WAKING UP.
Waking up is simply to stop dreaming.
Dreams are merely disconnected concepts floating about in our minds. If we let them drop, we find ourselves awake. However, even though we have dropped them, the thoughts still arise: this is because of our residue of karma. This is just something we have to accept – if we do not just accept this…we get involved again…and again..and again!
Waking up is clarity of mind, and clarity of Essence.
Essence is pure experience, and the mind is the facility to express that experience. So first we need to quieten the mind by a focusing meditation: this is generally done by merely watching the breath, which help us to relax and become aware of all those circling thoughts.
To start with, the thoughts will seem to get worse! They’re not – we are just noticing them more. We become like a ‘doorman’, acknowledging people but not following them in. If thoughts do arise, just say, “Thinking, thinking, thinking!” and return to just being one with the breath.
Gradually we notice a gap between the breaths, and we rest in that…rest in peace.The clearer the mind, the clearer the view. What we do in life depends on this.
The word Buddha means awake and pure. Awake is recognising one’s true Essence. Recognising the empty space in which the thoughts occur, much like this white page – by virtue of the clean page, the words can be seen. Pure means having exhausted all karma and no longer creating any more.
It all takes practice – effortless practice of doing nothing, but recognising.
However we have been busy for a very long time, so do not be too hard on yourself. Kindness to our reactions is of paramount importance. Noting the reaction but not reacting upon it produces no karma…we have started!
All the best,
Tony
BUDDHA IN THE MUD is a blog - a living book based on the Dzogchen teachings. Our teacher is life, and life is karma. We are all Buddhas in the mud of concepts. 