Recognising, deciding and confidence: these are known as the three steps to liberation.

Recognise your true empty nature….free of thoughts.

Decide on this point….that there is nothing other.

Build confidence in liberation…be confident and know freedom.

 Because of being able to liberate thoughts and emotions, we cease to be afraid. We experience a sense of confidence. As we practice in this way, sublime qualities of compassion will emerge naturally from this empty essence and knowing nature.

 This path of compassion arises because we see clearly how all beings are dominated by their afflictions of emotions, as you are now able to be free to a certain extent. Naturally, from this insight, compassion will arise and makes no distinction between enemies or friends, as everyone is dominated by their afflictive emotions.

 These emotions arise because we do not recognise our true nature, and adopt a mentally created “I” through fixating on our thoughts.

 A bitter sweet moment arises– you have found inner liberation and you want to do something to help others– but you are stuck, and so are they. Maybe they don’t want to change, or you don’t have the ability to help. It is important to be skilful in actions, this is something we learn as we go along!

 Another outcome is a sense of delight and appreciation, as we are able to free ourselves of attachments, this appreciation takes the form of devotion and divine pride.

 Pure Essence is knowing.  Its opposite is not knowing. Spontaneously, we start to understand the nature of things – moments of insight will start to pop up as a natural expression of emptiness.

 So how do we do this? Well, one generally starts with sitting meditation. This is so there are fewer distractions. Of course, there are those circling thoughts, but gradually they will subside. This will also prevent emotions from controlling us…however, these will flare up from time to time, but this is just part of the journey…and it makes the path brighter!

 Tony