A few days ago, as I was surfing the net for resources for my training manual, I stumbled upon an article on the search for enlightenment – the modern search, that is. The article breaks down the definition of enlightenment. It was interesting to find out how others define the same word in a variety of perspectives and in different contexts. One describes it as a freedom from feelings to feel fully without identifying with those feelings. Simply put, it means you do not suffer from any emotion and you are not governed or trapped by the nature of a certain emotion, say ‘grief’ as you are able to free yourself from the possibility of being drained by the emotion. Another one says that enlightenment is a readiness to surrender the ego to pure awareness. Those are the modern views that many can relate to. The traditional view backdates from Lord Gotama Buddha and was somewhat different, as in more spiritual.
Gotama Buddha explained that enlightenment is a state of Samadhi, a state of highest meditation where one removes the veils of ignorance, being aware of the huge, expansive and immeasurable feeling that knows no hatred. Gotama also had attained the 4 states of the mind; Metta – lovingkindness, Karuna – compassion, Mudita – joy, and Upeksha – equanimity. If you put those against the modern perspectives of enlightenment, the latter seems more achievable and the process of enlightenment manageable.
I say it is manageable because it can be found in a yoga practice. Then again, is that what the modern seeker is searching for? This is because yoga has been proven not to be just a spiritual practice but also a practice that offers more graspable goals of firmer abs, lower blood pressure and reduced stress levels. Yoga Journal says those are okay because practical goals can provide the essential foundation of sound body and mind. However, those goals need to be altered if one is earnest about finding that modern version of enlightenment as those gym-like intentions would eventually lead us into a lot of forcing, pushing and showing off in our asana practice. The Yoga Sutra mentions that, “numerous skills arise, but none are necessarily see by another (III:20) because the transformation takes place within the experience of the yogin.”
In this modern society where it is common to have many issues under one’s belt, it is important for one to have goals that are not overly idealistic so that one may be less likely to cling to what one wants or become deluded about one’s achievements. In general, the world has become a race of grabbing stuff and owning things. Letting go is a process that majority lack to foster. What many don’t realize is in reality, the more we let go, the more we benefit from the process.
Exploring the above, “ the enlightenment process is much more of getting rid of stuff than grabbing hold of it.”, says Richard Miller, P.H.D. Clinical Psychologist and founder of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Consecutively, it is illuminating to hear when B.K.S. Iyengar said that in “enlightened moments, one experiences instances in which one sees clearly and chooses wisely. Each moment is new and one responds to it anew. It is the first time that moment’s ever happened.” Now, have we yogis not experienced those instances before, especially after a really good practice? Because I know that when I have a strong practice, there is no moment in life that is not juicy. To me, that is enlightenment, as juicy and as simple as bliss is.
In a class practice, the practice of awareness and mindfulness play such a major role in our quest to find peace and harmony. Enlightening moments begin when we are constantly aware of our breaths, the one entity that has kept us alive till now. Being mindful of how our body moves, how amazing we feel with every correct step that we take are all enlightening moments that we can attain in class by simply being present, being focused in how we do what we do and yet aware of the things that surround us.
As a teacher and practitioner, I have observed how many people tend to be too dependent on their teachers or even their asana practice in their search for enlightenment. Although this is common among practitioners, ultimately, for the seasoned yogis, we find that a teacher cannot enlighten us but a gift a teacher can give is to reveal our deepest truths and aspirations. Then again, that can emerge from the depths of our own solitary practice. And like most gifts, enlightenment remains a mystery until we receive it, until our hearts are open and do not close.
In a nutshell, no matter how we define enlightenment or however much we want it, practice is utterly necessary. “Practice, practice, practice. All is coming.”, a famous advise from the late Guruji Sri Patthabi Jois. So lets enjoy our practice, make every posture count and each moment an enlightened one.
Namaste.
Azmi
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