Norwegian-American Buddhist teacher Gil Fronsdal offers his views on the meaning of nirvana in the article “Nirvana: Three Takes” in the Fall 2006 issue of Tricycle: The Buddhist Review:

The essence of our consciousness is already love and wisdom. Karma, concepts, and emotional patterns are only temporarily preventing our consciousness from unfolding its enlightened nature. Nirvana is nothing more than being awakened to the enlightened nature of our consciousness.