Enlightenment and Maturity

I came across an essay by Kant, “What is Enlightenment?”, while doing some research online. This piece first crossed my path the senior year of my undergraduate studies, and revisiting it proved interesting and fruitful.

While I’m no longer as skilled as I was in reading such dense prose, the gist of the essay comes across to me that Kant equates enlightenment with maturity, and defines this as the individual’s choice to step out from under the authority of others. Kant’s attitude is one of supporting social structures and maintaining this freedom as an academic pursuit of the mind.

One can trace the same sort of arc in personal development, and as Kant points out, those who choose to remain immature are many. To genuinely become an adult means to accept yourself as the authority of your life - and thus to also accept responsibility for the conditions of your life. If you are not willing to accept that responsibility, can you really be considered an adult, no matter your biological age? How many people are still operating under the authority of their parents, years after moving out or even the death of their parents? And what then of those parents and their parents?

In a shamanic context, concrete steps in enlightenment or maturity are marked with initiations, in which an individual accepts both the power and responsibility that comes with being granted (a degree of) personal authority. Initiations are usually highly ritualized, and they often include a very real threat of literal death with the idea of provoking a metaphorical death. In a runic context, initiation is represented by Peorth.

Reading for Saturday, November 15

Allow yourself to find healing and succor from past unions.  True healing will open the future into a wide mystery by renewing possibilities.

Reading for Friday, November 14

If seeking new unions, leverage past transformations to expand your perspectives and deepend your understandings.

Reading for Thursday, November 13

Transformation is within sight, but you must stick close to your path using the strengths you have developed.

Reading for Wednesday, November 12

Depending on how past interpersonal issues are used to spark new ideas or action, obstacles may be created ahead or paths through obstacles may be found.

Reading for Tuesday, November 11

Having what you need, work hard to manifest and prepare the circumstances you desire for your future.

Reading for Monday, November 10

Work with others to gain their perspective as you plan for the future, remembering the circumstances that led to here.

Reading for Saturday, November 8

Having found a way through a barrier, you enter a time of change leading to knowledge or expression of the deep self.  Do not rush: time is necessary for the transformation at hand.

Reading for Friday, November 7

Be mindful of how you exchange what is already manifest in your life so that you do not trade away strength needed in the future.

Reading for Thursday, November 6

Having surpassed an obstacle, focus on meeting the basic needs of the present in order to meet a responsibility to the future.

« Previous Page — Next Page »