Andrew Cohen on Enlightenment

[MrHahasteve49]

"i could be wrong about it, but i dont think i am." this man is definantly enlightened. but then again, i could be wrong about it, but i dont think i am.

[kingofmilwaukee6969]

First off, for someone who claims to have received enlightenment in the Advaita style, his own statements about it are ridiculous! He says that enlightenment is confined to within the individual and that he is there to expand it to transform the world. For him to say that shows he has no idea what he is talking about. How can he be so off base and has so many followers?

[tukkus2]

Charlie Sheen is to Enlightenment

what Andrew Cohen is to Enlightenment

[delmartinis]

Why don't I like this guy?

[MayanStarlight]

AC is a tyrannical CULT leader.

[MayanStarlight]

Andrew Cohen is not enlightened. Let's get that straight right now.

[MarkRipleysPage]

I thick some times he may be hiting on deep waters 2 say dones it make a new! I get it dont mean a lot wot ever you thick/see/fell that dont change us is no good!!! But I thick it is, its the key 2 see it and get it....But 2 start a new and take it out in the real wold, we dont all have 2 do that 2 show or prove in any way...4 me some times he kocks the old works 2 much...But I love this mans work!!! Thanks 4 posting

[avedic]

this guy bothers me. i want to like him. i like his writing. he has the right idea. but, in person, he flounders bad. as someone below said, he says SO much about so little. ken wilber or eckhart tolle spread the same message, but without letting their ego get in the way.

[TheBrewskiBaby]

what a fruit

[rivershoe]

i have a whole new level of respect now for osho, as this hack proves this isn't as easy a game as it looks

[NellieBrown100]

Need to see what lies beneath?Need to go a little deeper?psychic awakening, precognition, mind powers, it all exists.THE-HIDDEN-SPIRITdotCOM It is time to lift the veil.

[tetesilvanobre]

What a confused man....it is actually ridiculous...he has no idea what is enlightment, what is Reality...and specially who he is...evolution of enlightment, what an absurd term, it just shows his absolute confusion

[mccluskey]

John Wren Lewis was a good read. And Ruth Dahlen

[Silvertrine]

Why is everyone so hostile towards him. If he is just intellectualizing his enlightenment then it gives an excellent opportunity to discern what that feels like.

[gariji1]

@Silvertrine The problem is that the work only begins with the experience some call "enlightenment". Unfortunatly the neurotic personality (ego) sends lures to divert the individual from going further and seeing the illusion of the ego. The ego defends itself tn order to maintain the self's identification with it. And the ego exploits the experience, creates a system, writes books etc. Andrew Cohen's narcissism is obvious in his posture to anyone who has practised "reading" the body.

[arzoyan]

True enlightenment is the realisation that Capitalism is the wage slavery of immense humanity in a politically manipulated MARKET SYSTEM OF ARTIFICIAL SCARCITY ,a tyrannical,destructive system to perpetuate poverty and exploitation in the interest of the ruling class. Capitalism from its genocide of the native Americans,mercantile plundering , enslavement of African natives to its Millitaristic/ colonial rise of European Powers to World wars is the Financial serfdom of immene humanity.

[Silvertrine]

@arzoyan Or Capitalism gives you an avenue to feed and house and clothe yourself via money if you have none of it. A lot of this world is perspective.

[emdeewee]

he needs so many words to say nothing!

[bofhd89o]

just be happy lool

[MrIanharley]

Whats that all about jezajames? Im in favor of anyone who is trying to bring about the shift in human counsciousness, enlightened or not.. And the other comment below about slapping people, it not like these people are terrorists. The video must have triggered something in you? Its people like you that put jesus on the cross.

[JezaJames]

Haha! Such a wanker. Give him more rope, the more rope he has the quicker he will hang himself. Both he and Wilber are in for a rude shock. For people who claim to beyond ego, the narcissism oozes from every pore! lol

[MrCuntyballs2U]

Guru?.......my discerning Wife overheard this self indulgence and asked who the smug git was?

