if a definition of enlighten is to shed the light of truth and knowledge upon what is is that you are thinking, and if by seeking one is to go in search of, to look for;
how is it that looking for or searching will keep one from finding.
unless one is so far off base or incapable of perceiving the evidence

Well, we need to seek to learn and understand certain concepts.

However, at a certain point you really need to "be it" (which you seek) and stop talking about it convincing others, etc.

This question was along those lines:

http://www.inwardquest.com/questions/8567/what-is-the-difference-between-feeling-an-energy-and-being-the-energy

Interesting question, but the reality is life is already complicated, so why make it more complicated? But to answer your question, if you believe that you have attained enlightenment, and it turns out to be otherwise, then, so be it! I think we will learn a very valuable lesson in finding out the difference, and in learning something new!

wait, was this meant as a rhetorical question? ;)

I am not sure how many of us would make the claim of already being enlightened. I most certainly can't claim to be that. I feel I am on a journey and that's what it is about. The seeking is part of the awakening to why things are the way they are. When one is fully enlightened, then, it is my belief, they owe it to themselves as well as others to be of service in whatever way possible. This site is a great example of such service.

Thank you, namaste

The thing is I never looked at myself as a seeker but a person on a journey of discovery that has been CONSTANTLY pulled towards something my whole life.

Yet my "answer" or truth works for ME. And ultimately that is all that matters.

Love ya

Michael

Why does the river seek the ocean?

Why do animal migrate with the change of seasons?

Why do we seek?

If you can answer these questions, that's the wrong state of mind with which to seek.

We seek because there is no answer.

Only logic and analysis has answers.

This is not logic

It is instinct.

That wonderful quote by T S Elliot answers you question way better than I could attempt to do ....

"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time"

We crazy humans believe we have to seek enlightenment when the truth is we are enlightened. Until we experience this and are able to live that experience, we'll go right on seeking.

Well, I just got to know that my definition of enlightenment doesn't work for some people.. what a bummer :)))

http://www.inwardquest.com/questions/678/what-is-the-opposite-of-enlightenment/841#841

The Bible tells us that if we ask, it will be given to us, if we seek we shall find, if we knock, the door will be opened. Sometimes the answer is not multiple choice or true/false, but an essay response. We might go through a situation for years so that later when we are putting all the pieces togher for our understanding of the big picture, then we finally understand what that was about. There may even be more to draw from it later as well, as we grow and learn. Since I have not reached enlightenment, that I am aware of, I cannot say for certain that it is a destination that we will attain here in this life, but a journey in which we learn and grow in knowledge and understanding. As we grow and change, the world around us changes also, giving us more room to grow and change. All of this sheds light on who we are and what our purpose is. As we leave behind old baggage, darkness, we become lighter in our selves and others can see that lightness. So maybe enlightenment is just being able to leave behind all the darkness.

When Jesus said Ask and it will be given, Seek and you will find Knock and the door will be opened. Most pay attention to the former and ignore the later of each of those statements. We need pay attention to the later part of those statements, It will be given, you will find, the door will be opened all of these are affirmations in the positive but as well commands to KNOW to BELIEVE that as soon as you Ask Seek or Knock it is there.

He did not say "keep Asking and eventually you may receive, keep Seeking and maybe someday you will find, keep Knocking and someone may eventually get around to opening the door."

Unfortunately many seem to feel that was what he meant just by their actions and belief you can see they must believe that way. Like keep seeking the answer is somewhere out there, maybe your next book, maybe your next seminar, maybe your next workshop, your next inspirational movie etc...

He told this from a place of abundance mindset and was trying to instill this mindset in God's children, getting people to believe they WILL receive, they WILL find, the door WILL be opened to them. In other words know it and you will experience it.

Sometimes we look at things and not notice them

i would say are you seeking at the right place? do you see anny progress in what you are doing? do you like what you are doing? or are you just rushing to find the target?nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it!MANY roads lead to the Path, but basically there are only two: reason and practice. To enter by reason means to realize the essence through instruction and to believe that all living things share the same true nature, which isn’t apparent because it’s shrouded by sensation and delusion. Those who turn from delusion back to reality, who meditate on walls,’ the absence of self and other, the oneness of mortal and sage, and who remain unmoved even by scriptures are in complete and unspoken agreement with reason. Without moving, without effort, they enter, we say, by reason.

Buddhas of the past and future only talk about this mind. The mind is the Buddha, and the Buddha is the mind. Beyond the mind there’s no Buddha and beyond the Buddha there’s no mind. If you think there is a Buddha beyond the mind’, where is he? There’s no Buddha beyond the mind, so why envision one? You can’t know your real mind as long as you deceive yourself. As long as you’re enthralled by a lifeless form, you’re not free. If you don’t believe me, deceiving yourself won’t help. It’s not the Buddha’s fault. People, though, are deluded. They’re unaware that their own mind is the Buddha. Otherwise they wouldn’t look for a Buddha outside the mind.But the true door is hidden and can’t be revealed. I have only touched upon beholding the mind. http://www.abuddhistlibrary.com/Buddhism/C%20-%20Zen/Ancestors/The%20Zen%20Teachings%20of%20Bodhidharma/The%20Zen%20Teachings%20of%20Bodhidharma/THE%20ZEN%20TEACHINGS%20OF%20BODHIDHARMA.htm