I am sitting on the hotel terrace and sipping my drink. The terrace is half empty. People sitting at several neighboring tables are finishing their lunch. The sky is largely overcast, and a strong breeze is ruffling the leaves of the chestnut trees around me. There is a gentle hum in the crowns above. The temperature is just right, though. An occasional ray of sunlight reaches my table, and I close my eyes for a moment. There is hardly a thought in my head for a long time. I am looking around, but nothing occupies my attention.

Everything is the way it is, it crosses my mind out of the blue. And there is nothing that can be done about it. The best one can do is to let everything be just as it is. No matter what one does, everything will remain as it has always been, anyhow. Even thinking about it is in vain, let alone talking about it, reading about it, or doing anything whatsoever about it. If there is any change, it will come all by itself, without wishing or pushing. Even more, wishing and pushing can only thwart change.

Unexpectedly, my lips shape into a barely visible smile. Enlightenment is within reach, it crosses my mind. But there is nothing that can be done about it, either. Once again, the best one can do is to let everything be just as it is. Even thinking about it is in vain, let alone talking about it, writing about it, or doing anything whatsoever about it. Enlightenment is the same as everything else, and it should not be tampered with. Still smiling, I am looking around, but nothing occupies my attention. People from the neighboring tables are paying their bills and leaving. By and by, I am sitting alone on the hotel terrace.