Many people see the process of “enlightenment” as involving degrees of peace and contentment. That the process can be inherently violent–a ripping away of illusions and even relationships based on those illusions–is probably one of the features that turn people away from considering such spiritual questions.
It is relatively easy to look back on, say, Abram, and approve of his willingness to follow God’s command, “The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” (Gen. 12:1) so that he could become Abraham, the “father of the people.” It is much more difficult to imagine what it was like at the time for him and his family to abandon everything they had known for all their lives. Similarly, Siddartha left the luxuries of the palace and his family, determined to find understanding and, in so doing, became the “Awakened One, the Buddha.” That his path had consequences for his innocent family has moral implications few Buddhists like to evaluate.
I imagine we all have had times in our lives when we have been “called” to make radical changes–with consequences not only for ourselves, but for those around us for whom we care deeply. How we have responded ultimately will determine the degree we can look back on our lives without regrets.