[philtynan]

Having read most of these comments below, these viewers have no idea what AC was trying to communicate.  He wasn't taking god out of the equation

[rogkeista]

Cohen exhibits all the typical features of narcissistic personality disorder, such as a grandiose sense of self-importance and uniqueness; a preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success; a need for constant attention and admiration; a set of characteristic responses to threats to self-esteem; disturbances in interpersonal relationships; a preoccupation with grooming combined with frequent resorting to prevarication or outright lying; and a lack of empathy.

[drewski898]

@rogkeista you're good at being an asshole

[trevallyn]

@rogkeista I have just finished reading two books about him, one written by his mother, and how this guy has a shred of credibility is beyond me! Anyone who is tempted to "follow" Andrew Cohen should do a bit of googling. There are websites set up by his ex-"disciples", and some of the stories are mind boggling. His followers try to discredit these people, but the consistency and sheer number of the stories makes it highly doubtful they are concocted.

[rogkeista]

@trevallyn I know some of the people close to Cohen personally, and a few of the refugees. It's a cult.

[trevallyn]

@rogkeista It's bizarre to me that people can get sucked in to something like that. He (apparently) exhibits such dysfunctional behaviours, that surely his followers must stop and question what's going on? Have they really lost all discernment? And the people close to him who enable the whole thing are as bad, if not worse. He may be delusional, but some of them must be fully cognisant of what's going on.

[rogkeista]

@trevallyn The story of the emperor's new clothes is about this. Check it out. The boy is the embodiment of clear perception, the very quality the fraudulent Cohen and his sycophants harp on about all the time but lack. The irony is astounding.

[trevallyn]

@rogkeista ah yes, I know it well. Someone posted on another video of Cohen's "the truth hurts especially when one is not ready or open to the recognition of truth` which to me is the ultimate get-out clause when someone calls you out on something being BS. It's the sort of statement that brokers no arguments, because you can dismiss all objections with the same "one size fits all" come back. I've never argued with a cult member, and if that's the sort of "argument" they use, I never want to.

[xotinamariaxo]

What ever happened to "GOD" why would anyone worship a man????

[mygodiswithin]

There IS no individual. Therefore noone who can change.

[leanintolife]

Andrew Cohen is such a deucebag. Cant help to feel a bit sorry for him though.

Never have I heard so much nonsense. Evolution of enlightenment... LOL

[rogkeista]

If a fool doesn't admit that he's a fool, he'll keep on being a fool. But, if a person depends on a fool, he's a bigger fool than the fool himself.

[rogkeista]

If a fool doesn't admit that he's a fool, he'll keep on being a fool. But, if a person depends on a fool, he's a bigger fool than the fool himself.

[jojothemynah]

Andrew -- you were unkind to your mama.

She is far more awake than you are. Learn to appreciate and love her.

Also, it is repulsive that you encourage people to kiss your fanny. There is nothing special about you.

[rogkeista]

The blind leading the blind

[lunchmeat77]

this guy was severly abusive to his students. google "critisism of andrew cohen"

[chipmunkspunk]

@lunchmeat77 i'd be abusive to his students too... look at their idiot smiles and "ooh, I'm so spritual" voices... and they have actually no clue what's going on. They just like the idea that they are learning something deep and woowoo. i just want to slap them and say "SNAP OUT OF IT FOOL!"

[babbibba]

There is no god but Allah and Mohammad is his Messenger. He is the All Knowing, the king of the heavens and earth, the creator of the universe and all things. People dont complicate your lives. it is very simple. Allah (God) is the King of the kings He created us to worship Him and obey Him. We do what He commands us, we are His slaves. We will be rewarded for obeying Him and Punished for disobeying Him. Go and find out whats the purpose of life. Welcome to the truth, ISLAM.

[cspace1234nz]

Arse !

Fucking nutbag !

[thegriggspaul]

@cspace1234nz lol

[cspace1234nz]

@thegriggspaul lol

[rogkeista]

@babbibba  Hey...who invited Satan?

[hvncb]

humans are such dupes.

Oh, yes, "the infinite ground"...tell us Andrew!

[ThatRabblerouser]

This woman has just given a blank ticket to Andrew Cohen's ego-identified mind. In essence, she is urging him to pontificate further on a concept that she enjoys hearing about but which doesn't actually make total sense to her (possibly because it doesn't make sense upon closer observation; that's for oneself to decide).

