The Simplicity of Enlightenment

Enlightenment means different things to different people, but to me it simply means completely accepting reality and understanding my place in it. An enlightened person is at peace even in negative circumstances. An enlightened person sees the cosmic wheel of life and death and is grateful to play a part in it. An enlightened person accepts others exactly as they are.

When I find myself getting caught up in the chaos around me, questioning the purpose of suffering or feeling hopelessly unhappy, I am comforted by the word "quilt." Here's what it stands for:

Que sera sera.
U and
I should
Love one another.
This too shall pass.

"Que sera sera," the Spanish phrase for "whatever will be will be" was a line from a popular 1950's song. It is a signpost that points to enlightenment because it reminds me that there are some things I simply cannot control. Death, for example, could come to me or to a loved on at any moment. While such a circumstance is a cause for sadness, it does no good to shake my fist at the sky and rage against the injustice of the universe. These actions will not bring back the person I've lost, and by engaging in them I may lose myself to grief or pain. It is useless to argue with reality or wish it was something other than what it is. Acceptance of the unchangeable is the only sane approach to living.

"U [You] and I should love one another" is a reminder to accept other people exactly as they are, wherever they are on their journey. Of course I don't control the actions of others, but even when people are hurtful I can still love them. Perhaps I will distance myself from them to protect myself from being used or abused, but such action does not inherently prevent me from forgiving and loving.

"This too shall pass" is a reminder to not get too caught up in the things of this world. People and possessions are fleeting. Sadness and sickness, power and influence are fleeting as well. Anchoring myself to the things of this world is the greatest folly. True happiness is independent of circumstances, and true inner peace cannot be diminished by external events.

Enlightenment is more of a journey than a destination; an ongoing process of growth and change. Its pursuit is, I believe, the primary purpose of our existence.