Fuck enlightenment

Enlightenment is a sexy word. If you don’t believe me, try whispering it in someone’s ear.

I meditated every morning to get enlightened.

I ate kale so I can have zen energy.

I did copious amounts of yoga, so I can forgive everyone just like my teacher preached.

I tried to “think” positive thoughts when I was angry, pretending I can choose my thoughts.

I read, re-read and memorized enlightenment books.

I worshipped teachers, thinkers and prophets.

I even experimented with healing plants for moments of fleeting enlightenment.

It took a minute on the phone with my mom for the light to go out, darkness to settle in and soon enlightenment to run out the door.

Furious, I wondered:

what happened to the return on enlightenment investment? (ROEI). (Lulu lemon pants are indeed expensive).

First let’s get it straight, enlightenment is not something you order through an on demand app. It is not something that you seek. It happens to you.

Second, enlightenment is far from sexy. It’s boring in fact. The road is painful too. If you don’t believe me read Siddharta.

Third, enlightenment has nothing to do with happiness. From a Zen Buddhist standpoint, you experience non-attachement to both sadness and happiness.

Most importantly, the constant pursuit of enlightenment is a bypass.

It’s when you refuse to see your mess. To clean your mess. You basically skip the journey, and pretend you reached a destination. When there is no destination.

You are never going to be close to enlightenment, if you don’t face and work through your shit. And there is so much of the shit that it will take you at least a lifetime to clean the house.

Stop chasing enlightenment and start learning to be an adult.

What’s an adult?

An adult is aware of her issues, insecurities and fears.

An adult knows that it takes a lot of time, patience and dedication to become a more aware person.

An adult has trained herself not to take things personal, because she has trained her mind to notice, and recognize it’s not her business what others think or say.

An adult knows that he doesn’t need to be anything but himself.

An adult makes mistakes. Sometimes lies. Sometime cheats. And oftentimes forgives herself.

Being an adult is what’s sexy. Have you ever met someone who is so damn comfortable in their skin and felt attracted to them?

Being an adult brings you closer to happiness because you are seeing through the bullshit of society and loving your close ones for who they really are. Because you are showing up naked.

Being an adult will show you that the only teacher to follow is you.

And maybe, only maybe then, you can start getting close to enlightenment.