The Four Stages of Enlightenment

Are you curious how Buddhism may be relevant to your daily life? Buddhist philosophy has become much more popular all around the world in the past few decades.

But you don’t need to be a Buddhist to benefit from the framework of thinking it offers. You simply have to have an open mind and the desire to learn.

Without any of the fluff and obscurity, this article shares with you the four stages of enlightenment according to Buddhist scripture.

Want to know the best part?

If you’re reading this and already are engaging in some simple mindfulness practices, you are probably already on your way to achieving enlightenment.

The Four Stages of Enlightenment

The Buddha recognized four distinct levels of realization, each one characterized by a deep experience of selflessness, followed by certain changes in outlook.

The experience usually involved intensive meditation and follows study of the four basic truths of Buddhism.

If you’re regularly meditating and practicing mindfulness, you’re probably already undertaking many of the practices that is advocated by Buddhism.

Here are the four stages of enlightenment.

Stream-enterer (Sotapanna)

When you become a Stream-enterer, you let go of the belief that you’re really a separate self living inside your head and looking through your eyes. This illusion is eliminated, and when you look within you can’t find a self anywhere.

Stream-enterers have also let go of attachment to rites and rituals and doubts about the teachings.

Once-returner (Sakadagami)

Once-returners have entered a stage where their “no-self” is completely integrated, and they experience a significant reduction in attachment and aversion and the suffering that accompanies these states of mind.

They are much more detached. For example, occasional irritation and preference replace hatred and greed, which no longer have any hold over the once-returner.

Non-returner (Anāgāmi)

The Non-returners are free from feelings of sensual desire and ill will towards others. They are seen to be partially enlightened and on the way to complete enlightenment.

They experience significant levels of compassion as they have lost the sense of separation between themselves and others.

Arahant

The fourth stage is free from having any craving for prosperity in the material world, doesn’t crave existence in the ideal world (which is heaven), doesn’t experience conceit, never feels restlessness and isn’t subject to ignorance.

At this stage, the person is experiencing ultimate nirvana. The feeling has been compared to falling into the depths of a cloud and disappearing. The circumstances of life no longer stir even the slightest craving or dissatisfaction.

Here are some articles I wanted to share with you that may help advance you on your path to enlightenment.

Stages in the bodhisattvas journey

Mindfulness practices for beginners

Buddhist teachings where to start

Bodhisattva Vows

A shared link on the Bodhisattva Vows by; Neroudivergent Rebel

Bodhisattva-vows by Neroudivergent Rebel

Tips For Rural Buddhist Practice

I want to share a great article with you from Buddha Weekly

Empowering the rural buddhist tips for remote practice.

A Summary of Buddha's Teaching

“...when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and the benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”
- Attributed to BUDDHA

A Summary of Buddha's Teaching

The vastness of the Buddha's Teachings can be a bit overwhelming, especially for the Solitary Practitioner. I have outlined what I think are the basics of what I have discovered on my path to learn the Dharma. When things begin to be a bit overwhelming, I return to the basics. I hope this benefits you in some way.

Buddha set forth his teaching in the following doctrine;

 The Four Noble Truths:

1.  All things and experiences are marked by suffering/ disharmony/ frustration (dukkha).

2.  The arising of suffering/ disharmony/ frustration comes from desire/ craving/ clinging.

3.  To achieve the cessation or end of suffering/ disharmony/ frustration, let go of desire/ craving/ clinging.

4.  The way to achieve the end of suffering/ disharmony/ frustration, is walking the Eightfold Path.

The Eightfold Path to the end of suffering:

1.  Right Understanding of the following facts:

•  the truth about suffering ... (The Four Truths);

•  everything is impermanent and changes;

•  there is no separate individual self- this is an illusion. (We are one!)

2.  Right Determination to:
•  give up what is wrong and evil;

•  undertake what is good;

•  abandon thoughts that have to do with bringing suffering to any conscious being; cultivate thoughts of loving kindness, that are based on caring about others' suffering, and sympathetic joy in others' happiness.

3.  Right Speech:
•  Abstain from telling lies.

•  Abstain from talk that brings harm or discredit to others (such as backbiting or slander) or talk that creates hatred or disharmony between individuals and groups.

•  Abstain from harsh, rude, impolite, malicious, or abusive language.

•  Abstain from idle, useless, and foolish babble and gossip. Abstain from recrimination and negative statements.

•  Abstain from harsh speech—practice kindly speech.

•  Abstain from frivolous speech—practice meaningful speech.

•  Abstain from slanderous speech—practice harmonious speech.

•  Speak the truth if it is useful and timely. Practice only necessary speech. Let your speech be filled with loving kindness. Speak that which alleviates suffering.

4.  Right Action:

•  Peaceful, honorable conduct; abstain from dishonest dealings; take concrete steps necessary to foster what is good.

•  Do things that are moral, honest, and alleviate suffering. Do not do things that will bring suffering to others or yourself.

