September 16, 2009
- No Path, No Wisdom, and No Gain… -
So, before departing on the spiritual path, we remain in the so-called “impure” state of samsara, which is, in appearance, governed by ignorance. When we commit ourselves to that path, we cross a state where ignorance and wisdom are mixed. At the end, at the moment of Enlightenment, only pure wisdom exists. But all the way along this spiritual journey, although there is an appearance of transformation, the nature of the mind has never changed: it was not corrupted on entry onto the path, and it was not improved at the time of realization.
The navigator who lands on an island made entirely of fine gold, will not find a single nugget, no matter how hard he searches.
From here (by way of clothedinsky)
Also reminded me of this quote from Gurdjieff:
Blessed is he who hath a soul,
Blessed is he who hath none,
Woe and sorrow to him who hath it in conception.
Comment by Ian — September 16, 2009 @ 9:24 am