Transition from Caterpillar to Butterfly is evolution on the level of the physical body and mind: growing new wings and the capability to use those wings, right? Yes, even without the actual wings, you will be lifted two inches off the ground, as nothing is weighing you down. This is the first time you are set free. This is what enlightenment feels like...........

What is Enlightenment?

Enlightenment is a relative term. Nature does not care whom you view as enlightened or unenlightened. It does not make you special in any way. You still have to hunt your own food. It does not give you any privileges or superpowers. All it gives you is clarity and peace. Clarity and peace go hand in hand. I like the way UG Krishnamurti said it: “Thought falls to its place.”

Yes, relatively, it is a moment of great celebration compared to other humans, or when you compare it to your own past. It is the moment of arrival, only if you view it as an evolutionary process of consciousness. Contrarily, you are already there; you are already that. Nothing has happened on the fundamental level. You are still the same consciousness. Neither is there any way to know if something has happened to the consciousness, scientifically or non-scientifically. It’s only your (the consciousness’s) understanding that has deepened. It’s just that your seeking mind comes to a stop. But the mind was running because society has put a hell lot of nonsense ideas in your head. Getting rid of the trash only cleans your house; nothing has happened to the space of the house.

My definition of enlightenment is: there is no separate you; it’s all one. You are completely “one with life,” as Eckhart puts it. All the things associated with the physical realm happen to you: physical pain may arise, physical exertion occurs, sweating happens, hair grows as usual. Nothing changes about the natural rhythm and functioning of the body. If you have hypertension, it will probably continue. Whenever the mind gets tired or fuzzy after going through a lot of conscious thinking, you let go of the need to quiet it; it becomes quiet by itself. But you can only let go of your plans (images) if you know that your plans are just floating around in your consciousness, and you don’t identify with them.

Like when a tornado hits a place: the tornado (mind) is temporary; space (you) is permanent. You don’t need to make the surface of the water smooth by sheer force; you leave it to itself, and it becomes still by itself.