enlightenment



What is enlightenment?

Milarepa was looking all around for enlightenment, but could not find the answer anywhere - but one day he met an old man, that was going down a steep (крутой) mountain road, carrying back-pack on his shoulders. Milarepa instantly (немедленно, в тот же час) knew that this old man knows the secret that he is looking desperately (лихорадочно) for since ages now. "Please, brother, tell me what you know. What is enlightenment?" Old man smiled at him, put his back-pack down and straightened up his body. "Yes, I understand" told the Milarepa. "Please take my deepest thankfulness. But answer one more question for me please. What comes after enlightenment?" Old man smiled again, picked up his back-pack, put it on his shoulders and continued on his way.


What is enlightenment?


Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.


--Lao Tzu


What is enlightenment?

No love and no hatred (ненависть): that is enough. 

Understanding can come, 

Spontaneously clear 

As daylight in a cave.

--Shin Jin Mei


What is enlightenment?

After enlightenment I continue to be depressed. But gradually, or rapidly, or suddenly, you get the state of wakefulness (бессоница, бдение). This is the state where you drop desire (желания). But remember what I mean by desire and cravings (тяга). I mean: "Unless I get what I desire, I refuse (отказываюсь) to be happy." I mean cases where happiness depends on the fulfilment (исполнение) of desire.