The spirit and nature of enlightenment, like the nature of the universe, exists in a state of continual change, dynamically seeking symmetrical balance between yin and yang, light and dark. Neither of the polar opposites is more permanent than the other, and the recognition and acceptance of the nature of the universal flux is the first defining characteristic of authentic enlightenment.

If you think that you can develop and abide in the light without darkness, you’re deluded. Carl Jung advised us to discover and admit our internal shadows in order to establish psychological balance. Along with everything else in nature, the psyche balances between the alternation of yin and yang, light and shadow like a cosmic pendulum.

We can take this concept of mental balance and apply it just as easily to the spiritual realm. If we can own up to our shadow sides we may be able to avoid the hypocrisy that afflicts many so-called “religious” and “enlightened” people.

The mountaintop
Think of the quest for mastery as an ascent to the top of a mountain. On one side (the side we try to escape) is the mundane world that we live in. On the other side (the side we aspire to) transcending the common- sense world, is the light.

When one side of a mountain is light (yang) then the opposite side, of course, is in shadow (yin). The brighter the light is, the deeper the shadow.

The quest for the light takes place entirely in the dark. All of the spirit’s work is done in the shadows.

In soft martial art a black belt is earned by one working in the dark and recognizing the shadowy work he still has to do.

Is it enough to reach the top and the sight of the light or must one go into the valley on the other side?

50%
You hear a lot in the spiritual arts about enlightenment and mastery. Most people seem to think that the “enlightened” ones are 100% enlightened and blissful, and that masters have nothing more to learn. They’ve arrived.

When people strive for ultimate mastery or enlightenment they’re setting themselves up for failure because it can’t be done short of death or hopeless psychosis. The mere quest for 100% is an excuse to avoid seriously pursuing the light. The best way to fail at something is to set an impossible goal. So lets set a realistic goal.

Heroin addicts who try to quit “cold turkey” have little chance of quitting, while those who realize that quitting is a painful, never- ending process of self- salvage have a much higher rate of success than the “cold turkey” people.

The ones who quit use methadone, and so, since I chose to use the drug metaphor, is there a methadone for the spirit and soul?

Strive to achieve 50%. At 50% of mastery, you reach the mark of being able to choose which side of the mountain to function on.

In order to function in the common world whose reality we mostly agree on, we use an unenlightened consciousness.

The Tao Te Ching says that an “enlightened” person is one who functions in the real world to a degree sufficient to realize that the “Truth” can’t be told, let alone realized. So they strive for 50%, which puts them in the position where they may choose the side on which they will confront an issue.

Beware of those who claim to represent only the good and true.

I'd really like some feedback on my ideas.
What is enlightenment?
Why do we seek mastery or enlightenment?
What are some of the ways to enlilghtenment and how are they similar?
What do you do or train to pursue your goal?