The Science of Enlightenment

The Science of Enlightenment Imagine a mirror. Imagine that the surface of that mirror is completely covered with dried mud, with not even a trace of the surface of that mirror visible. This is the state of unqualified ignorance. Now imagine that for some mysterious reason the sur- face of this mirror is suddenly struck by a bolt of light- ning. The tremendous force of the impact removes a small portion of the dried mud from the surface, exposing it to the light of day. Instantly the small portion of the surface of the mirror that has been exposed begins to reflect the light of the sun that is shining down upon it. This is the birth of awakening. This is the birth of enlightenment. Such an individual stands out. For now in the middle of their shadow is a small hole. The light of the Self that shines through them stands in obvious, stark contrast to the ignorance that is the expression of most of those who surround them. The Science of Enlightenment Now imagine another. Imagine thai the force of the lightning that has struck the surface ol the mirror ol this one is live times as powerful as the lirst. The impact was such that now literally half the entire surface of the mirror has been exposed to the light ol day. This one casts a reflection that is very bright. This one also stands in stark contrast to the other, Uterally outshin- ing them with their brilliance. This one casts only half a shadow. This one is rare. Now imagine yet another. Imagine that the force of the Hghtning that has struck the surface of this one is so over- powering that the sheer weight of its impact has removed ninety percent of the mud that covered it, exposing nine- tenths of the surface of the mirror to the light of day. The reflection of the sun is now overwhelming. The shadow cast by this one is a small dot that is barely visible to the naked eye. This one is magnificent, extraor- dinary and almost beyond compare, because this one leaves almost no trace. Finally imagine one last one. Imagine in this case that the force of the lightning that has struck the surface o\ the mirror has been so explosive that it has removed all o\ the nuicl that once covered it. In this case there is not e\en one s|')eck ol dust led on the surface of the mirror. /40 ,'\m ( tuimduiouid Rchidowship to Life This one casts no shadow. This one casts only a perfect reflection. This one leaves no trace. The Science of Enlightenment 1 4 1 The Unknown Can Only Be Unknown The Unknown Can Only Be Unknown Wn a warm September evening in 1994, my wife and

were standing on the corner of 53rd Street and Park Avenue in New York City waiting for the hght to change. We were on our way to the Theosophical Society where I was going to be giving a talk and were both looking forward to the evening ahead. The audiences who came to see me in New York were almost always enthusiastic and unselfconscious in their response to my teaching. When the light changed, we stepped off the curb. The row of taxicabs that made up the front line of cars coming toward us all came to a halt. Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw that the car on the inside lane, also a taxi, was speeding directly at us. In that instant, I knew that it wasn't going to stop. 1 knew it was going to hit us. Then it hap- pened. With a loud bang, the cab hit the right side of my body. Then I heard the sound of impact again as it crashed into two cars that were crossing the intersection. My arm dropped and began dangling and 1 became aware of a dull The Unhwwn Can Onlv Be Unknown

pressure in iny right leg. My body going iiilo shock,

fch hkc I had been injected with a powerful drug. Numb and dazed, 1 was at the same time very alert. Looking down

saw my wife lying on her back, eyes half closed, with blood streaming out of her mouth. Then 1 heard voices screaming at me from the curb, "Lie down, lie down.^^ lowered myself to the ground as people wanting to help surrounded me. Short of breath and finding it difficult to speak, I asked them to call an ambulance. While waiting, lifted up my head several times to look over at my wife, only to find that she was not moving. This was always met by fierce objec- tions from the concerned strangers gathered around. Later was told that within minutes, 53rd Street and Park Avenue looked like a war zone. The entire area was imme- diately cordoned off, with broken glass all over the street, police everywhere, TV cameras, flashing lights and crowds of people trying to see what happened. Like angels descending from heaven, an emergency medical team suddenly appeared and put an oxygen mask over my nose and mouth. "How ya doin^ pal?" one of the angels asked. "Do you know what day this is? Do you kncnv where you are?" "Yes," 1 responded. Feeling strangely peaceful, it occurred to me how great it would be if this were all only a dream. LlnlortunatcK. knew it wasn For most oi the ambulance ride to the luvspital. /46 ,\n ( 'UiomlUhmal KiUuionship to l.ifc