The True Purpose of Mindfulness Meditation is to Attain Enlightenment

Dear Seeker,

These days, modern humans are fascinated by, obsessed with — and perhaps even addicted to — being "productive". More, more, more productivity! This mindset has taken a firm hold on the westernized human mind and reproduced itself across the masses like a kind of virus. This mind virus has even spread to what once were considered entirely and exclusively spiritual traditions and techniques, such as the practice of mindfulness meditation.

Modern science and psychology have hijacked mindfulness and attempted to squeeze it into a tiny box, which might be labeled "personal development" and "biohacking". Mindfulness has been used to fashion new therapeutic modalities such as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. It has become commodified as the focus of countless coaching programs and corporate wellness packages selling "enhanced focus", "employee satisfaction", and, of course, "increased productivity" in the workplace.

And you know what? Practicing mindfulness really does lead to all of these beneficial outcomes. But, dear Seeker, mindfulness meditation was never meant to achieve these worldly results. These are merely side effects of a regular and committed meditation practice.

The True Purpose of Mindfulness Meditation; and What is Enlightenment?

If the true purpose of mindfulness meditation is not to enhance focus, increase productivity, and cultivate inner peace... then, what is it?

The true purpose of mindfulness meditation is, and has always been, to attain enlightenment.

Alright, well, what is enlightenment?

That is a big question, and I cannot give you a satisfactory answer through words alone — especially not through mere text on a screen!

But, simply put, enlightenment is the realization of what truly is. You see, dear Seeker, we rarely ever witness reality for what it truly is. We each have our own personal distortions — beliefs, worldviews, internalized stories — through which the direct and true perception of reality is filtered. By the time our senses put all of that worldly information together into something that makes sense, our experience of reality is very different than what reality really is.

To a degree, this is completely natural. The brain and nervous system have evolved to filter out information which is irrelevant or unhelpful to human survival. The same goes for any creature with a nervous system. There is nothing "wrong" with this, and, really, nothing that needs to be done about it.

Enlightenment is ironic. Upon attaining enlightenment, one realizes that there is no practical purpose for enlightenment at all.

Even so, some of us feel called to pursue enlightenment. Thus, if one feels that call, and one feels compelled to honor the truth of that calling, one must make the journey.

Enlightenment is the process of dissolving the many layers of beliefs and stories which distort our perception of reality as it truly is. It is not a final state of consciousness, for there is no destination at which to arrive. Enlightenment is an ongoing process, and a practice.

There is so much that could be said about enlightenment that it would take lifetimes — millennia — to explain in words.

Thus, it is far easier, simpler, and more direct to experience it for yourself. And the way to get there is through daily spiritual practice.

Luckily for you, The Mindful Mage™ School for Spiritual Discovery exists. This is a place of sincere spiritual study and practice, with plentiful resources to guide you on your own personal journey of enlightenment — if that is what you seek!

Remember, there are many worldly benefits to practicing mindfulness meditation and other spiritual techniques, even if these benefits are just the side effects of spiritual practice.

If you feel called to begin your journey of spiritual discovery, you can start with the Free 10-Day Beginner Mindfulness Course. And from there, the doors will open for you.

I look forward to seeing you in class very soon.

Your teacher,
Devin

These teachings are founded on many years of direct, personal experience, and are solely the perspective of your teacher. The only way to truly know anything is to experience it for yourself. Practice discernment on your journey of spiritual discovery, gain true knowledge through your own experience, and find your own truth.

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