Some people may think, then, that there is no such thing as seeing into one's nature, or that it's impossible to experience kensho. It is definitely possible to experience kensho, but it depends on the practitioner, and it depends on the master who is providing guidance. If a master keeps a tight watch over the gate of Ch'an, time and again turning practitioners away, telling them that they have not yet entered, then at a certain point they will have no more expectations; there will no longer be an urge to seek enlightenment. They will just practice diligently. In such a situation, practitioners will be more likely to experience kensho. But after the experience, then what?

When you experience kensho, you have not seen anything or attained anything. You realize that what you have seen in the past and what you are seeing now are exactly identical, except that now there is no self involved.

If a good master is present, then with a few questions he or she can determine if the experience is genuine or false, if you saw your true nature or not. A lesser master, however, can be deceived. In most cases, such experiences are not genuine. Rather, they are psychological and physiological responses that arise during the practice. Again, I must stress that it takes a very good master to determine the validity of an experience.

As to vexations, they do not disappear after you experience kensho. They will continue to manifest as they always have. The difference is, after a genuine kensho experience, you will be more aware of your vexations. You'll know when vexations are about to arise. When you are in the midst of vexation, you'll know very clearly of your situation. It's as if there is a separate person keeping constant watch, always alert.

People who have not seen their true nature will often times find themselves buried in vexation, and they will complain about their predicament. People who have seen their true nature, however, will not have this problem. They will be aware of vexations rising, and none of their vexations will be very great. In this sense, a person who has experienced kensho is much better off than the ordinary person.