Imagine you’re playing a game. At first, it’s chaotic—full of rules that don’t make sense, like trying to assemble a puzzle where the pieces keep shifting. This is how life often feels, right? We’re constantly trying to fit thoughts, emotions, and experiences together in a way that makes sense. The brain naturally tries to make order out of chaos, using thoughts to create a model of the world, adjusting and refining it as it goes. Eventually, you start to see a picture emerging—a version of reality that feels coherent, balanced, right. And in this moment, the mind labels it “enlightenment.”
But here’s the funny thing: enlightenment is just another word for something incredibly simple. It’s a state where your mind and body finally get on the same page, no longer jumping from one thought to the next, no longer seeking some elusive answer. It’s as if the brain has spent all this time fiddling with the volume knobs—turning down the noise of unnecessary thoughts, quieting emotional overreactions, and calibrating desires so that everything works smoothly.
In the end, enlightenment is simply normal. But what does normal even mean?
The Mind’s Game of Hide and Seek
From the beginning, the brain is wired to seek balance, much like trying to fine-tune a musical instrument. And yet, it complicates the process, adding layer upon layer of noise—thoughts spinning about who we should be, what we should do, what we must fix in ourselves. It’s like trying to solve a riddle, only to realize much later that there was no riddle in the first place.
We overthink our way through life, convinced that if we can just understand the puzzle—if we can make our minds stop racing and find that elusive balance—we’ll finally be at peace. But what if this entire process is just the brain playing a game with itself?
You see, enlightenment isn’t some grand cosmic event where you suddenly gain secret knowledge. It’s just the moment when the mind stops trying so hard. When it quiets down and says, “Okay, I get it. There’s nothing more to figure out.” It’s the moment the brain stops looking for answers because it realizes it already has everything it needs.
The Overthinker’s Dilemma
Many people get trapped in the game of enlightenment by overthinking it. They break it down into pieces, dissect it, and create systems to explain it all—non-duality, mindfulness, the path, the way. But the irony is that enlightenment doesn’t require all this mental gymnastics. It’s about less thinking, not more.
It’s like trying to put together a puzzle that you’ve already solved but can’t stop tinkering with. Why? Because the brain loves patterns, loves solving problems. But once the solution has been found, it’s time to stop. The real challenge is letting go of the need to keep “working on it.”
Those who don’t overthink often find themselves naturally at peace, without even realizing they’re playing the game. They live by the principles that enlightenment supposedly teaches—acting without overanalyzing, moving through life without unnecessary effort. They’re already “there,” without ever naming it or needing to understand it.
So, What’s the Point of the Game?
Why do we play this game of seeking enlightenment in the first place? Maybe it’s because we all crave understanding. We want to make sense of who we are, why we’re here, and what it all means. The thing is, this search leads us in circles. The deeper we go, the more we realize there’s no ultimate answer—just the quiet realization that life is simpler than we thought.
Enlightenment, like life, is a game for those who love complexity. It begins with the idea that there are two versions of you—a small “you” and a bigger “You.” The game teaches that these two aren’t separate, that there’s only one reality, and you’re already part of it. But by the time you get to that point, you might wonder why you ever needed the extra steps.
The truth is, there’s nothing wrong with playing this game. It’s as valid as any other. The only trick is realizing that the game is optional. Once you’ve fine-tuned the mind, adjusted its sliders, and found balance, the game can continue—or not. The choice is yours.
Where Does This Leave Us?
At the end of the day, enlightenment is about living normally. But “normal” means something different to everyone. What feels balanced to one person might be chaotic to another. That’s why enlightenment is often described as “figuring out who you are.” You’re not uncovering a hidden truth so much as refining your own inner sense of balance.
The beauty of this process is that once you’ve found your balance, the brain stops chasing its own tail. You can move through life with a sense of ease, knowing that your internal world is working in harmony with the external one.
The Way Forward
What’s the point of all this? To realize that enlightenment isn’t some unattainable state. It’s not a destination or a prize to be won. It’s a quiet recognition of normalcy, of equanimity, and of not needing to fix or figure out anything more than what is already in front of you.
For some, this realization comes through deep contemplation and analysis. For others, it happens naturally, without even thinking about it. Either way, the journey is yours to take. Whether you call it “enlightenment,” “the way,” or something else entirely, the game is the same.
So, what’s the next step? Perhaps it’s to stop playing the game altogether. Or perhaps it’s to continue, knowing that the rules are simpler than you thought.
