Enlightenment and the paths to enlightenment are
different for each and every individual. Some use
a strict path of religion and dogma to reach that
state and others choose paths free of such
restrictions. It's the goal of enlightenment and
not the journey that matters when one takes on
such a commitment. One path to enlightenment is
the acknowledgement of a self without limits, a
state found through the help of one's guides to
the information available on how to achieve such a
state. For example, we know subconsciously or
consciously that we are not the sole intelligent
race in the universe. We know there is far more to
reality than what is accepted fact and it creates
a longing for knowledge outside of the general
consensus. Three centuries have passed between the
last age of enlightenment and this new one though
the excitement of discovery is still as strong in
the human race as it was back then. Greater than
space, greater than the depths of the ocean, the
exploration of the mind is the truly last frontier
where anyone with any amount of knowledge can make
great strides in understanding those limitless
possibilities. The
first age of enlightenment took place in the 18th
century through the writings of men such as René
Descartes and Voltaire as well as through great
advances in science, politics and government. Back
then, it was all about perspective. No longer was
religion the only source of knowledge but instead
reason now came to the fore. To go from reasoning
to proof was the next obvious path and thus the
age of enlightenment was born. Explorations to
far-away lands widened the perspective of everyone
along with scientific breakthroughs, exciting
literary works and even more exciting landmarks in
philosophy and thought. This was the point when
most of our modern world had its roots through
both the American and French revolutions as ideals
replaced religious ideology. One could say we too
are coming out of a dark age in modern times where
a new age of spirituality is replacing religion as
a source for guidance. Places of worship bring
communities closer together and provide a
comfortable place to practice one’s faith. With
the Internet's advent, the world is now a global
community and it will take more than religion to
bring that community closer. What the world needs
is enlightenment but it has to come from a global
desire for spiritual growth on an individual
level. TMI, too
much information, the enemy of enlightenment. In
times past, freedom of thought that challenged
conformity was dismissed outright as a form of
madness or even outlawed throughout large parts of
the world, especially if it conflicted with the
religious tenets of a non-secular country. Now,
freedom of thought and religion allow one to
express or learn as they wish instead of
mind-expanding information being banned and
forbidden. Competing theories and a continual
flood of new content added daily make any search
for information that moves the soul a challenge
for even the most patient of knowledge seekers.
Even once found, keeping up the learning faces the
challenge of getting sidetracked by new
information that draws the student away from the
original search following trails leading down
unproductive paths. In the past, the growth of
spiritual uplifting came from an inner search
through books, meditation and contemplation of
self. Today the self is directed outward towards
uncounted options for entertainment instead of
inward where one can find inner peace. It takes a
supreme effort committing to consciousness raising
and for those willing to make the commitment,
there couldn’t be a better time to take advantage
of this new flood of information once a path to
follow has been found. Take a
moment to close your eyes after you are done
reading this to imagine living in the previous age
of enlightenment. The modern world falls away to
see yourself in the mid-1700’s without any of the
electricity or conveniences we rely on daily.
Freedom of thought was not for the sane as
conformity was rewarded and self-expression
frowned upon. Slavery was still a major factor
back then as was the many rights denied to women
and entire classes of people. Sexual preference
was socially limited to the opposite sex, clothing
distinguished class and you didn’t marry outside
that class. Too little appreciation is afforded
these days to the fact that sites such this are
common and it’s no longer outside the norm to
believe in what you want to believe. No longer are
human rights ignored and we live in a world free
of such restrictions for the most part with the
freedom to expand consciously if so desired in any
way, shape or form that we want. This is a time
where the only limitations to finding
enlightenment comes from the person themselves and
how well they overcome all the distractions placed
in the path to that goal. Welcome to the new age
of enlightenment, an age that will transform the
planet just as happened three hundred years ago. In love and life as one. Russ and Karra
