enlightenment is normal

Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.
After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. – Wu Li

The universal and the individual are one in essence. Any apparent difference is in the degree only. The Science of Mind, pg 393

Like may sayings in the Zen tradition, that by Wu Li above is meant to astonish with its simplicity; it confounds the intellect just enough to force it open to the sunlight of wisdom, something like extracting a pearl from an oyster.

The saying works on at least two important levels. One is that whatever we are doing task-wise –before we attained the profound sense of peace, purpose and possibility that is spiritual awakening – will be more or less what we do thereafter. We return to the world, to our usual relationships, occupations and so forth.

While enlightened souls do sometimes leave everything behind and go off into service or seclusion, this isn’t mandatory, and even they have to get some tasks handled.

Another level is broader and deeper, and speaks to the fear that enlightenment will make us befuddled, and incompetent to deal with normal life. This is a ploy our ego uses whenever it senses the reins being handed off to another part of the self; especially one that seems irrational, as enlightenment does by its nature.

So, we assure the ego, enlightenment is not a drug, will not “spac3 us out,” and is actually the path to the ego’s satisfaction as well, because everything the ego has us pursue, is done in the hopes of finding and claiming the feeling of wide-awake bliss that is, after all, enlightenment.

Today I venture inward and outward, comfortable in all realms of my being. As both a spiritual and human being, self-awareness and growth are natural and nurturing to me.

Science of Mind