Enlightenment Is Not An Exclusive Privilege

One of my Yoga students once asked me if I consider myself spiritually enlightened. I told him that I struggled with that idea, because it implied someone is ‘done’ with their spiritual mission.

It would mean I had accomplished the ultimate spiritual goal and therefore would have no need to continue my spiritual growth and work.  It also seems arrogant to say that somehow, some people are ‘more enlightened’ or spiritually more evolved and superior to others.

I once heard a celebrity state in an interview that she knew she was “born to greatness.” I cannot comprehend such blatant entitlement and self-importance…to imagine that anyone was born more for ‘more greatness’ than another! We are all born for greatness in our own way, and none of us are greater than any other.

Therefore, I believe we are all enlightened. Some of us just don’t know it yet.

Spiritual growth or expansion is an eternal process. It is a journey, not a destination. There is no ‘arrival’ and no end.  We will always continue to grow more, love more, heal more and learn more.

With that said, I have always felt Earth is a planet for new souls. But even old souls can still learn. There is no special ‘status’ in being a new or old soul. It is simply a matter of how much one has experienced as an individual energy entity.

I have heard over the years clients and students complain they have such a hard time being around people who are “not as enlightened as they are.” I find this arrogant, not spiritual. I believe that all paths lead to God. Just because someone isn’t on the same path doesn’t mean they aren’t headed towards God. Just the thought that we believe we are more enlightened or superior or working harder, shows we have a lot more learning to do.

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