Enlightenment

This talk presents enlightenment as a process that must be constantly nourished (by 'practicing like the clappers' as the Buddha continued to do until he died) rather than a state that, once achieved, is both complete and irreversible. It also presents suffering as a part of the enlightenment picture - it's just that it's not a problem. The very first sentence suggests that mature meditators meditate to meditate....while this is immediately brought into question by the ensuing list of benefits of said meditation, this does not detract from a stimulating talk. The paper reinforces the first refuge - the fact that the Buddha's enlightement is an encouragement to us as it shows that awakening is a human potential.  It also prompts us to ask ourselves why we practice - is it a form of aversion...to get rid of suffering in our lives?.....or is it to be able to experience all that life has to offer, with equanimity, friendliness, compassion and empathic joy?