Essay: Why I use the word enlightenment

I really like this essay my friend Karen wrote, about using the word enlightenment:

karengifford.org/prose/why-i-use-the-word-enlightenment/

I think she has some real points - especially about letting people know it's possible.

My main beef with "enlightenment" is that it's a crappy translation of the original word "Bodhi" and that when I use it, I wind up having to qualify the use of the word so much that it is exhausting, and diverts the discussion if I'm trying to make any point other than regarding the meaning of the word. People misunderstand what I am actually claiming.

I tend to talk about "persistent profoundly beneficial changes to the structure of my consciousness" or to simplify I'll simply claim to be "fully online." - I generally wind up having to use these descriptions anyway if I use the word enlightenment - so why not just cut to the chase? The only reason to use the word is to point out that these changes are the same that Buddha, saints, and mystics across traditions have claimed.

David wrote: I think she has some real points - especially about letting people know it's possible.

My main beef with "enlightenment" is that it's a crappy translation of the original word "Bodhi" and that when I use it, I wind up having to qualify the use of the word so much that it is exhausting, and diverts the discussion if I'm trying to make any point other than regarding the meaning of the word. People misunderstand what I am actually claiming.

I tend to talk about "persistent profoundly beneficial changes to the structure of my consciousness" or to simplify I'll simply claim to be "fully online." - I generally wind up having to use these descriptions anyway if I use the word enlightenment - so why not just cut to the chase? The only reason to use the word is to point out that these changes are the same that Buddha, saints, and mystics across traditions have claimed.

PPBCTTSOFC??? Good gravy!!

Ona Kiser wrote:
PPBCTTSOFC??? Good gravy!!

Never said it was catchy - but in the long run it requires less explanation - at least that's my experience.

To be clear though, I don't talk to people much about being enlightened - doesn't seem much point in mentioning it most of the time.