Achieving Enlightenment

What is enlightenment? We all have heard this term, and if you're like me, this term at first conjured up an image of a meditating monk in Tibet. In my little meditation book enlightenment is explained as a sort of breakthrough; when we feel a revelation, or a light going on. Is is possible that we, too, can achieve enlightenment in this life time?

Some time ago I was on my daily jog through the woods while dealing with an issue in my mind. I had questions and no answers. My intent was to receive clarity and make my confusion go away. I focused on the pure intention to receive answers I'm meant to have. Then I suddenly stopped. My mind began to clear and I felt a spaciousness in my mind I had not known before. I realized infinite possibilities and answers to any and all questions.

My mind opened and my soul lifted. I asked: What is Enlightenment? And my mind's eye showed me an image. It was brilliant, as golden and white rays of light radiated and emanated from a centre of peace and purity. There was bright blue in the background and a golden core in the middle. This image gave me a brief and profound taste of enlightenment I cannot truly describe. When I arrived home, I painted the image to capture my sense of enlightenment and to remind me of this experience.

This image is now part of the Guidance Cards. If you were to picture enlightenment in your mind's eye, it may look completely different for you. And that's okay. It isn't so much about what it looks like, rather, more about what it feels like. Enlightenment cannot be forced. However, while enlightenment may sound like something that is difficult to achieve, it can be experienced by anyone, anywhere.

So, the answer is "yes, we can achieve enlightenment in this life time". It may be a glimpse of sudden awareness to a question or many questions. It may be experienced as a small or large breakthrough, a mind shift, or something of significance. All you need to do is be open to it, go inward and find a quiet mind.