There has been much philosophical debate as to what gets Enlightened when a Meditator reaches the end of their Path.

I attempt to answer this as a way of encouraging others to either agree or disagree so that we can attempt to lay this question to rest.

Philosophy has its place but I believe we represent a Path of the Heart and so should not spend inordinate amounts of time in such ponderings.

We have been taught that our True Self is the Essence which resides in the Spiritual realms. This Essence then projects a Soul which gathers to it the appropriate bodies to carry out its chosen life.

It is therefore our Essence, which is a manifestation and demonstrates an Individuality, that seeks Liberation. The First Initiation shows us that we exist beyond the physical and the Second Initiation beyond our mind. We can clearly see what we are not but do not know what we are. We still retain an individuality and a sense of separation.

On attaining Enlightenment we (Essence) merge temporarily with the Oneness and for a brief period of time lose our sense of self. However, we cannot possibly exist in that State and still maintain a physical existence, so we return. The consequence of the Enlightenment appears as a cascade of realizations as well as a memory of the event. We cannot therefore be in ignorance of the Unity from which we were manifested. Logic and intelligence also plays a large part in the way we now perceive Spirituality.

On attaining Enlightenment the Illusion of Separation and all forms of individuality are dispelled forever. However, True Enlightenment, we are taught, can only occur after physical death at which point our Essence would merge forever with the Unity which we may refer to as God.

So essentially the Enlightenment that we refer to, which is the pinnacle of Human achievement, is a “taste” of an Ultimate State which is way beyond our comprehension.
(N)

It is easy in some ways, but not in others, to answer because, as ever you are looking for answers with your small minds and this is not the way to look at this massive question.

You have understood well that the complete merging with the Atman/God has to be after death.

Time, as you know, does not exist with us, so it is not a relevant question to ask When that will be – When involves time. In fact, when you look at time itself it presents all kinds of anomalies as viewed from our stance.

It distorts everything, makes things linear and that is just not how it is. Things don’t happen in sequence, your World is all about sequence, one thing comes after another. Day, night, the seasons, the life of a Human Being. On Earth things are all acted out with many beginnings and many endings. How could you, from such limits understand how things Are?

However, when someone attains Enlightenment, when the “balloon pops”, they can, to varying degrees have some idea of Timeless Existence.

Enlightenment can now be looked at with fresh eyes and a clearer understanding. As Enlightened people you should talk together about what you have experienced, you should never stop learning from your Meditation and from each other.

It is good to discuss these matters. However, never think that you can ever truly understand how things really work, it’s all an attempt, which has its place.