Perhaps the only way to achieve true enlightenment, which by the way by definition is neither good or evil, is to die... not leave the planet but be willing to let your character die out and be the greater self, not higher and not lower, just the aspect of yourself that operates from a greater decision space. I wouldn't call it born again but rather finally truly born. Discuss?

I've found many concepts sticky and have preferred to maintain individuality, but joining with the greater self is something I really want to do. It's like I'm this one piece of my puzzle and I'm longing to be a part of my bigger picture again, and though the one piece merges back and sort of disappears by the meld, it's more like being one of many drops of water who have been on great adventures, and flow back to being a river again, that is, a much wiser and mature river with new shiny keys and tools on the knowledge-chain, ready for new adventures.

I can't really add anything enlightening or grand to this, but I say the concept of losing ones individuality, becoming part of the whole, is completely unappetizing.

So you can say I am simply not ready and need to undergo more experiences and knowledge cause that is what a firm believer is going to say, but, regardless, I must insist on always being my own entity.

"We are Legion. For we are many."  :D

Yes We are many to be sure. We don't get sucked back in like some whirl pool, I don't think. Rather we mentally become one...not physically, that would be kinda cramped. Its the mental surety that we are one that I'm talking about, not literally having no sense of personage, though I think that could happen when the "higher" self sleeps if indeed such a thing happens.

One time when I was exploring (OB or phasing? I can't remember which) and a Knowing said "You have to die to go on." So I thought a moment and felt I had nothing much to lose at that point, so I said OK. For some moment(s?) there was absolute silence and stillness, then finally Swooosh! I had the most amazing experience of PUL- flight- Oneness -Light I'd ever had. I recall it lasted over an hour on clock time.

Since then such experiences have gradually dimmed down but that's my own fault. Memories of the big one have left me assured of Oneness but not any better at conveying it   :)