The truth, in my view

[inMalkuth]

I have read a lot of works that say how wonderful enlightenment is, and how the one in whom the holy light has shined has reached such a state of peace and wisdom that there can only be happiness. These authors like to paint a pretty picture about how grand everything is as if there is no effort or pain involved. The truth as I have seen it is that in order to achieve this great unity with wisdom there is an enormous price, and I am wary of anyone that claims to have such a truth at no cost. Yes, reclaiming the light of wisdom that we forgot from childhood is a wonderful thing, and it sustains us well. Getting back to that light is no easy task, at least it wasn't for me. Perhaps there are individuals that never strayed from this light, but of that I highly doubt; for it would be virtually impossible to preserve innocence throughout life, and should you be successful in doing so, one would probably never need to arrive at the examination of mystery. We shroud ourselves in necessary veils to protect us from our ignorance of the harsh reality of the truth of life, and if one wants to perceive whether or not a person has actually pierced the final veil into wisdom, it is simple enough to look at what they are hiding under. I see a lot of this around the occult community. Most of this language is allegorical and while it is possible to master this language, to know the truth of it is something else. We try to convey specific understandings in vague terms so that all can relate to it, but underneath each of us is a particular event or decision that we must translate onto these words. It is in the actual life experience that true art is found, and not necessarily in the word play of philosophy. A person can pontificate ideas all day but if they are unable to translate it into their own lives they cannot claim to have achieved full wisdom of the self.

[Desecrated]

You would probably enjoy zen buddhism, read a book about it and try out the methods.

[chowderpope]

Are you saying the innocence of childhood is something like enlightenment? Maybe prenatal experience is akin to enlightenment, but who can recall that?

If you are interested in zen practice, D.T. Suzuki was a great practical teacher of zen meditation. If you go down that path expect to do work.

Oh, and you never responded to your other thread about two paths in the occult.

[inMalkuth]

It is like innocence int he sense that we believe we know and have a focus on what to do, who we want to be, how we want to act etc... I don't think anyone can ever truly be enlightened, but I do think you can reclaim this and make sense of the choices that proved to be error.