Enlightenment: Behind The Scenes

by Marc Leavitt

Is it possible to map the directions to a Void? Is it conceivable that one can point to the abyss? Just maybe, it can be done, and here is how I propose to do it. It starts with the recounting of my personal quest for ‘Spiritual Enlightenment,’ which can also serve as a roadmap for any human being who takes the spiritual journey seriously. This story centers on the peak period of my spiritual journey just after returning home from a weeklong meditation retreat at the world renowned ‘Monroe Institute.’ I had been home less than a week after attending one of their advanced programs when, without warning, I began to have profound Visions while living out my day-to-day life. I could be taking a walk with my wife and daughter or going about my daily routine at work when I would find myself spontaneously thrust into a vastly more expansive perspective that placed my entire world in a wholly new context. These Visions were progressive in nature as they clearly and pointedly demonstrated to me the Grand Design of Reality. Some of these Visions were existentially devastating and some were downright terrifying, as they exposed the true nature of the ‘self’. Others were so blissful that they could only be tolerated for brief moments. Ultimately, they coalesced to reveal a model of Reality that is as elegant in its simplicity as it is mind-numbing in its implications. In this book, I outline a play-by-play account of how four of these Visions shaped a new understanding regarding the true architecture of Reality and how this understanding resolves some of our greatest philosophical paradoxes, such as the relationship between mind and matter or God and the world. Given the universal nature of these experiences, there are opportunities throughout the book for you to verify each truth for yourself. I wrote this book to demystify the subject of Enlightenment. There are already many excellent books on the subject of Enlightenment otherwise known as ‘Nondual Wisdom.’ However, what is missing is a book that chronicles the day-to-day, month-to-month, and year-to-year unfolding of the Self in detail. This book is a very personal account of an incredibly impersonal process, broken down step by step and presented almost in slow motion. The reader is invited on a journey that chronicles each step along the path to Enlightenment. The details of the climactic experience itself and the final understanding that results from undergoing such a radical and permanent shift in perspective is where I intend to lead you. It is also my hope that this book will demonstrate how the experience of Enlightenment is not something mythical — a fable belonging to some other time or place — but an actual shift in perspective that is available right here and now to anyone who is curious enough to explore the true nature of ‘being’. I speak to you from the point of view that we all share the human experience and when we explore the depths of our minds we find that the same treasure awaits us all. The fact that I am a husband and father with a full-time career stands as proof that you don’t have to choose between a worldly life and Enlightenment. Throughout the book, you are offered a number of opportunities to verify for yourself some of the subject matter as its being discussed. To be true to my story, I rely mostly on my personal journals, which are individually dated and appear in italics, while my current narration appear in normal type. And so it begins …

183 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 24, 2012

Reviews

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic.

I've ready many accounts of enlightenments and kenshos in books like Zen Flesh, Zen Bones etc. But this is the first I've come across that was most direct, relateable, detailed, and simple but not too crazy like some of Peter Ralston's musings on the nature of reality.

I related with attempting to parlay experiences to others but sounding like a mad-man.

It paints it from beginning to end. I was particularly interested in the in-between experiences and what evolved after the first insight after having initial mini-awakenings. There's not alot in the literature that covers this solidly.

Found out about this book from Frank Yang.

I was able to return to a taste of stillness after reading passages on this book and emulating the 'step back' exercise.

The serenity...