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Summary: Continuing with the series on how various teachings and masters of meditation view enlightenment, this article looks at how Mystic Master Osho (Rajneesh) brilliantly defines what enlightenment is.  You will find the first entry of this series here, Zen Definition of Enlightenment.

Osho Quote on Spiritual Enlightenment

What is Enlightenment?

There are many different definitions of Enlightenment.  Such as, seeing the oneness of everything, seeing yourself and God as one, seeing the false nature of a separate self, encountering your blissful nature, spontaneous action, etc, etc.  These definitions are all good, but there is one that I think is more helpful than these.  It is a particular way that the great mystic master Osho (Rajneesh) describes it and below I would like to discuss this perspective with you.

The problem with trying to define enlightenment, is that enlightenment is not a fixed point.  There have been countless enlightenment experiences in the history of man, and hopefully, there will be countless more, and the one thing that will stand out is the great variety of these experiences.  In my own experience, enlightenment episodes, awakenings and states have had enormous variety, and if you are interested you can read about a few of these that I have shared with you here, Anmol’s Journal – Enlightenment Experiences.  There is, of course, also the question of whether enlightenment should even be defined in the context of an experience?

Given the above, here is Osho’s perspective on enlightenment, which I think is a rather nice way to look at it.  He says,  "Enlightenment is the reward for watching yourself in action".  That’s it.  This definition is quite ingenious and from it the following can be understood regarding enlightenment.

Enlightenment is a reward.  Nothing more needs to be said about what it is.  Rewards are generally good to get and the same holds true here.  Always nice to be rewarded with enlightened :-).  Further a reward is given to you, you cannot acquire it.  This is very important to understand.  Chasing enlightenment is futile.  You can chase it all you like, but you cannot summon it.  It is beyond your volition and will.  It simply comes to you, when it comes to you.  That being said, this definition does assign you with a great task.

"Enlightenment is the reward for watching yourself in action".  That is what you must do.  You need to watch yourself like a hawk.  This watching can be understood as observing all three dimensions of yourself in action.  The physical, emotional and mental dimensions.  You job is to watch these 3 dimensions of yourself as you go through life.  That’s it.  That is your job.  Be aware of whatsoever you are doing, feeling and thinking as best you can.  If you can do this, life will be pleased and the reward of enlightenment may be presented to you.  It’s simple, yet it’s hard.

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