What is Spiritual Enlightenment ?

enlightenment: the state of having knowledge or understanding

— Merriam-Webster

Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity brought into prominent focus one question: Was there a theory that would explain all observable phenomena in the universe? A theory of everything?

With the advent of quantum physics, it became difficult to find a grand underlying principle – the cause of all causes – for everything that we perceive.

The Vedas state:

“ekasmin vijñāte sarvamidaṁ vijñātaṁ bhavati”

“One who comes to know the Absolute Truth attains knowledge of everything.”

Such a person would be truly in a state of spiritual enlightenment.

“There is one Absolute Truth, which has been referred to by many names, such as Ishwar, Bhagavan, God, Lord, Allah, Khuda, Yahweh, Ahur Mazda, Alakh Niranjan, Shunya, Ikomkar, etc. All other truths have emanated from it and find their position in the scheme of things from it.”

— Bhagavad Gita, The Song of God, Commentary by Swami Mukundananda

But how do we attain this state of enlightenment? The science of knowing the Absolute Truth is called “Brahma Vidyā”, and it is outlined in the Vedas.

In the Vedic paradigm, the individual soul is a tiny part of God. It is spiritual in nature and hence distinct from the material body it occupies. The ultimate goal of human life, as stated in the Vedas, is to achieve enlightenment by uniting the soul with God. This union has been called “Yog”.

In Jnana Yog for example, the focus is on attaining enlightenment through intellectual discrimination and austerities. Karm Yog consists of uniting the mind with God while performing one’s worldly duties. It is made possible by performing all works for the pleasure of God and renouncing any fruits of such works. Bhakti Yog involves developing a selfless and exclusive loving relationship with God by seeing him as the eternal master, father, mother, friend, child, or beloved. Such love, expressed as complete surrender to divine will and service to God, attracts His grace resulting in spiritual perfection.

There are various degrees of spiritual enlightenment depending on which path one chooses.

All paths are valid; however Bhakti Yog has been praised as the superior system. It simply consists of attaching the mind to the names, forms, virtues, pastimes, abodes and saints of God with love and devotion. What is very difficult to attain through other spiritual practices based on self effort, such as Jnana Yog, is easily accomplished through Bhakti Yog due to the complete dependence on God for one’s spiritual perfection. Other yogic practices require Bhakti to become successful; however Bhakti does not need anything else. Additionally, it is much easier to practice than the rituals or austerities. In fact it is the prescribed route for enlightenment in the Kali-yuga or the age of Kali.

In the beginning one practices loving devotion to God or sadhana bhakti. When the mind is completely purified by such practice in which one sheds tears in longing for the vision of God, God bestows His power of Bhakti or selfless love, through which the devotee can then eternally serve Him. The bliss received by loving and serving God in a personal form, through Bhakti, is far higher than the bliss received by simply merging with Him as in other paths.

When God bestows his power of Bhakti, knowledge of the Absolute Truth, the cause of all causes, is automatic. Scientists relying on the limited powers of human intellect, cannot comprehend the Absolute Truth.

“Soi jaanai jehi dehu janaai,

Jaanat tumahi, tumahi hoi jaai”

— Sant Tulsidas, Ramcharitmanas

Only one who is graced by You, can know You

And in knowing You, one becomes You.

No one can know God but by His grace, which is possible only through complete surrender as in Bhakti Yog.

Thus the highest stage of spiritual enlightenment is attaining this power of Bhakti or selfless love for God. Bhakti is both the means and the end.