Last week I led a work shop on chakras. I was asked at what point do I consider a person as being “enlightened”. That’s a question without a definitive answer. We all know when a towel is bone dry and when it is sopping wet, but how do you define that in between state? Enlightenment is like that towel. It is an evolution. More awareness is gained with each step. You know it when you see it, but you can’t quite define it.
Of course, one can find countless folks on the internet, authors of books, and inspirational speakers that claim they are enlightened. Some probably are, others have experienced a glimpse of enlightenment and still others are the product of their own egos. Does it really matter if that person provides a message that gives their audience a sense of joy, love and belonging? For me that answer is no, of course not…unless.
Unless in the process the seeker is blocked from further self-exploration so that each individual can find the Truth as defined by that person’s Higher Self. We all must find our own way. No cults, no dogma. Eventually our paths will meet as we find the absolute Truths of our existence, but how we get there is infinitely varied.
If enlightenment interests you, a study and exploration of our chakras is a great place to start. The chakras represent the range of vibration in which we exist in this lifetime. The 1st chakra is represented by the color red and is the slowest vibrational range. On the other end of the spectrum is the 7thchakra, represented by a violet white color and is the fastest vibrational range represented by these 7 “stations”. One is no more or less important than another, just different. Think of radio stations, different frequencies that increase in vibration as you move up the scale, but one radio frequency is no better than another, just different.
We all have the ability to access and explore any of the chakra frequencies, but just like anything else in this life it takes practice. In fact, there are 5 additional chakras above the crown chakra and many sub chakras throughout the spectrum.
It is the charge of anyone that seeks “enlightenment” to fully explore the entire spectrum of energy that is available to us, live life to the fullest and to radiate unconditional love to all in the process. That means to experience the full range of emotions, and not to sit in quiet meditation 24 hours a day. History is replete with enlightened masters from every spiritual teaching that showed anger and frustration as well as great love and understanding as they lived within the full spectrum of our earthly existence. It is our nature to experience the full range of emotion and we cannot know one extreme without experiencing the other.
So what is enlightenment on this plane of existence? I define it as fully mastering the ability to consciously explore and inhabit the entire spectrum of energies available to us. Just knowing the energies exist is not enough. They must become a conscious part of any master at all times. Conscious awareness is the key and it’s an evolution. Of course, once achieved, there will be further challenges as we all continue to create and evolve throughout the universe.
It is a never ending process. Evolution begets more evolution. That is what we do.
Rest along the way. Take that child’s pose whenever needed. Enjoy the process and know that you are where you need to be at any given moment. No rush. You cannot fail. All seekers will find that which they seek in perfect timing with their own evolution. It cannot be any other way.
So back to the analogy. We are all “towels” in various stages of use. Don’t sit on the closet shelf waiting for some special occasion. We are meant to get wet and to dry out. We are meant to be used; to explore, to create, to rest and to do it all again. The enlightened ones will always consciously come back to the Unconditional Love and Light that ultimately defines us all.
Now we are doing yoga…
Blair is the co-owner of Yoga Daily in Mt. Pleasant, SC. He is a certified yoga instructor, recovering lawyer and a spiritual student. The content of this blog is what Blair considers to be universal truths that span all dogma and religion and it is offered to you in Love and Light. Check out The Daily Yogi for additional blog entries. You can contact Blair at [email protected]. Yoga is but one path to the knowing that we are all one. Please take what resonates with you and leave the rest without judgement or offense.