I don't think it's necessary to use labels.  I'm not enlightened.  I've just never felt the world as being all-inclusive.  I never fit in.  I had to force myself to fit in just to have friends.  Nothing ever entralled me.  Everything bored me to tears and still does.  This is not something I just decided one day.  It is who I am.  Like the James Bond movie;  The World is Not Enough.

2. What is the higher concept behind the whole 'enlightenment' phenomenon?

I don't call it enlightenment.  I call it learning about existence.  Of course, that's not so easy on Earth because most things are bass akwards here to keep the population dumbed down.  But when I'm no longer here I will be learning about how to create, not just manipulate what has already been created.  I will also probably go where ever I'm needed to assist in whatever capacity I can.  The whole object according to many areas of information is that the creator created unique individualized thought forms and a creation to interact with.  Then those thought forms grow and learn until they finally learned all they need to know to properly be full creators themselves.  Then they return to Oneness and are then free to create their own universe to have their own children that they send out to learn about the nature of existence.

It's like the story of the prodigal son, sort of.  The son goes out to do what the son wishes to do (free-will) but the son has always had claim to the inheritance.  The inheritance is to be a creator just like the Father.  Oneness in 7d is absolute freedom of creation.  It's been said that only when All souls are ready together will the union with One occur.  Until then we do as we will.  For some that means to help, assist, learn and grow.  For others that means enslave, seek pleasure, feed the ego, and maintain self at the expense of others.

3. How do we as 'enlightened' individuals guard ourselves against the 'collective'?

We are all created as unique individuals.  Why would we be created unique if we are meant to all adhere to one set expression?  What makes sense to me is individuals working together to help each other grow in their uniqueness.  Realizing that we each are unique valuable expressions within One Infinity of creative expression.  The problem right now is we don't have the conscious knowledge on what trully is.  And those that wish to control us will do everything to ensure we don't find out.  The separation is a divide and conquer strategy.  It's actually meant to stiffle our own individuality and get everyone to adhere to the lowest common denominator.  I say we take the word "collective" back from those that wish to turn it for their own ends and realize that individuality need not be threatened by everyone working together.  If we all consciously knew the absolute truth of 'what is' then in that sense we would be One.  But knowing the absolute truth in no way takes away our unique individual creative expressions within that truth of how things actually work in existence.

For me, everything fits very nicely.  And it's all rather simple.  The hints are given in the creation.

Jesus said, "Know what is in front of your face, and what is hidden from you will be disclosed to you."

Maybe it's what seems the only alternative to scripted servitude.

Speaking for myself, knowing there are civilizations billions of years old, (infinite years old is probably closer) I have no problem with the idea that this holy book fell out of the sky.

But who dropped it?

Was it Yahweh?

Or was an Orion resident just bored, and decided to write the Slave's Handbook...

The burden of proof is on noone, and everyone.

       J

2. What is the higher concept behind the whole 'enlightenment' phenomenon?

Separation. "I have attained "enlightenment" but you are outside standing in ignorance of the wise, spiritual knowledge." This Spirituality "Members Only" snobbery is also reflected in the "Ascension" mythos where the "Masters" get to meet Christ before the rest of us.

3. How do we as 'enlightened' individuals guard ourselves against the 'collective'?

What makes you think you're enlightened?

Would you agree that everything that is being grouped together becomes a collective?  There has been a variety of discussions on different philosophies, religions, beliefs and ideologies on the forum which form like minded groups in particular thought trains or ideas. 

Take religions for example:  there are many people on this forum that are very much 'enlightened' as to religions being nothing more than deceptive forms of systems used to control 'individuals' with similiar 'programming'.  Recently, I've brainstormed ideas and came across a thought that raised a red flag.

Try this for a thought:

What if the supposed 'enlightenment' is one of the systems?

I believe that we as individuals being 'enlightened' but still functioning within the world at the same level as before the 'enlightenment' is quite impossible.  I'm sure that many of you will agree with me on this one.

1. Why then do we become 'enlightened'? 
2. What is the higher concept behind the whole 'enlightenment' phenomenon?
3. How do we as 'enlightened' individuals guard ourselves against the 'collective'?

Peace, PhiConcept.