I have always treasured the story about the Buddha after his enlightenment. A man saw him from a distance. He didn’t know Buddha before or after his enlightenment. He could, immediately, tell that something was so very different and was “moved” to inquire. He asked if Buddha was a god, a magician or sorcerer or wizard, then if he was an angel. To each question Buddha replied, “No.” The man finally asks “What are you?” Buddha replied, “I am awake.”

The story precious to me for many reasons. One, it reminds me that no matter who we are, what state of mind, or how distant the vision may be, we can see goodness. We can see hope. We can see Oneness. No matter how broken our world may appear in the news, we can see goodness. I cherish the story because the man’s questions were so simple and persistent….what…what…what…? Much like a child. Buddha did not reproach, ignore, or in any way brush the man aside. Goodness is approachable and patient. Goodness is not reserved or isolated.

But the real reason I cherish the story is, again, much like a child. I know “awake” has so many meanings. For me, probably much like the man, I take it very simply. Awake. Just like the morning when my eyes open and I put my feet to the floor. I may not know what the day holds. I may not know if I shall see goodness. I may not know if my heart will be approachable. I may not know if others who see me will see goodness, compassion, or wisdom. The day is the day. I simply open my eyes from the night’s darkness and put my feet to the floor. Like Buddha, the day asks that I put my feet to the earth and walk. The man’s question asked about a noun – what?  Buddha replied with a verb, an action “I am awake.” We can see, goodness is approachable and patient, we just have to put our feet to the floor.