. . . approach your life . . . as a work of art . . . [John Tarrant, Bring Me the Rhinoceros: And Other Zen Koans That Will Save Your Life (Harmony, 2008), p. 2.]
As Humanists and scientific naturalists, we do not propose that enlightenment can free anyone from a cycle of rebirth. Nor does this refer to the eighteenth–century Enlightenment, a movement we highly value. But we do value relinquishing negative thoughts and emotions, and living spiritually, creatively and with dignity.
Real
Technical and Analytical Readings
- Dalai Lama, Becoming Enlightened (Atria Books, 2009).
- John Tarrant, Bring Me the Rhinoceros: And Other Zen Koans That Will Save Your Life (Harmony, 2008).
Imaginary
Music: Composers, artists, and major works
Why choose Natalie MacMaster to illustrate enlightenment? After all, this is a prime spiritual virtue, many would say the greatest virtue of all. Is there something special about this fiddler from Cape Breton? Surely, yes, as you may appreciate when you hear her play. Is she better than all the other musicians? Surely, no, and that is the point. Her music comes from within, yet it engages and moves us to be part of something beyond the self. She has made the most of who and what she is through her instrument, joyfully. That is enlightenment.
- Live in Cape Breton, 2007
- Various tracks
- Albums, compiled
John Luther Adams’ ehtereal compositions, including Pulitzer and Grammy Award winning “Become Ocean”:
- Become Ocean
- Become River
- Become Desert
- Wind in High Places
- The Light That Fills the World
- In the White Silence
Compositions:
- Ben-Haim, Clarinet Quintet, Op. 31a (1941, rev. 1965)
Albums:
- Alice Coltrane, “Translinear Light” – enlightenment as joyful inner liberation
Music: songs and other short pieces
- Nawang Khechog, Creating an Enlightened Society
- Nawang Khechog, The Great Prince of Peace and Universal Compassion