Enlightenment/Awakening/Realization
In order to expound upon the subject of enlightenment, allow me to quote from my upcoming book.
“Enlightenment is a big concept in Zen, and by big I mean ever present and looming. However, the concept of enlightenment itself presents its own unique dilemmas. In some ways it could be said that the whole point of this book is about enlightenment. More accurately, the point of this book is to reveal the path we will take toward getting there. Alas, as we will see, even that statement is somewhat incorrect.
The concept of enlightenment is clouded in mystery. There are a variety of differing opinions on this topic. For starters, we might assume that an awakened person is happy all of the time. Most teachings agree that the state of enlightenment is indescribable. To describe something requires knowledge and familiarity. The teachings tell us that it is unlike anything that we have previously experienced. Therefore, it cannot be understood with words. That said, certainly the relative neutrality of the word peaceful would be more accurate than the word happy.
Enlightenment: a desire to be free of desire
For the purposes of this book, however, we will stay away from such words. Instead, we shall approach the topic from a different angle. There lies a sense of despair beneath every positive or negative feeling or situation. Simply stated, the elimination of this underlying sense of despair is the key to our liberation.
The dilemmas that this concept of enlightenment presents are twofold. First, it is without question that an experience of a life free of this underlying despair would be preferable. Logically, we yearn for our awakening. The problem is that this very yearning is just the sort of attachment that will keep us from being able to obtain it. So there is no problem in desiring enlightenment to some extent, as it can be a great initial motivator. Yet the moment we realize that we are doing so, we must instantly let go of that desire and shift our focus to the practices that will lead us to enlightenment. Better stated, we must focus on the practices that will allow enlightenment to reveal itself to us. Which brings us to the second dilemma.
Like lifting a veil
Zen constantly reminds us that we are not lacking. Realization is not something to be sought after. Rather, enlightenment is our natural state. Its presence is only being clouded by our delusions. Zen tells us that the veil must be lifted so that a realization may dawn upon us. If our lost keys have somehow made their way under a rock, we can look high and low for them. Ultimately, however, we will have no luck in finding them until the rock is lifted. Furthermore, Zen tells us that we do not actively go about trying to lift the veil. Instead, through practice and understanding, we put ourselves in the proper state in which the veil will lift itself of its own accord.
Now that we have discussed enlightenment, we should put the idea of obtaining it completely out of our minds. The promise of an awakening will bring some purpose and clarity to our practice, but it must remain a completely hypothetical endgame. We should trust and focus on the practice. Our practice can properly position us for our awakening. Regardless, we will see all sorts of other benefits in our lives along the way. These benefits may include an increased sense of peace and purpose, and a decrease in the presence of conflict and despair. Over time we can let go of the desire for these benefits as well and simply focus on gaining understanding and doing the practice.”
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