The path to understanding enlightenment begins with examining the nature of reality itself. Before we explore this profound state of being, we must first grasp how our perception shapes our understanding of existence.
The Nature of Understanding
Understanding is a mental process where we construct working models that approximate reality. When our models fail to predict outcomes, we must acknowledge their limitations. This mental construct, built from conditioned reality, presents our primary challenge. If asked “what is gold?” and shown various pieces of jewelry, we’d miss the fundamental nature of gold itself.
This limitation applies directly to enlightenment. Understanding draws from conditioned reality to explain the unconditioned – like trying to describe Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony using unknown and unique smells. We must rely on metaphor, saying “It is like…” while remembering that our current understanding is never the complete truth.
Models of Reality
Three distinct levels of reality frame our exploration:
Apparent Reality
The mundane world of normal existence – a realm of objects, beings, and concepts that compose our daily experience.
Conditional Reality
A model revealing reality’s true nature. While still just a model, it provides an accurate framework for transcending conditioned existence.
Nirvana
The unconditioned element. It transcends definition, existing beyond the realm of things or concepts. While it includes the absence of conditionality, it isn’t merely this absence.
The Process of Becoming
Consider the Mississippi River. We can locate it on a map or point to it physically, but can we truly capture its essence? If we take a bucket of water from it, is that water still the river? Can we distinguish it from any other water? A river is a process, not a fixed entity – like all labels we apply to reality, attempting to impose permanence on perpetual change.
This understanding reveals why grasping at enlightenment makes it more elusive. We cannot force or seek it directly. Instead, we work toward creating ideal conditions for its emergence.
Stages of Enlightenment
Enlightenment occurs in distinct stages. Partial enlightenment, when misunderstood, can manifest as apparent mental disturbance. The process requires careful guidance and understanding.
The Enlightened State
Why seek this indefinable state? The enlightened being develops a fearless yet benevolent approach to life, characterized by:
- Complete freedom from desire and subtle clinging
- Total transcendence of self
- Access to complete memory, including past lives
- Liberation from suffering
- Natural healing presence
- Freedom from karmic cycles
The enlightened one moves through life without creating ripples in the social fabric, naturally transforming others through their mere presence. They become volitionless, cutting themselves off from Samsara – the cycle of becoming.
The Alchemical Connection
This state mirrors the philosopher’s stone of alchemical tradition, characterized by:
- Perfect desirelessness
- Transmutation of moral qualities
- Achievement of deathlessness
These parallel qualities reveal the universal nature of transformation across both Eastern and Western esoteric traditions. The enlightened being, like the perfected alchemical substance, represents our purified essential nature.
Further Reading
- “The Mind Illuminated” by Culadasa (John Yates)
- “Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha” by Daniel Ingram
- “What the Buddha Taught” by Walpola Rahula
- “Introduction to Buddhism” – Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- “The Alchemist’s Handbook” by Frater Albertus
The passages above are based on a chapter from “Nigredo,” the first volume in Dr. Simon Robinson’s groundbreaking series “A Course in Modern Alchemy.” This profound work masterfully bridges ancient alchemical wisdom with contemporary spiritual understanding, making esoteric concepts accessible to modern seekers.
At its heart, Nigredo explores the fundamental nature of enlightenment through the lens of both Western alchemy and Eastern wisdom traditions. Dr. Robinson skillfully guides readers through the initial “blackening” phase of the alchemical opus, examining how we construct our reality, the nature of the self, and the process of spiritual transformation. The book weaves together concepts like the Fisher King Wound, the Rebis, and the Dark Night of the Soul with Buddhist dharma and practical meditation guidance, creating a comprehensive framework for inner development.
For those drawn to explore the depths of consciousness and spiritual transformation, this physical volume serves as both a practical manual and a treasured companion on the path. The carefully crafted hardcover edition contains detailed illustrations, comprehensive diagrams, and sacred symbolism that enhance the reading experience in ways that cannot be fully captured in digital format.