Let’s start at the beginning. The word ‘enlightenment’ means wisdom or understanding.

However, the English word ‘enlightenment’ broadly covers two areas: (1) religious (spiritual) enlightenment and also (2) secular (intellectual) enlightenment. What I find interesting is that those that claim intellectual enlightenment are usually the ones that reject spiritual concepts altogether as everything has to be scientifically proven – this is not possible, at the present time, with regard to many areas of  spiritual enlightenment.

Intellectual Enlightenment. This refers mainly to a European movement known as the Age of Enlightenment, also called the Age of Reason. People recognized the sad state of the human condition and the need for major reforms. The Enlightenment was less a set of ideas than it was a set of attitudes. At its center was a serious questioning of traditional institutions, customs, and morals referring to philosophical developments related to scientific rationality in the 17th and 18th centuries. Courtesy of Wikipedia

Spiritual Enlightenment.  The Lotus flower is commonly used as the symbol for Spiritual Enlightenment. It is a term used mainly relating to many South and East Asian religions, for example Buddhism and Hinduism.

Here is a quote from noted scientist Albert Einstein:“A human being is a part of a whole, called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest… a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” – Albert Einstein

Some of the most popular quotes regarding Spiritual Enlightenment are:“to become one with yourself”, “to know your inner self” and“obtain inner peace”

Plainly speaking this translates into: Knowing yourself. You accept who you are. To be able to honor each person as they walk their own path and not infringe your own personal beliefs onto them. To know and accept that YOU are in control of your own life. You believe and accept in a ‘higher power’ and that you are an important part of this universal energy.

Also widely accepted is the fact that everyone is here for a reason and to become ‘Spiritually Enlightened’ means finding that reason and then acting upon it. Some people accept the above definition as ‘Spiritual Enlightenment’ whilst others are looking for yet more.

Their idea of spiritual enlightenment is all of the above, plus connection with the spirit world. Some people are born with these (psychic) abilities but for most of us these abilities have to be worked on. But through meditation, focus and an accepting mind, people can achieve varying levels of spirit connection.

I hope this article gives you an understanding of ‘Spiritual Enlightenment’ without being drowned in a sea of beliefs from many different religions. Whilst most religions differ in their teachings, their basic beliefs in spiritual enlightenment are very similar.