We tend to perceive enlightenment as something beyond our human capacity. We believe that enlightenment is for “special” people like Buddha and Jesus. But what if Buddha and Jesus were demonstrating a very real potential, something that was and is attainable for all humans?

The experience of love in everything is a reality; it is just that we have forgotten that reality. As you expand your consciousness and new realizations arise, you will see that your heart is continuously yearning for more and more love-consciousness. Ultimately, it yearns to sit in union.
People often think that to presume or even strive for enlightenment would be arrogant. But enlightenment is neither arrogant nor humble; it is just real. It feels no need to hide behind a mask of false modesty or to try to fit into a preconceived idea of how it is supposed to behave. We often compromise our truth by playing small in order to make others feel better about themselves. We don’t do what we really want to because we are afraid of losing approval, but enlightenment never compromises its own greatness.

Enlightenment is love of self. This has nothing to do with arrogance. We have been taught that loving ourselves is selfish, but if I do not know unconditional love of myself, I cannot extend it to the rest of humanity.
Another commonly held misconception is that enlightenment is a state of disconnection from reality. On the contrary, enlightenment anchors you more than ever in life. When you transcend the fears of the mind, you embrace life with freedom and joy. You become more present, not less. This is the glory of enlightenment: you continue to live the human experience while anchored permanently in the vibration of absolute love.

This is also true of our emotions. We often think that enlightenment is a state of emotional inactivity, but in reality, emotions move much more freely as consciousness expands. We feel every emotion fully, without judgment, just as a child feels. As we burst into unconditional love of self, we embrace the spontaneity that is natural to us.

So why don’t you try to be more in the moment, instead of allowing your mind to circle on past regrets or future dramas? Why don’t you try to find joy and perfection, instead of allowing the critique of the mind to take you constantly to a place of what’s wrong? Why don’t you try to feel exactly what’s going on, instead of masking your true emotions?

Enlightenment is quite simply the state of being one’s true self… and that true self is the love.

Adapted from: Why Walk When You Can Fly, by Isha (New World Library, 2008).

Isha Judd is an internationally renowned spiritual teacher and author; her latest book and movie, Why Walk When You Can Fly? explain her system for self-love and the expansion of consciousness. Learn more at www.whywalkwhenyoucanfly.com.