Stages of the path

Context: My knowledge of Zen culture is limited. I read Zen Flesh, Zen Bones when I was about 18 and then did other things (I'm now 33). But I keep looking back at that book, especially for its depiction of the stages of awareness. It's a great reference.

I'm now on the 4th of those stages, "Catching the Bull". Not being part of a community, I don't know whether that is unusual. I understand the teaching, as anyone at "Discovering the Footprints" or later would. But I don't know the culture. So I wonder if people here can answer some questions. I would be most grateful.

Why don't people say what stage they are at? People say they are "awakened" or "enlightened" but what do they really mean by that? Which stages are they referring to? Personally I would only call the very last stage "enlightened". Maybe at a certain point one sees that it isn't helpful to talk about. I remember in the Footprints stage, I felt verrry reticent to talk about it. But now I'm like pffffff whatever. I think it's helpful to say where you are, as it gives context to what you say. My mind (my Bull) is untrained, so there's no reason to take anything I say seriously.

What is a 'Zen Master'? Does that refer to a stage of awareness, or is it a profession (someone who teaches Zen to others).

What does it mean to "know Zen"? is that the Perceiving the Bull stage?

In those old Zen stories, when they say "at these words, Joshu was enlightened" or whatever, what stage/transition are they referring to? Is it always the same stage? or does it just mean "at this words Joshu went from the stage he'd been at up till that point, to the next stage"?

Uh, yeah, anything else you can tell me that you think might be helpful...

I feel like a bit of an idiot :) I somehow managed to not find this sub until now. I was actually just looking for a place to post about my minecraft server, but not sure how appropriate that is now.

Edit: I think it would be helpful to me if all responders include in their response what stage they are at.

Submitted December 28, 2018 at 11:59PM by grumpyfreyr http://bit.ly/2BNygHE