Jed McKenna - Expanded Consciousness, Spiritual Enlightenment or More Maya?

Jed McKenna is an enigma. He is the self-professed ‘awakened’ character AND author (in name anyway) of “Spiritual Enlightenment, The Damndest Thing.” He has also written two subsequent books which I’ve not yet read.

I’m quite sure that “Jed” is merely a construct of the author’s imagination and therefore, the book is written under a pseudonym. I’m not alone in my thinking that in constructing his book and authorship in such a way and to essentially hide behind his words, “Jed McKenna” is demonstrating a certain hypocrisy, then again, I also wonders if perhaps this was done on purpose.

I get the sense that these books are written about a guy who ‘thinks’ he’s enlightened by a guy who may or may not actually be. The character, Jed McKenna contradicts himself over and over again. His actions show him to be vastly overstating his said current state of awareness. Then again, I have a suspicion that perhaps the book was written to demonstrate the fallacy of believing oneself to be enlightened or fully awakened. But then again, who knows?

No doubt, these assessments of mine are based upon my very own personal judgments and constructs of mind regarding my beliefs about ‘what it means to be spiritually enlightened or awakened.’

To be honest, I'm not sure if I even believe there is such a state that can be deemed as 'enlightenment' as it is commonly understood. Rather I see gradient levels of expanded consciousness that allows one to see behind the constructs of self and physical reality. I don't see any finite point though where we can accurately say, "I'm done. I'm awake now. I'm enlightened." So long as we continue to experience physical life, there is expansion possible. The vantage points from which to see from are infinite.

“Spiritual Awakening” to me means coming to the realization that what I know as my physical ‘self’ is a very minutely focused portion of the totality of my being...that the levels of expansion of ‘my self’ are never ending and in fact, culminate in the encompassing energy of the ALL.

Reaching a certain level of enlightenment or awakening, in my opinion involves a seeing through of the constructs that make up our image of self and it also encompasses a realization, acceptance and responsibility for everything that is experienced within the unfolding of my personal reality.

The REAL hallmark of an enlightened one in my opinion, is putting these realizations into day to day, moment to moment practice. Our 'enlightenment' will be evidenced in the way we move through life, through our way of being.

This involves a shift from merely realizing these things, to knowing them in an experiential way. In fact, the way I see true spiritual enlightenment, if it exists at all, it is completely beyond words or concepts.

And, as I’m writing these words, I’m fully realizing that they are likely not even close to being representative of ‘ultimate truth’ if in fact any such thing exists!!

In my review of this book, I don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. One of the best things this book does is to demystify the entire concept of awakening and expansion of consciousness. Jed irreverently lays to rest all beliefs about enlightenment requiring any personal identification with any set religion, deity, rituals or processes. In short, he removes the 'woo-woo' from the idea of awakening.

My own responses to the writing of Jed McKenna fluctuate, often according to what page of the book I’m reading. The author, whoever he is, is a really good writer. This book is nothing if not entertaining.

Many times while reading this book, right on the heels of chortling over Jed’s incredible arrogance, I’d turn the page to something that struck me as profoundly insightful and literally bourgeoning with ‘truth.’

Although Jed is apparently actively working as a teacher of enlightenment, he tells his readers over and over again, to 'think for themselves,' regarding the awakening experience.

I think in short, I’m skeptical of ANY person who gives themselves the label of being spiritually awakened or spiritually enlightened. After all, doing so involves the very same processes of self identification and constructs of mind that these so called enlightened folk generally eschew. If I'm enlightened and you aren't, in making such a distinction I am definitely coming from a place of duality consciousness.

It seems to be lost on Jed that in a reality completely of his own creation, he has in fact chosen to create the scenario of himself as the spiritually enlightened, awakened one, and most others as the ‘sleeping’ puppets. I don’t see any moves towards taking responsibility for creating or perceiving the hierarchy that is naturally inherent in this student teacher relationship.

I do not doubt that the real author of this book has in fact reached a certain level of expanded consciousness, however it seems to me that he’s 'stuck.' Many who reach the realization of ‘no self’ often seem to react in a similar manner to the child who has just figured out there’s no Santa Clause. They become so enamored with their new-found perspective that they become near mesmerized by it, feeling a need to constantly announce their ‘truth’ to anyone who will listen. This only demonstrates that our ability to become attached applies to all things, ALL beliefs. Even a belief in non-duality.

This stage of recognition and realization can be very captivating as it feels like such a grand departure from complete identification with the reality of ego, self and person-hood. But I surmise that this stage of realization is NOT the end of expanded consciousness, that in fact there is no end or finality to the level of awakening or expanded consciousness we can reach.

What Jed McKenna and other self professed spiritually enlightened persons fail to see is that the illusory nature of physical existence does not end simply because one edges up against a belief, 'realization' or experience that feels so much more real than any others previously encountered. How could we ever really know for sure how deep the ‘program’ goes? Perhaps the ‘knowing’ that comes over one as he deems himself as awakening is merely another level of “maya” within the game of physical life. Part and parcel of being enlightened therefore should include a knowing that “I really don’t know ANYTHING for sure.”

Jed McKenna States while speaking to one of his students, “Never bet anything against Maya. Truth is infinitely simple, delusion is infinitely complex. There’s no overestimating our ability to avoid making eye contact with the obvious. Maybe some of them will now scramble deeper into their stories, but for those who are here to hear, the leveling note has been sounded.”

I find it interesting that apparently Jed McKenna can't see that his own Maya, albeit a version that appears to be the product of an expanded consciousness, has created for him a reality where he gets to tell others what the ‘truth’ is? I find it interesting that he has stopped in his quest for truth at this juncture. I wonder why he’s so sure that more “Maya” is not at the helm of his own ‘beliefs.’

The fact is, a belief that seems more compelling than any other belief I’ve ever held is still just a belief. I’m sure Jed would say that his newfound ‘truth’ extends far beyond belief. That it is a realization of truth.

I’d ask him this; How can you be so sure that what you are experiencing within your state of expanded consciousness is not merely another plateau on the way towards the one ‘real’ ultimate truth. Or, how can you be so sure that ANY ultimate truth in a state of finality, actually exists? Can we ever really escape the filter of our own perceptions?

In summation, those like Jed Mckenna who go around denoting themselves as being spiritually enlightened or spiritually awakened while they perceive most others as ‘sleeping’ are operating from a certain level of ego. There’s no getting around it. Along the road towards ever expanding consciousness, we’ll encounter many compelling experiences and we’ll likely get stuck on those that are the most compelling, calling them ‘truths.’ All of this is okay. Even my own admitted annoyance with those who arrogantly uphold themselves as being so very different from those around them. It ALL simply IS.

I urge Jed mcKenna and those like him to continue plodding along, to remain open to the possibility of 'further.' If it is ‘ultimate truth’ that motivates them in this existence, then why stop seeking? Perhaps Jed in his realizations has just scraped the surface and is beginning now to get at the REAL truth. Then again. Maybe not.

If any such thing as ultimate truth actually exists I’d say it’s more along the lines of this; There is no such thing as ‘truth,’ it is always in the eye of the beholder or in the consciousness doing the experiencing. When we drop all attachments, even to the idea of knowing what is true and what is not, we find peace.

But in the mean time, here we are, having the very real seeming experience of being physically alive with an individualized consciousness. I say, accept ‘what is’ or ‘what appears to be’ and milk it for every ounce of joy we can!

Read my review of Spiritually Incorrect Enlightenment and Spiritual Warfare also by Jed mcKenna

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