One negative/upsetting aspect of the awakening process

[neutral333]

As much as I love to focus on the positive ( I am usually overly optimistic!), I can't deny the fact that there are some sad or negative (feeling-wise) aspects of going through various awakenings and healing processes.

Awakening feels great. But after you plateau and the dust begins to settle, there is an almost addictive need/desire to fly from one awakening to the next with ease and it doesn't happen that way.

Then after years, you realize that you have developed a sense of false pride that actually restrains progress. You feel like you deserve an easy and happy life after the work you have already put in.

There is a Buddhist parable: " A young monk sets off to climb a mystical mountain where he was told, at the top, he would find enlightenment. About halfway up, he came across a very old monk heading down the mountain carrying a large sack of stones. The young monk thought, 'This old monk has surely been to the top of the mountain.' He asked the old monk, 'Can you tell me what enlightenment is. I really want to know.' The old monk swung the sack of stones off of his back and sat down upon them. He said, "This is enlightenment." The young monk thought long and hard. Then he asked, 'Well what happens after enlightenment?' The old man then grabbed the heavy bag of stones and swung it over his shoulder and proceeded to walk down the mountain."

Just coming to grips with the fact that everything does not come easily at any point...

Any thoughts?