Whenver this happens, it exacerbates Cohen's worst tendencies. He cannot communicate with any degree of clarity as far as I can see (or even point to the Real).

[Gorilon44]

He speaks to quick

90% of the people there, does not hear a thing of what he is saying.... :0(...

"La prisa es un regalo del diablo"....El koran...

[cspace1234nz]

What an unbelievable, unremarkable load of crap !

Another clown claiming to be "enlightened" yet trips over his own tongue non-stop.

[WelcomeToExistenz]

Maybe he should become your student since you know how an enlightened individual behaves and acts.

[cspace1234nz]

The good thing is that history has some seriously good examples of truly enlightened people and this character isn't it.

The guy is an entrepreneur, a pseudo-spiritual money maker. Just another one of many.

[WelcomeToExistenz]

You still need to explain how you know how "truly enlightened people" behave and act. You must know something he doesn't. What is it?

[cspace1234nz]

Well I don't really because I doubt anyone reading this really cares what I think and anyway, is there a difference between being enlightened and "truly enlightened" ? Is there such a thing as semi-enlightened ? Or maybe like this guy "conveniently enlightened" perhaps ?

Self-promotion, charging fees and endless chatter are not what I would consider enlightened at all but then people would be better to research this for themselves instead of doing the next workshop.

[WelcomeToExistenz]

So why do you consider "self-promotion, charging fees and endless chatter" not something enlightened people do?

[cspace1234nz]

I think you could answer that question for yourself if you were really interested but this guy hangs himself by his very own words.

[WelcomeToExistenz]

Are you awake? Have you ever had the experience Cohen, Tolle, Adyashanti, and Millman all talk about? Unless you have you have little basis from which to claim that someone isn't enlightened.

[cspace1234nz]

As entrepreneurs they are all gifted at telling people what they want to hear.

[mcgyver62]

Everyone has at one time or another experienced what all of these people are talking about. Knowing oneself as THAT is the most natural state there is and you were in it as a toddler. It's not describable and all of these "teachers" are expounding meaningless drivel in an attempt to describe it. Adya is at least honest in his statement when he says that I'm guaranteed to fail at describing that state.

[StevieRay1486]

This guy is just a man who is on the same journey as the rest of us, He's not out to make money.

[cspace1234nz]

Perhaps you should do some research before you make statements like that, or maybe you are a member of his cult, or at least a potential member if you are that naive.

"Enlightenment" is clearly good business and there are always these very slick characters with loads of charisma, saying all the things that gullible people want to hear and charging plenty for it.

Check it out for yourself, the courses and books are certainly not being given away and they are not on a donation only basis.

[StevieRay1486]

Well go ahead and keep thinking that. I've done my research and had my experiences. I know what i'm talking about. i've always been open to new things and i'm never closed minded but i've had my own spiritual experiences that tell me that Andrew Cohen and others are not full of shit. Anyone can do what they are doing. You think he preys on people just because he charges money? He wants to make a living just like you. He also doesnt have what i'd call charisma. He's friendly but not charismatic.

[StevieRay1486]

He also Doesnt tell people what they want to hear are you kidding!?!?! He irritates people. He tells us things we would rather not know.

[cspace1234nz]

A blind dog with a note in it's mouth can have "experiences", so what ?

Even this guy says it clearly himself that so many people have "experiences" that don't translate into any meaningful transformation so I guess you are missing the point anyway.

You need to be asking yourself why on earth you need someone to be telling you things you would rather no know, I mean, that is really odd.

Go do some serious research and you will let these people go, now that would be a useful experience !

[StevieRay1486]

So do you dismiss the whole philosophy just because you don't like these people? Do you read other things??

[cspace1234nz]

Hey it's not about liking or disliking people and it's certainly not about me.

This is simply a public forum and I am commenting on it, giving an opinion which I appreciate will not be shared by everyone.

I just don't like what these people do, I see it as fake and ultimately egoic in spite of what they suggest to the contrary.

[davidspoo]

I love andrew, but I tend to agree. I would give it away. But I am poor so what do i know. Sometimes if you don't make people pay they won't feel like it has value. I bet if he met you he would burn you a copy of his audio book, but he is selling it to the general public because he needs money to do his thing, he wants to do it full time. I'm sure that takes a lot of cash, but cash in good hands can be a huge positive force for good. What ever he is doing it is working. So more power to him.

