In the spiritual tradition of yoga,

 the purpose of life is identified as 

enlightenment, liberation from falsely identifying ourselves as the physical body 

or the mind. To be enlightened is to awaken to our essential nature as spiritual. It 

is to be Self-realized—to know ourselves as we really are and life as it is. Enlight-

enment is not something that is created; it is simply the revelation of what is so. 

Therefore, spiritual practices on the path of yoga are designed to remove obsta-

cles to realizing this truth. The greatest obstacle we face along the way is our self, 

who we have erroneously imagined ourselves to be. This is only ego; it is the false 

self which invents a sense of separate existence. The enlightenment path of yoga, 

which means union or oneness, is a time-tested way to see through this illusion. 

Enlightenment is the certain destiny of every person. Sooner or later the truth 

of what we are is revealed and a life of freedom and joy follows. Master teachers 

in the tradition of Kriya Yoga have commented on the inevitability of this soul 

destiny and asked, why wait? Why not decide to live intentionally so that this 

spiritual truth is readily accessible? There are those who believe that enlighten-

ment is only for a chosen few, but this is not what the great sages from every 

tradition through time taught. All of them have declared the nearness of the 

kingdom, the ordinariness of enlightenment. Enlightenment is for you. It is for 

everyone. Why wait? Consider it possible in this lifetime. 
Welcome to the premier edition of Enlightenment Journal, the spiritual inspira-

tion and practice magazine published by the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment. 

Our title reflects not only the name of our ministry and meditation center, but 

our commitment to individual and planetary enlightenment. 
What do we really need to know to live the awakened life? Begin with the  

6 Questions Every Person Should Ask by Roy Eugene Davis and then find inspira-

tion for living into those answers with the article on how to be steadfast on the 

path. Journey to India with Nipun Mehta and meet the rickshaw driver. Listen in 

on a conversation that shows us how awakening to the perspective of oneness can 

powerfully influence what might have been just another mundane exchange, but 

instead becomes a moment with great potential. Why wait? We are so glad you 

have joined us at Enlightenment Journal. 

Ellen Grace O'Brian, Editor

EnlightenmentJournal@CSEcenter.org

FROM THE EDITOR'S CUSHION
Everyday, enlightenment.