After Enlightenment Then What?

[Tamrin]

After Enlightenment Then What?

[Unity Spiritual Life Center Blog - Excerpt - Linked Above]

So what do we do after we become enlightened? We become more enlightened. Once we are aware that we are one with the Infinite Isness we are prone to think we are finished, that we are finished, that we have reached the pinnacle of our perfection.

But nothing can be further from the truth. There is a Zen saying which goes like this: Before enlightenment, mountains are mountains and rivers are rivers. At the moment one is enlightened, mountains are no longer mountains and rivers cease to be rivers. After enlightenment, mountains are again mountains and rivers are once more rivers.

A current version of this Zen koan comes from Unity minister, Jim Rosemergy who reminds us: “Mystics do not turn from the world once they turn to God. They remain in the world but not of the world. Even mystics have bills to pay.”

Once we are enlightened, that is, once we positively, absolutely, unequivocally realize we are God expressing as us, we stay in the world, but not of the world to demonstrate to others the path of enlightenment.

Rivers are rivers

Before enlightenment, I chopped wood and carried water.
After enlightenment, I chopped wood and carried water.

[prometheus]

Before enlightenment, I chopped wood and carried water.
After enlightenment, I chopped wood, carried water and baked and shared cookies.

;D

P

[Tamrin]

Oct 12, 2008 9:21:39 GMT 10 prometheus said:

Before enlightenment, I chopped wood and carried water.
After enlightenment, I chopped wood, carried water and baked and shared cookies.

;D

P

Very good

By way of analogy, the "before" and "after" might be thought of as being outside the lodge room and the "during" as being within. Perhaps a lesson along this line is suggested by the huge bronze doors (one and a quarter tons each) to the Grand temple in London. From without, one sees images of industrious workers engaged in construction: From within, one sees images of angelic figures (apologies for the poor image).

[Tamrin]

Oct 11, 2008 6:46:45 GMT 10 Tamrin said:

Before enlightenment, mountains are mountains and rivers are rivers.
At the moment one is enlightened, mountains are no longer mountains and rivers cease to be rivers.
After enlightenment, mountains are again mountains and rivers are once more rivers.

Before enlightenment, trees were called trees and rocks were called rocks.
After enlightenment, trees are, rocks are, everything is, but the name caller is not.

[Tamrin]

Oct 12, 2008 9:21:39 GMT 10 prometheus said:

Before enlightenment, I chopped wood and carried water.
After enlightenment, I chopped wood, carried water and baked and shared cookies.

Before enlightenment, hard worker
After enlightenment, mindfully working.