Dear Adrienne: Is there an enlightenment test?

Dear Adrienne,

I do agree with you to not surrender to others as being anything higher than ourselves. But in the end, the expansion of the heart can come from true devotion, and it has great value. Can’t we look at these spiritual leaders as tools for us to experience our own divine nature? That real teachers actually work to lift others up and is done not for money, fame nor acclaim, but to lead to the expansion of collective consciousness. This is the only way to know who the real ones are, they are helping others to rise, not out of self interest but something higher. That’s the mark of those truly dancing on the highest levels of Self-realization. Agree?

Thanks,  

Truth Seeker

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Dear TS,

I’m so glad you are sharing your feelings; it’s really a thought-provoking topic these days, but also one that should be navigated with care. In the climate that we’re currently in, we are witnessing the previously embraced ideas and concepts around enlightenment and spirituality undergoing a huge shift. There is more awareness around concepts that elevate some and diminish others. In a time where experts/thought leaders in the arena of “transformation” include spiritual bypassing as a way to control, we are now witnessing the corrective side, the public response of anger, grief, humiliation, betrayal, and feeling unsafe and unheard. Those feelings are not considered “spiritually elevated” or supported in spiritual circles; if anything, they are discouraged. They are human but messy, uncomfortable, sometimes ugly, sometimes shameful, and certainly aren’t looked at as fitting neatly into a spiritual framework. I appreciate you sharing your feelings on the signs of an authentic leader. I do however respectfully disagree and I’ll explain why. In organizations there exists a lot of support around justifying actions so that they align with taught beliefs. It’s the collective “corporate culture”, which is then reinforced by others within the organization. With everything shifting in our world right now, I believe that it’s important to take a microscope to our shared beliefs in an effort to sort out where we proceed from here in spirituality. Instead of justifying socially unacceptable behavior or explaining away actions as spiritually based, why not take a step back?

Here’s one exercise we can do right now. When we feel something destabilizing, notice how quickly our minds reach for a spiritual or philosophical explanation. The speed of reaching is a signal that shows us that it’s time to be intentional about putting down the framework temporarily. Ask yourself instead: what is the raw feeling underneath this, and can I stay with it for longer than feels comfortable before I revert to my old thinking?

The perspective or assumption that the mark of a real teacher is that “by their actions they are helping someone rise,” and this can be a “sign” of a leader experiencing higher levels of consciousness, doesn’t really work for me. Why am I pulling this particular statement out? Because much too often, we discredit our own intuition to fall back on this thinking. Remember, there is absolutely no way to know what the individual's full motivation is; we aren’t inside their heads, and we aren’t listening to the conversations behind closed doors. The bigger question is, “Why do we care?” Is it so important that we find someone that we feel is enlightened and celebrate them? I say “no”.

In a time where spiritual bypassing and faux spirituality are rampant, let’s make this easy. Look inside. That’s it. Experience directly who you are and attend to your own inner growth. Rather than actively elevating someone outside, listen to your own voice. One thing we know for sure is “real” teachers redirect you back to your Self. They are open to discussion and inquiry and understand that it is the knowledge that they impart, not themselves, that can assist in an individuals growth and evolution.

Let’s accept that this younger generation of spiritual seekers may be done looking outside for someone to elevate or become “devoted” to. Devotion can be turned inward; it can be directed to the big Self (not the small ego driven self), and ultimately that devotion to the Self turns into devotion to the higher powers that be. Looking outside isn’t a prerequisite for devotion to occur or for full enlightenment; experiencing what is inside.. is.

Until next time.

Adrienne

Image: @n.evernow