Enlightenment

Our format would be one of question and answer in matters of spirituality starting with the basic topic of enlightenment. The seeker after truth would like to be enlightened from the Guru about spiritual life. Our format would help the seeker to ask and Guru to reply.

Seeker: I have heard of the need of enlightenment in a genuine spiritual life. What is enlightenment?

Guru: Enlightenment is clear understanding of things as they are as against our predilections and imaginations. In philosophical terms, we may say that enlightenment enables us to grasp reality as opposed to appearance.

Seeker: Does it mean that I do not live in a real world and what I know is mere appearance?

Guru: Here you have to be clear about your idea or concept of what is real and what is mere appearance. A mirage in a desert appears to be real to the thirsty traveller and yet on reaching the spot or on closer inspection, it turns out to be mere appearance. As long as he merely turned his gaze to the mirage without moving closer to it for further inspection, it was real for him and yet in fact it was only an appearance. This appearance of water has its relevance only because there is real water in this world with which the traveller was previously acquainted. Thus, appearance has no standing of its own as it depends on reality for its very existence.

Seeker: How can I distinguish between the two so that I be enlightened by a grasp of reality?

Guru: Grasp of reality is a two-pronged process whereby more than your grasp of reality, you are grasped by reality.

Seeker: I do not understand what you are saying. Can you explain it further?