5.  Right Livelihood:

•  Abstain from making your living from an occupation that brings harm and suffering to humans or animals, or diminish their well being. This includes: activities that directly harm conscious beings, and activities that indirectly harm sentient beings, e.g., making weapons or poisons.

6.  Right Effort:

•  Foster good and prevent evil;

•  Work on yourself—be engaged in appropriate self-improvement. The essence of right effort is that everything must be done with a sense of proper balance that fits the situation. Effort should be balanced between trying too hard and not trying hard enough. For example, strike the balance between excessive fasting and over-indulgence in food. Trying hard to progress too rapidly gets poor results, as does not trying hard enough.

7.  Right Mindfulness or wakefulness:

•  Foster right attention.

•  Avoid whatever clouds our mental awareness (e.g., drugs).

•  Systematically and intentionally develop awareness.

8.  Right Concentration:

•  Developed by practicing meditation and/or mental focusing. Proper meditation must be done continuously while awake, and should include work on awareness of body, emotions, thought, and mind objects.

Five basic precepts:

1.  Abstain from killing living beings (from destroying/taking life)—or practice love.

2.  Abstain from taking the not-given (from stealing)—or practice generosity, practice giving.

3.  Abstain from sexual misconduct—or practice contentment.

4.  Abstain from false speech (from lying)—or practice truthfulness.

5.  Abstain from taking intoxicating drinks—or practice awareness and mental clarity.

Buddha said:

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do not believe anything because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything because it is written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and the benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.


The following prose, attributed to Buddha, expresses the way he perceived the world.

Buddha said:
•  I consider the positions of kings and rulers as that of dust motes.

•  I observe treasures of gold and gems as so many bricks and pebbles.

•  I look upon the finest silken robes as tattered rags.

•  I see myriad worlds of the universe as small seeds of fruit, and the greatest lake in India as a drop of oil upon my foot.

•  I perceive the teachings of the world as the illusions of magicians.

•  I discern the highest conception of emancipation as a golden brocade in a dream, and view the holy path of the illuminated ones as flowers appearing in one's eyes.

•  I see meditation as a pillar of a mountain, nirvana as a nightmare of daytime.

•  I look upon the judgments of right and wrong as the serpentine dance of a dragon, and the rise and fall of belief as traces left by the four seasons.

A really good book that covers the basics and more

A Beginner's Guide to Tibetan Buddhism: Notes from a Practitioner's Journey by Lama Bruce Newman. The author takes the beginner by the hand to walk through the intricacies of the path, making complex ideas and terminology plain and simple. A solid, down-to-earth book.

 

The 5 Remembrances of Buddha

The Illusion of I and Why Practice Buddhism?

The Illusion of I

          The Buddha said that this self which we call an "I" is an Illusion created by a mind which cannot penetrate reality - such a mind is suffering from ignorance. As we practice the Buddha's path we will begin to replace ignorance with wisdom. With wisdom, we will realize that a person is essentially a set of processes, or behavior's grouped into two classes: Mind and Matter. The second group appears as a solid body but is in reality a series of processes or qualities (solidity, fluidity, heat, and motion) which are forms of energy in various combinations. They are never constant, always moving, always changing, so they have no ultimate reality. The first group is more subtle, although they are also energies ( feelings, perceptions, mental habits, consciousness). They too have no ultimate reality, but are constantly changing, and so rapidly that the normal person cannot perceive the change and mistakes it for something permanent. These energies are neither are neither created at birth not destroyed at death, but go on relentlessly through what we call samsara. (The Buddha went further and discovered Nirvana, in which the energy and its ceaseless activity is permanently stilled, like the flame of a candle being blown out.)
       
      The Buddha's path can be realized gradually depending on how sincere, and how determined we are on following it. But understanding must be there in some degree, no matter how small, if we are to practice Buddhism correctly.

Why We Need To Practice Buddhism?

      The Buddha teaches that, because of ignorance, we must have created the illusion of a "real" self and then we are trapped in the cycle of births and deaths because of this. We cannot escape from it even though we enjoy temporary flashes of pleasure; we are at it's mercy. But when we come into contact with the Buddha's teaching we are offered a way out to overcome this suffering; we become masters of our own fate. We must follow the Noble Eightfold Path. When we have followed the path successfully, and broken through delusion, we have have achieved Nirvana - this is the final peace and salvation. And following of this path is what we call PRATICE of  BUDDHISM.

I would like to thank Vijaya Samarawickrama for this great teaching from his book "A Buddhist Reflects On Spirituality".

This is The Self Proclaimed Solitary Buddhist wishing you a Blessed day and passing on all of my accumulated merits to you and yours in this life or the next.

Deep Sleep Meditation

Deep Sleep Meditation                                                  

Want deep, restful sleep? Try a deep sleep meditation.

Next to a good workout, you can’t beat it… The typical stress of family, relationships, and work can often distract us and cause restless nights.

