On Perspective

A student says to their teacher, “I have become enlightened!”

The teacher nods for the student to continue.

“We swim in a lake of consciousness, but it is murky and dark. We can’t see the bottom. Every direction looks the same. Fish and debris and floating things appear out of the dark unexpectedly and mysteriously disappear again. We swim but we know not where to or where from we come!”

“Continue,” says the teacher.

“Meditation has filtered and cleared my water. I now swim in a beautifully clean and clear lake. The water is pure and free from murk and debris. I can see the bottom! The fish and other creatures swim, logs and water plants drift by and I am not surprised to see them.”

The teacher looks at the satisfied student and says, “A lake can never drown, but a swimming person eventually will.”

The student leaves to continue their contemplation.