Can Enlightenment Be Reached After Multiple Lives Without Dreaming?
To explore the possibility of achieving full enlightenment after living multiple lives without ever fully awakening from the dream state is a profound question indeed, reflecting on the complexities of spiritual evolution and the nature of consciousness. Let us delve into this intricate subject, examining the perspectives and contexts that challenge and support such a concept.
Enlightenment Before the First Human Birth
The essence of enlightenment is often debated, with many spiritual traditions suggesting that every being should attain it on their first human birth, no matter the species they may have taken in previous lives. In some schools of thought, even spirits and ghosts are believed to eventually achieve enlightenment, given the necessary circumstances. Devatas (celestial beings) are also expected to attain enlightenment as soon as they return to their natural form, indicating that spiritual progress is a continuous journey.
However, this idea raises questions about the necessity of prophets and divine interventions in elevating mankind. For instance, if enlightenment can be achieved naturally and consistently, then prophets and the divine would not be indispensable. The Bhagavad Gita, hailed as a spiritual treasure, posed such potential challenges to the role of Divine intervention.
Unveiling the path to enlightenment often requires both personal discipline and guidance. It is posited that unless one encounters a powerful saint or sadhu (spiritual guide), achieving enlightenment becomes exceedingly difficult.
Conditions for Enlightenment in Previous Lives
It is indeed possible to achieve full enlightenment after living multiple lives, provided one has diligently undertaken necessary sadhana (spiritual practices) in past births. A prime example is Shri Shrimad Rajchandra, a Jain saint who attained enlightenment at only seven years old. This suggests that such an achievement is not unprecedented.
However, enlightenment is not a one-time event but often a cycle of evolving consciousness. Sometimes, a sadhak (spiritual seeker) can attain enlightenment in a past life, but returns to Earth to complete remaining karmas, duties, or spiritual tasks necessary for liberation. These karmas include Ayushya karma (allowing a certain lifespan), Ghati karma (hindering spiritual progress) and Aghati karma (nondamaging karmas) among others, totaling up to eight categories with their respective sub-karmas.
Nature itself, in this framework, acts as a reminder to the sadhak, guiding them towards enlightenment when the appropriate time has come. The sadhak may appear to be in a dream state of material distractions (MAYA) until the proper realization is imminent.
Stages Post-Enlightenment
Following enlightenment, the journey to final liberation, or Moksha, involves various stages involving the clearing of remaining karmas. If a person’s virtues exceed their karmas at the moment of enlightenment, they still need to exhaust those virtues. For example, they might reincarnate as a prince in different celestial realms to complete their remaining good deeds before achieving final Moksha.
Is Dream State Necessary for Enlightenment?
A full awakening means the absence of dreaming, as stated by the revered teachings of Krishna and Buddha. A yogi, as described by Krishna, remains conscious even during sleep, a state of deep inner awareness. Buddha too exemplifies this, with Ananda marveling at how Buddha could sleep and still remain in an awakened state.
Therefore, the nature of enlightenment and the dream state are inextricably linked. An awakened person, by definition, is not in a dream state but rather in a state of clear consciousness, perpetually aware of their true self, regardless of external circumstances.