What is Enlightenment: The Tale of the Butterfly’s Awakening

Picture of Björn Lenz, PhD

Björn Lenz, PhD

In a serene meadow nestled at the edge of a dense forest, there lived a young girl named Lila. She was known throughout the village for her inquisitive nature and her deep love for nature. But above all, Lila was captivated by the enchanting dance of butterflies that frequented the meadow.

One sunny morning, as Lila lay in the grass watching the butterflies, a question arose in her mind. “What is enlightenment?” she wondered. She had heard the term whispered by the village elders, but it seemed as elusive as the morning mist. Determined to uncover its meaning, Lila decided to seek wisdom from the creatures she so admired.

Her first encounter was with a wise old owl perched on a gnarled oak tree. With a curious tilt of her head, Lila asked the owl, “What is enlightenment, wise one?”

The owl blinked her round, knowing eyes and responded, “Enlightenment, dear child, is like the stillness of the night. It is the quieting of the restless mind, the shedding of illusions, and the awakening to the truth within.”

Lila nodded, understanding that enlightenment was a process of inner awakening and shedding the layers of illusion.

Continuing her journey, Lila came across a crystal-clear stream where a school of fish swam gracefully. She approached the water and asked the fish, “What is enlightenment, graceful ones?”

The fish moved in harmony, their scales shimmering like liquid silver. They replied, “Enlightenment, sweet seeker, is like our fluid dance in the currents. It is the letting go of resistance and the flow of surrender to the natural course of life.”

Lila felt a sense of tranquility wash over her as she realized that enlightenment was about releasing resistance and embracing the flow of life.

As Lila ventured deeper into the forest, she stumbled upon a venerable tortoise. With a gentle smile, she asked the tortoise, “What is enlightenment, venerable one?”

The tortoise withdrew into its sturdy shell, then slowly emerged. It replied, “Enlightenment, inquisitive soul, is like my patient crawl through time. It is the understanding that wisdom unfolds gradually, and true understanding lies in the willingness to unlearn.”

Lila nodded, recognizing that enlightenment required patience and the unlearning of conditioned beliefs.

Her journey led her to a field of wildflowers swaying in the breeze. Lila approached the flowers and inquired, “What is enlightenment, radiant ones?”

The flowers danced in the wind, their petals a riot of colors. “Enlightenment, dear traveler, is like our vibrant display,” they sang. “It is the blossoming of the authentic self, free from the constraints of societal conditioning.”

Lila smiled, realizing that enlightenment was about embracing one’s authentic self and breaking free from conditioned beliefs.

With newfound wisdom from the owl, the fish, the tortoise, and the flowers, Lila returned to her village. She shared her insights, explaining that enlightenment was a process of inner awakening, shedding illusions, releasing resistance, unlearning, and embracing one’s authentic self.

As the villagers listened to Lila’s tales, they felt a profound sense of clarity and liberation. The mysteries of enlightenment were no longer distant and unattainable; they were woven into the tapestry of everyday life.

Years passed, and Lila grew into a woman known not only for her curiosity but also for her wisdom. She became a guiding light in the village, helping others on their journeys of inner awakening and self-discovery.

And so, in that tranquil meadow at the edge of the forest, the essence of enlightenment was no longer a distant dream but a tangible presence that illuminated the hearts and minds of all who sought it. Lila had discovered that enlightenment was not a destination but a process—a process of letting go of conditioned beliefs, shedding illusions, and awakening to the truth within—a process that, like the eternal cycle of nature, continued on and on, inviting all to embrace its transformative beauty.

Supporting the Journey with Mind-Body Tools

Lila’s journey of enlightenment was not without its challenges. At times, she found herself entangled in the web of her own thoughts and emotions. It was then that she turned to mind-body tools that could support her on this profound journey—tools designed to reveal the illusions created by the mind and use the body’s wisdom to facilitate letting go.

Tool 1: Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

One of the most transformative tools in Lila’s toolkit was EFT, also known as tapping. This technique involved gently tapping on specific acupressure points on the body while acknowledging and releasing negative emotions and limiting beliefs. It was a practice that bypassed the rational mind and directly addressed the energetic blockages that often kept individuals stuck in old patterns.

Lila would sit by the river, tapping on her meridian points, and softly repeating affirmations that resonated with her. As she tapped, she felt the release of pent-up emotions, like a river finding its way through a dam. EFT allowed her to disentangle from the stories her mind had woven over the years and access the wisdom of her body’s energy system.

Tool 2: Access Bars

Another powerful tool that supported Lila’s journey was Access Bars. This practice involved gently touching specific points on the head, known as “Bars,” which corresponded to different aspects of life, such as healing, creativity, and control. When these Bars were lightly touched, it facilitated the release of electromagnetic charge associated with thoughts, beliefs, and judgments.

Lila found herself lying under a tree, receiving an Access Bars session from a fellow villager trained in the technique. As her Bars were touched, she experienced a profound sense of relaxation and mental clarity. It was as though the mental fog that had obscured her true nature was dissipating, allowing her to see through the illusions of the mind.

Tool 3: Breathwork

Breathwork became an integral part of Lila’s daily practice. She understood that the breath was a bridge between the mind and the body, and through conscious breathing, she could navigate the terrain of her inner world. Lila would often sit in meditation, focusing on her breath, and intentionally releasing any tension or resistance held in her body.

With each mindful breath, Lila felt a sense of expansion and lightness. It was as though the breath was sweeping away the dust from the mirror of her consciousness, revealing the clarity beneath. Breathwork allowed her to bypass the analytical mind and tap into the innate wisdom of her body, supporting her on the path of self-discovery.

