Guest Teacher, Author Enlightens Students

Cohen, author of "Embracing Heaven and Earth" and the founder of "What Is Enlightenment?" magazine, spoke about his personal views of enlightenment and the ways to obtain such a state.

Brad Rolen, president of UNC's Self Knowledge Symposium, which sponsored the event, said the purpose of their group is to give students an outlet to voice ideas and concerns about the meaning of life.

"I think the purpose of (SKS) is pretty individualized," Rolen said.

"It is a way to discuss what life is about and how to get more out of life."

Rolen said Cohen's speech was an effort to further inform students and the community about different issues of spirituality.

"The heart of the matter (between Cohen's ideas about enlightenment and those of SKS) is really the same -- you have to figure out what you want and where your interests really lie," Rolen said.

Cohen began his speech by defining enlightenment.

"Enlightenment is not just an inner experience of bliss, peace, joy, mystery and majesty," Cohen said.

He said obtaining such a way of life is to have a true perception of it. "One of the most significant consequences of enlightenment is to see things clearly and to see things as they really are."

Cohen also said that individuals' fears and desires are what deter them from reaching a higher state of consciousness.

"Eastern traditions tell us that fears and desires obscure our perceptions and obscure our ability to see," Cohen said.

He also pointed a finger at humans' distracted nature and endless preoccupation with their own lives as a limitation to seeing clearly.

Cohen went on to say that people's skewed perceptions lead to skewed decisions in their daily lives.

"Our failure to see clearly inevitably means our responses are going to express that same distortion and perception."

And this lack of insight also leads to a fear of change and the unknown, Cohen said.

"Most of us actually don't want to reach that type of freedom because we don't want to be that responsible for ourselves."

He also said that along with such freedom, people have to question their entire belief systems.

"We have to be willing to question all of our ideas, beliefs and concepts," Cohen said. "Many of the most fundamental things we thought we saw clearly are not so clear."

Cohen concluded by saying the road to enlightenment is full of surprises. "The false sense of security in an unenlightened person's life is that they know," he said.

"The truly enlightened person knows that they don't know."

Luke Roberts, a freshman from Charlotte, said Cohen's wisdom and insight about enlightenment left a lasting impression on him.

"From hearing Andrew talk, I will walk away with a universe of greater possibilities."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.