“Enlightenment is to stay as you are. Stay as you are without such labels as “I am enlightened”, “I am a free man”, “I am a sage”, “I am a monk”, or “I am a saint”.
Simply, don’t give yourself any label.
When you get rid of all labels, that which remains is called “freedom” or “enlightenment”.
When you give yourself a label you become “someone”.
When you have removed all “becomings” and return to conscious being, this is enlightenment.
But the word “enlightenment” is also just a concept.
In being there is no darkness at all.
Only when there is darkness do you need a candle.
But here, in being, there is no darkness, so there is no need for any candle to bring forth any light. Only when you become “someone” do you need a light.”
Papaji (1910 – 1997)
Chorlton Unitarians 