Excerpt: In chapter # 2 I described two paths towards enlightenment and said that I took both. Perhaps it was for the better, else I could not write about it and enlighten you with information, so you could make aware choices. From this post onward I will describe my experiences on the rational path, the second one as I referred to it in that post.

The first question that preoccupied me was- where to begin. I lived in the midst of a rational, logical world, religion did give any clue as to the true nature of the reality, workshops and seminars were far from my immediate reach, and I was looking for an anchor. After some years of exploration, I had no choice but to resort to the only place that was available 24/7 and free. My own inner self.

Credit: (c) nomad-magus

Two ways to begin your journey

1. Look at our modern world which compels us to do something in order to achieve a goal. We have been taught to first seek what we desire, then to look for the opportunities around us and lastly if necessary, fight to achieve them, to claim what we believe is ours. I call this approach – “The fighter attitude to life” and it places the individual deeply rooted in the world of duality. Whereas this way may reap some rewards, like an abundant life next to a loving spouse, it lacks the conscious creation of the reality. Therefore, it is doomed to lose its base and eventually collapse. Why do you think so many marriages fail to last nowadays? Why so many people have abundance issues, health issues?

2. The second way is to walk this earth and to create the “I”; to realize that there is no such thing as a reality and what really exists is “I”, the individual. The sights, smells, and feelings that you perceive with your six senses are a reflection of different aspects of your “I” and therefore enlightenment will be reflected if and only if this “I” will find the way to bring enlightenment out from within, the place where it resides.

How do you do that? What's the secret?

Amazingly enough, this so-called secret has been revealed time and again since the dawn of humanity and states, in plain and simple words – know your Self!

When we buy a sophisticated electronic device and we want to make good use of it we first need to learn how it works, the function of the little buttons and the various ways to utilize the device. The same goes for the Self. Before we begin to manifest our dreams we must learn how this divine device – called the human being – operates. Therefore, the first step of the process to enlightenment is a conscious knowing of your Selves.

This Self that I refer to, is not some kind of an elusive entity that is hidden in the subconscious. It is not another part of you that reveals itself only at night in your dreams and nightmares. Rather, I am talking about your personality, the "I" that you are so familiar with. This self is comprised of your daily thoughts, your bursting emotions, your lasting feelings, your belief systems and general perspectives about life.

If you want enlightenment to show in your reality, then dedicate your moments to examining your life. When you feel down and blue – ask yourself “why?!”; when you experience a tragedy ask yourself “why did it happen to me?”; when you are mistreated at work ask yourself “why don’t they appreciate me?”; when you feel sad and miserable on Friday night, staying at home alone, ask yourself “why am I feeling like this?”; when you are terrified by the news which speaks about wars and terror ask yourself “why am I so influenced by the news?”; when you have a huge and ugly fight with a relative ask yourself “why am I reacting like that to them?”; when you look in the mirror and cry because you see an ugly fat reflection ask yourself “why do I see myself as ugly and why am I so saddened because of that?”.

Credit: Pinera

All the answers that you will find will reveal to you the different perspectives you have about life. At the bottom of them all, you will find one that is very common which will echo in your mind: “I am not truly loved. No one understands me. I am alone in this world”. This root belief permeates all your other belief systems and therefore is reflected in all your experiences.

The truth is simple, but you will have hard time to accept it

You are loved. You are always loved. When you disregard yourself or belittle yourself or hate the person you see in your mirror – especially then – you are very loved. And the sooner you connect yourself with that inner truth of Love, the sooner your life will change.

How do you do this?

Fake it! Imagine you are a movie star in this grand and international film. You are doing the main scene and everybody’s eyes are upon you, admiring you, waiting to see your acting. You breathe deeply and then it comes out. You are feeling like the most loveable person in the world. You are experiencing a joy from within because you know that all is really OK, and that you are really loved. God loves you, your friends love you and wow – you begin to love yourself! "I am faking it", you say, "is it real?"

Yes it is! More than you think.

Life is simple. And when you feel loved you realize how true this can be. Do not make it difficult, keep it simple. When you find yourself unbalanced, worried, disturbed, just remind yourself that it is YOU who is in control. You are the player so start faking it and know that soon the fake will become your reality!

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In the next posts of my memoir I will elaborate more, and in detail, about some ways that would help you to get to know your Selves and change your life to match your dreams.

Until then, keep it simple and remember, your enlightenment is now.

My past article spoke about the consciousness of cancer. The comments there are a good read