pink_trike wrote:Imo, replacing "doubt" with "uncertainty" may be helpful in understanding this phrase. The degree that we are aware of the inherent uncertain (impermanent, dynamic, insubstantial, conditioned) nature of the entire phenomenal world is the degree that we experience clarity (cleared, emptied, light, spacious, aha!, the lightbulb in the head switches on). The more we are cleared of the cluttering, clouding, en-darken-ing, confining confusion of certainty, the more awake we are - the less we perceive ourselves as separate, solid, self. Awareness of the uncertainty of circumstances, practicing, and studying (the Path) is none other than awakening, integrating, en-lighten-ing, clear-ing, empty-ing (the Fruit). Great Uncertainty is Great Awakening.
I like this too!
Here's my response. It seems like I have a slightly different take on this, but here it is anyhow...
This reads to me as a prompt to investigate and pursue the dharma with vigor. A sense of doubt, or I might say practicality is a good quality imho. I don't practice Cha'an, but speaking from the point of view of a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism, pursing the path definitely takes committment and motivation. And taking the words of a teacher or sutra, and investigating and digesting on one's own is recommended. The specific reference to "small enlightenment" vs. "great enlightenment," makes me think of the idea that you see fruits of practice and study that are comprable to how much you put into them.
While I don't think it's necessarily helpful to reject everything out of hand before it's proven, nor is it good to accept any teacher or teaching that comes my way without investigation, there's some place in the middle that works for me. Thanks for this nice quote, it's a good reminder.
Best,
Drolma