Physical changes

[Guest guest]

I've been thinking lately that significant physical changes must

accompany true enlightenment.

 

From my own experience, it seems to me that the shift in

consciousness commonly labeled awakening or enlightenment

cannot last unless there is a corresponding restructuring of the

physical organism as well.

 

It's as if an enormous energy or force is required, one that can't

help but show in the physical realm, and may even be rooted in

it.

 

Where might this energy come from? I don't know much about

yoga and the kundalini force, etc., but it seems possible, even

likely, that the engine for this transformation has its source in the

generative/sexual centers of the body. Sexual energy/desire is

what powers the manifest universe, and it may need to be

sublimated in some way to power the physical shift necessary

for awakening.

 

I'm well aware that this is not a new idea, and that many will

disagree with the notion.

 

Yet, when one looks at the history of known awakened masters,

it does seem that this physical shift is a common occurrence.

 

U.G. Krishnamurti is probably the foremost example that comes

to mind. Apparently, his " calamity " was preceded and followed

by enormous, bizarre, physical changes in his body. To read his

writings, which contain detailed descriptions of these

astonishing changes, go here:

http://www.well.com/user/jct/index.html

 

U.G. seems to consider enlightenment primarily a

physical/biological event. It is non-volitional, more akin to an

evolutionary change or mutation, and certainly not the result of

effort or any practice.

 

This is similar to the position of Ramesh Balsekar, though

Balsekar places less emphasis on a biological change and

more on the workings of totality. However, this recent posting

(May 9) from the Net of Jewels list touches on it:

 

" For any event to happen an object is needed. So, when

enlightenment is about to happen a body-mind organism is

created in this evolution which is ready to receive that

enlightenment. It is given the characteristics -- physical, mental,

temperamental -- which make that body mind organism capable

of receiving enlightenment. "

 

Osho also speaks of extreme physical changes that occurred

both before and after his enlightenment. His body became

incredibly delicate and fragile, existing with only the most

tenuous connection to the world.

 

Apparently, Ramana Maharshi is a similar case.

 

Does anyone know if something like this happened to Maharaj?

I've not seen any passages in the writings I'm familiar with that

refer to it.

 

I'd also be interested in the accounts of any list members who

have gone through noticeable physical changes preceding

and/or following an enlightenment experience. Do you think

such changes prepare or cause such experiences, or do they

simply accompany them?

 

Let me know.

 

Michael Souther