[cspace1234nz]

Well we all know that nothing fails like something for nothing but a system of donation is probably more appropriate.

The thing about relying on donations is that you have to have something truly worthwhile otherwise you just don't get paid and tends to remove the dubious "sales" aspect of the pseudo-spiritual organisations.

[IsaacBG84]

2 Timothy 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

[smconverge]

Isn't Andrew attempting to describe love?

[wattaaa]

I love how all these comments demonstrate EXACTLY what they accuse Andrew Cohen of.

[Elephant1960]

Damn I don't understand a word of this bullshit.

[hanebad]

we are all the saime in adifrent way

[fredclaret]

I met Andrew in the early days , i see no evidence of evolution in him or his students. It still is all about him.

It's the traditional guru/disciple approach but without allowing the student to ever become a master. The master is afraid of being usurped.

[wattaaa]

Or maybe the students just don't get it.

[davidspoo]

he is saying that enlightenment as a personal experience is an egotistical, selfish pursuit. True enlightenment is not an experience but a lifestyle. it doesn't matter what you experience if your are not LIVING as God.

"Enlightenment" is not enlightened at all if we are trying to escape this reality (our creation) enlightenment is being hear 100%. MIND, BODY, and sprit are one and none should be rejected.

[jimanHK]

what a joke

[nohaycamino]

He does not seem to be talking from experience, rather from some kind of mind-based theory. I would be more careful when using the word Guru attached to this person, just look into his eyes, no light whatsoever. He is a nice marketing product.

[psstheyyou]

Andy Cohen really knows how to talk.

And talk.

And talk.

The talk is about the mystery of enlightenment. Andy Koan loses us in a maze of talk until we are confronted by our own inner voice that chatters endlessly.

This is point where we meet our inner Andy.

It's sort of like a koan.

Or a Cohen.

[kingofmilwaukee]

I am continually mazed at Andrew's lack of knowledge of what "enlightenment" is and is not. Nirvana means "extinguishment." Of what? The ego. So when he says that he no longer cares about enlightement unless it changes the person and takes them beyond ego, he misses the point. If they have not transcended the ego, then they are not enlightened in the first place. And how one "appears" to interact on the outside has no bearing.

[davidspoo]

he is saying that enlightenment as a personal experience is an egotistical, selfish pursuit. True enlightenment is not an experience but a lifestyle. it doesn't matter what you experience if your are not LIVING as God.

"Enlightenment" is not enlightened at all if we are trying to escape this reality (our creation) enlightenment is being hear 100%. MIND, BODY, and sprit are one and none should be rejected.

[scoobydoo84]

kingofmilwaukee,  You are dead on. These "modern teachers" have a lot of good things to teach but on the most profound matters they are clueless. Cohen more than one has said premodern ideas about ego were simple. That statement should disqualify him from ever teaching on this subject matter. Him, Tolle, and many others are good, but by no means are they realized spiritual masters.

[heal2012]

who cares about spiritual masters?..we have to do it because we care..because we must

[scoobydoo84]

heal2012, Of course you are right we must be sincere and care. But I respectfully disagree with your question about spiritual masters. That is like saying Im a good student therefore I don't need any qualified teachers. Imagine an unqualified surgeon getting ready to open you up:):) SCARY!!

[liamshy28]

I like Andrew for being bold to give out this truth. But damn, he needs to take a course on communication. He could make it easier for everyone to grasp his concepts on the subject. He is not to the point.

[devikaliarunom]

This man talks tooo much . He needs to go outside and smell the roses.

[aikigenius]

immersion at a conference onthe evolution of consciousness...instead of the immersion in life per se.. yes immersion in the dream conference.. as opposed to the immersion in the dream outside it.. evolutionary bait..too is interesting..

fish swim in schools dont they..

shouldnt the point be to graduate tho? or perhaps even play hookie..

all the interesting people i know havent been to school.. what would be the motive in taking the bait..that needs to be revealed!a then, we'd be wise!

[flowing2]

Here comes Andrew, telling us to dream a better dream. We identify with the dream and its impermenent states,suffering is the result. It seemes the maya has sent its emissary as andrew cohen inviting us to immerse ourselves in this impermenent creation using eveloution as a bait.

