Unexcelled Perfect Enlightenment

August 5, 2017

Web, 2020

Q: Thank you for speaking with me. It is a great relief! I had no expectations of awakening. I had no belief it would ever happen to me because I was convinced these things don't happen anymore. I don't know where that came from, that belief, but wow, was I ever surprised when it did happen! It came with visual, sensory, mental, all together as one Big Bang.

I was at a Zen retreat when it happened, and I was totally pissed off at the person leading it. So I went for a quiet walk by myself. I stepped on some hard, crunchy grass, and the Universe exploded.

I have been able to 'claim', for lack of a better word, that awakening did happen. But even my brief conversation with you about it has made me relax into the acceptance of it all. I just feel much better about having someone to speak with about this.

I felt like I had been keeping this 'secret' that I wasn't allowed to speak about to anyone. It was very unsettling for me to hear that from my Zen teacher. I understand not to blast it around for everyone to know about, but there has to be an opportunity available to speak about aspects of it and changes that are happening with me because of it from time to time. It's just having someone with a bit of common ground to relate to. Thank you.

A: I once read a story of some old Zen guy who heard the sound of two bamboo stalks clicking together and awakened to his own mind.

Probably the Zen teacher was not the best one with whom to discuss this. Teachers in traditions tend to be wearing blinders, I have found--not all, but many, perhaps most.

Q: I did not know that, Robert. I think I understand their blinders, though. They live in that system and need to maintain it, especially when they are the head of a temple, as my Zen teacher is.

A: Yes. All that is the spirituality business. It's not really about awakening at all. When people are actually awake, they don't need all that stuff. The early Zen people knew that and spoke of it, but that has been mostly forgotten.

Q: Ah! Yes, I do understand that! So then, those of us who have had this awakening, what good is it? I mean that sincerely.

A: It's no good for anything at all. Do you not know the words of the Buddha on this subject?

Q: I know many words, but which ones? Oh my, I am starting to feel a big surge of laughter arising.

A: From The Diamond Sutra:

Subuhti said to the Buddha, "World Honored One, when you attained unexcelled, perfect enlightenment, is it true that nothing was attained?"

"That is so, Subhuti. That is so. There was nothing for me to attain in unexcelled perfect enlightenment. That is why it is called unexcelled perfect enlightenment."

Q: It's no good for anything! LOL! Ha, ha, ha! Oh my. I am really laughing now! Robert, this is amazing!

All the buildup people create and all the practice and ritual they engage in, and it is all for nothing! I don't mean 'nothing' in the usual sense, but what I get is that all that has happened is the wall of delusion has fallen down and now I can really express my personal authenticity without masking myself.

A: That's the story, Morning Glory. Fully human at last.

Q: LOL! Ha ha ha! This is amazing!

I can't get over it...all for nothing. The great Cosmic Joke.

Oh boy! Now I really need to digest this. And thank you! Now I really feel good!