Enlightenment, Einstein, and well...My Grandfather

Immanuel Kant

Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher from Russsia who researched , lectured and wrote on philosophy and anthropology during the Enlightenment at the end of the 18th century.

“Answering the Question: What is Enlightenment?” is a 1784 essay by the philosopher . Kant’s opening paragraph of the essay is a much cited definition of the lack of Enlightenment as “people’s inability to think for themselves due not to their lack of intellect but lack of courage .” I enjoyed learning about Kant this semester and his attainment of spiritual knowledge and insight . He argued that people need to think freely for themselves and not be stuck.

I found this to be profound. It made me curious who our Masters of Enlightenment were and I came across a man who was one of the greatest scientists of all time, Albert Einstein. Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879 and died April 18, 1955. He was a German theoretical physicist who discovered the theory of General Relativity effecting a revolution in physics. His theories also provided the foundation of Quantum Physics. “He blended logic, creative intelligence and intuitive insights that opened our minds to the way the universe operates, and in the process, opened the doors of perception to the realm in which science and spirituality merge.” (Wayne,1)

 I, therefore, found it compelling to learn that while growing up, Albert Einstein had such a spotty track record that no one would have ever predicted where he would end up. One teacher actually told Einstein that he would never amount to anything. I guess not surprisingly with this lack of support, Einstein was later expelled from high school and flunked his college entrance exam. Einstein later said that the issue for him as a student was that he did not think in a purely linear way which he pointed out is the way the education system generally teaches. Einstein said, “sadly, the way the education system is constituted these days, it plays a major role in the repression of genius, human potential, and the potential for self-realization and enlightenment”(www.nobelprize.org). Einstein points out that may brilliant thinkers are not linear thinkers but creative thinkers who see the world in original ways. He believed in preserving the rare gift of thinking freely. Einstein always excelled at math and science and wanted to teach. Thankfully, once Einstein graduated from college through  a family connection, he got a job as a civil servant in a patent office in Switzerland. While working there Einstein changed the course of history with his discovery of Special Theory of Relativity which he wrote about in a published paper (www.lowdensitylifestyle.com). At his memorial service, the scientist, Robert Oppenheim said, “when you mix in his creative thinking and original mind with his tendency towards mysticism, you arrive at someone who is enlightened. And the beauty of Einstein’s enlightened mind was that he was able to articulate his vision clearly, for all to understand.” Most of us are unable to comprehend his scientific achievements , but Einstein has said things that are equally as profound:

“Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds.”

“Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by the age of eighteen.”

“Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.”

Albert Einstein

Einstein truly found peace in his own world. He regarded his major achievement as mere stepping stones for his next advance. But, while looking ahead he managed to find inner happiness and acceptance and spent his last days enjoying intellectual solitude.

While it may be rare to meet a genius, I think we all can find Enlightened people in our everyday lives. People who give us words of wisdom and utter kindness and have an aura of peace and confidence. People who accept constructive criticism and encourage it so they too can grow. One such person for me is my grandfather. For me he possesses a strength of character that I find simultaneously unique, comforting and refreshing. He was raised on a farm in Kentucky. He served in the Air Force and went on to work in a car dealership while putting himself through college at night. He started his own company as a young man in the upstairs spare bedroom of his home with a wife and two young children to feed he says not because he was so ambitious but  because he says he knew he could never work for anyone else. He has always been a creative thinker and his own person. He is broad-minded and cultivated. When his one man company turned into a true corporation he always had the utmost respect for those who put themselves through school. He says he has always had the good ole USA stitched in his shorts and still gets weepy whenever the National Anthem is played even at middle school sporting events. He is an incredible communicator and listener something he says you have to be in business and in your personal life to be successful. He would do anything for his family. When anyone has a problem, he jumps in the trenches with that person and loves us all unconditionally. For all these reasons, I admire my grandfather but what resonates with me is that he is truly happy, aware and plugged in. He is neither rich nor a genius. He is happiest when eating fresh fruits and vegetables from the Eastern Market in Detroit. Or, when he is driving in his old beaten up convertible that he prefers to a new car. Or, when he is visting us, his grandchildren. He believes today’s musicians are yesterday’s poets. He is thankful for everyday and he never wants us to worry about him and he tells us he does not worry about us because he has so much confidence in our abilities..... you see to me he is not Einstein but he is .........Enlightened.

How about you? Do you know anyone who is Enlightened?