Enlightenment for Beginners
by Graham Irwin

Introduction

Whether we realise it or not, life for all of us is a spiritual journey. However, there is no map for our journey, and each of us has our own particular quest -- we just have to work it out as we go along! If we allow it to be so, it can be a journey of excitement, discovery and enlightenment; on the other hand we can make it dull, fearful and heavy-going. The choice is ours, and we can make that choice -- and even change our minds -- at any time. Once we open ourselves to the infinite range of possibilities the universe has to offer and stop limiting ourselves by our often simplistic human understanding, once we accept that there are things in the universe we cannot yet comprehend or explain, we begin to find that life has so much more to offer than we could ever have imagined.

This book has been inspired by my dear friends with whom I wanted to share my spiritual beliefs. No, on second thoughts, 'beliefs' would be the wrong word; there comes a time when a belief or a trust becomes more than that -- it becomes part of oneself, a truth. This book then contains my truths; not necessarily yours, although hopefully some of the ideas and beliefs will stimulate you in developing and refining your own set of truths. Writing this book has in itself been a great learning experience for me and part of my journey of enlightenment. It is often said that we teach what we most need to learn. Leaving aside the point that I don't believe I am here to 'teach' anything to anyone, that I am simply a channel for the messages contained here, many of the lessons in this book have been as much a revelation for me as I hope they will be for you, beloved reader.

This is not about religious beliefs, for I subscribe to no particular religion. However, I do recognise there are many truths in all of the world's major religions. Religions have been created by mankind -- and they have often been distorted by him over the ages for his own particular reasons, usually to exercise control over his followers.

I hope the messages contained in this book will help pave the way for anyone who is open to them to find the path of 'enlightenment', whatever that means to the individual personally. I don't say this in vanity, for none of the truths in this book are new -- the final section of inspirational quotes is intended in part to show that many of the truths expressed here are not original and are, indeed, as old as the hills. Nor do I pretend this is the complete story because we all continue to learn and grow throughout our lives.

A number of different headings came to me as I was writing this book, which you will see as chapter headings. As I continued to write I realised that some of these were rather arbitrary -- albeit still useful -- divisions. Some of the truths could have appeared in any of a number of chapters, and indeed some are repeated in more than one. This is not necessarily a book to read from cover to cover -- although you may use it that way if you wish. On the other hand you may find it more useful to pick topics at random, or read those that particularly appeal to you and come back to the others later.

This is more than just a book of theoretical ideas. It includes practical examples -- usually fictionalised, but many of them based on real life -- for each of the topics covered, as well as the opportunity to experience and practise the topics in your own life using the exercises provided. Enlightenment is not a 'spectator sport'. You cannot learn spirituality from a book. It is something that comes from within each and every one of us; something we must experience. It takes time and practice, so please participate as well as read.

I suggest you keep a notebook with you in which to do the exercises. You may also wish to use your notebook to jot down any key points, anything that 'speaks' to you, whether it is something with which you particularly agree or violently disagree. Perhaps you might want to use different coloured pens for those things you agree with and those with which you disagree. Alternatively, or in addition, you may wish to make notes in the book itself (provided it's your own copy!)

You may also find it helpful to play some soft background classical or 'new age' music whilst you are reading the text and doing the exercises. Music activates a different part of the brain which can assist the process of assimilation. However, this is only a suggestion, and there may be times when it suits you to play some soft music and other occasions when you prefer quiet. That's fine; whatever works for you.

Another way to get more from the process is to find a friend to work with -- a 'buddy', someone with whom to read the book and work through the exercises together, or who has already been through a similar process. You don't need to show them your exercises (unless you want to), but you may find it helpful to discuss what you are experiencing during the exercises, anything you are having difficulty with, and especially what you have learned. Be prepared to challenge each other, to look deeper within yourselves, examine your motives, help and encourage one another, offer and receive support when you are 'blocked' or resistant and learn from the other's experiences. However, be careful not to get drawn into each other's self-deceptions and justifications.

