I recently listened to a 68 year old colleague I was having a restaurant patio lunch with, remark to our regular (university student) wait staff, that her waiting on tables, in the grand scheme of her lived experience, was relatively unimportant, that she need not “hang onto” or remain attached to work that was not fulfilling or undignified. The young woman, who had told us before that she was psychology major in her second year, stopped to listen. He had “reached her” and she was open to learning something about life from him.
I purposely associate with these kinds of people, who are not afraid to speak their truth. These people I consider “enlightened” because they have found that letting go of dysfunctional patterns is overall helpful. I do this because I know I will unconsciously take on the characteristics of the people I am with the most. But I am very careful to consciously choose what I want to absorb from others into my character, because some of my associates have only a few characteristics that I want. Even at that, I want to exercise my powers of critical thinking and choice in what I absorb into my character.What fits and suits your character may not be a good fit for me. My phrase is, “not all my friends have the same value”.
It’s my opinion that Enlightened Living is a philosophy that embraces self-awareness, growth, and wisdom. If you are very young, you may borrow some wisdom from a teacher whom you admire and respect for their knowledge and evenness. We could say that Enlightened Living is a way of being cultivated from mindfulness, compassion (patience and tolerance to self and others), plus today’s understanding of self and self’s entry into today’s world.
At its core, Enlightened Living encourages individuals to strive for personal and spiritual development. Enlightenment means training the ego that behaves like a pet who through our ignorance runs around loose much of the time, getting into trouble and being a nuisance rather than asset. Taming our ego means firm, consistent focus (mindfulness) on reality, with a sense of levity and humor. Positive psychology focuses on cultivating inner peace, joy, and the authentic self you were born with, not the egoistic constructs you have built that now runs your life
Practicing Enlightened Living involves being present in the moment, observing one’s thoughts and emotions without judgment, and cultivating inner stillness through practices like meditation and mindfulness. It emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and continuous learning.
Enlightened living also promotes kindness and compassion towards oneself and others. It involves treating everyone with respect, empathy, and understanding. It encourages individuals to develop strong connections and nurture supportive relationships as long as they remain supportive.
Enlightened Living is a conscious and intentional way of living that brings harmony, balance, and fulfillment to our lives. It is a lifelong journey of self-discovery and self-improvement that allows us to embrace our true essence and make a positive impact on the world around us.
Spiritkeep Positive Yoga 