Shadow Jedi: Lecture #19

What is Enlightenment
Shadowside@forceacademy.com

What is enlightenment?

Probably one of the most simple and yet misunderstood states of being. When we think of enlightenment what comes to mind? Jesus? Buddha? An ancient little man in long robes meditating up on a mountain in Tibet? Sure, those are some of many faces of this state. However, the smart money is on the sole fact that we rarely look at ourselves. I'd like to share a story that I heard from an amazing teacher I met this past weekend. This story comes from the great mystic, Anthony de Mello. De Mello was asked, "what is enlightenment? How do you reach it?" in reply he told this story. (Note: I'm paraphrasing this, as I don't have the actual text that the original story came from.)

In England, a poor homeless beggar was walking the streets looking for warmth and a place to sleep. Finally he decided to curl up on the banks of the river Thames. Not long after he fell asleep a wealthy woman in her limo passed by and upon seeing him said to herself, "Oh, this won't do." So she stopped and walked up to the beggar, "Tell me, have you no other place to go?"

"No ma'am," the beggar replied. "Tonight, this is my home."

So the wealthy woman offered him a meal and a warm bed for the night at her mansion. Naturally, the beggar accepted. Upon arriving at her home, she showed him to the kitchen and spoke to one of her servants, "This man is to have clean clothes, as much food as he can eat and carry, and a comfortable bed in one of the servant quarters." And with that she retired to her bedroom. Hours later she awoke thinking about the beggar - had he gotten his bed? Was he well feed? So she goes down to servant rooms and notices the light on under his door, she knocks and enters. There, sitting on the bed is the beggar, well feed and clean.

"Is the room alright, are you warm enough?"

"Oh, yes ma'am - everything is wonderful. Thank you."

"You received enough food?"

"Oh, yes ma'am - I haven't eaten like that in years."

Then knowing that perhaps the man just needed company she walked to the bed and sat down beside him. The beggar moved over to make room for her ...and fell into the Thames river.


Take a second and think about that, close your eyes and process the story. Don't be two dimensional when thinking about enlightenment. Don't fool yourself into thinking it's something that can never be attained or something that you gain two minutes before you die. Enlightenment is to be lived, to be recognized NOW. Like the beggar that fell into the river - he never moved, not really. He went on a journey, yes, but in reality - he was where he always had been. Here. Now. Look around you - inhale the living force with every breath and exhale it a hundred fold through every pore of your being. Live in the ultimate balance. You are the embodiment of this enlightenment, you *are* the force as is every thing around you. Never allow the word "separate" to enter your mind - separateness is an illusion, don't buy into it. "Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter." Live that. Fall into the Thames river - awake to the present moment and see yourself as the very answer to any question you seek. FEEL the living force. FEEL the moment. LIVE the force. LIVE your enlightenment.

Lady Redlum
bagpipes@hotmail.com