The attainment of enlightenment doesn’t guarantee an automatic state of happiness, though it can certainly lead to greater contentment. Alongside enlightenment, the process of purifying one’s small “I,” or ego, is equally important.
As an enlightened person, you know that your personality is not you, and that all the pain you feel is not yours, and you understand that you have no control over anything. If your small self has any serious problems, then most likely it will suffer. Being enlightened, you can suffer and be at peace at the same time. Enlightenment allows you to detach from the suffering that arises from egoic identification. However, this doesn’t necessarily eliminate the possibility of experiencing hardship altogether.
So, what’s the alternative? How can we navigate the challenges of life, especially on the path to enlightenment?
I propose the following approach to joy and suffering that came to me as an insight from the Higher Beings.
To start with, please consider these fundamental thoughts:
- True poverty is not the lack of money, a spouse, a home, or a job; it’s the lack of a larger purpose.
- A person who has a big goal in their life and actively strives to achieve it is truly rich and happy.
- What matters is not what we lack, but the purpose that drives our existence. By understanding what we live for, we gain the resilience to persevere through temporary setbacks and significant challenges. Therefore, having a big goal in life is essential for true fulfillment.
When we have a significant goal and shape our lives around it, it becomes much easier to weather the trials and tribulations of life. Suffering takes on a whole new meaning; it loses its negative emotional connotation and can even be seen as a positive force, as we relish the opportunity of overcoming obstacles and growing stronger in the pursuit of something meaningful and worthwhile.
The question now lies in how to uncover a grand purpose, the very essence of our existence. What is the meaning of our lives? How does one embark on this journey of self-discovery? Delve within and seek the answer for yourself. This is our innermost quest, akin to the search for the Holy Grail.
Allow me to present a few possibilities for a grand purpose.
Firstly, one’s life could be dedicated to honing and utilizing the unique talents they possess for the sake of others.
Secondly, creating and nurturing a loving and caring family can be a profoundly fulfilling endeavor. Children are our legacy.
Thirdly, one’s professional career, whether through work or business, can be a means to contribute meaningfully to society.
Finally, a universal and deeply spiritual answer to the question of life’s meaning can be found in Neale Donald Walsch’s book Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue (Book 3):
“And—just for review—my purpose in becoming human is?
To decide and to declare, to create and to express, to experience and to fulfill, Who You Really Are.
To re-create yourself anew in every moment in the grandest version of the greatest vision ever you had about Who You Really Are.
That is your purpose in becoming human, and that is the purpose of all of life.”
Thus, in every moment, regardless of what we do or whom we are with, we express the Higher Self—our noblest qualities. This is the ultimate goal. This journey has no beginning or end; evolution is perpetual. With such a profound understanding of life, it becomes easier to let go of past suffering and endure present hardships.
Embracing a grand purpose brings immense joy. Life becomes enriched and meaningful. We are not as intimidated by challenges as we are by the absence of meaning. How fulfilling it is to lead a deeply purposeful life! Even amidst terrible misfortunes, our goal serves as a beacon, illuminating our path forward.
I wish everyone the joy of finding and pursuing their grand purpose!
Addendum 1: After watching a scary movie based on true events, depicting the suffering of a young woman, I received a message from the Higher Beings:
“Without suffering it is impossible to become a saint.”
While some spiritual people perceive suffering as the consequence of bad karma, this interpretation may not always hold true. In some instances, an individual may be born to endure hardships as a means of purification and spiritual growth, paving the way for the manifestation of holiness.
I also felt that the Higher Self or God urges us to embrace life’s entirety, including joy, pain, and suffering, without fear or hesitation.
Addendum 2: As you progress on your spiritual path, there comes a point where suffering recedes, the shackles of the past loosen their grip, and a profound joy permeates your being, arising naturally and effortlessly from within. This extraordinary joy, accompanied by an unshakeable self-confidence and a deep trust in life, prompts a surge of gratitude and an irresistible desire to share your happiness with others.