The title for today’s blog post comes from the title of my latest art piece, Manifestation of Enlightenment. Let’s look at what enlightenment means and see where that takes us. We will touch upon some examples from the spiritual and philosophical realms, and we will look at the connection to my own journey of recovery and a general connection in the world of recovery, specifically in AA and Al-Anon.
Let’s start with examples which I asked CoPilot to help with. I am familiar with all the examples it provides as I discovered them through my extensive reading over the years, and through much firsthand personal experience.
Me:
Please provide some examples of enlightenment in the spiritual or philosophical sense.
CoPilot:
Certainly! Here are some examples of enlightenment in both spiritual and philosophical contexts:
Spiritual Enlightenment
- Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha): After years of ascetic practices and meditation, Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, understanding the nature of suffering and the path to liberation. This marked the foundation of Buddhism.
- Mystical Experiences: In various religious traditions, individuals experience profound spiritual awakenings – often described as union with the divine, such as the Sufi poet Rumi’s ecstatic visions or Saint Teresa of Avila’s moments of divine communion.
- Zen Enlightenment (Satori): In Zen Buddhism, satori refers to a sudden and intuitive realization of the true nature of reality, often achieved through meditation or contemplative practices.
Philosophical Enlightenment
- René Descartes: Through rigorous skepticism and methodical doubt, Descartes arrived at his famous conclusion: “Cogito, ergo sum” (I think, therefore I am), which became a cornerstone of modern philosophy.
- Immanuel Kant’s “Enlightenment Era”: Kant defined enlightenment as humanity’s emergence from self-imposed immaturity, urging individuals to use reason and question authority in the pursuit of knowledge and progress.
- Socrates’ Apology: Socratic wisdom emphasizes understanding one’s own ignorance as the first step toward enlightenment. Socrates famously said, “I know that I know nothing,” encouraging philosophical inquiry.
These examples highlight enlightenment as a transformative realization or deep understanding that reshapes perspectives and lives. Which of these resonates with you most?
I first encountered the concept of enlightenment in Al-Anon. The twelfth step reads, “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” Reading this message, one assumes that by the time one works through the steps this “spiritual awakening,” or enlightenment, should be the result. Throughout my journey I have continued to encounter this concept. Even today as I write about it, I feel what might be described by CoPilot’s examples, as a union with the divine or having an intuitive realization of the true nature of reality, and the beauty that entails.
Let me define some of the key words, as I see them.
‘Spirit’ is the word I have chosen to describe the sacred force that pervades all things. It is what allows the world, the cosmos, to function in such an awe-inspiring manner. It is what others have called God, The Assemblage of Goodness (this is what I use in two of my early books) and The Creator. Other titles include Allah, Brahma and Adi Granth. Still others include Plato’s Demiurge and Tillich’s ‘Ground of Being.’ Also included are others that are not so easily defined or directly pointed toward. These are Taoism’s Tao and Buddhism’s Nirvana.
‘Spirituality’ or the ‘spiritual journey’ can be defined as an expanding awareness and the pursuit of wholeness and all that this entails. It is a connection with the Spirit, a view that sees beyond the confines of the human senses. ‘Holiness’ is used here to describe the drive toward, or the attainment of, spiritual wholeness.
“Spiritual Enlightenment” then, is the attainment of that connection to the spirit, however fleeting it may be, since it is not something permanent but rather something that requires our continued effort.
“Spiritual Awakening” is much the same as spiritual enlightenment, but, I think, more specifically it is the time when one can identify when this has happened. A sudden realization that the connection has been made. I personally have had many spiritual awakenings during my life and it is often hard to put it into words. To help with this, I asked CoPilot. The answer was spot on, in my opinion.
Me:
What are the key characteristics of spiritual enlightenment?
CoPilot:
Spiritual enlightenment is often described as a profound transformation in understanding and awareness. While definitions and experiences can vary across traditions, here are some key characteristics often associated with spiritual enlightenment:
- Awareness of Unity: A sense of connection or oneness with the universe, others, or the divine. This dissolves the illusion of separation and fosters harmony.
- Transcendence of Ego: Overcoming attachments to ego, material possessions, or personal identity. Enlightenment is often marked by a focus on the collective rather than the individual self.
- Inner Peace: A deep sense of calm and serenity that persists even amidst life’s challenges, stemming from an unshakable understanding of existence.
- Present-Moment Awareness: Living fully in the present moment, free from regrets about the past or worries about the future. This is often cultivated through mindfulness practices.
- Insight into Truth: A direct realization or experience of fundamental truths about life, existence, and consciousness that go beyond intellectual understanding.
