Man reaches near-enlightenment with simple things

Shaun Miller, a resident of Warrens, Wisconsin, has nearly achieved enlightenment without even meditating or following the guidance of some guru. Rather he has taken the path of doing lots of small, insignificant, but intensely satisfying things like washing off bird droppings from his car fender after he'd parked it under a tree on a hot summer's day. Says Shaun: "I've found it easier to integrate my ego with its dark side by pursuing simplicity. If I see a loose thread on one of my trainers I immediately reach for a pair of clippers and snip it off. This brings instant joy and a sense of one with the cosmos." A few months ago Miller spotted the sign of a local seamstress and remembered he had long been wanting to repair his favourite pair of Armani jeans, bought over 20 years ago. "When I got those jeans back from Mona I just felt so in harmony with all aspects of my persona." Seamstress Mona Lodsziak commented: "I can't describe the look of joy on Shaun's face when he saw the new hems and pocket linings on that old pair of jeans. I immediately wanted to tap into his secret." For Miller, enlightenment is asymptotic. "Most of us never really quite get there, we only approach. I'm glad this is so because, if I was to reach total nirvana, I'm pretty sure I'd end up an alcoholic or sex addict like many of the great gurus. Ít usually goes to their heads and then they’re undone. I'm happy just being on the cusp." Miller is thinking of writing a book of little things to do, like buying a rack to neatly store your belts, and it's likely that more spiritual travellers will take up Miller's path. “By focusing on the little things you don't have to actually strive for enlightenment”, says Hu Wallace of Hampton, Iowa. “As we all know, once you start striving, enlightenment just slips away."