Miles' Summary

Expectation.  Preconception.  What is enlightenment like?  The mind grasps out for a series of characteristics – infinite patience, compassion, wisdom, living in a true rhythm with the world.  But what about my impatience, insensitivity, ignorance, and struggle against the rhythm of existence?  Does this mean that I am not enlightened?  A serious consideration of the WH reveals that, if I am to consider that I am already enlightened, such notions of what enlightenment is or is not are meaningless. 

It struck me on the cushion today that enlightenment may be a full embrace of oneself, warts and all.  That intimacy with fear will create courage, with arrogance will create humility, with ignorance will create wisdom.  Whatever arises within me is all I've got to work with; resisting this is a futile act.  My reaction can either fuel the fires of constant internal struggle or generate a cool ocean of inner peace.  It's  a matter of perspective. 

The wicked and wonderful part of this path is that it is so daily, so ever-present.  My mind continually resists accepting this view of enlightenment.  Initially this seemed daunting to me, but I am coming to realize what a gift it is to have a practice for an entire lifetime.  What else will I be able to keep being challenged by for my entire life?

Responses to 1/7/07:

I have been playing with Piet's breath-based practice of in small I, out big I – "in i, out I" – and have found it very interesting indeed.  It provides a second to second check of the wobblings of the mind and its tendency to resist feeling I every step of the way.  It has been a lovely mirror to my tonglen practice of sending and receiving compassion with the breath, and it is wonderful to see the wisdom and compassion practices unite.