Enlightenment (spiritual)
Enlightenment ( from Old High German arliuhtan " enlighten ", Middle High German erliuhtunge " lighting up ", " enlightenment "; Latin illuminatio ) denotes a religious and spiritual experience, when someone gets the impression that his everyday consciousness had been exceeded and that he had a special, permanent access to a - of whatever kind - holistic reality attained. In today's common parlance, is commonly understood as "enlightenment" a sudden realization or inspiration.
About the processes that are referred to with the term illumination in the religious sense, and the reasons of their occurrence there are different views, related to the particular philosophical or religious background of the assessor. In some cases, enlightenment is seen as spontaneously been incurred breakthrough or as erlangtes on its own end result of a process of spiritual practice and development, according to other interpretations, it is divine grace to thank. Usually connected to the idea of enlightenment on the assumption that the personality thus changed profoundly and permanently.
In European traditions enlightenment is often counted among the " mystical experiences ". In the terminology of Asian religions no expressions are present, which correspond exactly to the European concept of " enlightenment ", but play similar phenomena in many Eastern traditions a central role.
Conceptual history
Antiquity
The term " enlightenment " comes from the ancient philosophical light imagery. The starting point of its formation were places in Plato's dialogue Politeia and in which Plato ascribed Seventh Letter. In the Republic, Plato notes that it was first to identify where the justice is in the state, and the result of this investigation was then transferred to the individuals. One should consider the state and the individual justice and comparative determination as two fire wood rubbing against each other, then you 'll maybe let the justice peek out like a spark, that is the sudden realization of their general nature go. The author of the Seventh letter writes, the knowledge of the meaning of Plato's " unwritten teachings " is a Fruit frequent joint effort of philosophers, but arises it in the soul not gradually, but suddenly, like a fire that is kindled by an over cracked spark. Then they nourish themselves from further out. One should designations, statements, views and perceptions rub against each other and examine so, could insight and understanding on any subject turn on. The lighting is under the Seventh Letter the conclusion of a five-stage process of cognition, the first four steps are discursively.
At these locations, and to the light imagery of Plato's cave allegory and parable sun builds on the Neoplatonic metaphysics of light. In the 3rd century developed Plotinus, the founder of Neo-Platonism, a doctrine of the vision of the light of the One. It enters an epiphany of Looking philosophers within the meaning of today popular religious enlightenment concept.
The Neoplatonic concept eklampsis or ellampsis ( " shining forth " ) was picked up by the ancient church fathers. In particular, the highly influential late antique church father Augustine († 430) created from the Neo-Platonic thought a Christian theory of " Illumination" ( enlightenment). For him, enlightenment results from the presence of God's light in the soul.
Medieval and modern times
In Middle High German the words were erliuhten and erliuhtunge both in the physical as used in the figurative religious sense. Even in the early modern meanings of both were " enlighten " and " enlightenment " in the art.
In common parlance, the 20th and 21st century " enlightenment " primarily means " sudden realization ", " incidence ", " flash of inspiration ", " inspiration ". This use of the term is linked to the religious, but it is often a non- religious context. There is obtained a sudden, often seemingly wonderful clarity on an issue or a problem, and the impressiveness of such a lightning-like knowledge should be replaced by " enlightenment " that is reminiscent of religious enlightenment experiences are emphasized.
Buddhism
The concept of awakening ( bodhi sanskrit ), which is often inaccurately translated as " enlightenment " in Buddhism plays a central role. He finds himself in "Buddha" ( " the awakened one ") and " Bodhisattva " again. Bodhi comes from the Sanskrit root budh, the " wake up, recognize, perceive, understand " means.
There are two successive stages of the Buddhist Awakening: The first is individual liberation from the cycle of suffering of sentient beings, so the cycle of reincarnation ( samsara ) represents the person has removed or lost all causes of suffering out of her mind and only learns peace, even attaining the Nirvana called. After the presentation of Mahayana Buddhism, the person reached in a second and final stage of development, the complete awakening, she gains the additional comprehensive knowledge.
