Life After Enlightenment

When we understand the true nature of our identity, we get surprised not by the experience of enlightenment but by its simplicity. We see that all previous efforts to be One with the divine, to progress, to heal and to improve oneself were simply exercises to educate my intellect– but these efforts were, in the end, misleading from the simplicity of understanding one’s true nature.

At one time, I thought the unenlightened reality that I was living was so far from the inner truth of what I was that I could not even consider the possibility of enlightenment in my lifetime. I imagined enlightenment as an eternal peace in front of life experiences, a sharp vision and demonstrations of occult powers. Basically, I believed everything I heard about other people’s descriptions about enlightenment. By confronting this fantasies, I gained precious keys in truly understanding liberation.

I thought that I had to do all this yoga, kriya, healing work and counselling. I had a spiritual agenda of goodness and purity to achieve. In retrospect, this to-do list was just reaffirming my concept that I was incomplete, that I was the one in charge and that I was not yet ready or suitable. Of course, there was no moment that was ever suitable and “my spiritual to-do list” was never ending.

Finally, I took a different approach: the approach of inclusion. I told myself: if I am angry or have an ego or have thoughts and unpleasant emotions, I will leave them alone. I won’t intervene, and I will welcome them in my palette of experiences.

That was it. I started noticing a quiet space, a solid peace and compassion for all.

I UNDERSTOOD the order and meaning of what I am.

Was that was it? I was puzzled by it simplicity and I sought confirmation from my enlightened teacher. In a few days of satsang –close proximity — I was able to share my insights and he was able to “test” if I had the right perception. His confirmation was an initiation for that understanding to descend into the heart, and a reassurance.

First came the understanding of a certain Divine Order, and what followed was the decension of this understanding into the heart centre. My perception of daily reality (including my ability to think, feel and function) did not change. My “earthly” life was untouched by this perception of totality, order and surrender. In knowing that I am complete, I don’t really need anything to be happy or content and I don’t avoid pain or seek improvements. I do, however, have a perception of how simple enlightenment is and can see that the majority of people are suffering in one way or another from not perceiving themselves or their reality correctly. From this space, I decided to facilitate this understanding by supporting those who are seriously tired of trying to be something that they are not.