I truly hope that however you decide to use it, the material that follows may assist you to find insights that will help you lead your life, dear one, with greater love, compassion and trust, and with less fear and doubt. Please take from it whatever speaks to your heart, find your own truths within these pages, and use them, as well as those messages that do not resonate with you, to create your own reality.

In love and light
Graham Irwin
January 2001

~

Enlightenment

So you're seeking enlightenment? Where to begin?

There is only one place to begin any journey -- and enlightenment, like life, is a journey. The place to start is where you are right now. Begin with the recognition that you already know the answers you are seeking, but are simply pretending not to know or have forgotten.

Start by understanding the apparent paradox that you are alone on this journey, and yet you are one with everything and everyone else in the universe. Acknowledge that you are a divine being, part of All That Is, created in the image of God -- whatever you may consider him, her or it to be. Know that it is all that has gone on in your life before this moment that has brought you to where you are now, that there is a purpose for everything. Rejoice in every obstacle you have faced in your lifetime, and bless it as the gift and opportunity it certainly has been to enable you to grow. Remember that the only thing that stands between you and your goals, your heart's desires, your greatest wishes, enlightenment -- is YOU... and your fears!

Commit to face life in the truth that every moment is an opportunity to create a new reality -- now, and in every moment -- based on the infinite possibilities of what can be, not on your fears of what has happened in the past. Know that your successes and your happiness are limited only by what you believe is possible, and that the range of possibilities is only restricted by your limited human understanding. And trust that the universe will show you the answers when you are open to receive them.

Now perhaps some of these ideas are new to you, perhaps you want to reject them as nonsense, as impossible. That's great! Firstly, you don't have to accept anything -- in this book or elsewhere in life -- that doesn't resonate with you. You can accept or reject any ideas you choose. However, suppose you suspend your judgement for a while and accept that there might be something in these ideas, even if it's not clear right now what or how or why? As you continue your journey of enlightenment and self-discovery, you may find some of those things that made no sense at the time begin to seem possible -- and perhaps even probable.

What is important, however, is that you apply yourself to the subject with an open mind, and an open heart. Rejecting everything out of hand just because it doesn't make sense now will not lead to enlightenment in any form.

You may wish to ask your guides to help you to receive the information with an open heart and to help you learn the lessons that are important for you. We all have guides in the spirit and other unseen kingdoms, in different dimensions. As we continue on our journey we may find that our guides may make their presence felt in some way.

Everyone's path is different, so don't assume that what works for someone else will necessarily work for you, or vice versa. You will need to find for yourself those things that work for you, and those that don't. You will also find the speed of the journey and the timing of events in everyone's lives will vary. It is important not to give yourself a hard time just because events are not unfolding as quickly as you think they should, or that your experiences are different from someone else's.

Enlightenment means getting in touch with our higher consciousness. It means letting go of old beliefs and fears, releasing old ways of being, and doing, and thinking -- ways with which we may have been comfortable for most of our lives, but which no longer serve us. It means accepting responsibility for our lives and accepting the power we already have; and by this I mean not power over others but power over ourselves.

It is not an intellectual exercise. The mind can be a barrier to spiritual enlightenment. We are called on to experience our lives, not to contemplate them. You will need to start looking deep within yourself to find those things that are keeping you in the past. You will need to face up to your fears before you can let them go and move on. It will certainly get uncomfortable at times. Remember, there is no growth without risk; and enlightenment is about growth -- in love, understanding, trust and compassion. You are perfect just the way you are; however, if you wish to grow in love and in light you need to be prepared to put yourself into situations that will stretch you, when you will feel uncomfortable. The fact is, they are only unpalatable to yourself, not to anyone else. There will be times when you need to face up to some apparently unpleasant truths. There is nothing to be gained by trying to deceive yourself. Taking the easy option does not lead to growth and enlightenment. So, are you ready to take a risk, to take yourself on?

There are no gurus, no teachers and pupils. We are, each of us, our own guru; and we are all both teacher and pupil. Just as we teach, so we learn; the two go hand in hand. Just as the only way for us to receive is to give; the only way to be loved is to give away our love; the only way to gain forgiveness is to forgive. And we must also remember to love, honour, respect and forgive ourselves as well as others.