- Compassion and Love: Enlightenment often brings forth profound empathy and unconditional love for all beings, grounded in an understanding of shared existence.
- Freedom from Suffering: Liberation from the cycle of desire, attachment, and aversion, leading to freedom from inner turmoil or suffering.
These characteristics are often celebrated as hallmarks of spiritual growth and fulfillment. Have you encountered any of these traits in your own journey or exploration?
Me:
What does a spiritual awakening mean in the context of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon?
CoPilot:
In the context of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Al-Anon, a spiritual awakening is viewed as a profound shift in perception and understanding, often leading to personal growth and transformation. Here’s how it is generally understood within these programs:
- Connection to a Higher Power: Spiritual awakening often involves embracing the idea of a Higher Power, however one chooses to define it. This could be God, the universe, or even the collective support of the group. It’s about recognizing and relying on a force greater than oneself.
- Liberation from Self-Will: It represents a release from the dominance of ego and self-centeredness, allowing individuals to live in accordance with spiritual principles such as humility, gratitude, and service to others.
- Renewed Hope and Perspective: Those experiencing spiritual awakening often find new meaning in life, renewed hope, and a sense of purpose beyond their struggles with addiction or codependency.
- Living the Twelve Steps: Spiritual awakening is intricately tied to working the Twelve Steps of recovery. Step 12 explicitly states, “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps,” highlighting that awakening is seen as the natural outcome of the recovery process.
- Service and Helping Others: A key part of awakening is the drive to help and serve others who are still struggling, embodying the principle of selflessness and compassion.
- Personal Transformation: It often leads to lasting change in how individuals view themselves, their relationships, and their place in the world. It’s about becoming the best version of oneself.
In both AA and Al-Anon, spiritual awakening is not confined to a single moment – it’s often described as a gradual process or journey. It forms the heart of recovery and reflects a deep inner change that supports a healthier, more fulfilled life.
So beautifully said! I have experienced these things many times in my life and find that these experiences drive me forward on the journey. That feeling is a pretty good carrot at the end of the stick. Just saying! 😊
I’d like to wrap up this part of the discussion with a memory of a personal spiritual awakening that formed the foundation of my recovery right near the beginning. It was at a time when I realized that there was no magic day or magic book that would forever make life easy. I remember very well, anxiously waiting for the day when I would, without fail, know the solutions to all my problems and have answers to all my questions. I expected that this day would come and I would always know what to do in any situation. I believed that I would never react to rejection or need another’s approval; I would be considered, by myself and by others, to be a living example of perfect harmony; I would be forever happy (whatever that entailed). I realized at the time of the awakening that this day would not be forthcoming in this lifetime. There is no magic day. Knowing this somehow makes the journey easier. It is a nugget of wisdom that I try to share when asked.
It is often my desire to show, or incorporate, a “spiritual” aspect into my art. I want my art to offer something deeper to reflect upon, something that goes beyond the surface stuff that seems bent on driving the modern world. Not all my art is recognizable as spiritual, but this one obviously is, at least to me.
Manifestation of Enlightenment – Created by Don Cheke
For this piece, I started with a very interesting well blended darker watercolor painting I created. I then added a square stone wall texture and then blended in a photo of some ornamental Buddhist statues I took on a family trip to British Columbia in 2007. The statues were beautifully created replicas, so not stolen artifacts, in case you were wondering. As you know, one’s children grow up and this BC adventure was the last family trip that I took with my wife Denise and daughter Emma. It was the end of that era, with many different adventures still ahead, just not the three of us alone while traveling. One of my very favorite things to do these days is meet for coffee with Denise and Emma, when the grandchildren are in school, and it’s just the three of us again. I often say at these times that, “the band is back together,” meaning it is such a wonderful treat that reminds me of those times and trips we had as a family in the early years. It makes my heart glow!
Abstract 042125 – Created by Don Cheke
Abstract 042125 was just another experiment using a very limited color palette to create an abstract background painting. I added the lined wall texture to enhance the look and found that I was happy with it. The fish and the Bodhisattva are from previous artworks of mine, which I added to complete the piece. Although I like this piece, it has still not evoked anything more in me with regards to the journey or the topic of this blog post, not like the feature image which moves me greatly. It’s strange how that is.
I think that I will wrap up this blog post by emphasizing the importance of seeking enlightenment in everyday life. It is always worth the effort one puts in, since the journey towards enlightenment can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and the world – and, of course, to a joyous existence, at least now and again.
Donald B. Cheke – April 28, 2025
Manifestation of Enlightenment is an awesome picture!
Thank you Michael!