More Rebel Than Zen

We often hear or read about tales of life changing retreats and defining moments when others have achieved the state of enlightenment. Rarely is a book written without the author claiming to have risen to another level. A level above normal consciousness. Becoming enlightened has been added to many others goals lists. The goal of ordinary people where it was once considered the domain of gurus and monks isolated on a mountain top in a far off and mysterious land. Where does that leave the rest of us that need to live in the real world where genuine sanctuaries are few and far between and the turbulent world now stalks us until we sleep and is waiting to leech onto us once more at first light? Whether we choose to accept it or not we are mind controlled throughout our real world existence.Ironically there are many cases of even the most revered Buddhist monks attempting to deliver enlightenment to us in the real world only to fall victim to the very demons they seek to free us from. All too human failings. One dying from aids contracted by having sex with his followers and continuing to do so after having contracted the disease believing he was immune to the real world, with no thought for his partners. Another famously dying an alcoholic. If these fates and countless others await even the best intentioned of us, then what is our purpose in this land of plenty? We are surrounded by shadow at every turn. Under such circumstances even the busiest of communities can feel like the loneliest mountain retreat. We are all ultimately alone. My solution with the getting better series of books is more a strategy for getting better and staying motivated within the lives that we live moment to moment. One step at a time. Where might that lead us? Who knows but I do know that we have much potential that is vastly untapped and that is our inner space. Billions is spent on exploring outer space. I am suggesting that we explore inner space. A project that we can take on at whatever starting point and make progress. We are capable of changing the world simply by changing ourselves by overcoming fear and seeing through the lies that we are soaking up through the media on a day to day basis.