The Western intellectual history of term "enlightenment" is the basis for the idea that relates to a localized, religion-specific "enlightenment". It also attempts to bridge the traditional gap between religions and religious belief and psychological science.
In this secular sense, 'the enlightened' are those who are not distracted by their thoughts but who stay focused; resisting the natural tendency to be come 'lost' in thinking about experience (rather than experiencing the present). This focus is called 'awareness of being', (satchidananda) where one's attention is given to their existence rather than their experience. The ability to concentrate is strengthened by techniques such as mediation, chanting (with awareness), and mentally affirming what's happening now ("I am breathing in," "I am tasting my food," "I am doing [this] now").
Enlightenment is becoming aware of the nature of the self through observation and reduction of one's ignorance. By observation of the self (our self) with detachment, we can become aware of its processes without being caught up in them. Doing such allows one to better interact with others and our environment.
The systematic search for enlightenment was a goal of knowledge in the form of truth seekers after they found a master teacher or guru, who could guide them. However, this formulation was not necessarily spiritual. In earlier times, such as during the Bön period of Tibetan religion, enlightenment was considered to be within the context of magic —from which scientific methods descended (through alchemy). After the systematic methods were learned in India, the nations of Asia made pilgrimages to learn them. The relationship between seeker and guru was and remains, in most cases, an essential point for enlightenment. There are practical signs of such a state, which can be recognized by a guru.
Many individuals have claimed to reach a state of enlightenment, including many famous yogis and meditation masters from well-known spiritual traditions. Mahatma Gandhi was said to be an enlightened seeker of truth. Siddharta Guatama, the Buddha, was said to have reached the "ultimate state of enlightenment" or "nirvana."
Nārāyana Guru (1856 to 1928), the prolific poet, philosopher and social reformer is believed to have attained enlightenment, i.e. an absolute state of wisdom, after his several years of education in languages, the scriptures of the different religions, yoga, and experiences withascetic life, culminating in his long and meditative recluse in Maruthwamala hills in South India. Nārāyana Guru’s philosophical masterpiece “Atmopadeśa Śatakam” (one hundred verses of self-instruction) is primarily the Guru’s poetic expression of his philosophy of universal love, emanating from his experienced state of primordial knowledge of the Universe, and his consequent ability to view the human race as one of a species, in unqualified equality and without any racial, religious, caste or other discriminations whatsoever.
Jiddu Krishnamurti is said by some to have attained Enlightenment under a pepper tree in Ojai,California in 1920s.
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