Why Chase the Light When All We Need to Do Is Switch It on?

You’ll never catch the rainbow — it’s an illusion

Before enlightenment became a buzzword for spiritual pursuits, a philosophical movement in Europe in the 18th century dominated the world of ideas.

The Age of Enlightenment, or Age of Reason, advocated the ideals of liberty, progress, tolerance, brotherhood, constitutional government, and separation of church and state. Intellectuals argued that reason was the primary source of authority and legitimacy.

Much of this commentary was a response to the preceding century of religious conflict within Christianity. Scientists, philosophers and the intelligentsia sought to rein in the political power of organised religion.

One idea developed was deism — belief in God the Creator without reference to the Bible or any other source. Another was atheism, though it had few proponents.

Theosophy was an esoteric movement which had originated in the US in 1875. Based on the writings of Russian immigrant, Helena Blavatsky, it drew on the teachings of Neoplatonism, Hinduism and Buddhism.

This opened the door to alternative views of the Divine and spirituality which gained ground in the 20th century in the West.

“In 1970, American theosophist David Spangler moved to the Findhorn Foundation, where he developed the fundamental idea of the New Age movement. He believed that the release of new waves of spiritual energy, signaled by certain astrological changes (e.g., the movement of the Earth into a new cycle known as the Age of Aquarius), had initiated the coming of the New Age.” — Britannica.

The counterculture of the late 60's and early 70's — my generation — endorsed the view that the world was awakening and promoted peace and love for a better future.

Spangler gained more support when he returned to the US in 1975. The noted psychologist, Richard Alpert, became a spokesperson for the movement. He, together with Timothy Leary, had supported the use of hallucinogenic drugs, such as LSD, to achieve mystical experiences.

However, Alpert found enlightenment in India and came back to the West as Ram Dass. He advocated more spiritual disciplines rather than use of psychedelic drugs.

Why am I telling you this?

The New Age movement opened the gates to diverse ideas of how to connect with our spirituality. How through our own actions we could achieve heaven on earth through an upsurge of higher consciousness — or enlightenment.

Practices Western society had frowned on before, such as meditation and yoga, became mainstream.

(Oh yes, there were many charlatans who climbed on the bandwagon claiming theirs was the only way!)

Although the New Age has faded, it allowed us to explore different avenues without fear or favor — within or outside of a particular religion.

Just as we do here!

I’ve been meditating for 26 years — not to seek enlightenment. Meditation or prayer are times for me to quieten my mind, self-reflect, or have a chat with the Divine.

We have the power to be compassionate, non-judgmental, forgiving and generous in our actions.

Enlightenment is not somewhere we have to go — it’s right here inside us.

All we have to do is switch on the light.

Thanks for being here.

My response to this week’s prompt on enlightenment— thank you Diana C.