ENLIGHTENMENT

Drop all ambition to be the first to become enlightened. There is noindividual enlightenment. All individuals are joined together with thewhole.

Buddha reached the gate of heaven. Of course, the people there werewaiting. They opened the door, they welcomed him, but he turned his backtowards the door looked at the world - millions of souls on the same path,struggling, in misery, in anguish, striving to reach this gate of heavenand bliss.

The doorkeeper said, "Come in, please. We have been waiting for you."

And Buddha said, "How can I come when others have not reached? Itdoesn't seem to be the right time. How can I enter when the whole hasnot yet entered? I will have to wait. It is just as if my hand has reachedinto the door and my feet have not reached yet. I will have to wait.Just the hand cannot enter alone."

It is said in this beautiful story that Buddha is still waiting. He hasto wait - nobody is an island, we make a continent, we are together.

I may have stepped a little further than you, but I cannot be separate.And now I know it deeply, now it is not a story for me - I am waiting foryou.

Now it is not just a parable, now I know that there is no individualenlightenment. Individuals can step a little ahead, that's all, but theyremain joined together with the whole.