Wakefulness

Wakefulness is the way to life,
The fool sleeps
As if he were already dead,
But the master is awake
And he lives forever

He watches.
He is clear.

How happy he is!
For he sees that wakefulness is life.
How happy he is,
Following the path of the awakened.

With great perserverance
He meditates, seeking
Freedom and happiness.

-from the Dhammapada, translated by Thomas Byrom