Enlightenment is the act of giving intellectual or spiritual light to others; offering instruction; or imparting knowledge.
By this definition, let me assure you that you are already an enlightened being.
Now that your enlightenment has been established, let’s correct a big misperception relating to enlightenment: Even if one is enlightened, this does not mean someone has complete self-power to prevent their mind from swinging wildly between good and bad; between right and wrong; and between “do it” and “not such a good idea to do it.”
No matter how much we pray and meditate, thoughts will whip us around. As committed as we are to another, we may still suffer whiplash when someone we find attractive catches our attention. We can be devoted to eating healthy and exercising, yet tempted by our favorite junk foods. We may work hard to be peaceful but still feel moments of fury.
Harmony is really what we want as it improves our enlightenment. Harmony is the simultaneous combination of tones that, when blended into chords, become pleasing to the ear. The goal for a more peaceful life is to become more harmonious by allowing all of the day’s high and low notes to blend together. Throughout our lives, we have dealt with pleasant and unpleasant situations and people. When we allow discord to become new “chords” blended with pleasantries, we create our own special harmonious life song.
© Dian Griesel 2025