Tool 4: Movement and Dance

Lila discovered that movement and dance were not only joyful expressions of the body but also powerful tools for releasing mental conditioning. In the heart of the village, a gathering place had been created for ecstatic dance. Here, villagers would come together to move freely and unselfconsciously, allowing the body to express what words could not.

As Lila danced beneath the open sky, she felt a profound sense of liberation. The rhythm of her movements seemed to harmonize with the rhythm of her heart, creating a union of body and spirit. It was in these moments of uninhibited dance that she experienced a deep letting go of the mind’s constraints, embracing the truth that enlightenment was not a mental concept but a lived experience.

Tool 5: Nature Connection

Above all, Lila recognized that the natural world itself was a potent tool for transcending the mind’s illusions. She would often venture into the heart of the forest, allowing the sights, sounds, and sensations of nature to guide her into a state of presence. The whispering leaves, the babbling brooks, and the songs of birds became her teachers.

In nature’s embrace, Lila felt a profound sense of interconnectedness with all of life. She realized that the mind’s limitations were but fleeting shadows in the grand tapestry of existence. Nature, with its wisdom and simplicity, supported her in letting go of the complexities of thought and returning to the essence of being.

As Lila shared these mind-body tools with her fellow villagers, they, too, found solace and support on their own paths of enlightenment. Together, they cultivated a sense of unity and shared wisdom, knowing that the journey of awakening was not about transcending the body but integrating it into the wholeness of their being.

And so, the meadow at the edge of the forest became a sanctuary of inner exploration, where the wisdom of the owl, the fish, the tortoise, and the flowers blended harmoniously with the mind-body tools of EFT, Access Bars, breathwork, movement, and nature connection. It was a place where the journey of enlightenment was not only embraced but also embodied—a journey that unfolded through the dance of body and spirit, breath and awareness.

The Profound Shift

As Lila continued her journey of self-discovery with the support of these mind-body tools, she encountered a surprising and profound shift. It was a shift that would forever alter her perception of enlightenment and her place in the universe.

One serene morning, while meditating by the river, Lila felt a deep sense of peace enveloping her. The rushing waters seemed to echo the rhythm of her heart, and for the first time, she sensed a profound connection to all of existence. In that moment, the boundaries between herself and the world dissolved, and she experienced a profound realization.

“I am not just a part of this universe,” Lila whispered to herself. “I am the universe.”

It was a revelation that reverberated through her entire being. Lila realized that enlightenment was not about reaching a distant state of bliss or transcendence. It was about recognizing the truth of her own nature—she was the source of it all. She was the creator of her reality, the observer of her thoughts, and the embodiment of divinity itself.

As this realization washed over her, tears of profound joy streamed down her cheeks. She understood that the mind’s incessant chatter and the stories it weaved were mere illusions, obscuring the radiant truth that lay beneath. She was not a seeker; she was the sought-after. She was not a pilgrim on a path; she was the path itself.

Word of Lila’s revelation spread throughout the village, drawing seekers and skeptics alike. Some came to sit with her by the river, hoping to catch a glimpse of the wisdom that had transformed her. Others arrived with questions, challenging the very essence of her revelation.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, a skeptical philosopher from a neighboring village approached Lila. He had heard of her claims and was determined to put her to the test.

“Enlightenment,” he declared, “is but a concept, a construct of the human mind. It is a mirage, forever elusive.”

Lila smiled gently at the philosopher and invited him to join her in meditation. They sat in silence, and as the minutes turned into hours, a profound stillness enveloped them.

In that stillness, the philosopher’s doubts began to wane. He felt a sense of expansiveness, as though the boundaries of his understanding were dissolving. The mind’s ceaseless questions gave way to a deeper knowing.

When the meditation concluded, the philosopher opened his eyes, tears of recognition welling up. He whispered, “I am not a seeker of truth. I am truth itself.”

Lila nodded in affirmation. The philosopher had glimpsed the same truth that had transformed her—a truth that transcended words and concepts, a truth that revealed the divine essence within.

In the weeks that followed, the meadow by the river became a gathering place for those who sought to explore the nature of their own existence. Lila, once a humble seeker, had become a guide for others on their journeys of self-discovery.

And so, in the heart of the village, beneath the vast canopy of the starlit sky, seekers and skeptics, philosophers and poets, all came together. They danced, they laughed, they meditated, and they shared in the profound realization that had reshaped their lives.

Enlightenment, they discovered, was not a distant mountaintop to be conquered. It was a recognition of the divinity that resided within, a realization that they were the creators, the observers, and the experiencers of their own reality. They were not separate from the universe; they were the universe itself, expressing its infinite facets.

As Lila gazed at the starry expanse above, she knew that her journey had led her to a truth beyond measure. Enlightenment was not an end but a beginning—a beginning of living in alignment with the understanding that she was God, and God was her.

And so, the meadow by the river continued to be a place of exploration, celebration, and profound revelation—a place where the boundaries of self dissolved into the boundless expanse of existence, where enlightenment was not a destination but a living, breathing reality.

Discover the Infinite Within You

If this story of Lila and her journey toward enlightenment resonated with you, then you’re in the right place. You are not just a seeker; YOU ARE the sought-after. You are not just a part of this universe; YOU ARE the universe itself.

If you would like to uncover more wisdom, practices, and tools to guide you on your unique path of self-discovery and inner awakening, my book, “Rediscovering You Are God,” is a treasure trove designed to help you explore the truth of your divine nature.

Are you ready for your journey to begin? Get your copy of “Rediscovering You Are God” and join a community committed to awakening to the divinity within.

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