Enlightenment is probably the most badly understood concept in our time. At least, most of the people I meet talk about a flash of all purifying light, an extreme change in your perception and behavior, Love, ultimate understanding, etc.
What they all have in common is that something radical is going to happen, a final transformation that will free you from ordinary earthly matters.
Such a disappointment when I tell that they already are enlightened, all the potential is there and has been all of the time. It is hard to make a convenient metaphor but I’ll give it a try.
Just imagine yourself in one of these dark and starry nights in full nature, the wind is whispering through the trees, an owl screams in the distance and you are all alone.
A falling star draws a fiery line in the sky but you do not see it because you are looking down to find your way in the darkness.
The wind sings a song with a million voices but you do not hear it because you can only hear your accelerated heartbeat.
The owl sends you a greeting but all you hear is a bird that may be disturbed by someone. And you are all alone, who is there?
Than you see a shadow on your path, Jesus Christ, is that someone looking for me or a thief trying to rob me? I better hide in the bushes.
You do not realize that the shadow is your own, cast by the moon. The moon is a symbol of birth and transformation, represented by the Goddess Hecate, the purifier.
Exploring the shadow could bring you an enormous insight, namely, that it belongs to you.Instead of walking with a tunnel vision and hearing, we should learn to stand still and to look up to see the stars and the moon, hear the song of a million voices and the salutation of the owl who happens to be a symbol of wisdom and ancient secrets. Just listen and watch to recognize that it is all there, enlightenment is a very complicated but simple issue, wake up.
We are born enlightened creatures but most of us prefer to crawl in the mud, no problem because we have a free will, we can do whatever we like, it is part of enlightenment.
