That Time I Learned The Secret to Enlightenment
(Which Wasn’t a Secret at All)
This week I thought I’d tell you about the time I learned the secret to enlightenment (that wasn’t a secret at all).
Watch the video below, or scroll down for the full transcript.
Let me tell you about the time I learned the secret to enlightenment (which wasn’t really a secret at all.)
About twenty years ago – back when I was studying with a metaphysical lineage – I had the chance to meet its head teacher.
For a year or two I’d been hearing incredible stories about this teacher. My own teachers spoke about him with such reverence that by the time my meeting came around, I was a bundle of nervous excitement. I was sure he would reveal some profound spiritual truth – something ancient, mystical, and perhaps even life-changing.
And in a way, he did… just not in the way I expected.
After a little warm-up chat and introductions, he looked at me and said, “So, you really want to know the secret to enlightenment, don’t you?”
Of course I said yes!
He looked deep into my eyes and said, “The secret to enlightenment is to ask yourself, every day, as often as you can, these three questions:
Where am I?
What am I doing?
What am I thinking?”
I remember blinking at him. That’s it? That’s not an ancient hidden mantra or a metaphysical formula. That’s… just being present.
And then it hit me.
Oh.
That is the secret.
Being present with yourself.
Being awake to your actions.
Being aware of your thoughts.
It wasn’t what I expected because it wasn’t magical in the way I imagined. It was the kind of magic that requires participation – the kind you cultivate, moment by moment, breath by breath.
It’s not a pill you take or a sprinkling of fairy dust that suddenly makes everything clear.
It’s a practice.
A coming back.
A quiet, steady return to this moment.
Where am I?
What am I doing?
What am I thinking?
I’ve been asking myself those questions ever since, and honestly… it was magic.
It still is.