In the Buddhist tradition gained Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, in Bodhgaya the state of an awakened after he had been meditating for many weeks under a poplar - fig. Some time later, he began his knowledge in suttas tell. His theory states that every living being has the potential to achieve lasting peace and Bodhi. He taught about 45 years, died at a great age, and went into the Parinirvanam.
According to the teachings of Theravada Buddhism, the Buddhist practitioner Bodhi seeks to exit the cycle of suffering, the cycle of rebirths. According to the explanations of Mahayana Buddhism, the development of the Bodhi - mind is (Sanskrit bodhicitta ) to try to gain the motivation to benefit all sentient beings Bodhi and not enter Nirvana until all other sentient beings Bodhi have attained initial motivation of the Bodhi pathway. This is expressed in the Bodhisattva vows.
The two common translations of Bodhi as enlightenment or awakening illustrate in their different accentuation two different doctrines of Mahayana: that of the spontaneous enlightenment ( Huineng ) and by the gradual meditative self-perfection ( Shenxiu ). Also in the spontaneous enlightenment is not intended to a single, final process after these teachings; all masters have their gained insight for decades, often with other masters, deepened. The idea of being able to achieve a brilliant inspiration is said to be the serene, patient meditative exercise detrimental.
Zen Buddhism called relevant experience as satori.
Alevitismus
Belief of the Alevis is strongly influenced by humanism and universalism. In the center of their faith, therefore, the human being as a self-responsible beings. Them is important the relationship with others and with nature. The question of death and the afterlife contrast, is beside the point for them, but puts the life of this world at the center of Alevi doctrine, the soul of every man is immortal, they sought through an ethical and moral stages of teaching a perfection and immediate by this one enlightenment on.
Jainism
In Jainism, the term bodhi enlightenment is also common. As an honorary title for the religion founder Mahavira " Jina " and "Buddha" can be used. Buddhism and Jainism arose about the same time. The literal meaning of bodhi is: perfect knowledge or wisdom ( by which a man becomes a Buddha or Jina is ), the illuminated or enlightened mind of a Buddha or Jina. As in Buddhism and Hinduism Jainism enlightenment is synonymous with the liberation from samsara.
Jainism believes that by each operation of the people flowing fine matter in the soul ( Jiva) and becomes fixed on her. This matter indicate the Jains as karma and it is this that causes the binding of soul. In Jainism is sought through asceticism then to destroy the invading into the soul of karma and to end in this way, the entanglement in the cycle. Omniscience is achieved when the soul passes through destruction of the invading Karma substance in the unrestricted possession of their natural abilities ( Look, recognition, power, bliss ) and thus also their unlimited knowledge.
Hinduism
In Jnana Yoga Jnana is the term used for " higher knowledge ". This spiritual knowledge includes in the Advaita philosophy, the final realization of the unity of Atman (individual soul) and Brahman ( absolute consciousness, world-soul ). The goal is salvation ( moksha ) from the cycle of rebirth ( samsara ).
In Raja Yoga is the highest level Samadhi, the complete peace of mind. The final target stage is nirvikalpa samadhi, the formless state in which there is no distinction between subject and object and the unit is achieved with Brahman. Nirvikalpa samadhi but is considered by some as a temporary condition. As a permanent state of non-duality applies Sahaja Samadhi, the natural state in which the universal Self is realized during all activities and lifted the identification with the limited ego.
In the Samkhya philosophy, the term buddhi has been established, "Recognize". The aim of the Samkhya, as well as the yoga, it is to achieve a distinction between purusha ( absolute spirit ) and Prakriti ( primordial matter ) is. To Prakriti are the elements that sense perceptions, thought ( Manas ), discrimination ability ( Buddhi ), and self-awareness ( Ahankara ). Yoga as Samkhya are strictly dualistic as opposed to Advaita Vedanta. In Hindi buddhi today means " mind, intelligence, knowledge. "
Daoism
Taoist enlightenment than the one-ment with and obtain eternal Dao explained (see Zhenren ). Daoism explained enlightenment without reference to a divine essence to take, but they can play a role in the religious context gods. The basic work is also for the religious Taoism, the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, but in addition in Daozang a variety of methods are presented for the attainment of enlightenment.
