The Three Types of Individuals Who Are Unlikely to Achieve Enlightenment
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Chapter 1: Understanding Enlightenment
In the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, there are three distinct groups of individuals I would advise against attempting to guide. The first group consists of those with unhealthy mental states.
Even if someone in this category engages in religious practices—such as attending places of worship, performing rituals, or engaging in charitable acts—the reality remains that only a select few are genuinely prepared to delve into ancient wisdom. Here’s why…
Consider this scenario: if I were to tell you that within three years, you would become incredibly wealthy and successful, you might dismiss it with skepticism. Conversely, if I warned you of an impending car accident or a terminal illness, you would likely feel a deep sense of dread that lingers for months. This pervasive anxiety tends to overshadow the joy of positive forecasts.
Normal individuals are often more attuned to negative news and struggle to embrace positive messages. In contrast, enlightened beings possess the ability to generate, perceive, and absorb uplifting information, exuding a positive aura. How does this occur?
The enlightened transcend the confines of this realm and tap into higher planes of existence. Consequently, they are impervious to negative influences; any adverse information that reaches them dissipates, much like poison thrown into the ocean has no significant effect.
For those still bound by earthly limitations, unfavorable information predominates, restricting their access to positive insights. Only those who have transcended various realms can provide, receive, and radiate positivity.
Section 1.1: The Possessed Mind
The second group comprises individuals who are trapped in an abnormal mental state, often described as being possessed or bewitched. These individuals resemble the "living dead," appearing awake yet lacking true consciousness.
Currently, very few proficient teachers exist who can effectively assist someone in overcoming possession. To illustrate this, consider a ladder—while most professionals can reach a height of about 10 meters (30 feet), helping someone exit a state of possession would require a ladder that reaches 30 stories. This highlights the rarity of skilled practitioners capable of such guidance.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Importance of Awareness
Section 1.2: The Unaware Mind
The third group includes those lacking mental alertness or awareness. Essentially, these individuals struggle to manage even basic aspects of life, making significant achievements unlikely.
People who lack awareness are often perceived as walking corpses—they may appear as individuals but lack the essential qualities of a fully functioning human being. Their actions are typically misguided, leading to inevitable failure.
However, it’s worth noting that such individuals may possess some good karma from past lives, allowing them to accomplish basic tasks. Their current human existence grants them certain advantages, enabling them to be born again with human virtues and resources.
Nonetheless, achieving greatness—whether in worldly pursuits or spiritual enlightenment—remains unattainable for them. To reach such heights, one must cultivate wisdom, accumulate positive karma, and engage in virtuous actions.
Chapter 2: Insights from Enlightenment Seekers
The first video titled "How Do You Recognize An Enlightened Being?" features Sadhguru discussing the characteristics of enlightened individuals and how to identify them.
The second video, "Why I Stopped Pursuing Enlightenment" by Ricardo Palomares, explores the reasons behind the decision to move away from the quest for enlightenment and the lessons learned along the way.