Beyond the Fireworks

There are those who would like to highlight what I sometimes refer to as carnival-ride Buddhism. Practicing Buddhism in order to have some “mystical experience” or Enlightenment. In other words, for the thrills or special knowledge that such an experience might bring.

This is why I emphasize the eightfold path, where right enlightenment is just one of the particulars. For me this path is not a path to enlightenment. It is putting into practice the truth of the way into one’s daily life. It is realizing enlightenment in one’s daily life, to whatever degree or recognition one has of “it”, that allows the deep meaningfulness of life to shine forth, while aware of the emptiness of all that is.