No matter how improbable an assertion is, if it is made with enough assurance it has an affect.
Just know that your expectations are only thoughts in your head, and keep on doing what you do.
As for enlightenment, that's just for people who can't face reality.
The state of ambiguity - that messy, greasy, mixed-up, confused, and awful situation you're living through right now - is enlightenment itself.
It's crazy to me how concerned people get with what it looks like and what you can do there. People may as well be talking about JRR Tolkien or Star Trek or something.
Consider this: 1. Would you ride in a car whose driver was on the consciousness-expanding "entheogenic" drug LSD? And here's a bonus question: 2. Why does an "expanded consciousness" include the inability to operate a motor vehicle?
It may look like we're doing nothing when we sit zazen. But actually we are exposing ourselves to ourselves.
The ideal hole (course) is surely one that affords the greatest pleasure to the greatest number.
There is no more hollow feeling than to stand with your honor shattered at your feet while soaring public reputation wraps you in rewards. That's soul-destroying. The other way around is merely very, very irritating.
Liberty begets license.
I was obsessed with girls when I was 13 years old; I wasn't really into books.