LET ME SAY AT THE OUTSET THAT THIS IS A CONTROVERSIAL PIECE OF WRITING. Who is this guy who claims to have the ultimate guide to anything much less enlightenment? Good question… and I have an equally good answer.

I am God.
I said this would be controversial. Let’s talk about what enlightenment is before talking about how to get there. This is my definition of enlightenment: Enlightenment is the awareness that you are God, and that everyone else and everything else is God. Now that this is clear, let’s move on. How does one get there?

It’s simple but not easy. There are nine steps. You just have to love the number 9.

First, understand that there are only two states of human beingness: love and fear. Each of us is either in a state of love or in a state of fear in any given moment. In the state of love, you either unconditionally accept whatever is in the moment and are grateful for it, or you are fear-full. No judgment, no opinion, no emotional shading is present. We accept and give thanks. In every moment of your life, you are in one of those two states. Every moment you have the opportunity to switch states in either direction.

Second, acknowledge that your fear is “not knowing” what is going to happen. If you are in the state of fear, fear is created by ignorance. What you don’t know, you make up, and the resulting fiction is usually the worst thing you can imagine. Your fear is expressed as a judgment that elevates you, someone else, or some “thing.” See the playing field as level because it is. It always has been.

Third, release judgment (and its fear) and accept without condition whatever is present for you in the moment. Releasing judgment automatically switches you to the state of unconditional acceptance/love. Letting go of judgment is tough. You are conditioned to judge almost everything and everyone that you encounter. God doesn’t judge and when you enter into judgment, you are separating the human part of you from the God that also exists within you. It is drawing a heavy, dark curtain between those two aspects of self. Some call it the veil.

Fourth, have compassion for all people because everyone is going through the same discovery process as you; they are just on different schedules. Remember they are God as well; some are just more clever at concealing their Divinity. Everyone who rubs you the wrong way is mirroring some part of you. Instead of rebuking some behavior that you don’t like, ask how that behavior applies to you. There may be some surprises. So instead of judging (there it is again!) others as jerks or nitwits, see them as lessons on the hoof for you to better understand yourself.

Fifth, humility is realizing that everyone really is equal. No one is any better or worse than you. Beauty, wealth, power, and talent are only relevant in fear-based situations. It says right in the USA’s constitution that all men (and women) are created equal. The founding fathers were clued into this step, and a lot of them were wealthy and powerful, and some of them owned other humans, yet in spite of all of that they realized that God dwells in everyone, and on that plane, there is equality. It is only fear (once again) that drives us to create classes, distinctions, and other ways of separating ourselves from each other and God. If given a choice between experiencing equality on the earthly or spiritual plane, I choose spiritual every time – it lasts longer.

Sixth, speak your truth always. Speaking your truth is saying what you truly feel, free of judgment and opinion. Recounting your many judgments to people is not speaking your truth; it is speaking your fear. The great thing about speaking your truth is that people know who you are and what you stand for, a novel concept. Speaking your truth dissolves the role-playing and facades that constitute most of your communications. Down deep, you are a pretty good person, and what comes from your heart (in contrast to other parts of the anatomy) is well worth listening to.

Seventh, have the courage to take responsibility for everything that you do. There is no one, including you, to blame for anything. Everything that happens that involves you has a purpose. The purpose is to practice unconditional acceptance - and you will not do so in every moment. Don’t be concerned, though, for lots of other opportunities will be presented. Some call this karma.

Eighth, express gratitude in every moment that deserves thankfulness, and that happens to be every moment of wakefulness. Instead of always wanting more, express thanks for what you do have. “… to each according to his need.” The trick is to change what you need, not simply ask for more out of fear of lack or greed. Having your true needs met is a matter of putting yourself in a situation that reflects your passion, your yearning. All the rest is want and desire.

Ninth, experience God in everything including you. Mastering the first eight steps automatically invokes the ninth. God is equally present everywhere. Saying that and realizing that are two different experiences. When you experience yourself as God, then you are enlightened. Experiencing yourself as God does not mean that you can walk on water or turn it into wine. That kind of stunt is possible but it is also not the point. The point is that when you experience yourself as God, you create heaven on Earth, and that is a state of being, not of doing and having. This is the game of life. You can play with a full deck or … Choose. How would you like to play poker and never be dealt any face cards? It gives new meaning to “not playing with a full deck.” Most of us don’t.

© 2002 Ron McCray

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

In addition to serving as Associate Editor of PlanetLightworker, Ron McCray is also a personal coach and author. He uses 9 Understandings as a foundation for Life Mastery Facilitation: Coaching, Tools, and Techniques, a telephone and Internet based practice that accelerates his clients' careers, personal development, and Spiritual evolution. He is formally trained in spiritual psychology and has studied Andean shamanism.

Ron also conducts Turtle Wheel Teachings - workshops and seminars with the focus on learning and practicing tools and techniques that support moving forward in life and Spiritual evolution. He is currently delivering The "Process" - Finding Freedom Within Fear, a one-day program based on 9 Understandings. Sign up for his free monthly newsletter, Modest Proposals at www.RonMcCray.com.

For further information please e-mail Ron or visit his website.