Enlightenment

Enlightenment does seem to occur in steps, like a stair, and we can step up and down more or less freely to be honest. Of these steps there are ultimately only about a handful, and some of them are difficult to discern. You have the realm of instinct, the realm of emotion, and the realm of contemplation.

Some would say the contemplative or reflective level of awareness or “enlightenment” is the apex of evolution on this planet. But a step beyond the reflective self would be the realization of emergent order in “intelligence.” Beyond that stage , well, the multiverse is the limit…

“Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.” Lao Tzu