Reference: Course on Subject Clearing
Looking at Buddha and other spiritual masters we wonder, “What is enlightenment?”
Enlightenment is a deep personal realization of the laws underlying our spiritual nature. It seems that subject clearing (especially steps 7 and 8) may speed up the path to enlightenment.
The key to subject clearing is contemplating over the fundamental concepts in any subject and mediating over personal anomalies (doubts and perplexities) until they resolve. The anomalies are discovered when one places different interpretations of the same concept side by side. This is very apparent when one looks at concepts like God and self from different cultures, religions and philosophies.
One may have certainties in a subject when considering broad concepts; but, as one starts to look deeper, doubts and perplexities may arise. As one resolves these anomalies greater certainties are established; but there are always doubts that carry one’s quest forward. Each time a certainty is established it is a point of enlightenment because one simply lights up. Many such points are minor, but some are major, and finally, there may be a point of enlightenment that simply blows one’s mind. Thus, one may accomplish a lot, and still the quest may continue. It is doubtful if the quest for certainty will ever end.
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Key Words
Enlightenment, Contemplate, Concepts, Meditate, Anomaly, Interpretation, Emptiness, Certainty, Light up, …
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Reading Materials
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Glossary
Enlightenment
To enlighten is to give intellectual or spiritual light to; instruct; impart knowledge to. There may be a major point of enlightenment, such as, the realization of the laws underlying our spiritual nature, but further enlightenment is always a possibility.
Contemplate
To contemplate is to think studiously, or consider deliberately.
Concept
Concept has the basic sense of something “taken together,” or conceived through thought or imagination. It is an idea or mental picture of a group or class of objects formed by combining all their aspects.
Meditate
To meditate is to engage in deep thought or contemplation; reflect. See SUBJECT CLEARING STEP 4—The Discipline of Meditation.
ANOMALY
An anomaly is any violation of the integrity of reality, such as, discontinuity (missing data), inconsistency (contradictory data), or disharmony (arbitrary data). An anomaly flags the presence of an impression on the mind, which is hidden under an assumption. When one spots the assumption, and becomes aware of the underlying impression, the anomaly resolves with a realization.
Interpretation
To interpret is to explain or translate. Interpretation is the action of explaining the meaning of something.
Emptiness
Emptiness is the ultimate reference point from which all phenomena can be understood objectively without any preconceived notion.
Certainty
Certainty is a firm conviction that something is the case. It is achieved by resolving all known anomalies. There is no such thing as absolute certainty.
Light up
To brighten with animation or joy, as the face or eyes. One lights up as certainties are established.
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