There are two major views on enlightenment in wisdom traditions. One view sees enlightenment as the culmination of a long journey of cultivating the body-mind. Through practice and discipline, we break down our conditioned patterns of behaviour and attune the mind to the subtler dimensions of experience. Through consistent effort, we turn the intellect and the organism into instruments of perceiving ultimate reality.

The other view sees enlightenment as an absolute reality that is always and everywhere the case. Seeking enlightenment is as absurd as searching for space or waiting for time. Yes, we are usually unconscious of our enlightened nature, so we must learn to recognize it. But turning this recognition into some sort of goal or practice is a fundamental mistake, which further separates us from the truth of our being.

So, which view of enlightenment is more accurate? Could there be a third alternative, which combines these two perspectives?

Enter Zen Buddhism and the 10 Oxherding Pictures…