13 After Enlightenment, Coaching, Support, and Ongoing Development

So, what is After Enlightenment? Here it actually means something quite specific; it means after the myths, stories, and fantasies have failed us or fallen apart. It means after peak experience/s, initial/later/accumulative experiential breakthrough and/or awakening like experiences have taken place, come and gone, or become too familiar. It means after the illusion of escape, salvation, perfection, or happiness, has hit home and we are left wanting, or even bored. What do we do after all this? One issue that emerges when looking at contemporary western Buddhism in a critical post-traditional way is the lack of support and guidance available outside of mainstream Buddhism for those driven by a desire for some sort of spirituality, personal growth or self-development. We are frail, we do need each other after all. So, where do we go? Do we give up on Buddhism or spirituality completely? Do we look for another balsam? Do we accept the contradictions and limitations of tradition and keep at it anyway because there are still payoffs? What would an after enlightenment look like? Who will help us on our way? Who can help us out when we take the red pill and leave the Buddhist bubble and realise that our initial dreams or fantasies have failed us? Get ready for some shameless advertising…this episode explicitly explores coaching and support options for disillusioned Buddhists, ex- or current, the spirituality fed up, the pragmatists who don't go for the noting practices, and anyone else in need of support or guidance and that is currently in possession of an idea of self-development that goes beyond Buddhist meditation. See what you think. It's our second shortest episode yet!

Matthew O'Connell is a life coach and the host of the The Imperfect Buddha podcast. You can find The Imperfect Buddha on Facebook and Twitter (@imperfectbuddha).

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