“If I could define enlightenment briefly I would say it is the quiet acceptance of what is.” – Dr. Wayne Dyer

As simple as this definition seems to be, how often do you quietly accept what is? Instead, what do you say or do?

• I say things like “It’s not supposed to be this way.” “It should have been different.” “It should be this other way.”
• Instead of accepting how people are, I try various ways of trying to control them to get them to change and be the way I want them to be, or the way I think they should be. I explain, defend, complain, argue, blame, get angry, threaten, pout, give myself up, be extra loving and so on, rather than accept how they are.
• I tell myself lies regarding who someone is choosing to be. I say things like, “Underneath, he has a good heart,” rather than accept that the person is choosing to be abusive, or “I know she loves me,” rather than accept her lack of connection and attraction to me. I act as if my fantasy of someone is the reality, rather than accept the reality.
• I tell myself it’s my fault when others are unloving, rather than accept their choice to be unloving. I blame and shame myself, rather than accept who someone is choosing to be. I convince myself that if only I do things ‘right,’ or say things ‘right,’ I can get someone to change. Continue reading What is Enlightenment?