I Know Nothing

I had many ideas about enlightenment before I awakened. I was a great student of enlightenment. But it turned out that all my ideas were nothing like what enlightenment actually is. Not even close. It was like I had once seen a picture of an orange in a magazine and read the description but had never really experienced an actual orange. And because I saw this picture and read about it I now felt I was an expert on oranges. And this is what everything but the direct experience of enlightenment is. It is just a thought, a fantasy, an illusion.

It is very important that we understand this. Our thoughts, beliefs and fantasies about enlightenment keep us from the direct experience of the Truth that is always here. Enlightenment is this Truth that is always here.

There are professors in prominent colleges and universities teaching about enlightenment right now. There are teachers writing books about enlightenment. Many, if not most, of these professors and teachers have never actually experienced enlightenment. They have read about it. They have studied what others have said about it. They may have even experienced a few real breakthroughs into an expanded consciousness beyond the limited personal self. But the actual liberation from all thoughts and beliefs are still noting more than a picture and description of an orange. It’s not the real thing. So what are they really teaching? And how valuable is this to you? Is this not, as they say, the blind leading the blind?

And, although fewer in number, there are also awakened teachers trying to convey with words their direct experience of this Great Liberation. But, no matter what you read about enlightenment, even from truly awakened teachers, the words themselves can never convey the direct experience of it. Enlightenment is the transcendence of all words, thoughts and beliefs into a Truth that is far beyond them and doesn’t relate to them in any way. Words, thoughts and beliefs crumble to dust in the Great Light of this Freedom and Truth.

If you truly want to awaken, please, please, please let go of all your ideas and beliefs about enlightenment. Let go of your attachment to all words and thoughts. Let go of all the knowledge you have accumulated. Throw it all away. Put it all down. It is just heavy baggage preventing you from reaching your goal. You cannot pass through the gateless gate of enlightenment while carrying a single thought. Admit completely your absolute ignorance. For this honesty and humility is absolutely necessary. Enlightenment is Truth and all your knowledge blinds you to this Truth that is beyond words, thoughts and beliefs, beyond all your knowledge. You must put all of this down if you want to pass through this gateless gate to the freedom that has always been here.

Begin with this mantra, “I don’t know.” “I know nothing.” Let this mantra infuse your being. Let it erase all words, thoughts, beliefs and knowledge. When you are truly empty, this Great Truth will reveal itself as always having been right here. And you will experience enlightenment. There may be nothing you can say about it. But you will probably try anyway. This infinite unconditional love demands it. And, somehow, those who are ready for it will actually hear you.

With all my love,
Peter