Enlightened

What does it mean to be ‘enlightened’?

This is day 4 of my spiritual journey during Lent. I know, we are two weeks into Lent, but I got a late start. Forgive my tardiness. I’ll try to make it up.

Seeing the challenge to write a story or poem using the prompt “enlightenment,” that Simran Kankas put out recently on Spiritual Tree, I did what I usually do. I googled it, and up came the following definition:

“1: the act or means of enlightening: the state of being enlightened.”

Really!? That’s very enlightening!

Seriously, that’s what a dictionary gave as the first definition. I don’t know about you, but my English teacher taught us never to use the word or its derivatives in the definition.

To be fair, dictionary said:

“3: Buddhism: a final blessed state marked by the absence of desire or suffering.”

That’s more like it.

According to Wikipedia, “Enlightenment is the full comprehension of a situation.”

My understanding from 3 above is that Buddhists seek to attain such a state.

I can imagine what life without suffering would look like. Who wouldn’t want that? Thankfully, most of my life I’ve lived with little suffering. Considering my age, that says a lot.

However, to live without desire — that I cannot comprehend. Why would anyone want to do that? Why wouldn’t you want more bliss, more joy, more good things happening?

Isn’t desire what propels us to make changes for the better in our lives and to build a better world? Don’t we all have a strong desire to improve ourselves and make life better for our offspring, friends, and neighbors? Do we really want a life without desire?

Perhaps if I were enlightened, or at least, more enlightened, I might understand.

I know that St. Paul writes in the Bible that we should be content with what we have, with whatever state we find ourselves in, but I haven’t met many who feel that way. Most of us want more of the good things and less of the bad things that life sends our way.

Speaking of good things… Shopping this morning at Sam’s Club, we got a pleasant surprise. When we checked out, our bill came to $132 and change. To my surprise, we had $130 in credits (for what; I don’t know). We surely enjoyed walking out of the store with a cartload of groceries for only $2. I definitely want more of that.

It’s been a good week. Yesterday we had to call the plumber to correct something I’d told him to do. Then, after discussing it with my wife, I changed my mind, and we had to ask him to come back and change it. To my surprise, he didn’t charge me anything. I expected to get socked with at least a trip fee, but no, he said he was on his way to another job and I was on the way, so no trip fee, either. He said we’d been good customers and he hoped we’d use them again and that we’d recommend them to our friends and neighbors. After such excellent treatment, that’s the least we can do.

After pondering the two incidents above, which saved us a couple of hundred dollars, I’m wondering if a part of enlightenment might recognize that the Universe (God) provides us what we need and sometimes even throws in a little extra.

Come to think of it, I got an unexpected check in the mailbox a week ago that provided just the amount needed to cover the plumbing bill. That is so welcomed and appreciated as we are on fixed incomes and coughing up the extra dough for things like plumbing issues can be challenging.

I think my friend Trista Ainsworth would call this the realization of the abundance that surrounds us.

The way I look at it, Providence provides what we need. All that’s required of us is a grateful heart. When we receive with gratitude, the Universe (God) provides more.

Some say the way to enlightenment is through meditation. But another way may involve just being aware of the good that comes our way and grateful for it. To say “Thanks” to the Universe (God) when good things happen, and to persevere when things don’t go according to our plans or desires.

I hope after reading this you feel a little more enlightened. If not, keep seeking. Seek and you will find!

I’m tagging the following fellow sojourners. I hope you’ll pay them a visit as well.

I’m also inviting the following writer-poet-friends to join me on this journey and post their own discoveries. Who knows what we’ll find along the way.

Afiyah The Poet, Amy Marley, Ana-Maria Schweitzer, Annelise Lords, Aurora Eliam, CMP, Beth Stormont, Caroline de Braganza, Charlene Fate, Chris Hedges, Dipti Pande, Eli Snow, Estrella Ramirez, FILZA CHAUDHRY, Harley King, Holly Jahangiri, Ibrahim Alkuraya, Indra Raj Pathak, Joanne Troppello🌿, Jill Ebstein, Joe Luca, John C. Davis, Kevin Buddaeus, Krissy Ruiz ☽✪☾, Lisa Bolin, Mary Holden, Neha Sandhir S, Priyanka Srivastava, R Tsambounieri Talarantas, Riku Arikiri, Robert Nelson, Sarah E Sturgis, Selma, Simran Kankas, Sydney Koel, Vinitha Dileep, Willem-Jan Ageling, Wolfie Bain

If you post something, be sure to tag me. I would love to share in your discoveries and read the resulting creative work.

Happy Reading, Writing, Seeking Enlightenment and Connecting.

The previous stop on this journey can be found here

The journey began here