Recipe For Enlightenment

Waiheke Island

The recipe for enlightenment is simple. Becoming enlightened is difficult.

First, we need intention. We have to want to become enlightened. I say intention rather than desire because if we desire something, we tend to push it away from us.

Once we have the intention, we need to choose the tools we need to become enlightened (Eckhart Tolle calls them signposts). The tools available for us to choose are infinite. We can meditate, bring our awareness to the present, bring our attention to our bodies and release everything that we are holding, we can be fully aware of what our senses are experiencing, we can surrender all of our thoughts, beliefs and judgments, etc., etc. Finding the tools we are looking for is easy because once we are on the path to enlightenment, the Universal Infinite Energy Source is there to help us. We will find the tools that are perfect for us once we are open to finding them.

Once we choose our tools, we need discipline to consistently utilize them. The pull of compulsive thinking is strong. It is like a magnetic field. Our ego constantly tries to pull us back into the world of obsessive thinking, the belief systems of the various tribes that we belong to, and fear-based judgments about ourselves and the world.

Once we become aware and begin to release the thoughts that we have buried deep into our subconscious, it takes courage to be able to face them without judgment or fear.

Of course, there is no path to enlightenment. If we consider ourselves on the path, we will always be on the path. Enlightenment can only occur in the present moment. This is where words reach their limitations. Enlightenment can occur in an instant without any effort or intention.

Let's be enlightened now.

Abundance

Alpacas, New Zealand

The key to abundance is gratitude. The world that we experience is a perfect reflection of our inner thoughts and belief systems. If we are constantly in a state of desire and envy, we will always be frustrated and not experience fulfillment in the material world. When we are grateful for everything that we have, the universe will manifest that state by providing abundance. No matter how much money and material possessions a person has, if he is constantly unsatisfied and wanting more, he is poor. The person who is satisfied with what he has, as meager as it may be, is truly rich. If we want to be satisfied, we need to feel satisfied. If we want to be fulfilled, we need to feel fulfilled.

Let's be grateful.

Love

Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, New Zealand

There are two fundamental systems of belief: Love and Fear. Everything that we do, think and say can be interpreted as coming from one of these two root emotions. We have a choice. We do not have to respond compulsively out of fear. We do not have to react with anger. Our frustration, disappointment, feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, loneliness, and anxiety all come from fear.

We can choose a different course. We can choose a loving attitude towards every situation we face and every person we encounter. When we do, the world is brighter. People react differently to us. Most importantly, we owe ourselves the same loving attitude that we offer others.

Let's make every decision from love. Let's greet every person with a loving attitude. Let's treat ourselves the same way. We deserve it because love is our very essence.

Acceptance

Coromandel, New Zealand

Our judgments and beliefs about the state of our lives are so strong that it is extremely difficult to accept reality just as it is. We adamantly refuse to surrender our conceptions about our lives and how they became this way. Even though we may be extremely dissatisfied and frustrated with the way things are, we would rather hold on to our beliefs than let them go.

This makes no sense. If we are entirely unhappy and fed up with our lives, it makes sense to try another way. Instead of trading one set of beliefs for another, what if we gave up all our beliefs about how things are and how they got that way? We would accept reality just as it is. We would not be overly concerned with how things got the way they are. We would surrender our lives to what is. Our lives would become synchronized with the Universal Energy of All That Is. Our frustrations would fade. We could begin to affect real change in our situation. Every activity we do would enhance our lives. We are in harmony with ourselves and Life. It all starts with acceptance.

Let's accept things just as they are.

Joy

Coromandel, New Zealand

Life seems so oppressive sometimes. It seems as though it is working against us. Sometimes the smallest thing will bring us to rage or depression. Life seems pointless and we are filled with frustration and hopelessness.

There is an escape from this belief system. It is a cliche, but it is also true. The answer lies within. Our natural state is joy. We can access our natural state of joy by shedding our beliefs about what we think life is. When we fearlessly surrender our thoughts and bring our attention to the present moment without judgment, we find peace, love and joy. It is not something that we have to look for because it is what we are.

Let's surrender to joy.

Courage

Te Kouma, Coromandel, New Zealand

It seems so simple. All that we have to do is bring our attention to the present moment and all of our problems will be solved. We will find our life's purpose. We will be as Gandhi was, as Buddha was, as Jesus was. We will be a light unto the world. People in our presence will start to awaken.

If it is so simple, why does it seem so difficult?

It is difficult because the pull of obsessive thinking is so strong that we believe that if we give up our thoughts and our beliefs that we will die. Our identity, everything that we believe that we are, is completely intertwined with our thoughts and belief systems.

How do we awaken? Once we make the decision to do so, there are an infinite number of tools available to assist us. There is yoga, meditation, nature, books, and films. Many films such as JERRY MAGUIRE, AS GOOD AS IT GETS, AMERICAN BEAUTY, THE MATRIX, STAR WARS AND AVATAR all share this theme of becoming conscious and learning how to love. Merely being in the presence of people who are awake triggers an awakening in us.

It requires discipline to continually bring our attention back to presence no matter how lost in thought we become. It requires courage to face our darkest thoughts, which we have pushed deep into our subconscious.

Let's have the discipline and courage to awaken to presence in this very moment.

Awareness

Tahapuke Bay, New Zealand

Awareness is attention to the present moment without judgment. It is like working out a muscle. The more time we spend bringing our attention to the present, instead of being lost in obsessive thought, the easier it is to do. The more often we bring our attention to present, the more we are in harmony with Infinite Energy.

When we are aware of our thoughts, we soon realize that almost all of them are gibberish. The thoughts that we have make no sense and do not enhance our lives. Our thoughts primarily consist of remembering past events and imagining how the future will unfold. They are filled with regret, envy, worry and fear. When we bring our attention to what we are doing, our thoughts fade into the background. Our fear subsides and our compulsion to be lost in thought fades.

Let's bring awareness to our thoughts and actions.