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amoux
United Kingdom
266 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 20 2010 : 07:15:29 AM
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Can someone clarify for me what are the differences between Self-Realization, Awakening, and Enlightenment? If there are differences, in your experience are those differences a function of your religious (or spiritual) belief system? For those (like me) with no religious beliefs, and no belief in a personal God or Gods, would this have an effect on the arising of these different (if they are different) conditions?
Just curious, and in an attempt to aid communication!
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Edited by - amoux on Sep 20 2010 07:21:56 AM |
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Jo-self
USA
225 Posts |
Posted - Sep 22 2010 : 12:41:56 AM
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Those terms are usually used interchangeably. The various traditions use more precise terms and some even structure the transpersonal stages in exhaustive frameworks.
Belief has no effect. It's biology. And, in real Buddhism, as an example, I think, there isn't even a God, per se.
Besides, does God care who's an atheist? :)
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amoux
United Kingdom
266 Posts |
Posted - Sep 22 2010 : 06:28:59 AM
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Thanks, Jo-self  I had a feeling that 'interchangeably' might be the answer.
So if I understand you correctly, you're saying all of these 'states' are neurophysiologically mediated? And presumably practices like AYP work through neuroplasticity? Fascinating stuff.
As to whether God cares who's an atheist - on balance, unlikely. It begs the reverse question, does an atheist care who's God? Also, unlikely 
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Self-Realization?
