The path to enlightenment - can it help with Asperger's?

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I've only recently come to the conclusion that I have Asperger's, but my whole life has been spent in anguish over every aspect of socialising. I have also always been over-shadowed by an overwhelming sense of danger, like my body was permanently pumping the fight or flee response. This sensation was accompanied by an absolute lack of trust in society, and the mechanisations of society.

Around 10 years ago I made the conscious decision to reach enlightenment. My thinking was that I am suffering at the hands of my inability to socially interact (and to socially interact without upsetting someone) - and all this social rejection was causing me physical pain, real physical pain which felt like a punch to the guts. I've tried and tried to be social but to no avail. Nothing seemed to work, because the tools are simply not there. If I can't be social, and I can't change society, then the next step was to find a way to end the pain.

Enlightenment was an inspiration to me because it was said that the Buddha did not experience pain or fear. Well, here then was exactly what I wanted.

I'm not part of any institutions though. I simply let the Universe guide me. I use a meditation technique known as the Isha keys, which I hold in great esteem - as I do for the woman that taught me the keys - Isha Judd. I've used them for 3 years now, and I think they are greatly responsible for lifting me from the mire I was in. I've actually been able to utilise my obsessive behaviours by applying them to meditating, and the ultimate goal of enlightenment.

I would say that the transformation in me is remarkable. I am less afraid. I am more tolerant. I am also less protective over other people's feelings - which is an enormous relief. Worrying about your own feelings is bad enough, but worrying about everyone's on the planet was exhausting. It's almost a contradiction, but though I don't worry about people's feelings, I am now more aware that other people have feelings. I am more aware of the feelings that that person IS actually experiencing, rather than what I am projecting.

I can also handle stress a little better now, at least it doesn't feel like my head is melting. The anger which would rise from the pit of my stomach (and the reasons for which which any observer would probably describe as petty - but for me it was life or death) and take-over my entire being, is now dissipating to a level where I can at least control it.

I understand that those with Asperger's, and autism can sometimes also be blessed with intelligence. I think this could be a tremendous asset for those seeking enlightenment. As too, I think that not being tied down by the baggage that is "social intelligence". I am starting to learn that this social disability, could also be my greatest ability. I am learning that my mind has more access to ultimate freedom, because it is not so hormonally restrained by "social intelligence." I am learning to be proud of this freedom.

Define "enlightenment".

ruveyn

All research has a shown that Meditation is of definite benefit to those who practice it, among many other things it has been proven to induce favorable brain waves and rewire the brain.

@ruveyn:

from my understanding enlightenment basically means wisdom or understanding that enables the clarity of ones perception.

That's a bit of a loaded question, but I think enlightenment can be summised as the realisation that thoughts are not real. Thoughts seem real enough, but they are only the product of synapses firing in the brain.

Perhaps enlightenment can be seen as understanding that thoughts themselves are unreal, and acknowleding that the only thing that is real is the Universe itself.

Wow - munty13 I'm so happy for you that you've gained obvious benefit from this. I too experienced the constant fight-flight response so much so that I was always accused of being on drugs because my pupils were always so dilated! I withdrew from society several years before I found out about the Asperger's, basically because I 'burnt out' after the constant meltdowns and panic attacks. But I've since decided that enlightenment is my only hope at a 'normal life' (lol!), not to mention that it would be pretty awesome as well!!

And yes, I totally agree - the single-minded determination of aspieness can definitely be an asset on this path, as getting caught up in the mundane world can act as a great hindrance when one is trying to lift oneself up out of it.

Definition of enlightenment: according to my studies it's the attainment of consummate wisdom, compassion and power - where one's mundane body is transformed into a body of light with unlimited ability, and one's mind is transformed into omniscience. The wisdom is the wisdom that understands reality of all phenomena simultaneously; the compassion is the non-discriminating unconditional concern for all sentient beings; and the power is the ability to emanate unlimited bodies throughout all world-systems in whatever way is most going to benefit sentient beings - with the only limitation being the confines of sentient beings' karma (how much they have the karma to be benefited - which eventually improves for everyone in time). It is said that whoever has consciousness has potential for enlightenment.

Thanks for bringing up my favourite topic!

Without going into specific religious dogma, I can say that my own path has helped me strides forward with my AS before I even knew I had AS. In some ways, I matured and the AS factors I just decided I would not let them control me anymore. In other ways, I became more sensitive to others (even if only a little bit), and I met some people who helped me develop in more effective ways.

Since the only "treatment" for dealing with AS is basically therapy that helps you better adapt to the NT world, this should not be unexpected.

No it isn't. It is a request for a definition.

ruveyn

Yes! Absolutely! In many ways it did not help me as much as a community like WP. In the 80's, when I was a huge disruption to everyone around me. they gave me a battery of tests; I was so high functioning that none indicated autism or anything like it. At the time they thought about 1 in 5000 had some ASD, a number probably closer to 1 in {125,...,250}, so 20-40 fold underestimated. It wasn't until AS became popularized that it was pointed out to me as a dead ringer for my behavioral "difficulties". By that time I was enlightened enough to just go "oh, i'm a fancy sort of ret*d" and join WP in search of individuals with the same lack of filtration that gets me in so much trouble. Everyone was wonderful and I stopped feeling like an alien on my own planet. I have now come to accept that NT humans are a necessary part of my complete breakfast.

Congratulations! You are on the narrow path, sir! Just remember that it is a path and not a place and you'll do fine!
Oh, and my "official" term for such persons is Freelance Illuminati (i.e. unaffiliated but enlightened).

When I want to find a location in a strange city, I do not let the Universe guide me. I use a street map or mapquest (tm).

ruveyn

I appreciate people choosing their individual styles for this sort of thing, but for me - yeah I've chosen a teacher who I think can show me the way. Yeah I'd get lost in the city without a map. And I love maps. And I love sets of instructions if they're presented in a clear way and the result seems worthwhile to me. Maybe it's all a gamble - which decisions we choose. But I gauge the worthiness of each of my decisions on whether or not they make me feel happy, and whether or not they make sense. What else is there to go on?

I dont need help with it, Aspergers isnt a problem with me

I personally use google maps mobile to gain a broader awareness of location

Having shunned computers for much of my life, I prefer old-fashioned paper maps. I've tried google maps and it frustrated the heck out of me. Who knows? - with further practice I may be able to perfect the usage of it. If I'm willing to give it another go, which could be unlikely.