What is Enlightenment? How do we get there?

So, what is this thing called enlightenment? it is such a huge topic, but there must always be a starting point, so let's do that right now.

Enlightenment, awakening, ascension, all are used to describe, the amazing state of non attachment.

Let's watch this video, to begin our journey.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfGWrPY3yU8

With the proper intention, we can move mountains on our way to living a more bliss centered life.

Slow down, love yourself.

Love, peace, david http://www.davidessel.com

Unusual Stages of Enlightenment, Awakening

After receiving so many comments regarding our first article on awakening, or the steps of enlightenment, I wanted to share some very important information that should help many of us in our quest for higher levels of functioning.

As I briefly alluded to before, the path to enlightenment is not all bliss and fun as many people believe it to be.

Let's look at a variety of circumstances that could be the lamp posts you are looking for, to know you are directly on path. These are what some may say, are the unusual steps to this beautiful state:

..if you see you are in constant doubt..about yourself, life...

..realize that you are very unhappy in your job or relationship...

..come to acknowledge an addiction in your life...

...realize that yes, you gossip often..

...become aware that you talk about and lean on one of your many "stories in life.."IE, money is always a struggle...men are all dogs...because of your childhood, you ...fill in the blank....


..you understand that you "live on the fence a lot in life"...you're afraid to take chances...


If you come to any of these realizations, Congratulations! You've just moved up your own personal ladder towards enlightenment, for it is only when you acknowledge the truth, about you, that you can really start to change.

Stepping into the unknown, letting go of the past, or thoughts that do not make you feel strong, centered, is a key to personal growth.

Awakening to your next level can be as simple as seeing the truth here, for your own life, and then surrounding yourself daily with what you are thankful for, vs what is not/has not worked in your life.

Slow down, see the power of who you are, not what you've been. Watch for the unusual stages of enlightenment in your life.

Love, peace, David http://www.davidessel.com/

Do You Really Love Yourself?

.....A client recently sat before me pleading for the path to inner peace. Instead of answering, I asked her if she loved herself, I mean really loved herself.

Her answer of course was the same that you or I might say if we want to escape the truth. Of course, we'd all say yes.

But do we really? And how would we know if we did, or did not?

For years I truly believed that I loved myself, and yet I chose to abuse alcohol and stay in unhealthy love relationships . So, how could I truly love myself and carry on those behaviors? The answer is simple, I couldn't. Something had to radically change if I wanted to truly prove to the world, myself, and my higher power that I did in fact love who I was.

And how about you? What are your actions saying, not your pretty thoughts, about the depth that you do really love yourself?

Do you overeat? Or involve yourself in any addictive behavoirs?

Are you looking for opportunities to gossip?

Do you hate, or dislike your current body?

Do you spend money on items you really don't need?

The list could go on and on.......but instead of that, simply look inside and do an honest evaluation of who you are, then decide today to stop the actions that prove a lack of self love, and get the help you need to love yourself again.

At the end of our session, my client looked at me and said "I really hate my body. I refuse to ever be naked around my boyfriend, and get angry if he walks in on me when I'm undressed. I guess I'm a ways from self love, and the inner peace I want."

For her, enlightenment had just occurred, as through admitting the truth, she now has the opportunity to change.

Slow down, learn how to love yourself more deeply today.

Love, peace, David http://www.davidessel.com

The Many Paths to Enlightenment

Over the past 24 years, one of the greatest gifts that I have been given by my teachers is that there are many paths to enlightenment. As a matter of fact, some of these paths have been extremely surprising to learn about.

Initially, I'm sure like many, I believed that following a deeply religious or spiritual path, that of a monk, or a rabbi or priest, was truly the only way to the awakened state. Then as my understanding began to grow, I was taught the ultimate in truth, that anyone can get there, and very possibly in this lifetime, if they devote themselves to this purpose.

Like the athlete who desires to reach their ultimate in ability, the seeker on the path to enlightenment must also allow a variety of teachings to delve into their soul, and to create daily rituals that lead them to a deeper understanding of who they are, and what it is exactly that they are seeking.

Some choose the path of service, some the path of love, some the path of understanding, while others the path of extreme meditative solitude. Each of them can lead to the freedom, the acceptance, and the bliss of the awakened one.

Along with my personal teachers, hundreds of interviews with people like Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, and Lama Sura Das, have opened my eyes to the magic of this life.

But this next point may come as a surprise. Enlightenment can also come in the form of great pain and discomfort.

A while ago after a meditation/pure light blessing class I was leading, I asked the group to share their personal experiences of the past hour if they were so inclined. After many had spoken of their union with the divine, feelings of extreme warmth or revelations that took the form of visions, a man raised his hand and began to speak.

"I wish I had good news to share, but my experience was quite different. I realized during this time, that my life is an absolute mess!"

Pure enlightenment, or awakening had occurred, although at first he did not see it. He had reached a state of truth, the blinders were off, and now he was finally free to choose a new path! Through awareness, another stage of enlightenment had occurred in his life.



Like the rungs of a ladder, enlightenment for most of us comes one step at a time. We see that what used to bother us before, we flow with. Anxiety levels drop , inner peace occurs more readily with each movement along the way, until one day we see why we are here, what life is all about....awakening to who we are, love, that we simply have to remember.

From Hinduism, to Buddhism, to Christianity and more, there are countless paths to enlightenment. Find yours, slow down, and lovingly focus more brilliantly on it today than yesterday.

Love, peace, David http://www.davidessel.com/




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