So how DO you know?

In my last post, I talked about being too sure of oneself. The idea that we knowwhat we are doing, when in fact, we really don't.

So, as the title asks, just how do we know? Well, simply put, we "know" when we are enlightened. That is what enlightenment means. Of course, that does not say much.

When one is enlightened, one is fully awake and aware. Knowing in that state is not an intellectual act, but a physical one. We do not have to think about it, we just know. It is like asking what is 2+2? Most adults don't have to reason with that question, they know the answer. There is no doubt. there is certainty.

People who are not enlightened tend to think of themselves as "knowing". I know, I was like that too. Yet, deep down, I knew it was not true. I has too many unanswered questions. I was not sure. I asked "is this really it?" "Is there any thing more?" The answer would come back inevitably "no, I am not sure". ANd the path continued.

Once you become enlightened, however, ll doubt is gone. You understand. No, you don't "know everything". You just know the important thing-the reality of the universe.

Now, there are people who today move through life with no doubts whatsoever-at least that is what they say. Once again, Sarah Palin is a prime example (only because she is in the news). She says often she holds true to her beliefs, she does not doubt them. However, her beliefs belie her true knowledge.

People who believe in the literal meaning of the bible are not enlightened-they are ignorant. That does not make them bad people. They simply lack the awareness to know better. They are in that particular level of awareness.

So, beware overconfidence. Being enlightened has nothing to do with adherence to religion-any of them. They are lower level tools helpful in gaining understanding but are not the truth.

They are also dangerous traps. Being enamored with a religion, mysticism, eastern philosophy, the Bible, the Koran or any worldly texts, can be dangerous. It can lead one into a stare of stasis. Where the fun of belief takes over and the desire to know gets overshadowed.

As I said in my last post, meditation, for the all the good it does, is not awareness-no matter how good it feels or how much you may enjoy it.

Next time I will continue with this theme-it will discuss what is the purpose of knowing.