There are many paths to enlightenment. One often associates enlightenment with sufferings. One must suffer, and be striped from all materials in order to find true happiness. One Diamond Mountain (a group based their practice on a new branch of Buddhism. Note - some may call them a cult. I'll leave you to be the judge of that.) member died from dehydration during a three year three month and three day long retreat in the Arizona desert.
I'm actually not interested in the group nor the death per se. I'm intrigued by the idea of finding happiness through sufferings. Why can't one find happiness through actually living the lives they already have? Could it be that enlightenment is within all of us already? I have found my path to enlightenment. (I know it's a big claim, but no one can be the judge but me.) And it can not be any further from suffering. I choose to live life. Explore new things, places, emotions, perspectives, opportunities, thoughts, tastes... Yes, I'd rather explore than to retreat. I'd rather consume than to conserve. I'd rather to be than to search. And it feels great to be enlightened.
Related reading-
Diamond Mountain retreat death: Ian Thorson dies after fleeing mysterious yoga retreat with wife | Mail Online:
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