It’s almost as though we live two lives at once, the first of these the life spent in conventional ways, playing our roles and following the script.  But each of us also has a counterlife, the one we live in those moments when we see through the fabric of conventionality to that unbroken sky of enlightened mind.  Until we’re buddhas, we will always live both lives, but sometimes we see through so unforgettably that we can’t fall completely back.

So said Kurt Spellmeyer.

I’ve never enjoyed the word “enlightenment”.  It speaks to me of striving towards a goal, with determination.  A furrowed brow.  More of a closed fist than an open hand.  I prefer “awakening” … to something brand new, beyond the expected, beyond history, beyond the known.

Also, I don’t care about becoming a buddha.  It’s a nice spiritual label of attainment, but so what?  Having a cool name tag doesn’t enhance goodness in the world.

I think of my heart.  I want it to be open.  I want to be available to everyone I meet.  I want to give, even in the moments when there doesn’t appear to be any receiving.

I want to go towards other hearts, rather than backing away.  I want to look into a person’s eyes, not past their ear.  I want to linger with them, rather than rushing away to “the next”.

I don’t want a noun attached to me, or an adjective to augment Bruce.  May I instead live in verbs …

Joining

Smiling

Loving