Jagadish "Jaggi" Vasudev, better known as Sadhguru, an Indian yoga guru and proponent of spirituality once remarked: “If all your energies are focused in one direction, enlightenment is not far away. After all, what you are seeking is already within you.” John 16:13 confirms: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”
Amongst the many possible definitions, enlightenment is considered a concept of understanding, insight, awareness and a learning process that may clarify uncertainties in life. It can appertain to many situations and allows individualistic and independent views to be formed. It has been described as a state of mystical consciousness that can provide a deeper understanding of intricate matters. It may explain hidden truths and possibly relate to human transformation which is supported by various practices and experiences.
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Mystical Consciousness and the many derivatives of mysticism have been referred to in many forms over the years. The true meaning is not easy to comprehend. One of the dictionary definitions of mystical relates to inspiring a sense of spiritual mystery, awe and fascination. It has been suggested that it could relate to: “The meta-conscious co-presence of God in the entire process of experiencing, understanding, affirming, loving, and deciding, which may provide a more adequate way to deepen our understanding of the presence of God.” In philosophy, spiritualism is defined as the doctrine that the spirit exists as distinct from matter, or that spirit is the only reality.
According to Wikipedia, mysticism is popularly known as becoming one with God or the Absolute. It may also refer to any kind of ecstasy or an altered state of consciousness that is given a religious or spiritual meaning. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16 confirms: “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson, better known by his middle name Waldo, an American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, abolitionist, and poet who led the transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century once remarked: “A house is made with walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams.” Proverbs 24:3-4 confirms: “By wisdom, a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”
There is a well-known proverb that states: "Home is where the heart is." Some would argue that the true meaning of this saying infers that wherever one is in the world and no matter who they are with, if one is contented and happy then that is "Home." Others would disagree, and maintain that home is your foundation stone and the grass-roots in life. It is the place that provides the greatest affection and emotional attraction and is usually generated by strong family ties.
Sally had always been a happy and well-contented child. She loved her parents dearly, especially her father. However, when she reached the age of twelve, her parents decided to separate. She was devastated by the break-up and it disturbed her greatly. She slipped into a state of depression and spent most of her spare time alone in her bedroom. Her social skills became dormant. Her mother, in an attempt to help her by giving her another interest in life, rescued a six-month-old Labrador puppy from an animal sanctuary.
She gave it to her daughter as a present. Sally named the dog Rex, it was a Golden Retriever and they immediately bonded and formed an extremely close relationship. She discovered that the company of her dog helped her enormously with her emotional problems and gave her a new lease on life. The companionship and love that prevailed between the two of them gave her a temporary sense of comfort and re-instated the loss of attention and care that her father would have normally provided. Coupled with that, the fact that she was shortly afterward allowed to spend every weekend with her beloved father, she slowly began to re-emerge back into normality. Her persona had been enlightened. She subsequently became interested in animal welfare through the care and constant needs of her best friend.
She began to have a new interest in life once again and worked hard at school. She was delighted with her end-of-school examination results and graduated with honors. After she left school, she decided to pursue a career in looking after homeless animals which was a subject that had become close to her heart. The thought of animals suffering through neglect or bad treatment abhorred her intrinsic values in life. She undertook a course at her local college to obtain the necessary qualifications for her chosen vocation. It was a three-year course that included two separate assignments of work experience selected from a list of eligible named establishments concerned with animal welfare.
For her first assignment, she opted for a local RSPCA animal sanctuary and thoroughly enjoyed her two-week experience. Her heart went out to the homeless animals that welcomed her attention and rewarded her with so much love in return for her efforts. At the end of her second year, for the duration of the summer holidays and in an attempt to gain further practical experience and knowledge in her chosen subject, she enquired about a placement at the Triple A Marbella Animal Shelter based in Marbella. She offered her services freely in the hope of being accepted. This is an animal rescue service provided in Spain. Her application was successful and with the blessing of her parents, journeyed there at the end of July for a nominated six-week period.
It was the height of summer and temperatures were high, but the love in her heart for these lonely, forgotten or deserted creatures under sufferance pulled at her heartstrings. She was determined to remove their prevailing hardship and give them back a life to live for. If the animals had previously been maltreated, she felt that it was imperative to restore their faith in humankind. In her eyes, animal welfare came first and far exceeded any discomfort that she may experience from working in such extreme heat. Proverbs 12:10 reminds us: “The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.” She worked until September when she was due to return to college for her final year. On her final day at the sanctuary, she was asked how she had enjoyed her stay and what was the most important thing she would remember from her stay?
She responded: “Animals are so important, I feel that for the past two months, this has been a home of ecstasy. It has felt like a united family. I have enjoyed myself so much working and caring for the animals and I will miss them all when I get home. I hope that in time they will all find new and loving homes, but for those who still remain, I leave behind one final gift: The love in my heart.” Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr, an American physician, poet and polymath once remarked: “Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.” John 15:4 confirms: "Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can't bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can't bear fruit unless you are joined with me.”
Amen.
