A young man searching for enlightenment comes upon an old man walking down a mountain path, carrying a heavy sack on his back. The young seeker senses that this wise-looking elder has been to the summit and has found illumination.

“Please, sir,” he asks, “can you tell me what enlightenment is?”

The old man smiles, takes the heavy burden off his back, and stands up straight.

“I understand!” cries the young man. “But, what is after enlightenment?”

The old man simply swings the heavy sack up his shoulders and continues on his way.

*Story taken from the book Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman