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About This Quiz
Enlightenment - it's what we all struggle to find in our lives. However, some have spent decades in practice, patience, and development to enter the fourth and final stage of enlightenment - Arahant.
This is no easy task, as by this stage you have freed yourself from the tethers of ego and have had the opportunity to find yourself in a world many will never discover - Nirvana.
There is a long distance from start to end, and once you have found what you seek, you realize there is no end, just a long journey. Are you up for the challenge? If you're taking this quiz, we're sure you are.
Whether you have recently seen the light or dharma and are stepping into your first phase of enlightenment - Sotāpanna, or are partially enlightened and likely to be reincarnated into a human for further transformation in the second phase - Sakadagami, you have chosen a path many have not.
The questions on this quiz test your ever-evolving relationship with ego, the control you have over personal sacrifice and the time you take to meditate on your world, the world around you and eventually a clearer transformation. So, take a breath, calm your mind, and take this quiz to see if we can help you figure out how enlightened you are.
How big of an ego would you say you have?
I have a bit of an ego, but you need to have one to make it in this world.
I have begun separating myself from who I used to think I was.
I have a very healthy awareness of my ego, but I no longer identify as that.
I no longer identify with a personal ego.
How connected to all living things do you feel?
There is no separation between me and all other living things.
I sometimes get sucked back into the illusion of separateness, but I mostly feel connected.
I have brief moments where I feel this deep connection to the universe.
I understand the concept of this, but I can't say that I really have experienced it.
How important are accolades and receiving praise to you?
I'm working on breaking my need for approval and praise from others in order to feel okay.
I don't seek it out, but it is always nice to feel appreciated.
I have to admit that I still feel very motivated by praise.
It is not important to me at all.
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How skeptical are you about the teachings of the Buddha?
I don't even know enough about them to be skeptical.
I have moments of doubt, but they are pretty rare.
I let go of any skepticism about the path long ago.
I am very skeptical about almost all of the teachings.
Would you consider yourself to be more of a doubter or a person of faith?
I used to be a doubter, but that skepticism is fading away.
I have developed some faith, but I'm still mostly a cynic.
I have total faith.
I am a total skeptic and doubter for sure.
How regularly do you feel like you're lost in a desert without a map?
I never experience that feeling anymore.
I feel that way most of the time.
I used to feel that way a lot, but I hardly ever feel lost anymore.
It's pretty common for me to feel that way, but I am having more moments of feeling sure of my direction.
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How often do you find yourself just going through the motions of a ritual?
I have to admit that this happens quite often.
This happens pretty often, but I'm working on staying engaged with my rituals.
It's pretty rare for me to do that.
Whatever I am doing, there is purpose and I am I fully there.
How important are repeating prayers or mantras to your spiritual practice?
I don't have much use for mindless repetition.
I will use them, but only if I can be fully engaged with the meaning of the words.
I use that form quite a lot. It helps to calm my energy.
It is a primary aspect of my spiritual practice.
Are fasting and other deprivation tasks something that you regularly use in your practice?
I use them once in a while as an opportunity to reset myself and reconnect to the path.
I used to be a big believer in fasting and other ascetic practices, but I no longer do them.
Yes. I find that these practices test my will power.
I have no interest in depriving my body or causing physical suffering in any way.
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How tempting are sensual desires for you?
I have difficulty losing myself in the desire for sensual pleasure.
Sensual desire is no longer a big temptation for me, but it's not completely gone.
It has no draw for me anymore.
They are still pretty tempting for me, but I'm working on mastering these desires.
Do you struggle with any addictions?
I have let go of many harmful attachments in my life, but the appeal of them does come back under stress.
I have acknowledged those things that tug harder on my spirit, but I'm still struggling with letting them go.
I have no issues with addiction, either physically, emotionally or spiritually.
I have a very addictive personality. I struggle with a bunch of addictions.
Do you tend to hold grudges or are you good at letting things go?
It rolls off me like water on a duck's back.
I have to admit that I tend to hold on to grudges.
It's pretty rare for me to hold a grudge. It would take something particularly heinous.
I used to hold grudges, but I'm learning to let go more.
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When was the last time you were physically or verbally aggressive towards someone?