[aikigenius]

what is spirituality!? its the ecstatic destructions of all idols...

evolutionis an idol, creativity is for people who arent creative.. it needs to be destroyed as well.. the letter of the law, the tablets need to be cast down..

enlightnement exists..spirituality exists..morality exists..but theres also its fakes versions..lets keep evolution away from the spirit..

spirituality is being free of all the garbage..

ok spiralman what your definition of creativity..what new?

[aikigenius]

ok spiralmon,

so everything gets faster..more efficient..and we become independent...airborne.. sounds like modernity, industrialization, the cult of speed to me .. sounds like adapting to the status quo so far.. what's evolution got to do with it..? i dont believe in that stuff about that sole giraffe that wanted to eat the leaves higher up in the tree stuff.. grows its neck so as to fulfil its unconscious desire..what if he/she were a nietzschean and simply had an aversion to shortnecks..

[Spiralmon]

You're talking about genetic evolution. There's also cultural evolution. (And by that we're even able to affect genetic evolution by manipulating genes.)

Everything we think and what it means to us to be human is evolving all the time.

We are consciously creating new things (giraffes aren't). To me that has very much to do with spirituality. Creating something new is one of the most spiritual things there is.

So... how do you define spirituality? What's spirituality to you?

[aikigenius]

theres something wrong with positing spirituality as evolutionary.. evolution in its popular sense suggests competition for survival even if this isnt sabertoothtiger territory it may be littlesquirrelrunfast tenacity... so what is evolutionary field?

[Spiralmon]

Everything in nature is adapting to its situation (the squirrel getting faster, tiger getting faster, etc.). And by that adaptation happens to evolve into new things. That's unconscious evolution. And then there's conscious evolution. Spirituality has and should have everything to do with that. When you've awakened to the world you take the responsibility for what you are and what you do.

[caveswami]

My friend, it's not so complicated. You can not know yourself, it is what you are, right now, reading this. Fragmenting and labeling is a movement away from yourself. You don't need me or anyone else to validate that you are, you already know this, just stay there for awhile, enjoy it. After awhile, you realize that you are love, it can't be earned.

[caveswami]

Hi dualitystruggle, I think if Cohen's presentation works for you and gives you a little more silence and a little more willingness to be yourself, just as you are, right now...then that's wonderful! Pretty much all words (in english) are dualistic and dualism is the beautiful play of consciousness or God, right now. I, no one, live in this world where even apparent duality isn't really dual and all is ok, just as it is.

[dualitystruggle]

Thank you caveswami. I do have a question that arises from what you say: why are those the validity criterions - more willingness to be yourself, just as you are - for a teaching?

[dualitystruggle]

According to Cohen, that's part of the problem: the confusion of being ourselves, for there are multiple selves (there is the identity of one's relative self individuated by the ego, and the [what he calls] authentic self, which is the identity that is always just as it is and is the most essential and ultimate identity, one's true identity).

[dualitystruggle]

So while self acceptance is a very important thing to understand, self denial is equally important. To not be satisfied, to work very hard and go beyond yourself and extend as much love through yourself into the world, all within the paradox of profound and utter detachment from the outcomes.

[caveswami]

Like so many others, Andrew Cohen re-defines enlightenment, so he can count himself as having it. His new 'evolution' philosophy no doubt paves the way for costly workshops and probably a series of books. It's all ego play.

[kingofmilwaukee]

....

He thinks enlightenment is a "person having an experience" and unless it translates into a "real world" development, it can't be done "evolving." He has not understood the basic truth.... THIS is not the real world. The Absolute does not need to "develop." And since he thinks he is "right" he is now in his own closed loop.

[kingofmilwaukee]

In this video, Andrew Cohen's whole problem comes clearly into focus...he never became enlightened! By his own admission he says that he experienced enlightenment as a "cognizing of the Ground of Being." In other words, he looked at it as an intellectual understanding of the Ground of Being! ......

[dualitystruggle]

Cognition does not mean intellectual understanding dear sir.

