Neti Neti Series No. 13: The Realization of the “I” and Its Journey Toward Enlightenment

Question:

In realizing that “I” will never be enlightened, does this mean that the goal of enlightenment is out of reach? How can I reconcile this understanding with the continued practice of drawing closer to enlightenment, even if it cannot be fully attained by the ego?

Dear friend,

Your insight that “I will never be enlightened” is one of the most profound realizations one can encounter on the spiritual path. This understanding marks a turning point, where the journey shifts from the pursuit of a goal to the practice of embodying the qualities that lead one closer to enlightenment—qualities that can be lived and expressed in every moment, even if they cannot be possessed by the “I.”

Enlightenment, as you now see, is not something that the “I” can achieve, for the “I” is precisely what dissolves in the light of true awakening. The very sense of being a separate self, striving for a state called enlightenment, is itself part of the illusion that enlightenment reveals and transcends. This is not to say that the journey is futile, but rather that the journey transforms into something far more subtle, more profound, and more aligned with the truth of our existence.

Instead of seeing enlightenment as a distant goal, you have wisely turned your attention to the practice of being as close to enlightenment as possible. This is a practice not of attaining, but of allowing—allowing the mind to quiet, the heart to open, and the “I” to soften. It is a practice of aligning with the qualities that reflect the light of enlightenment: peace, compassion, clarity, and presence.

In this practice, there is no need for the ego to strive or grasp. Instead, there is a gentle surrender to the truth that is already within you, waiting to be uncovered, like the sun behind the clouds. The more you practice, the more these qualities shine through, guiding your actions, your thoughts, and your interactions with the world.

There is great freedom in this realization. The pressure to “become enlightened” falls away, leaving behind a sense of ease and acceptance. You are no longer bound by the idea that you must reach some ultimate state; instead, you are free to simply be, to practice embodying the light of enlightenment in whatever way is possible in each moment. This is not a lesser path; it is the path of wisdom, one that honors the truth that enlightenment is not something to be grasped, but something to be lived.

Your journey now takes on a new quality. It becomes less about reaching a destination and more about how you walk the path. Every step, every breath, every moment of presence becomes an expression of the enlightenment you seek. And in this way, enlightenment is not something that happens in the future, but something that you touch, however briefly, in the here and now.

Dear friend, this realization is a gift. It invites you to embrace the present moment, to find the divine in the ordinary, and to let go of the need to “achieve” something that, in truth, cannot be achieved by the “I” at all. Instead, you practice being close to enlightenment, knowing that in the very act of practicing, you are already touching the essence of what you seek.

Trust in this process, and continue to walk this path with a light heart. Know that the practice itself is enough, that the journey is the destination, and that in the softness of the “I,” the light of enlightenment shines ever more clearly.

🙏🕊️🙏