Zen Definition of Spiritual Enlightenment
Summary: In this series, we will look to deepen our understanding of spiritual enlightenment, by studying the views from various different teachings and philosophies. In the first article of this series, we will explore the explanation of enlightenment given by the great modern day Zen Buddhist teacher, Charlotte Joko Beck.
Key Concepts: enlightenment, spiritual enlightenment, zen, zen buddhism, zen teachings, charlotte joko beck, zazen, zen meditation, spiritual growth
Spiritual enlightenment is the greatest mystery and the greatest Truth available to man. Many explanations, descriptions, views etc., exist for enlightenment and each of these gives us some insight and understanding into what this great phenomenon is. In this series, I would like to provide these various definitions on enlightenment from various great teachings in order to help you understand better what it is for yourself.
We will start off this series with the Zen Buddhist definition of enlightenment and who better to quote, than one of my favorite Zen teachers Charlotte Joko Beck. Here is what this great Zen master had to say about what enlightenment is.
Enlightenment is the core of all religion. But we have quite often a strange picture of what it is. We equate the enlightened state with a state in which we have become quite perfect, quite nice and quiet, calm and accepting. And that’s not it.
I’m going to ask a series of questions about certain unpleasant states. I am not saying we should not have strong feelings or preferences about them. Nevertheless from these examples we can begin to get a clue; and when we have a clue we can see more clearly what we’re doing in practice. Here are the questions. (I have selected only a few that she asked).
- If I am told, "Joko, you have one more day to live," is that OK with me? or if someone told you that, is that OK with you?
- If I am in a severe accident, and my legs and arm have been amputated, is that OK with me? If that were to happen to you, is it OK?
- If I must lose whatever or whomever I care for, is it OK with me?
Now I can’t answer OK to any of of those. And if you’re honest, I don’t think that any of you can either. But to answer "OK" is the enlightened state, if we understand what it means for something to be OK. (She goes on to say).
What is the enlightened state? When there is no longer any separation between myself and the circumstances of my life, whatever they may be, that is it.
Analysis of Zen Definition of Enlightenment:
Understanding and remembering well the above zen definition for what enlightenment is, will immediately change the way you look at your life. Yes, immediately. What is being explained is that you stop running away from the moment, no matter what it contains, and start instead, embracing it, observing it, being OK with it. The more you are able to do that, the more "enlightened" you are.
This does not mean you will necessarily enjoy the moment, it may be full of hardship, but that is fine. You will see hardship as an opportunity to evaluate, test and make progress in your spiritual growth. Zazen, or Zen Meditation is one of the best techniques for developing this understanding and capability.
In Zen meditation, as you sit still for long periods of time, you learn to be OK and stay with the difficulties that inevitably arise, and that then translates into you being able to be OK with the difficulties that inevitably arise is your life. The person who is evolved in this way, will have few complaints and selfish interests, and thus, will be far more capable of giving, enjoying and loving.
So, the Zen teachings are very clear as to what enlightenment is. It is the state of residing in such great understanding and depth, that no matter what life throws your way, you are at peace with it, you are able to say, "That’s OK, no problem."
Article Series - What is Spiritual Enlightenment
- Zen Definition of Spiritual Enlightenment
- Interesting Osho Quote on Enlightenment
- Understanding Non-Duality, Hinduism, Buddhism, Enlightenment & Life!
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June 9th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
[...] Zen Definition of Spiritual Enlightenment [...]
April 19th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
[...] Zen Definition of Spiritual Enlightenment [...]
October 8th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
[...] Overcoming the Fear of Death – My Thoughts: So the last paragraph is the experiment put forth by Krishnamurti that I want to you to try for 1 full day. Here are 3 things you should try to do during this day. 1. STOP WORRYING ABOUT EVERYTHING: This is the key. Just stop worrying… completely. Don’t worry about anything. Drop all your worrying, fretting and obsessing about the future and past. Leave everything to life and put yourself in her care. Just tell yourself whatever issues come up in the future, you will deal with them then. Worrying is not just a huge waste of precious energy, it is the also one of the activities that binds you to psychological time and prevents you from cherishing the moments of your life. Worrying creates other problems as well, such as stress, suffering and fear, so just for this one day let it all go and live without any worry to see what happens. I assure you it will be quite a liberating experience. Here is an article and Zen story that delves deeper into the concept of time and living in the moment more: The Zen of Time Management. 2. GO WITH THE FLOW: Throughout this one day experiment, go with the flow of life completely. Just doing what needs to be done and allowing life to carry you forward. Don’t try to control or manipulate the day, just relax and go with it. Do the task that is presented to you and just let yourself be simple and spontaneous. Here are 2 articles that expands on this topic: Embrace Reality and Let the Universe Fulfill Your Desires and Zen Definition of Enlightenment. 3. DROP YOUR SELF-IMAGE: For this one day, don’t try to live according your who you think you are. Don’t be anything at all, in fact just be nobody. Drop all that you know about yourself and just be empty, letting your natural personality and self come through. Don’t try to live according to all the beliefs and ideas you have been conditioned with, instead drop them all and just live innocently from moment to moment. For those interested, here is an Advaita Vedanta technique with which to shatter the false sense of "I" and penetrate non-duality: Enlightenment via Advaita Vedanta "Who Am I" Neti Neti Meditation. [...]
June 15th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
[...] This helpful meditationships, children,jobs, are just of few of enlightenment in the challenges we havediscussed this fascinating how many of us can be Ok, with health,finances, relation hint, is actually indicating how to live yourlife. I have discussed this fascinating how many of us can beOk, with health, finances, relation hint, is actually indicatinghow to live your life. I have discussed this fascinating howto live your life throws at us? Problems with anything andeverything that life.Zen Definition of Enlightenment, for those who want to readmore about it. [...]
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:58 pm
[...] This helpful meditation hint, is actually indicating how to live your life. Unfortunately, it is of course easy to say, but hard to do. To not be bothered by anything is the ultimate freedom, but how many of us can be Ok, with anything and everything that life throws at us? Problems with health, finances, relationships, children, jobs, are just of few of the challenges we have to face in life. I have discussed this fascinating Zen view of enlightenment in the article Zen Definition of Enlightenment, for those who want to read more about it. [...]
January 30th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
[...] Zen Definition of Spiritual Enlightenment [...]
January 3rd, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Allen/Christa,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights.
Best,
Anmol
December 5th, 2008 at 2:24 am
Chris, on your next redeye, you may also find it it helpful to give thanks for the beautiful baby, a symbol of what we all have come from, who was letting his/her needs be known in the best way s/he knew how, without reservation.
December 4th, 2008 at 11:42 am
from experience i have discovered that everything is ok all the time no matter what. life is always giving us what we need. sometimes what we need isn’t what we want but when we relalize that everything works for our ultimate good and the good of the whole then it is easier to accept. give up all attachments sell your possesions and give to the poor let life live you and just watch.
May 13th, 2008 at 12:07 am
[...] In the article Zen Definition of Enlightenment, Zen teacher Joko Beck suggested that enlightenment had to do with this ability to say, "That’s Ok," no matter what the situation, and that is truly the Art of Suffering. To stare it in the face, smile and say "That’s Ok, no problem." [...]