[kingofmilwaukee]

Cognizing happens in the mind. Since the mind changes, it is not the Self, or Absolute. If cognition could be the truth, then in deep sleep when there is no mind, Reality would disappear. Since Reality IS, cognition is not necessary. Who cognizes in deep sleep?

[dualitystruggle]

Cognition is indeed not necessary for certain aspects of reality to exist, for there to be an ontic or noumena. Yet for there to be experience, there must be congition. The mind/brain is the medium by which we are conscious as human beings and by which we are arguably or supposedly able to conceive of an "Ultimate Reality." Without your bodymind, there would be no experience and no one to become enlightened. The capacity for enlightenment relies on the human being as its vehicle and medium.

[kingofmilwaukee]

Yes, for the "experience" of enlightenment to occur, it must happen to "someone." But the Ultimate Reality is not an experience, and this is what trips so many up, including Cohen. The very notion of non-duality opposes the idea of enlightenment being an experience, because an experience must have a subject (the person) and the object (the experience.) Advaita goes beyond all this.The real Truth is beyond all dualistic notions, which is why "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao."

[dualitystruggle]

Cognition is indeed not necessary for certain aspects of reality to exist, for there to be an ontic or noumena. Yet for there to be experience, there must be congition. The mind/brain is the medium by which we are conscious as human beings and by which we are arguably or supposedly able to conceive of an "Ultimate Reality." Without your bodymind, there would be no experience and no one to become enlightened. The capacity for enlightenment relies on the human being as its vehicle and medium.

[dualitystruggle]

So of course the physiosphere and biosphere don't need cognition to exist, but the noosphere, the capacity to conceive and experience and know and realize, and anything beyond it as a living realization depends on these former foundations! And even beside this point, aren't you relying on cognizance to make the conclusion that looking at enlightenment in terms of an intellectual understanding is a problem that is indicative of Cohen's having never attained it?

[dualitystruggle]

If you look further into Cohen's teachings, you will know that he is well aware of this: that enlightenment is beyond dualistic notions. Yet this does not excuse the face that, as this realization is carried into the world, one must use discernment from the relative perspectives to interpret and bring meaning to this absolute.

[dualitystruggle]

And this is the case in all traditions: they are dualistic interpretations that point to but never contain the absolute that is the subject of their teaching, of the injunction to move one toward such realization. It is in the meaning we bring to experiences that they become something to us, that they have an influence in our lives. Cohen maintains that the meanings we bring to these experiences are more important than the experiences themselves.

[dualitystruggle]

It's not my place to argue with you friend. If you think that teachings of the Tao or otherwise are dissonant with Cohen's, that they discredit what he teaches, if this way of seeing it rings more true to you and works for you, that is great. I just want to share my perspective, and I do not agree with your disqualification of Cohen's teaching (though it is very hard for me to hold and seriously consider much of what he teaches, it has been an ongoing practice for me personally).

[2029AD]

What the hell is this guy talking about?

[netelsg]

Don't know what this guy is talking about? Not even enlightened.

[Petalittia]

The Salesman has to keep his custoners happy. The customers have to realise or be told that their baskets are not full!!!

[chessman19]

stutter on mr Cohen/sorry dont do it for muwah

[1DavidSun]

Evolutionary enlightnement, invoking ego-less consciousness? WTF?

Run people!

[dbrh87]

Listen or your tongue will keep you deaf...Native American Proverb

Why not try to gather up the wisdom instead of letting your ego run the show...ignorance is not bliss.

[1DavidSun]

Those who think they know and speak, don't know, those who don't know and don't speak, know. -Zen saying

Like Andrew, you think you know, so be like the wise and don't speak. Rather, when you speak, work to dismantle people from believing delusional thinking and then you will know something.

[tennissance]

I'm claiming to be the enlightened genius of tennis. I'm making it easy to understand the difference between what an enlightened athlete knows ( mind ) and does ( body ) vs. the unenlightened. This will provide the means for separating two classes of individuals. I can now raise those who can or who able to become enlightened. I'm sorry to inform the likes of Andrew that his teaching is obsolete, from the enlightened perspective.

[InMySocksKS]

A beautifull description of enlightened communication... where I am I, and you are you, but there is a One-ness that connects us that is perceived and changes the context of existance. Once experienced, nothing can really be the same. Join me please.