Waking Up To Our Enlightened Nature

Waking up to our enlightened nature can only happen in this moment. It cannot happen in the past, and it cannot happen in the future. The past and the future only exist in our thoughts. The only time we can experience enlightenment is right now. That said, attaining the correct function of enlightenment can take some time. In other words, it can take us some time to learn to use our enlightened nature in every moment of our lives, to help all beings. It may be easy to realize enlightenment while sitting on the cushion in a quiet space or on a retreat, when we feel peaceful and “at one” with the universe.

But how do we respond to situations that require skillful action? When we are driving on the freeway and somebody cuts in front of us? When talking to someone who has opposing ideas and beliefs to our own? When our child is whining about wanting candy before dinner? Where is our enlightenment then? This is what can take some time. We are faced with many kinds of people and situations in our lives. Zen meditation can help us realize enlightenment, this clear mind, in this moment. Then it is important to implement it in our lives skillfully from moment to moment.

Excerpt from the book No-Nonsense Zen for Beginners