Enlightenment Isn’t What You’ve Been Told (Here’s What It Really Is)

What Does Enlightenment Really Mean?

Is enlightenment a state of eternal peace and bliss where nothing rattles you anymore? Or is it something deeper, messier, and more human?

In this post, I want to share my honest, personal take on what it means to be enlightened—and how we’re all probably further along than we think.

Is Enlightenment the End Goal?

Some people picture enlightenment as this final destination—some blissed-out, forever-serene state where you never get angry or scared again. But I don’t believe that’s how it works.

I think of enlightenment as a spectrum, a journey. You’re never fully “there.” You just become a little more self-aware, a little more loving, a little more at peace over time. And when life throws you off balance, as it inevitably will, you recognize it faster and recover more easily.

The Real Teachers Are in Everyday Life

Some of the deepest spiritual lessons come not from books or meditation retreats, but from everyday life. Like trying to record an audition with a parakeet screaming over your dialogue… or getting emotionally triggered by something a politician says.

Those moments, as frustrating as they are, can become your greatest opportunities for growth. They show you what’s still unhealed, what still needs love and attention. And when you do that inner work, the outer world stops rattling you so much.

Using Triggers as Opportunities

I shared in the video how one political figure used to really set me off. Every time I’d get angry or stressed, I started asking: “Why is this bothering me so much?” And when I dug deep, I realized it had roots in a personal relationship I hadn’t fully healed.

The more I explored and healed that connection, the less I got triggered—and eventually, I didn’t get triggered at all. That’s growth. That’s progress. That’s real spiritual work.

Enlightened People Still Feel Things

Feeling emotions doesn’t mean you’re not spiritual. Enlightened people still get angry, sad, or scared. They just don’t judge the emotion or let it control them. They listen to it. They create space for it. And they decide consciously how to respond.

Emotions are just messages. And you get to decide what to do with that message—whether to act on it or just acknowledge and release it.

You’re Doing Better Than You Think

Sometimes those of us deep on the personal growth path forget to stop and look back at how far we’ve come. So here’s your reminder: you’re doing great in ways you may not even notice.

You brighten other people’s days. You help. You care. You grow. You reflect. That’s real spiritual practice. And it matters.

So whether you feel like a fully realized mystic or a hot mess on a healing journey—just know: you’re on the path. You’re becoming more enlightened every day.

💛 If you want heart-centered support for your spiritual growth, check out my 1:1 mentorship: https://www.lovelightdavid.com/shine

Now I want to hear from you:
What’s one area of your life where you feel more enlightened today than you did a year ago?

Drop your answer in the comments—I’d love to hear your reflections.