Think of the potential for awakening within us as human beings as an opening to total satisfaction, an opportunity for total satisfaction.

"We remember [the Buddha] because he left behind his excellent example, one full of hope. He was able to take his human nature and develop to the perfection of awakening. And we’ve got that potential within us as well.

So don’t see that as one more burden being placed on you, one more impossible measuring stick against which you’re supposed to measure yourself. Think of it as an opening to total satisfaction, an opportunity for total satisfaction. Those two Himalayan ranges of gold will never satisfy you, but nibbana is more than satisfying. That’s what the Buddha and all the great arahants have said. It’s up to us to decide whether we’re interested in what they say or not, whether we’re tantalized by what they say or not. But only a fool wouldn’t be interested in a possibility that good."

~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "Perfection in an Imperfect World"

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