? (5) What's next after Enlightenment? (6) Is Enlightenment the only goal? Can I don't aim for Enlightenment? (7) etc. etc. Many venerables are kind enough to give you the surface response to the above questions, knowing that silence (which is the answer) is not an answer that are 'acceptable' to most people asking the question. Many venerables probably also know that these surface response to the above questions is not answering the question and nobody will probably be enlightened any further from the answer. The person who asked the question will also feel that his 'need' are not really answered deep within. Beyond the surface of the question, if you look closely behind its motivation, you would see a clear gaining idea and grasping of some 'comfort zone' which arises out of subtle fear of the 'unknown' (state of enlightenment). Irrespective of how the various questions are presented and phrased and formulated, its nature of attempt at grasping at some 'comfort zone' or certainty due to fear of 'losing' to the 'unknown' is common and evident. So, it is not the question that needs to be addressed but instead the grasping behind it. When one let go of the grasping and clinging, the questions will be self-answered naturally, for there will be no questions which arise out of fear. That will be the 'absolute resolution' to the queries. And the one to bring about such 'absolute resolution' have to be the one who asked. The answer-er is the ask-er, and the answer is the asking. Other people can only points the direction but can never provide the answer. If we see this point, there will be a lot of questions in our mind that need not be asked, for we already know the answer (even at this moment, you may not feel you know the answer. But you do already know the answer.). The question is for us to decide whether we want to let go of our grasping and clinging. That is the true question whose single response will answer all of our other questions.
• An Eternal Now

  25 Aug 13, 11:49

  All such questions resolve themselves when you realize your true nature... grasping and questioning is replaced by complete certainty of what our true nature is.

• Aik TC

  25 Aug 13, 13:47

   

  The practice of good moral and ethical values, regular meditation and the eventual realization of not-self and/or emptiness would bring an end to such questions on enlightenment.

  By the way BareAwareness, what does the word ‘Enlightenment’ means to you?

   

• BareAwareness

  27 Aug 13, 20:30

  O
• M the name

  12 Sep 13, 16:22

  Awaken Through Mindfulness : http://www.awakenthroughmindfulness.com/the-three-essential-skills-of-mindfulness