That happened within the last few weeks.
Something like that happened in the last few months.
It's been a few years since I was aggressive in that way.
I can't recall the last time I was physically or verbally aggressive.
Would you say that you struggle with anger?
Anger is not an emotion that I experience anymore.
It's pretty rare for me to experience that, but it definitely does happen once in a while.
I get angry, but not as much as I used to.
I struggle with anger issues on a daily basis.
How regularly do you experience negative emotions like fear, anger and jealousy?
On a weekly or monthly basis.
Once in a great while.
On a daily basis.
Rarely, if ever.
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How regularly do you practice meditation?
My meditation practice is very sporadic.
Always at least once a day.
Multiple times a day.
I skip it once in a while, but I meditate most days.
Do you believe in reincarnation?
Yes, I am fully convinced of that as a reality.
I don't think reincarnation is something that is real.
I'm pretty sure that reincarnation is true.
I have some major doubts, but I'm still open to possibilities.
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What is your experience of Thanksgiving with your family?
That's pretty much a nightmare for me.
It's pretty challenging. I will definitely experience some significant ups and downs.
I will get upset once in a while, but overall it is wonderful.
I love Thanksgiving and have an amazing time connecting with family.
What is generally your first reaction when someone judges you?
I become curious as to what is going on for them and how I can ease their suffering.
It may trigger me for a moment, but I quickly recognize the other person's pain.
I will probably get a bit sad. I may be kind of moody for a while.
I will most likely defend myself right away.
How often do you find yourself someplace else mentally while you do a mundane task?
I'm working on cultivating more mindfulness on mundane tasks, but I'm realizing how much I drift away.
I'm in the present moment with most of those tasks, but I do drift off once in a while.
I'm almost always drifting off mentally on mundane tasks.
I treat mundane tasks as mindfulness practice. When I wash dishes, I only wash dishes.
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How regularly do you compare your spiritual practice to others?
I'm pretty obsessed about how I'm doing compared to others.
It will happen from time to time, but I soon catch myself and let it go.
I don't fall into the trap of comparing. We are all on separate journeys.
I compare myself to others quite a bit. I'm starting to realize how miserable it makes me.
Do you consider your spiritual practice to be superior or inferior to others?
It's probably better, but I'm starting to appreciate that this duality is meaningless.
I think it's probably better than most people's practice.
My practice is my practice. It is neither superior or inferior to others.
I think it's probably much worse than most people's practice.
How proud are you of your spiritual accomplishments?
I take no pride in whatever some would consider to be accomplishments. There is only this moment.
I tend to brag a lot about what I've been able to do.
I'm learning to let go of personal pride, but it can be quite challenging.
I am starting to realize how much pride I actually do have, and how harmful it can be.
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How much peace of mind do you have?
My mind is pretty chaotic.
I'm starting to have more and more moments of peace in my mind.
I'll occasionally get an overactive mind happening, but mostly it is very calm and serene.
My mind is a very peaceful and tranquil place, even in the midst of chaotic external events.
Are you more restless or content?
I am highly content.
I have moments of feeling restless, but they are pretty rare.
There are times that I feel content, but it's more likely that I'll feel compelled to do something.
I constantly feel the need to be on the move to the next thing.
How common is it for you to feel like your mind is so full that you can't complete a thought?
That happens fairly often. It can be so paralyzing.
It's pretty rare for that to happen, and I can usually calm my thoughts down fairly quickly.
That happens on a regular basis.
I can't recall the last time my mind was like that.
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How well do you feel you understand the Four Noble Truths?
I haven't really studied them yet.
I understand them very well, but I do fall short on them once in a while.
I have them mastered in thought and action.
I have a mental understanding of them, but I haven't put that knowledge into practice all that much.
Where are you at in your learning process of studying the middle path?
I know most of the information, but my learning continues each day.
I've got the basic principles down, but I'm still learning the finer details.
I have a strong comprehension of all the teachings, and I strive to embody that wisdom in all I do.
I'm just starting out.
What is your relationship with Nirvana?
I am here, and it is here that I will reside for eternity.
They are a great band from the '90s.
I hang out there quite a bit, but I haven't established full residency.
I feel like I tap into it from time to time.
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You Got: