Enlightenment and detachment: Dialogues contd.

Viewer:

"Have you experienced (or been close to it) what Soham
experienced in Saarnath? Is it (enlightenment) a
journey that one can traverse gradually or a state (0
or 1)?
How about "Detachment"? Do you consider it a byproduct
of enlightenment or a separate exercise?"


LC

The experience that Soham went through at Sarnath was very personal one, that happened in the vicinity of a very high energy field (Buddha gave his first sermon after his enlightenment at the very spot). Ashmit experienced great vibrations during the shoot and even having been back in the hotel, kept crying for hours. My personal experiences of the truth has never been so dramatic as in the movie.

In my mind, enlightenment is certainly a moment. There are times before it and then the rest of the life after it. You are either enlightened or not. There can’t be stages. You may have started the journey, you may be closer to that moment but if you have not reached the destination, you may come back to the origin. So in a way it is either “0” or “1”.

However, Let me clarify that enlightenment need not be a “glamorous” event. You may be looking at the stars, you may be sitting on the bank of the Ganges or you may be in some kind of meditation, when it can suddenly happen.

Take the case of Shwetambari. Her trigger was, when she learnt about the secret of Babaji’s immortality though she didn’t get enlightened there.

When do you think was the true moment when Shwetambari got enlightened?

Detachment happens. You do not try and achieve detachment. With the knowledge of the truth, you experience the connections. You understand the nature of life and death. Your wandering mind suddenly siezes. Tranquility dawns. You may still remain active. You may still choose to be competitive. Yet, your act would contain that sense of detachment. You may still feel the pain and pleasure but they would never have the same impact again.

You suddenly understand the true nature of the world that it all exist strictly inside your mind and when you do that you are enlightened.

Neither enlightenment nor detachment are "exercises". There is no process which can be taught by anyone to you. This is a pathless journey. It begins with an investigation and ends with experiencing the truth. The path that you took is your own and may never be replicable.

I hope I have answered the questions raised, to the best of my ability.

Peace!!