The Taoists say: " To return to your true being, you need to be a master of silence. Seats motionless as a stone and let be quiet your mind. Bend the mind in itself and look at the inner glow. " In contrast to the Indian religions of Daoism is not a cycle of re- births.
The difference between the Buddhist Nirvana and the Dao is that it is the Dao is a transcendent principle of action, which is the manifested world immanent. It is considered the cause of everything, as the only truly exists and it is the order of things is so that every being and every thing his own way, his own Dao has. It's not about Taoism, to overcome the ( in Buddhism regarded as illusion way ) world, but to find the harmony between microcosm and macrocosm. (see Taoist mysticism )
Judaism, Christianity, Islam
Enlightenment experiences are in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam is not a primary religious goal, but as the essence of the fulfillment of God's will is valid. Nevertheless, there are particular in the Christian culture many reports of enlightenment experiences.
Enlightenment in Christianity
Augustine said that all human knowledge is possible only through enlightenment. In one of his early writings he describes this assumption by pointing to the "inner teacher," the "Word of God" which teaches everyone about everything he can know. , The world, themselves and God Man can only know something, because God enlightens the people. Sort of like the eye can not perceive the light of the sun nothing, not even the man without the light of God can not see anything. The knowledge of God is done in enlightenment by God himself. It is both a divine act of grace and the human act of going beyond oneself.
In Christian asceticism is by Pseudo-Dionysius, which is based in his model of Platonic ideas, enlightenment (Greek photismos ) the second of the three stages of mystical cognition dar. In the 13th century, this three-fold by both the Carthusian Hugo de Balma taken lugent and by the Franciscan Bonaventure in De triplici in his writing viae via Sion. In both there is the Latin name via illuminativa. While Hugo understands this enlightenment according to Dionysius mystical, sees him as a section of Bonaventure on the road to perfection.
In the scholastic philosophy is the " knowledge light " (lumen intellectuale ) that every man is his own and enables him to knowledge, an image of the uncreated light, in which man through the knowledge of the eternal nature images has a share.
In the Eastern churches play in the context of Enlightenment light phenomena such as the Tabor light in many places a more important role than in the Western churches. Particularly among Orthodox monks is the individual enlightenment remains an important goal; Enlightened like to be visited also by the laity and especially enjoy as clergy fathers and Elders extremely high reputation. These are usually not to priests or theologians.
Brightness and light effects are known in this context in all Christian churches and are also found in the iconographic representations ( halos ) and also in Nahtodberichten.
Martin Luther is deeply rooted in the mystical tradition. Own experiences of God, many years of life as a monk, as well as writings of the mystic Johannes Tauler gave him strength and courage to formulate his Reformation doctrine of justification " by faith alone " and his doctrine of the " priesthood of all believers" and steadfast to represent. Like many mystics saw and he described God as the Bridegroom and the human soul as a bride; that's why he saw in such a loving relationship no need for mediation of the church services. However, he clearly distanced himself from the enthusiasts from, and many of his successors represented more skeptical attitudes towards mysticism.
More recently, Peter has described Dyckhoff on behalf of Vatican Radio in a literary work and current interpretations about enlightenment in Christianity. Today enlightenment is generally with God as a state or moment of oneness - that Jesus is equal - taught and understood, and this in humans occurs in most cases only after his earthly death or, more rarely, during his lifetime, such as in Thomas Aquinas. In a moment the man is breathed by God the Holy Spirit and given salvation. Following instructions in the New Testament at the time of enlightenment and truth, knowledge and knowledge of things to come by the Holy Spirit enables. Even thus reminiscent of the Holy Spirit enlightened on everything that Jesus has said. In this context, it is in many places - particularly highlighted by a major holiday in the Eastern Church - the transfiguration of Jesus understood Tabor, on the mountain, after which three disciples a foresight is given to the paradise, where the man in the enlightened state, ie only in the perfect love of God will live.
