*image by Ben Harubin

Defined, The Struggle To Awaken:
For some, the most astounding journey you can ever take
without leaving home.

(Where do you think you live, anyway?)

For years, one man sought a single, infallible "trick" that would "keep him
on course," but came to realize that there was not one only, many, then
later came to the further realization that one and many are the same thing.
Then ultimately he awoke to the fact that there could not be an "infallible
trick," since by its very definition it would have to work automatically,
a concept that by its very definition is antipodal to the goal for which he strove.

The reason that all methods, teachings, and disciplines for awakening are so
difficult (may we say) to execute is because they are all "made-up weapons"
by which men attempt to slay "imaginary foes" -- "illusionary tools" by
which men seek to erect "fictitious structures."

(Bring on the clean-up crew.)

Oh yeah, and don't ignore the pertinent cop-out possibilities (to wit):
The longer you insist "I don't get it" the more time you'll still have to not have to "get it."

(Now bring 'em all on!)

Where Do You Think You Live Anyway:

Regardless of what their spokesmen say unilaterally (not that they never
hold joint press conferences), the relationship between Spain and Portugal
is not real. (Fact of the matter is, neither is Spain and Portugal – by name.)

A man said to a mystic, "The more I hear you speak, the less sense it makes."
And the mystic replied, "Ah, I see you're beginning to get it."

If you think that you understand what someone is saying regarding
enlightenment, then you're being mislead -- by your own thinking, that is.

(Bring on the half-full know-it-alls.)

Good And Evil, Right And Wrong, True And False -- Fully Explained:

One day one of 'em's the bread and the other one's the meat, and the next
day the other one's the bread and the first one's the meat.

One day a father jabbed his son and said, "Don't you find it extremely
curious that the word "explain" has two syllables?"

On his death bed, a certain mystic said that no one had fully understood
him...including himself. And -- bang! (or maybe puff) he was outta there.

The Obituaries Editor of a local enlightenment paper, after hearing of this episode,
wishes us to make note of his comment on the matter. Comments he:
"The way to fully understand anything -- no, make that everything -- is in finally realizing
that there is no such animal as understanding, in other words, Sweetheart, you can't
understand anything. Now shut up and go on about your life, or else die like that mystic
and get it the hell over with."
And he signs off with, "Have a nice day, ya hear."

(You think he actually works for a paper?)