
The Path of Enlightenment (Hebrew: דרך ההשכלה, Derech HaHaskalah; Sanskrit: बोधिमार्ग, Bodhimārga; Pali: बोधिपथ, Bodhipatha) refers to the spiritual journey or process through which an individual seeks to achieve enlightenment or awakening. This concept is central to many Eastern philosophies and religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and certain schools of thought within Jainism and Taoism. The path typically involves practices such as meditation, mindfulness, ethical living, and self-inquiry, aimed at transcending the ego and realizing one's true nature or the ultimate reality. In Buddhism, the Noble Eightfold Path outlines specific steps to attain enlightenment, emphasizing wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline. The term "enlightenment" itself connotes a state of profound understanding and liberation from suffering, often associated with the realization of the interconnectedness of all things and the impermanent nature of existence.