The Art of Awakening

Jack Kornfield writes:

A story is told of the Buddha when he was wandering in India shortly after his enlightenment. He was encountered by several men who recognized something quite extraordinary about this handsome prince now robed as a monk. Stopping to inquire, they asked, “Are you a god?” “No,” he answered. “Well, are you a divine being or an angel?” “No,” he replied. “Well, are you some kind of wizard or magician?” “No.” “Are you a man?” “No.” They were perplexed. Finally, they asked, “Then, what are you?” He replied simply, “I am awake.” The word buddha means “one who is awake.” How to awaken is all he taught.

Go to the source: The Art of Awakening Thrive: The Kripalu Blog