Becoming Enlightened

"It is better to find new ways of presenting spiritual truths, new words with which to name them."

"The true mystic does not look to other men for enlightenment, does not fix his gaze outward but inward."

- Paul Brunton (the greatest mystic you've never heard of, with many excellent ideas on rational mysticism)

After my last post, it occurred to me to compare self-actualization to enlightenment as an 'ultimate' human state. One is the product of psychology, the other a product of spiritual tradition. One is embraced by humanists, the other... not so much. Which produces a better final state? Which represents a better goal?

Self-actualization

• "to become everything that one is capable of becoming"
• "the only real motive a person has"
• "the final level of psychological development"
• "People that have reached self-actualization are characterized by certain behaviors... They embrace reality and facts rather than denying truth. They are spontaneous. They are interested in solving problems. They are accepting of themselves and also others and lack prejudice."

Enlightenment

• "'awakening' to the truth", "full liberation from delusion", "cessation... of suffering"
• "conscious awareness of an ultimate reality"
• perceived to be obtainable by various forms of self-denial and/or routine-disrupting behavior
• an end state recognizable only by others who are 'enlightened'

I've had a few issues with the idea of 'enlightenment'...

1) It seems like a long car trip to an unknown destination, which begets the inevitable questioning - 'Are we there yet? Are we there yet?'

2) So you understand the ultimate nature of reality. What do you do with that knowledge? How does it make you a better person?

3) What good is Enlightenment if you cannot weep at the suffering of others? And if you can weep, do you not suffer as well?

Self-actualization, on the other hand, is a process of becoming. It never stops, because there are always new things to learn and become. It lacks the fixation on an unknown destination, allowing you to get on with things. It doesn't require a specially-qualified teacher to get you there, or specific exercises to be undertaken. It is an outcome that can be achieved by anyone, rather than a quasi-mystical state whose attainment may depend on the state of your soul.

I have never had the benefit of religious/Buddhist tutelage on 'enlightenment', so perhaps I am missing something, or have misrepresented something. But as I see it now, self-actualization has my vote for 'best goal to strive for'.

[Aside to our dear Follower - I'm probably going to lose my internet connection soon, so postings will be infrequent for awhile.]