1.
Q. What is meant by "Enlightenment"?
A. This term refers to conscious contact with,
or direct experience of, Truth (in the absolute sense). There is
some way that things actually are, apart
from what is thought, said, or learned about them. The objective
is to experience the actuality of oneself, of life or of another.
When this actuality is experienced directly, wisdom arises spontaneously.
This direct experience is referred to as an enlightenment experience, this
wisdom as enlightenment.
2.
Q. What is an Enlightenment
Intensive?
A. An Enlightenment Intensive is a three day
contemplative retreat. It is a time set aside in which participants
can contemplate one of the
following questions: Who Am I? What Am
I? The goal
of participants in an Enlightenment Intensive
is not to answer these questions but to experience
directly self, or life, or another.
3.
Q. Who leads an Enlightenment
Intensive?
A. A specially trained Enlightenment Intensive
facilitator who takes responsibility not only for the activities of
the Intensive, but also for
guiding each participant through any and all obstacles
on the way to direct experience. In addition, a leader is available
to help facilitate the integration of Enlightenment experiences into normal
everyday life, both during an Intensive and afterwards.
4.
Q. I am satisfied with
my own religion. Why should I seek Enlightenment?
A. Enlightenment is not a religion nor does
it interfere with any. It fills a different need in that it provides
the opportunity to experience Truth or the foundation
underlying one's own religion. With direct experience, the scriptures
are illuminated.
5.
Q. Does this have something
to do with the New Age?
A. No. Although some Enlightenment Masters
may practice New Age techniques in their private lives, they are not part
of the Enlightenment Intensive. Religious
doctrine is not taught. Only a technique of contemplation, one that
has been shown to be effective in bringing many
people to direct experience. Participants who directly
experience Truth find profound satisfaction.
6.
Q. What if I find truth
in the Bible or other sacred scriptures?
A. Truth is not ideas contained in books, because
Truth cannot be contained in anything. The beauty of reading scriptures
is that they enable the reader to be open to Truth. The actual
experience of Truth is not the result of reading, but of revelation. A person may read volumes about water,
but reading will not quench one's thirst. Only the actual experience
of drinking the water will quench thirst.
7.
Q. Is there only one Truth?
A. Imagine the relationship between two truths.
If it is cooperative, are they both the same? If it is competitive,
can they both be truth?
8.
Q. Is this some kind of
Eastern religion or teaching?
A. No. During an Enlightenment Intensive,
scriptures - Christian, Jewish and others - may be read,
for inspiration. There is no teaching
other than contemplation and communication as used in the Intensive.
No religion or doctrine is taught.
9.
Q. Is the form of contemplation
used in an Enlightenment Intensive the only Enlightenment technique?
A. No. The means to Enlightenment are
infinite in variety and form. This technique, sometimes referred
to as a Dyad, is different from most in that
it is non-cognitive. It combines contemplation with communication
to a partner and requires neither prior study nor esoteric
knowledge. One simply communicates one's own
experience of self, life or another. Contemplation is simply the
process of tuning in to
one's own experience and being open.
10.
Q. Are drugs used as part
of this process?
A. Absolutely not! The Enlightenment Intensive
environment is drug free. In addition, participants are asked
to refrain from the use of tobacco, alcohol, caffeine,
stimulants or mood altering substances of any kind.
11.
Q. Can you give an example
of the Truth?
A. Truth cannot be communicated that way.
One must experience the Truth for one's self. A participant can learn
to be open to the Truth.
The rest depends on Grace.
12.
Q. What if I prefer to
practice meditation my own way?
A. There is nothing wrong with that. However,
during an Intensive, participants are asked to set aside any other religious
or spiritual practices ordinarily used and
to just be open to direct revelation, direct experience.
13.
Q. Is the Enlightenment
Intensive part of a large organization?
A. No, people involved in Enlightenment Intensives
are not organized structurally. There are a handful of people around
the world with a dedication to the Truth and a willingness
to support others to have their own direct experience of the Truth.
14.
Q. Do Enlightenment Intensive
leaders respect other people's opinions?
A. Yes. All points of view contain elements
of the Truth. However, the objective is to experience the Truth that
gives rise to the opinion,
not to confirm or deny the opinion itself.
15.
Q. According
to the Bible, there is no salvation outside of Christ.
How does Enlightenment fit in?
A. The Truth which underlies any statement, including
this one, can be experienced directly. And direct experience is deeper
than either belief or faith.
16.
Q. What is meant by direct
experience?
A. It refers to that which is prior to
thought, ideas and concepts. It is an experience which transcends
the subject/object relationship so that there
is no separation between the one who is experiencing and that which is
experienced.
Written and edited by Jerry
Bock, Jocelyn Powe and Wayne Hicks - Rev 7/2/08
Home |