Pai-Chang (720-814)

O my god, this is perfect truth! That enlightenment is nothing more than seeing the world for what it is and not as you want it to be or others think it should be. When you are enlightened you are not suddenly holy, you aren't better than anyone around you. You just are. You are at peace with that. The world still turns, people are still people, but You are at peace. Isn't that all you really need? You to just be, and not live for others or striven for glory and success. But to be successful in seeing and given compassion to others. To be enlightened is to hold the world and reality in the palm of your hand, and not caring if it dissappears.

Hui-Hui (8th Century)

OK, so what I got out of this reading is something that I've found in a lot of the past few readings: Quiet the mind, ignore the self and surrounding world and the truths of the universe will reveal themselves to you. It really seems to be a common thought. But how is that ever going to reach people in today's world. Everyone and everything is go go go. There is no time breathe let alone to think about not thinking. But it is something that is really getting me. The more I hear it the more and more it makes perfect sense and it seems ridiculous that more people don't try it. To free your mind of self- righteousness and worldly things such as time and reality and open your mind's eye to the creativity of our creator. We are all as simple and complex as a child's finger painting.... It really sounds absurd, but It makes sense to me.