By: Sarah
Hi Tom, that's interesting- I just watched a Ted talk of a guy talking about 'quitting the internet' for a year and what he realised. Though you're commenting on my blog, so you must have some usage! Does limiting it make you feel uplifted? You must have more freetime, and receiving letters is so wonderful! Absolutely agree with your last sentence there- though it has to be true. Being generous and kind for external reasons (wanting people to like you, for example) won't ever result in enlightenment.
I'll also add that while anger and other emotions tend to be felt "in the moment"- like, I'm in traffic, I'm late, I'm angry. Or, she lied to me, I'm angry- happiness and resulting spiritual enlightenment are not felt 'in the moment'. Rather it is in the act of <em>searching </em>for happiness, in the act of <em>doing </em>something to make your dream or calling come true, in the act of <em>persevering</em>, in <em>failing</em>, in <em>pulling </em>yourself back up, in <em>learning</em>, in facing <em>fears</em>. It's all in the <strong>journey </strong>. Whatever the destination, whether you're successful or not, whether your business goes bust or you make millions, etc, that's not actually important. That's what I've realized. <strong>He who goes out trying to make a million is always happier than he with a million in his bank account.</strong> (Because he with a million will inevitably want another million, and so on). So I don't think we "reach" spiritual enlightenment or happiness exactly because that turns it into a final destination, which I don't believe it is. The goal is there to make us move. Once we reach that goal, we need more goals or else all growth and therefore enlightenment ceases. If it was the final destination, millionaires and business owners and world travelers and newlyweds and parents and the winners of X Factor etc, wouldn't be as unhappy as it seems they all are a while after they achieve their primary goal.
It's like people achieve something and then say, "Why aren't I as happy as I thought I'd be?" and that's because they didn't realize their happiest time was in the <em>journeying </em>to one goal or another.
Would you say that you are spiritually enlightened then? You said you've felt the weight lift, And what now? You'll be content and happy for the rest of your days? I imagine there's a lot more hard work, and inner work, to it than that, would you agree? By: Tom Rollin
Hey Sarah. Sorry for the late reply. My friend sent me a letter telling me about it as we've been largely eschewing electronic communication for the past year or so. I guess that's also part of my attempt to achieve a level of untainted spirituality. Spiritual enlightenment is more than just a feeling I think. It's not the same as the anger I get when I see the proliferation of environmentally irresponsible man made products for example. That's in my head. Spiritual enlightenment is in the heart. You actually feel the weight lift when your spirit is released by your philanthropic essence. By: Sarah
Oh my goodness Tom- this place sounds incredible. Where did you find it? That's really interesting- so do you think spiritual enlightenment is just a feeling? Even so- to feel enlightened is pretty incredible! Thanks for your lovely message. By: Tom Rollin
Hey Sarah! Sounds like you had a pretty awesome experience in India. I feel as if my perception has also been broadened by my travelling experiences. Recently I went on a vegan cleanse retreat in Switzerland to a chilly mountain village. I'm not actually a vegan because I still eat chicken foods but I wanted to broaden my perspective. It was a difficult week but I learned a lot about myself. Perception colours your whole existence. I had this perception that I was spiritually enlightened but until I met others on a similar journey of self awareness I realised it was only a perception. Perceptions are illusions. We may perceive ourselves as one thing when in reality we are the opposite. I hope you have found this experience enlightening to your perspective. Much love.