Wherever You Are,
Enlightenment is there
“Even in our imperfect practice, enlightenment is there. We just don’t know it. So the point is to find the true meaning of practice before we attain enlightenment. Wherever you are, enlightenment is there.
If you stand up right where you are, that is enlightenment. "
By Shunryu Suzuki
Book Titled: Not Always So.
Enlightenment
I would like to share and enjoy the above statement with you. Listen to the spirit behind the content of this statement for a moment, follow the abiding words. Follow and observe what arises as one contemplates these words. We are reminded by them that there is no need to search as even during the imperfect moments enlightenment is already there. It’s there, it just that we are not aware of it. The words adopt a role of pointing to an experience which at this juncture leads to an imperfect moment. Location is unimportant, it can easily apply to a busy market place. We are not aware of the right moment because of our minds conditioning and predispositions. Which in this instance is to seek a perfect moment. But enlightenment is wherever you are. It is found wherever you are. Whatever you are doing; brushing your teeth, peeling an onion, flying a kite or baking a cake. It’s wherever and whatever you are doing. It’s not in the distant, it’s not round the corner, and it’s not in a temple. It’s wherever you are. It’s there. It’s so close that you can’t see it. It’s so close that it is a part of you. It is you. Enlightenment is you. It goes away because you are chasing it instead of just of being it. That is why you it is suggested that it can be found during an imperfect moment. When you are sweeping the garden and a gust of wind blows all the leaves away. It’s there. It everywhere, everywhere you are.
Suzuki suggests you find the true meaning of practice. This in itself is cryptic message alluding to a deeper layer to this message that you cannot practice enlightenment because you already are. You cannot do a series of meditations, stances, postures, visit shrines and temples to find it. Because it’s not in them but in you and they are in you. These are all just vehicles which are taking you elsewhere. Taking you somewehere else; but you are already there. For as long as you are going somewhere you are traveling away from enlightenment. Certainly do not throw away the meditations, stances, postures, shrines and temples. They make wonderful resting places. Zazen, Shikantaza are there for a reason; to subdue the stubborn mind. The conditioned and predisposed mind which believes in its own reality. The practice is done to suggesting that you should aim to have the same experience twice.The various metaphors, koans are tools which infers this information. It can only suggest things because once the truth is distilled by mind it can only be implied. Learn about this, explore it and then expose it and let it melt away. Ultimately watch the breath the in and out of breath. The still point. This is as good as any place to either begin or end your searching.
