An enlightened being is a soul that has shed identification with the body and mind. Enlightened souls have realized their true nature to be the One, Formless, and Infinite Eternal Reality that is beyond space and time. The Christian concept of God the Holy Spirit, the Hindu concept of Brahman, and the Taoist concept of the Tao all refer to this One Reality.
Liberated masters have no desires. They abide in the pure joy and sweet stillness of the Source, which is eternal being, pure consciousness, and timeless bliss. This is what Vedanta calls Sat-Chit-Ananda. Such a person may also be called a Jnani (in the Vedanta tradition) or Majzoob (from the Sufi tradition).
By focusing your attention on enlightened teachers, and surrendering to those that you feel inwardly drawn to, you will make rapid spiritual progress as your false ego, thoughts, and desires melt in their presence. When everything that constitutes a separate “you” has fallen away, you too become one with the Source, and you reach the state of liberation or nirvana.
Are all enlightened souls the same? Are there any differences in their state of being?
All liberated souls enjoy the One, Non-Dual Reality, characterized by infinite peace, joy, and self-knowledge.
However, they differ in their ability to help other people progress on the spiritual path and come out of duality.
Categories of Enlightened Souls
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The Avatar or Jagadguru (World Teacher)
The Avatar (or Messiah/Redeemer) is the first soul in creation to achieve liberation. He has a universal responsibility to help all creatures (humans, animals, and all other forms of life) progress toward the state of self-knowledge. He returns to the earth once each millennium to rekindle humanity’s understanding of the supreme truth. He is the embodiment of love, wisdom, and selflessness.
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The Perfect Master (Universal Pivots)
The Perfect Master is an enlightened being with a tremendous capacity to help all life forms. Like the Avatar, such beings also have the power to help others transcend duality and progress on the spiritual path. Perfect Masters also have the infinitely important responsibility of bringing down the Avatar in human form once each millennium and helping him assume his full spiritual responsibility.
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Born Enlightened Masters (Divine Manifestations)
A Born-Enlightened Master is a liberated being who has assumed a human or astral form solely to help others transcend duality. However, they do not have as large a spiritual responsibility to others as the Perfect Master and the Avatar. An example of a Born Enlightened Master is Ramana Maharshi, who was the holy mountain Arunachala reborn in human form for the spiritual benefit of seekers on the path.
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Self-Realized Souls (Jnanis, Mazjoobs)
Liberated souls achieve enlightenment in their current birth. They typically do not have a large responsibility and usually only have the ability to significantly assist a few other souls in making spiritual progress. However, seekers who contact them are spiritually benefited immensely, as their state is ultimately the same as that of the Avatar, Perfect Master, or Born Enlightened Master.
Enlightened Masters, Teachers, and Saints
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Avatar Meher Baba
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Jesus Christ
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