How to become enlightened?
There are different ways: BG 4.25: Some yogīs perfectly worship the demigods by offering different sacrifices to them, and some of them offer sacrifices in the fire of the Supreme Brahman. BG 4.26: Some [the unadulterated brahmacārīs] sacrifice the hearing process and the senses in the fire of mental control, and others [the regulated householders] sacrifice the objects of the senses in the fire of the senses. BG 4.27: Others, who are interested in achieving self-realization through control of the mind and senses, offer the functions of all the senses, and of the life breath, as oblations into the fire of the controlled mind. BG 4.28: Having accepted strict vows, some become enlightened by sacrificing their possessions, and others by performing severe austerities, by practicing the yoga of eightfold mysticism, or by studying the Vedas to advance in transcendental knowledge. BG 4.29: Still others, who are inclined to the process of breath restraint to remain in trance, practice by offering the movement of the outgoing breath into the incoming, and the incoming breath into the outgoing, and thus at last remain in trance, stopping all breathing. Others, curtailing the eating process, offer the outgoing breath into itself as a sacrifice. BG 4.30: All these performers who know the meaning of sacrifice become cleansed of sinful reactions, and, having tasted the nectar of the results of sacrifices, they advance toward the supreme eternal atmosphere. Myself i follow this one: BG 4.34: Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth. and my guru can be found here: scsmath.com
How likely can I become enlightened?
It is highly likely, and much more so than in the past. The Buddha said that it is rare to hear of Enlightenment, and even rarer to choose it as one's goal. He also said that once someone hears of Enlightenment, they will settle for nothing less, and is destined to realize it in this limetime or the next. There are innumerable pathways on the way. The only difficulty with reaching Enlightenment is getting over false ideas and preconceived notions. Dr. David R. Hawkins, my primary source of spiritual information, taught that one adopting one simple spiritual principle, such as to be kind to others, and applying it all the time without exception, even to oneself, is all that is necessary. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N_YCIG6O...
You ask about human beings who "are thought" to be Buddhas. But the key question is WHO is it who thinks this? For example, there may be one person who thinks that 3 people in all of history are Buddhas. Another person may think there are 108 Buddhas; another guy may think 10,000 Buddhas.But why be concerned with what other people think? All that matters is what YOU think.Two other points to consider:It's not correct that Buddha and Jesus are universally recognized enlightened beings. Rather, this is an idea that SOME people hold. Just as other people may think that Buddha and Jesus were were nothing special, but that George Bush is enlightened. Anyone can hold whatever ideas they dream up, and there's no idea that's "universal" (in the sense that there's no idea that everyone always agrees with).Also, it's not correct when you write, "all humans... can become Buddhas." What Buddha taught is that all beings ARE Buddhas.
How can I become Spiritually Enlightened?
For about a year now i have become more and more interested with the spiritual side of our world. I believe whole-heartedly in spirits and ghosts. My recent studies have taken me to the subject of Spirit Guides and that they can offer you great comfort and knowledge if you have the discipline to come in contact with them. Most people say you can reach this through Meditation, I haven't meditated in a while but at one point I was meditating and asked for the name of my Spirit guide. Out of nowhere the name Claire popped into my head, and to the best of my knowledge there is nothing I can connect that name to or any reason why that name in particular would have crossed my mind at that time. Is this generally what contact with your Spirit guide will sound like? Like a thought entering your head? I read that you should not question the things you hear and use your intuition distiguish between your thoughts and your Spirit Guide's. Basically, I want to become Spiritually enlightened, be able to converse with my Spirit Guides and learn from them and further my interest and study in Spirituality. What are steps to take to reach this? Is there a special trick to use when meditating or listening? (Normally I try to clear my mind and every time random thoughts start coming back, I start counting until they leave my mind again. Is this wrong?). Any books you would recommend on the subject? Also, I have read about Animal Totems, and how your spirit guide may be in animal form. Throughout my life I have always thought I had some strange connections to Hawks, as I see them often living in Southern California, and from a very young age always thought they were watching over me. Could this give any indication that I may have a Hawk as a guide/Animal Totem? Just a thought I wanted to get some feedback on. Serious Answers only please!
Can someone 'fake' enlightenment?
. Yes, a person can "fake" enlightenment. In a sense...If one of the two are enlightened, its more natural, "easier" to see the true enlightenment of another. A sort of " Truth " is just Known. How could a person be fooled (faked out) by a person expressing ? The "con" person is highly skilled at lying, reflecting false emotions, some politicians, wolf in sheep clothing, person in trusted position that mis-uses that position of trust. "Telltale" signs ? If the "fake" person is highly skilled it can be very challenging to detect. Look for style of eye contact, body language, do their words align with their actions, consistency to the person . . . Also pay attention to your own intuition, gut feeling, how does what is experienced make your body feel? Pay attention to both what is physically seen, felt and pay closer attention to your gut, intuition. Do their words, actions consistently align with their projections ? I have experienced being fooled / coned. That happens less and less though as I've taken those experiences as "gifts" of awareness and lessons. Have paid closer attention and placed higher value to my intuition as well as developing skills discernment and reading body language, style of speech, etc. Basically, paying attention to the persons "energy". .