Once upon a time, I was lost in the self-absorbed mind-set that I had do something to gain or earn Enlightenment. Faithless to Amida's Vows and the Pure Land, I was engrossed in the quest for ego-liberation by my deliberate works alone. However, over the last few years, I have given up all of that nonsense. I have come to recognize that true religious practice is not based on ego-centric and goal oriented training but is the natural expression of uncalculated and unstructured action aroused by the Primal Vow itself. Ultimately we don't need to do anything. Our birth in the Pure Land has already been accomplished in the cosmic scheme of things.

 

I, G.R. Lewis, a tiny imperfect and passion ridden being on a particle of dust, which we can planet Earth, can offer nothing to Enlightenment in comparison to Amida's pure and fulfilled Vows made on my behalf. Having nothing to add to my salvation, I can only open myself up to Life and Wisdom, listening to the sacred voice within and around me. Then when I am made to become deeply aware that the same flow of eternity, life, and wisdom flows through me and in all things, only at that time she calls me with my own voice. That is, when the Primal Vow becomes confirmed in me; I am the embodiment of those Great Vows. It is me and I am its fulfillment. At that eternal moment, I recognize that the story of Amida has been my story along. Amida, Great Oceab of Life and Light, and all sentient beings and I are one. We are different in one plane but on another we are all the same One Life. This is the greatest mystery: it really defies any further explanation.