If you find any of these issues popping up in your life, using meditation can allow you to stay in the moment, be less anxious, and give you a much needed, restful night.

mindfulness-meditation-deep-sleep 

Multiple studies over the last several years have measured brain activity during sleep cycles with mindfulness meditation practitioners vs. control groups. These replicated studies have shown that practitioners experience greatly enhanced states of Slow Wave Sleep (Deep/Quiet Sleep) in comparison to non-meditating control groups. Meditation seems to have a positive effect on deep sleep for those of all age groups. Meditation and mindfulness practices that remind us to stay in the moment have repeatedly shown to keep an increase and steady rise in peace throughout our life.

Mindfulness Meditation Leads to Good Sleep 

If you’re someone who has trouble falling asleep at night, meditation before bed can lead to physiological changes that might help. Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate sleep, with higher levels in the blood easing us into sleep. In a study comparing meditater's to a control group, night-time plasma melatonin levels were measured. Mediators showed higher plasma melatonin levels at night following their meditation than non-meditater's, with the implication being sleep would be much more likely to follow. Furthermore, much attention in psychology has been focusing on using meditation in conjunction with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to treat insomnia. Indeed, a 2008 study showed promising results that patients who used meditation in addition to CBT experienced decreased pre-sleep arousal and decreased sleep dysfunction. In short, they had an easier time falling asleep and sleeping well.  

Deep Sleep Meditation for Beginners 

Science is beginning to back up and give us greater physiological understanding on how meditation puts our minds in connection with the body. If you’re someone who is just learning to meditate and are having trouble sleeping, try this:

As you are lying in bed, close your eyes and begin to take deep breaths in through your nose and slowly out through your mouth. Slowly visualize your body, part-by-part, starting with the feet. Breathe into each body part, and just feel it. With the slow out-breath, just repeat the word “relax” in your mind, here is a  to help guide click    Video to guide you into deep relax-full sleep.
 
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Wisdom of the Buddha Dhammapada 27

What's Stopping You From Advancing on Your Path to Enlightenment?

Rev. Dr. Muko Takei from Shingyo Pre-sectarian Buddhist Temple explains what we need to advance in our spirituality.  To maintain a good focus and become unstuck on our path to enlightenment.

Meditaion Method For Relaxation

In the last post, we talked a little about learning to meditate and its benefits. In this post, we are going to talk about unlocking our hidden potential through meditation.

Relax and watch the breath

People who don’t practice meditation often misunderstand it. Very often, you’ll hear it referred to as mystical or transcendental, which makes them feel wary about trying it. When in fact, it’s simply a practiced skill that can help bring clarity to a cluttered mind. I know I get quite a few strange looks when I tell people what I like to do for relaxation.

Without going too deep in to what meditation is, or isn’t, let’s focus on one of the many things a daily meditation can do for you.

Meditation is often seen in Yoga classes and is widely practiced by a variety of cultures, countries and religious groups. I only mention this so you can understand that the art of meditation is perfectly safe and commonly practiced by millions of people around the world.

Some of the more documented benefits of meditation include less anxiety, irritability, moodiness and decreased depression. It can help improve your learning abilities, memory and unlock creativity. It can also slow down the aging process increase feelings of vitality and rejuvenation. Not to mention it can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and produce higher blood oxygen levels

There are many types of meditation, but the easiest form to learn that I have encountered thus far is, “breath awareness meditation.” Compared to many other meditation techniques, this will enable a person to experience the benefits of meditation in much less time.

Here's a simple technique that I found gave me results in minutes. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and tense up your whole body. Blow as much air out of your lungs as you can. Then breath deeply through your nose and release the tension from every muscle. Just feel each part relaxing, watching for parts that may hold onto tension, like a tight jaw.

If you still have tension somewhere, tense up that part again, then let it relax. It may also help to repeat silently like a mantra "relax" as the tension drains. This will train your body and mind to recognize relaxation. Later you may be able to relax more easily just by repeating the mantra "relax" a few times.

Breath through your nose. This is important because it brings in more oxygen by involving your diaphragm more. You can test this. Breath with your mouth and you'll notice that your breathing is shallower. Then breath through your nose and you'll notice that your abdomen extends more. Air is being drawn deeper into your lungs.

Allow your breathing to fall into a comfortable pattern, and pay attention to it. Pay attention to your breath as it passes in and out of your nose. Your mind may wander endlessly, but all you have to do is continually bring attention back to your breath.

Focus Meditation

If your mind is still too busy, try naming the distractions as a way of setting them aside. For example, say in your mind, "itchy leg," "worried about work," or "anger," and then immediately return attention to your breathing. Use any way you can to identify and set aside distractions.

That's it. Continue this for five or ten minutes at first. Afterwards, I open my eyes and sit there for a few seconds. I feel relaxed, and my mind refreshed. Also better prepared for any challenges that come my way.

Meditation has many rewards, and through daily practice, one can learn to release the unlimited potential of your mind and body. For example, Since I've started writing this blog, my mind has become clearer allowing me to be more productive.

In my next post, I will be continuing to talk about how to use meditation exercises for relaxation.

Until then, Namaste _/l\_

The Self Proclaimed Solitary Buddhist