INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the fifth blog post in my series on Transformative Life Coaching (TLC) and everything related to personal development and enlightenment.
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I believe so strongly in the transformative potential of coaching that I have had, and continue to have, a number of Transformative Life Coaches. I would like everyone to be able to experience enlightenment. This is my purpose - to have maximal impact on the world by sharing this with one person at a time. This will stir you to do the same, so the results will be exponential. Therefore, I do not do 'discovery calls', hard sell or use any sales tactics at all. I simply offer you a free one hour coaching session without expectation so that you can get a sense of the internal shift that can be achieved. We will not even discuss booking future sessions. I am offering an experience of coaching at no charge rather than selling the concept through a discovery call. Below I will set out how you can access bliss any time you desire.
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Enlightenment is the 'Holy Grail' (if you pardon my cocktail of Buddhism and Christianity) of personal development and transformation. It may seem like a distant goal, reportedly only achievable by countless hours of meditation, in specific places like the Bodhi Tree, where Buddha became enlightened. It feels as if one might need to travel to a faraway place to get in touch with timeless truths: In reality, the only journey in inside. Enlightenment is instantly accessible to everyone, but it is obscured by the clouds of thought and emotions.
Enlightenment means to become a Buddha – the pinnacle of human development and potential – and it is the ultimate aim in Buddhism. However, it is something that every single being on earth has the potential to achieve. Right now we’re not Buddhas – instead, we experience a life full of problems and constant ups and downs, both of which knock us off track. We’re stuck like this because our minds automatically project nonsense onto everything and we truly believe that it is reality. We act in ways we think will bring us true happiness, but which in reality end up only bringing misery.
Here I present how in one hour of TLC you may get a feeling of what it is like to become enlightened. The good news is that, although you may not achieve a permanent sense of bliss in one session, it will change you in a way that cannot be reversed, a palpable shift. The guru Osho wrote “Enlightenment will be now the beginning, not the end. Beginning of a non-ending process in all dimensions of richness.” This blog is the distillation of a journey of self discovery and personal reflection that I have made on your behalf, of over 1,100 pages of notes in which I have summarised over 150 books that I have read over the last two and a half years, and having thousands of hours of conversations about philosophy, Existentialism, Stoicism, positive psychology, timeless truths, transformation, TLC, and enlightenment with psychotherapists, psychiatrists, mindfulness experts, meditation teachers, spiritual guides, yoga teachers, and coaches. My key finding is that enlightenment is not a goal to be attained, it is a state-of-being to be regained. We have all we need within.
“Knowing others is Wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment” (Lao Tzu).
The Zen teaching of Bodhidharma is “But people of the deepest understanding look within, distracted by nothing. Since a clear mind is the Buddha, they attain the understanding of a Buddha without using the mind… Not creating delusions is enlightenment.” “Enlightenment is always there. Small enlightenment will bring great enlightenment. If you breathe in and are aware that you are alive - that you can touch the miracle of being alive - then that is a kind of enlightenment... We need enlightenment, not just individually but collectively, to save the planet. We need to awaken ourselves. We need to practice mindfulness if we want to have a future, if we want to save ourselves and the planet” (Thich Nhat Hanh). Ramana Maharshi concurred “Your own self-realisation is the greatest service you can render the world.”
"My GIFT is to be YOUR GUIDE" Olly Alexander MA PhD
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According to tradition, Buddhism began with the Buddha’s enlightenment. This was the spiritual awakening of one man, Siddhartha Gautama, around 2,500 years ago, somewhere between 528 and 445 BC, who afterwards was called the “Buddha,” or “awakened one.” Siddhartha trained within several teachers of alternative religious sects. All of these teachers emphasised the potential for an individual to directly perceive deep universal truths and achieve liberation through meditative discipline. After many years of striving, Siddhartha mastered a number of different meditative techniques, but still hadn’t found the answer to his burning spiritual question. According to the texts, he experienced a massive enlightenment experience over the course of a single night. He then taught others what he realised, along with the methods he used to achieve that realisation, and those teachings have been passed down to the present day.
Buddha, means 'enlightened one', or 'awakened one'
First, Siddhartha’s enlightenment needs a little context. Siddhartha was a rich aristocrat and the son of a ruler of a republic. According to tradition, the future Buddha was raised in conditions of comfort and pleasure, but he nonetheless became dissatisfied with ordinary life. Having inevitably observed that all people were subject to old age, illness, loss, and death, he explains in the Pali Canon that he left the household life to seek “the aging-less, illness-less, deathless, sorrow-less, undefiled, unexcelled rest [from] the yoke: [that is,] Unbinding.” He achieved Nirvana, the release from the cycle of reincarnation. In today's conceptualisation perhaps one could say that he overcame attachment, achieving 'emotional sobriety', where nothing external - people, places, or things - are required for one's happiness.
What exactly did Siddhartha comprehend in his enlightenment? He understood that it was not an intellectual matter. It wasn’t that he sat in meditation and merely perceived abstract principles about the way the universe worked. As we all know, intellectual understanding doesn’t necessarily make you feel any better. Instead, Siddhartha’s realisations were about the nature of the human experience, and how you could radically alter your experience from the inside. He simultaneously applied what he learned to his own mind, and proved his insights were true by achieving his own peace and liberation. He was then able to communicate his insights and approaches to others, and they were able to successfully repeat his experiment. The Hindu Sage Ramana Maharshi said “Your own Self-Realisation is the greatest service you can render the world.” How do we change the world? Khalil Gibran, philosopher, poet and author asks in The Prophet "Is not civilisation, in all its tragic forms, a supreme motive for spiritual awakening?"
In Buddhism, enlightenment leads to Nirvana, or 'blowing out', which means one is ultimately free from the cycle of suffering and rebirth thus never have to be born again except by choice, to save others, by aiding others in the path toward their enlightenment. Is this your destiny? Is that who you would like to BE? I am not being grandiose: We are all made of the divine, universal pure potentiality. Of no coincidence, this is the twelfth step of 12 step recovery programmes in addiction: Be of service to others. That is what best keeps us in on track with our core values. It is hardly surprising that Bill Wilson, who famously, and not quite anonymously, wrote the Alcoholics Anonymous 'Big Book', which has become the core text for all addictions, was heavily influenced by spirituality and psychology (ultimately that of Carl Jung, who acknowledged the need for spiritual awakening for deep psychological shifts to occur).
Since Buddha's time many spiritual guides and philosophers have reiterated these concepts. In Luke 17:20–21, Jesus (who was not a Christian) said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within YOU”. Hermann Hesse wrote “I shall no longer be instructed by the Yoga Veda or the Aharva Veda, or the ascetics, or any other doctrine whatsoever. I shall learn from myself, be a pupil of myself; I shall get to know myself, the mystery of Siddhartha." He looked around as if he were seeing the world for the first time.”
Marianne Williamson suggested that “Enlightenment is the key to everything, the key to intimacy, because it is the goal of true authenticity.” “I believe enlightenment or revelation comes in daily life. I look for joy, the peace of action. You need action. I'd have stopped writing years ago if it were for the money” (Paul Coelho).
Deepak Chopra wrote “According to Vedanta, there are only two symptoms of enlightenment, just two indications that a transformation is taking place within you toward a higher consciousness. The first symptom is that you stop worrying. Things don't bother you anymore. You become light-hearted and full of joy. The second symptom is that you encounter more and more meaningful coincidences in your life, more and more synchronicities. And this accelerates to the point where you actually experience the miraculous.”
Osho said “One thing: you have to walk, and create the way by your walking; you will not find a ready-made path. It is not so cheap, to reach to the ultimate realisation of truth. You will have to create the path by walking yourself; the path is not ready-made, lying there and waiting for you. It is just like the sky: the birds fly, but they don't leave any footprints. You cannot follow them; there are no footprints left behind.” This is why as coaches we act as your guide, not your helper or mentor. I walk beside you as you find your way inside you.
Immanuel Kant, philosopher and one of the central scientific enlightenment thinkers, demonstrates the parallels with spiritual enlightenment “Enlightenment is man's release from his self-incurred tutelage. Tutelage is man's inability to make use of his understanding without direction from another. Self-incurred is this tutelage when its cause lies not in lack of reason but in lack of resolution and courage to use it without direction from another. Sapere aude! 'Have courage to use your own reason!'- that is the motto of enlightenment.”
Anthony De Mello said “The secret for awakening and being happy forever is this: if you do not identify with any labels most of your fears cease. Nothing will have the power to hurt you. You will remain at peace. That’s being a natural human being. Not affected by others. The main preoccupation of society is to keep people sick - addicted and labelled. Money has nothing to do with success. You are a success in life when you wake up and don’t need to explain anything to anyone. Then you are happy and a success - waking up. A job and fame are just labels and are not real success. Our society and culture are telling us that success and money are all that matters. People that are like that are not happy and don’t enjoy life - they all identify the I with a label. When you wake up - I is never a success or failure. Awareness is happiness. Awareness will bring the change of enlightenment. With time you will react less and act more. Do things with enjoyment not competition. If there is someone who you don’t like. Say to them I haven’t the right to have any expectation from you.”
William Blake wrote “Enlightenment means taking full responsibility for your life.”“If you get the inside right, the outside will fall into place. Primary reality is within; secondary reality without” (Eckhart Tolle). “An enlightened man had but one duty - to seek the way to himself, to reach inner certainty, to grope his way forward, no matter where it led” (Hermann Hesse).
“Not till your thoughts cease all their branching here and there, not till you abandon all thoughts of seeking for something, not till your mind is motionless as wood or stone, will you be on the right road to the Gate” (Huang Po). “To know yourself as the Being underneath the thinker, the stillness underneath the mental noise, the love and joy underneath the pain, is freedom, salvation, enlightenment” (Tolle).
Marianne Williamson wrote “From a mind filled with infinite love comes the power to create infinite possibilities. We have the power to think in ways that reflect and attract all the love in the world. Such thinking is called enlightenment. Enlightenment is not a process we work toward, but a choice available to us in any instant.”
Buddha said “To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him.”
Eckhart Tolle wrote “You are not IN the universe, you ARE the universe, an intrinsic part of it. Ultimately you are not a person, but a focal point where the universe is becoming conscious of itself. What an amazing miracle... Your outer journey may contain a million steps; your inner journey only has one: the step you are taking right now.” Are you ready to take this step? Then I invite you to read on. There are no guarded secrets here! I will share with you all that I know.
Table of Contents |
1. What is enlightenment? |
2. Who can become enlightened? |
3. How can Transformative Life Coaching achieve enlightenment? |
4. The Thinking Environment |
5. Bliss in nature and alignment to your purpose - physical sensations |
6. Being present - you are not your thoughts; meditation; mindfulness; yoga |
7. Further timeless truths about enlightenment |
8. Must-read books related to enlightenment |
9. The science of enlightenment |
10. My GIFT to YOU - free one hour coaching session |
1. What is enlightenment?
Enlightenment means awakening. The term bodhi is used in Sanskrit. Enlightenment is a state of elevated awareness and consciousness, with psychological and emotional ease, and acceptance of one's life circumstances. An enlightened person feels that they understand fundamental truths about life. Therefore, enlightenment is a state of complete understanding and complete compassion with acceptance of others. Wilson Kanadi said "Those who judge will never understand, and those who understand will never judge."
, and spirituality. These intense psychophysiological experiences include joy, wonder, awe, and ecstasy, and in self-actualised people they are thought to be more common. These peak experiences are thought to produce invigorating feelings such as inspiration, physical and mental vitality, and a renewed sense of perspective.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
It is no surprise that Jung, master psychologist and philosopher, stated “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.”
2. Who can become enlightened?
3. How can Transformative Life Coaching achieve enlightenment?
4. The Thinking Environment
5. Bliss in nature and alignment to your purpose - physical sensations
6. Being present - you are not your thoughts; meditation; and mindfulness
7. Further timeless truths about enlightenment
8. Books related to enlightenment that I would like to signpost to you
9. The science of enlightenment
10. My GIFT to YOU - free one hour coaching session
Sending you love, light, and blessings.
Please let me know if you would like to join my 'VOICE for men' group: 'Vulnerability & Openness Is a Choice Ensemble', where men can find their strength, courage, and authenticity, by dropping their egocentric fears and instead communicate openly with vulnerability. It will change your life. It will empower you. This community is a safe space for men to connect and discuss philosophy, spirituality, positive psychology, and timeless truths, to share our experience, strength and hope, and to find solutions to our pain and fears.
Olly Alexander Branford MD, MBBS, MA(Cantab), PhD
My gift is to be your guide. Let me know if you would like to continue this conversation...
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“Transformative life coaching uniquely creates and holds the space for you to see your self afresh, with clarity, and step into new ways of BEing, which will transform how you perceive and intuitively create your world. My work is to guide you to raise your own conscious awareness to the level that you want to achieve.” Olly Alexander Branford
My coaching themes and services - I work 1:1 and in groups with men who are looking for: Transformative Life Coaching, Transformational Coaching, Life Coaching, Personal Coaching, Positive Psychology Coaching, Recovery Coaching, Trauma Informed Coaching, Work Addiction Coaching, Workaholism Coaching, Addiction Coaching, Mindfulness Coaching.
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Hello,
I am very pleased to meet you. Thank you for reading this far. I very much look forward to connecting with the highest version of you, to seeing your highest possibility, and to our conversations. Please do contact me via my website for a free connection call and a free experience of coaching. I am here to serve you.
See you soon,
Olly Alexander Branford MD, MBBS, MA(Cantab), PhD
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I have a Bachelor's degree in Natural Sciences from Trinity College, Cambridge; a Master's Degree in Philosophy from Trinity College, Cambridge; a PhD Doctorate in Scientific Research from University College London (UCL); a Medical Degree (MD/MBBS) from The Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London and have been a doctor and reconstructive trauma and cancer surgeon in London for 20 years. I have published over 50 peer reviewed scientific journal articles, have been an associate editor and frequent scientific faculty member, and am the author of several scientific books. I have been awarded my Diploma in Transformative Life Coaching in London, which has International Coaching Federation (ICF) Accreditation, as well as the UK Association for Coaching (AC), and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). I have been on my own transformative journey full time for four years and I am ready to be your guide to you finding out who you really are and how the world works.