Enlightenment in Islam
The representatives of the mystical current within Islam are the Sufis. Its ultimate goal is to come as close to God as possible, while leaving their own desires. Here, God or the truth is experienced as " the beloved". The essence of Sufism is therefore the internal relationship between the " lovers " ( Sufi ) and the " beloved" (God). Through the love of the Sufi is led to God, where the seeker seeks to know the truth in this life and not to wait for the afterlife. This is reflected clearly dying in the principle resist before you die, which is being pursued in Sufism everywhere. To this end, try the Sufis, ( an-nafs al - Ammara ) to fight the instincts of the lower soul or of the tyrannical ego so that they are transformed into positive characteristics. In this way you can go through individual stations, the highest the pure soul ( an-nafs al - safiya ) is. This last step, however, remains exclusively reserved for the prophets and the most perfect saint.
The mystical experience of God is the state of oneness ( tawhid ) of God, what could best be described as " enlightenment ", although this term is not used in Islam.
Enlightenment in Judaism
As part of his new interpretation of the Kabbalah Isaac Luria in the 16th century created an independent doctrine of creation and redemption, which is also known as Lurianic mysticism of light.
Western esotericism
With the announcement of the Asian religious traditions in the West during the last two centuries, the concept of enlightenment has become increasingly common in the West.
As a result, find themselves in the Western intellectual world increasingly similar ideas, but often with its own history shaped by the western culture background interpretations. The term has, for example, found their way into philosophy, where it is described as "intellectual one- be with the infinite Being." Even some Western mystics use the concept of enlightenment, often with its own, independent from the historic context statements. This sometimes leads to inflationary use of the term, in a wide variety of spiritual and religious communities, teaching and contexts.
As enlightened teachers about Jiddu Krishnamurti and Aurobindo Ghose were considered so in the recent past, with the reception in the West is often very different from that in the Indian culture. Osho also was considered enlightened.
The author Eckhart Tolle, who describes the " spiritual awakening " in his first book, reaches into his works back to elements from different traditions such as Christian mysticism, Sufism and Buddhism. Other authors who have so far remained largely unnoticed despite previous book publications have reported such experiences. In many cases, it is reported by the need to share friends and fellow human beings in it. However, it is more or less regularly spoken of placement problems, the fact that it seems to be difficult to impossible for " unenlightened " to understand the state of consciousness of the "enlightenment" or understand without experiencing it yourself. Osho suggested in the 1970s, this area before as a research field for psychology. Transpersonal psychology attacked regardless of some border aspects, sound scientific results are not available yet.
Since the mid- 90s spread in Europe and the U.S., the " Satsang " movement. Their spiritual teachers (about Gangaji and her husband Eli Jaxon-Bear, Cedric Parkin, Pyar Troll Madhukar ), which mostly rely on Ramana Maharshi and HWL Poonja as a teacher and predecessor, are considered by their followers as enlightened. Origin of the movement is aimed at obtaining the impersonal Divine Advaita Vedanta.
The American spiritual teacher Andrew Cohen has shaped the course of its work the term " evolutionary enlightenment "; his idea is that not only should develop the so-called higher self, but also the higher We. Thomas Steininger, who was then a student of Gangaji, writes about Cohen: " Andrew Cohen spoke at that time not yet, Evolutionary Enlightenment, but he talked about the ego in a very different tone than I was used to: What is the value of a cosmic experience when my cooperation continues to be characterized with others of selfishness and arrogance? " his followers and even his former teacher, HWL Poonja applies / Cohen was as enlightened in the traditional sense.