Degrees of Enlightenment

Degrees of Enlightenment January 18, 2017

I’ve noticed that a lot of stories in movies and TV have the premise that regular life is dull and empty. So many characters are trapped in mundane lives devoid of meaning. People in real life too often suggest that you have to go and do something thrilling and unusual to give your life meaning. Like cooking dinner, signing kids’ permission slips, and sitting on the couch watching TV is not enough out of life. And it all seems very strange to me because I find tremendous joy in the regular simple moments of life.

The joy of planning my garden, the thrill of making a meal out of things already in the pantry, the satisfaction of solving a household problem with something I already have. Making cookies for friends, playing board games. These are the things in my life that make me feel close to the Gods.

I suppose it is that my faith infuses normal everyday life with a sense of meaning and purpose. Even doing the exact same things, where one person feels empty another feels spiritually nourished.

I think we don’t need anything fancy. We don’t need a big adventure, backpacking around the world, or a retreat in the mountains to experience meaning and joy. It’s all in the attitude of how you deal with the world around you just as you are right now.

When I said that to my husband, he said, “You know what they call that? Enlightenment.”

“But I’m not enlightened,” I said.

“Maybe there are degrees of enlightenment,” he replied. “Like there’s different ways of waking up and stages of waking up.”

I’ve always thought of enlightenment as one big lightning strike, but maybe he’s right. Maybe it can come in degrees and stages. Maybe my contentment with my simple life is a step on the path towards complete moksha.


Browse Our Archives