The legend of pilgrims and Native Americans we learned as children around Thanksgiving time has really monopolized our culture’s understanding of the pilgrim.
Wrapped up in the Thanksgiving lore (as fun as it is), it’s easy to lose sight of the deeper meaning behind the word “pilgrim,” and it’s almost natural to overlook the spiritual, soulful purpose that pilgrim has for taking a pilgrimage.
Whether you’re religious, spiritually curious or atheist, there’s a lot of merit in setting forth on your own pilgrimage to nirvana.
There are few world religions more solemnly devoted to the pilgrimage than Buddhism.
Captivated by Buddha and the thought of being closer to their teacher, followers set out from all corners of the globe to plant their feet in the exact places where Buddha was believed to have experienced turning points in his own spiritual journey.
Pilgrimages to the four key places (Lumbini, where Buddha was born; Bodh Gaya, the place of his Enlightenment; Sarnath, where he delivered his first teaching; and Kusinara, where he died) are both spirited and solemn. Pilgrims often describe feeling spiritual urgency and wholeness once they step foot onto sites once inhabited by Buddha. Many speak of becoming overwhelmed with bliss and emotion, and describe an immediate sense of a larger purpose.
It can take years, even a lifetime, to find a place that brings us true enlightenment. And sometimes, we think we’ve found it only to be underwhelmed once we take the long pilgrimage to get there.
If you’re like most of us, you haven’t yet discovered your personal nirvana, the place where you’re truly free from suffering and are able to see deeper meaning in your existence. What will nirvana look like once you do find it? How will you know once you’ve arrived?
There’s no easy answer.
Your personal nirvana, the place where you reach real enlightenment about yourself and the world, can be a physical location (such as Lumbini, if you’re a Buddhist), or simply a state of mind. It can be a quiet area in nature, a not-so-quiet city street, anything. Wherever and whatever that spiritual place is, you will know it once you get there.
Starting today, set forth on a pilgrimage to discover nirvana. Use your values and personal philosophies as a guide. Push yourself to define your personal state of enlightenment, and seek out places and people that embody your working definition.
Be a pilgrim, an explorer, and above all, a traveler driven by the desire to reach your full spiritual potential. It may be a lifelong journey, but the moment you find your nirvana, you’ll know exactly why all the searching was worth it. And for those of you who have already found your nirvana, visit it often! Remember, happiness is an inside job!!
HAPPINESS STRATEGY
Take out a sheet of paper, or pull up a Word document, and set a timer for five minutes. Until the timer goes off, write on the topic of enlightenment, noting everything that comes into your mind. This exercise in stream of consciousness writing should get your creative juices flowing and help you begin to determine what factors or ideas you associate with your personal nirvana. Use this running list as your guide as you begin your pilgrimage to enlightenment!
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