"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him."
-Buddha
True words from one of the greatest teachers we have ever known. The very act of attempting to describe what 'enlightenment' means immediately takes away from the reality of this state of being.
I can, however describe what it is NOT. It is not a perpetual body high, or feeling of being higher up than everyone else. This very thinking undermines the whole concept. It is not some closely guarded secret that requires ceremony, gifts, homage, sacrifice, etc... And finally, it is not attainable. Anyone actively 'searching', or looking to 'gain' enlightenment will never find it.
It is an inherent quality in every human. Enlightenment refers to 'ultimate knowing', or realizing the true nature of one's own life, the life around them, and the very world they live in. Everyone is brought in to this world already enlightened. As one grows older, this 'knowing' goes away once we learn how to function in this world. It can be likened to the analogy of the sun, Earth, and the clouds. Us humans are here on Earth, the sun is enlightenment, and the clouds are negative emotions, thoughts, opinions, prejudices, biases, etc... So the more aware someone is, the more clear & beautiful day they are having here on Earth.
One would think it would be wise to not have 'bad days', but it's another one of life's great illusions...one that we create for ourselves.
As A wise man once said, If you speak and act with pure thought, happiness shall follow you like a shadow. -Ancient proverb
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I enjoyed reading your post and decided to follow your blog because, after reading your profile it struck me how your interests were very similar in many ways to mine.
I am very interested in expanding consciousness. There are many ways of doing this. Prayer, meditation, relaxation, listening to music, caffeine, nicotine(I quit), listening to drumming, exercise, etc. I do find that the natural ways of expanding consciousness are more profitable and less harmful to ones body.
Dreams, yes, they do give insights into the world of the subconscious mind and the spirit world. I am not certain that posting my dreams is of much value to readers, but occasionally I have a dream which I think is profound in certain ways. The symbols of dreams are extremely illuminating if you sit down and attempt to analyze them. Still, I am a novice when it comes to the analysis of dreams.
Marijuana, mushrooms and acid. Yes, they can expand consciousness, but one must be careful with such substances as they can alter our perception of reality, especially acid. I find that the natural alternatives such as listening to drums is a much less intrusive and much safer way of expanding and illuminating consciousness. Then of coarse taking a good, long walk in the woods can awaken our spirits just as well as tripping on the sounds of drums.
Our spirits are multifaceted, and we need the input from a community of spiritual seekers as well as time alone to meditate and explore. We are all on a spiritual journey.