when one becomes enlightened, is their perception of everyday life altered, or is becoming enlightened more symbolic than an actual occurrence?
The great sage Rama Maharshi answers this very doubt of yours in his book saddarshanam. He says that both the ignorant and the wise act through the body in daily life. However, the ignorant think they are the body, while the wise know that the body is but a vehicle, a tool. Obviously the actions of the wise man will be different, for they are borne out of an infinite love and compassion for all beings, not out of selfish motives. Enlightenment is not seeing something new, but seeing everything anew.
but is an enlightened person constantly seeing the world in this new way, or do they grow out of it? Are they ever "normal" again? For instance, would an enlightened person be able to use a computer, play video games, or see a movie and be able to laugh at the vulgar jokes?
Dear Colours, Good question. It isn't silly at all As I understand it, it is something like this. Imagine you are in a city you don't know very well (let's say Detroit). Maybe there are areas where you have spent some time (Greektown, Cobo Arena/Downtown), and there are a few landmarks that are familiar to you (Tiger Stadium, The D.I.A, The Renaissance Center). But Detroit IS a big city and it is all too easy to become "navigationally confused." So, let's say you go to Detroit, and you quickly find yourself somewhere other than where you want to be. Maybe you look around and see unfamiliar people, in and around unfamiliar buildings, with numbers on them that don't seem to mean anything, on streets with names you've never heard of, and you realize you are lost. The unknown has presented itself, obviously, as always, in the form of a situation that invites some kind of response. Believe it or not, this is an important stage of enlightenment. You suddenly understand your reality situationally. Of course, reality is still a physical environment, but now you recognize that it is also, equally importantly, a space/time relationship between you and your reality. But one moment of enlightenment is not necessarily "ENLIGHTENMENT" . . . because . . . Then comes the realization, you have choices to make. You can stay where you are or you can go somewhere else. You can work with the information you have or you try to find more information about where you are in relation to where you want to be. You can just keep moving with the hope that you might, sooner or later, recognize something, or you can ask someone for directions or get a map. Whatever you do IS your realization. You have made a response, one that has created a new relationship between you and your reality. You have realized, you have made real, a new situation. Of course, this taste of enlightenment, and your realization, are not the end of your journey. So now you have a map, but the question remains - where are you? You still have to read and understand the information on the map. Then you still have to connect the information on the map to the reality you are actually inhabiting right now. Then you have to create, to realize, a path to where you want to be. Now, hopefully, at some point along the way, you may enjoy that moment of sudden clarity where you instantly recognize your familiarity with your environment. You may very well say to yourself something like "Oh, I know where I am!!!" and your relationship with your reality changes once again. You know information about your environment that you don't have to see to know is true. Nothing esoteric or otherworldly, just stuff you know, like the taste of the Spanikopita at New Hellas on Monroe St. or the simple fact that there is no game at Comerica Park in November (nor, as usual, in October). But even this joyous moment of clarity is not is not necessarily "ENLIGHTENMENT" . . . because . . . This joyous moment of clarity now allows you to redefine yourself as an "enlightened being." From now on, all you believe yourself to be is connected to this moment. You will relive and retell the story of your enlightenment in Detroit. It will allow you to feel better as you face the vital ebb and flow of inspiration that is inevitably brought to life by monday morning's alarm clock. It may even become a point of refuge to which you escape from those moments that are just too unpleasant to really "get into." If that happens, then you run the risk of forgetting to attend to the relationship you share with reality. That is not enlightenment. Unless, of course, you transcend the story. Let it be a reminder that reality is always there for you to experience as that joyous moment of clarity, that transcendent truth, that perfect correspondence. Be reminded right at this very moment, what is really true is you are reading written words arranged to convey some meaning about enlightenment. Now, look around the room, does it look any different? Peace and Love
Yes they would, if they wanted to. The difference being they would have a constant awareness of their oness with all.
an "enlightened person" can fly through space and breath under water without equipment. to become an "enlightened person" all you have to do is sell your soul to the devil.... just tell him your sick of this everyday shit and you want to be enlightened, turn your whole life over to him and... BAM you will be flying in space and killing children for your lord in no time. just ask Joseph Ratzinger it worked for him.
When one sees and does not think about seeing. It comes out of nowhere, and is not of time. You hardly notice it when you think of it, and when you do think, the thoughts are fleeting, no longer binded to your sight.
sure, every mindframe creates its own perception of reality....if one were to become seriously deppressed one day their perception would change as well.
