Can humans reach enlightenment?

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Grantywanty

Registered Senior Member
If your answer is yes, how did you reach this conclusion?
(I got tired of the assumption that humans had reached this state)
Is it because you read that someone was enlightened?
Did you meet someone and their answers or behavior made it clear they were enlightened? How so?
Is is because a lot of people talk about enlightened beings and some of these people are smart and so you figure it is probably true?
Is it a gut feeling?
What convinced you that there is or was an enlightened being?
 
I would dare to say yes there is such a thing.
I think so because ALL religions were founded by the disciples of a man that achieved something we are all capable of... Something that does not die after our body dies...
Just by the prescence of this fellows, millions and millions of people have taken their words for the words of God himself; and even if any of these guys ever wanted to found a religion, religions were started around them like a forest fire starts with the help of a little flame. The purpose of the flame is not to start a forrest fire, it is only to exist; but forrest fires happen weather the flame wants it or not.

What convinced me? Osho convinced me, just by the mere fact of listening to his words, listening to the gaps between his words; and most of all, experiencing the love and compassion that a human being is capable of.

Not only this, but after I found my real love, I have had the feeling of something that overpowers my imagination; a glimpse of an eternal ocean of love that is there for all living creatures.
All of my life I have thought that the main reason for living is love and happiness. Every shitty thing you go through in life is worth it because love exists, and it is a possibility available for all people of all ages. Unconditional love and compassion is the proof of enlightment.
 
Grantywanty said:
If your answer is yes, how did you reach this conclusion?
(I got tired of the assumption that humans had reached this state)
Is it because you read that someone was enlightened?
Did you meet someone and their answers or behavior made it clear they were enlightened? How so?
Is is because a lot of people talk about enlightened beings and some of these people are smart and so you figure it is probably true?
Is it a gut feeling?
What convinced you that there is or was an enlightened being?
Click to expand...
Define "enlightenment".

Is it a tangible commodity?
Is it merely a subjective assessment... and if so what are the criteria... and who is to ultimately judge (one man's enlightenment could be another man's Monday morning fugue!)
Is it merely clarity of thought, of self-given purpose, or more to do with being at peace with themselves, their perceived position in this existence?

Or is an enlightened person self-proclaimed?
 
To be honest I don't see how a human can reach enlightenment as I perceive the more or less established concept here on sciforums. For further discussion the concept should be defined properly.
 
spidergoat said:
No, they cannot reach it through any deliberate action. Nevertheless, it does happen.
Click to expand...

Hmm, but once "enlightenment" happens to someone, is there nothing else to strive for? Is that the end of all human endeavors?

Personally, I think "enlightenment" needs a whole lot of defining! :D

Baron Max
 
You could strive for certain objectives if you want. Enlightenment doesn't rob you of freedom.
 
Enmos said:
To be honest I don't see how a human can reach enlightenment as I perceive the more or less established concept here on sciforums. For further discussion the concept should be defined properly.
Click to expand...

If you were told that a certain fruit can be eaten, and that is great for your health, and that is tastes great; would you ask for the definition of the taste before you taste it? It just can´t be done, just referenced. You need to taste it for yourself in order to know what it tastes like; you cannot possibly know the taste before actually eating it.
But... most people stay waiting for the definition of the taste their whole lifes, they don´t even reach to the fruit, they just keep waiting for someone to "define" the taste to them before they eat it.
 
Wisdom_Seeker said:
If you were told that a certain fruit can be eaten, and that is great for your health, and that is tastes great; would you ask for the definition of the taste before you taste it? It just can´t be done, just referenced. You need to taste it for yourself in order to know what it tastes like; you cannot possibly know the taste before actually eating it.
But... most people stay waiting for the definition of the taste their whole lifes, they don´t even reach to the fruit, they just keep waiting for someone to "define" the taste to them before they eat it.
Click to expand...

Well, if that's true how can we ever answer the question ?
 
Wisdom_Seeker said:
lol, it was just a trick to find out what question were you reffering to... :cool:



Emmm, you can answer the question, but if you expect for everyone to agree well... :bugeye:
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But you said it can't be know what the definition is, it follows that the question can't be answered.
 
Enmos said:
But you said it can't be know what the definition is, it follows that the question can't be answered.
Click to expand...

Not really.

For example: "Do banana taste exist?"
You first need to define what "banana taste" is before you answer that question? No, because banana taste does exist; but can you put the taste of a banana in words? It would come out as something like: "It tastes sweet, mmm, like a banana".
 
Wisdom_Seeker said:
Not really.

For example: "Do banana taste exist?"
You first need to define what "banana taste" is before you answer that question? No, because banana taste does exist; but can you put the taste of a banana in words? It would come out as something like: "It tastes sweet, mmm, like a banana".
Click to expand...

You are saying it again.. :shrug:
You say one can't put the definition of enlightenment into words.
Therefore the question cannot be answered.
 
cosmictraveler said:
Enlightenment comes only after you have lost your fear of death.
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I have heard that enlightment comes when you stop identifying yourself with your body and personality; enlightment is disidentification. So you maybe right, but I think loosing the fear of death is just a biproduct of your disidentification.
 
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