Simple Enlightenment

Here's a story:

A wise master and his student. The student lives far away and writes monthly updates on his progress towards enlightenment.

The first letter: "I see visions of heaven. I'm lifted by angels, I feel light like I can fly. I can see the whole world."

The master grumbles and rips up the letter.

The next letter a month later. "I've seen all the universes. I've created worlds. I've seen the inside of myself."

The master grumbles and rips the letter into even tinier shreds.

The next letter from the student: "I've sat in meditation for one month straight without eating. My mind is an empty sea. I can see everyone's aura. I see the whole past and the whole future in this single instant."

The master says to nobody in particular, "this is shit." And puts the letter in his paper shredder. The master gets lots of letters from students.

Six months go by and no letter from the student. Finally the master, curious about an update, writes the student and asks what's going on.

The student writes back a letter: "Who cares!?"

Finally, the master smiles.

That's enlightenment.