Enlightenment in modern society? Become a mole in the system

I've just finished reading the biography of Milerepa, a Tibetan Yogi who lived 1000 years ago. It has been an extremely interesting read - especially to see the methods of attaining enlightenment back in times gone by when things were 'simpler' yet physically harder, along with the cultural Tibetan influences at the time.

It has been an inspiring read, yet many things are not translatable to those living in modern times who also wish to attain similar states. Complete detachment from society to live a life of meditation is the path for a very small number of people.

The challenge of being spiritual in the modern world

The problem is that our modern way of living isn't at all designed for the practice required to attain higher spiritual states. You may have a daily practice such as yoga or meditation in which you frequently feel expanded and connected. You may even be able to connect with realms beyond the physical experience. Then you go out into the world and disconnect. Just entering dense environments with noise, electro-smog and plentiful distraction and triggering can have us forgetting that we are more than what we experience in the lower densities.

It is like living in a war on consciousness. So much so, that it's difficult to see that all this hasn't been purposefully orchestrated in order to keep us small and acquiescent. In fact I believe it has been - not by physical people, but by astral beings manipulating behind the veil.

We're living in a sophisticated simulation-like societal construct which is so compelling. It's compelling because it takes universal truths we can feel at a soul level and then slightly skews them in order to divert us from truth while still feeling 'good' to us. This is how we're duped into staying small and bleeding energy to be harvested.

Take for example the yearning for connection. In times past we came together in small communities, each with their own vital role within it. Nowadays, we are drawn ever more onto online platforms. Yes, we can reach ever more people and have truly heart-warming connections, yet have you noticed what affect excessive use of social media has on your consciousness? How it draws you away from the expanded and aware states you entered in your practice?

Challenging the construct from within

Retreating to a cave for a life of intense meditation like Milerepa in the story is not the dharma (path) of most of us born into today's society. I would say many are here to challenge the construct. To act as moles, slowly unwinding all the density and unconsciousness from within it. If that speaks to you, then you are likely often battling with the inner pull between your spiritual flow states and your everyday life.

It is no easy path. However, I would say that learning to be able to stay aware in full expanded presence, while engaging fully in the everyday density is the path to spiritual mastery.

To maintain enlightened states of expanded awareness even in the noise of the city, or the hustle of the workplace, or the emotional chaos of family relationships is the path for us. Can you do it? It may seem like a giant hurdle to cross at times. However, I know it to be possible. I have touched this way of being myself - It's not yet there 100% of the time but it's becoming more and more a regular part of everyday life. Even when things seem to be falling apart, there can still be an overlying consciousness permeating it all. A consciousness that sees the higher perspective of everything that happens.

The only way out is through

So, how to reach these states? In my perspective and experience it's certainly not to detach from the density. Things like affirmations, excessive use of mantras and focusing on the 'high vibe' only creates a kind of bubble which subtly disembodies us. This can be highly detrimental to our progress. Not least because we will have accumulated a fair amount of Karma over many lives. Times where we identified with ad thus were owned by the 3D drama (physical, emotional, mental).

In order to reach higher states on a more permanent basis (not just in meditation), we must be prepared to dredge out the karmic sludge. We clean it out with our awareness.

See this explanation of how to recogise and process Karma: "When the Mind isn't Enough: Dealing with Karma"

By doing this we enter the busy market, the workplace hustle and the family conflict within us. By going fully into the karma we don't turn away from it. By realising ourselves as the 'one' through it, it no longer defines us. Thus it becomes much easier to enter these energetically dense environments and maintain our state of expanded awareness - because there's no karmic trigger point to pull you out of it.

A change in orientation

So, now you're processing your karma, healing your wounds. Can you be a mole in the system, transforming it from within? Yes! But, it requires a you to be constantly orientated towards it in your everyday life. Yes, it's a challenge, but it's also hugely rewarding for anyone who persists. How? It's about moving through life with the question of "what's my soul's greatest expression right now?" And then following through with that, no matter what the apparent personal cost. You'll start to notice the underlying movements of energy and be increasingly able to realign them with the universal torus of life, just by using your intuition. As the Buddha said, you'll become a 'light unto yourself', not phased by the constant distraction and density in our modern world. Not detached either in some kind of blissful bubble, but fully present in whatever situation you find yourself in.

Warm wishes,

Richard