“How does an enligthtened one return to the ordinary world?”
“A broken mirror never reflects again; fallen flowers never go back to the old branches.”

I often wonder if this is the zen equivalent of “you can never go back”

The water flows,
but back into the ocean;
The moon sinks,
but is even in Heaven.

In attachment blossoms fall,
and in aversion weeds spread.

– Genjo Koan

Closed out the old year
And held a dream of spring behind
My shut eyes…til now
This morning I opened them to see
It’s really come into the world.

– Saigyo (1118 – 1190)

To carry yourself forward and experience myriad things is delusion.
That myriad things come forth and experience themselves is awakening.

It is only when you are able to fully close your eyes,
that you will see the world as it is

Student:`In phenomena, what is true?’
Master: `The very phenomena are themselves truth.’
Student: `Then how should it be revealed?’
The master lifted the tea tray.

Though I think not
To think about it,
I do think about it
And shed tears
Thinking about it.

– Ryokan (1758-1831)