Step 4:What if nothing is wrong?

In many koans we hear,  especially after an activity or exchange of words between a teacher and student, that the student then had "a great awakening."

Sometimes the awakening comes after the student is slapped or yelled at by the teacher.  Kgogen, while he was sweeping the ground,  realized his enlightenment by hearing the sound of a pebble striking bamboo. 

We can't predict or plan our awakenings;  they seem to come by accident.



(1)  From the Zen perspective, we already have Buddha-nature, the awareness of our true self, our awakened self.  It's hidden from us by our delusional mind;  but it's always near at hand -- a breath away.

(2)  From the God perspective, as I posted on February 18th, "God is everything."  Conversely, "Everything is God."  Realizing this, whatever is revealed comes from within.

It is always near at hand -- a breath away.

Often the word "gate" is used to describe the opening where awakening appears.  Anything has the potential to be a gate for us, and this includes Step Four.

Step 4:  Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.


Koan:  "What if nothing is wrong?"

What if, while you are sitting with this koan, a gate appears ...an awakening?  A revelation from your Higher Power. 

There's nothing wrong with that, is there?

Bill K.