Enlightenment, and the need to change

Following is an excerpt from a samvaad (dialogue) session with Acharya Prashant.

L: There is a lot of talk about enlightenment, but what is enlightenment?

AP: When you know, that is enlightenment. When you refuse to know it is darkness.

No person is enlightened.

If right now you understand, you know, you are already enlightened. You can choose to remain enlightened or you can again wallow in the darkness.

Enlightenment is not something that you attach to a person, ‘Oh, he is enlightened.’ No.

Enlightenment is Truth, the very essence of all. Surrender to the Truth, you are enlightened.

L: We have sort of industrialized everything that we do. And there is a label of growth on it, how much can we grow? Aren’t they all pursuits?

AP: They all are trying to create a future for you. They all are trying to take you somewhere. and whenever there is talk of progress, of betterment, of GDP growth and such things, you are always being pulled away from what you are. But if you have a political leader who wins votes by offering you a better future, then don’t you see what you are doing.

You love those leaders, don’t you, who offer you a better future?