Enlightenment Not Included

I’ve been ordained for about four years now. I’m usually in medical scrubs as a nurse, but every so often I make a public appearance somewhere in religious robes. Still fumbling with pretty much all of the above. Due to the hair cut, odd attire, and a string of prayer beads, sometimes I get asked if I’m acutally local, what center I’m associated with, what and when I teach on Buddhism, etc.

Well, a blast of awakening wasn’t included with the vows. I don’t teach, anything. I have far too much to learn to even think about instructing someone in the finer points of philosophy of any nature. I might know more than some, but clearly I know much less than most.

Buddhism presents with a vast array of teachings, ranging from Four Truths of the Noble Ones, to advanced pith instructions of Dzogchen. I steer clear of attempting to elucidate such profound concepts in order to prevent confusing others due to my limited personal understanding.

Yet, beyond all the complex paradigms, there is something very simple and yet extremely life changing: Compassion. It changes everything. It challenges us to move beyond our finite world, to step outside our comfort zone, and to become present and aware in the moment so that we might touch and impact the life of the person perhaps sitting next to us.

I think the way we live our lives, the choices we make, the words we choose to use, have an impact on the world around us. At our present stage of development we may not be able to spout advanced theories on the nature of ultimate reality, but we can choose to live mindfully and strive to inspire mindfulness in others. Such small steps are possible for me, for everyone.

Enlightenment might not have been included in a package deal with a guide book, but that doesn’t mean it’s that far from where we are right now. Awakening to the present moment, this beautiful moment, is a step in that direction.

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