The Secret is Devotion

 It takes us out of the ordinary
into the extraordinary.

 It has been said that no one has become enlightened without a sense of devotion.

Devotion is not an easy subject for us westerners. It can make us feel uncomfortable, as it has connotations of religion, which isn’t to everyone’s taste nowadays. We may feel religion is too dogmatic and doesn’t offer proper explanations. From a Buddhist perspective, devotion is not a belief in something we cannot see; we just devote ourselves to understanding and realisation.

In understanding the Dharma
and realising the point of the teachings,
a deep appreciation grows.
That is devotion.

 A deeper sense of devotion
is an appreciation
for the genuine teacher*
who revealed the Dharma to us.

 What is the advantage of experiencing devotion? If there is enlightenment, then there are those who are enlightened. They have realised their spiritual essence, and wish every sentient being to realise their true spiritual essence as well. I would, wouldn’t you?! How can one stand by and watch others suffer?

 But, what can they do? It is said that they send out blessings, and all we have to do is receive them…and not ignore!

 Through supplication, we can receive blessings (spiritual influence) in our subtle body and basic consciousness. All we need is an open heart and open mind. We have a lot of bonds that bind us such as hope and fear: devotion melts away this bondage and opens up our subtle body. We feel at ease and at peace.

Devotion goes hand in hand with compassion, vanquishing pride. As we receive, so we give. It’s part of our nature to express. Devotion and compassion release us, but have to be accompanied by intelligence and knowledge.Within us, there is a longing, but we lack trust: nowadays, that is understandable.

How do we deal with this?

We need to shake off our bias and use our natural intelligence in order to understand the process of devotion, and based on this we can develop trust. Devotion cannot be taught. We can prove something to a certain degree, and then we have to use inference. Only then can we trust. It is said that only through devotion that we may become enlightened. It has a tremendous power and keeps us on track… to pull us through!

We have a longing for goodness. However, because of past experiences, maybe of betrayal, we are wary and suspicious. There is an inclination to find like-minded people, but maybe we don’t meet them. Maybe they don’t exist, or maybe the problem is within us.

To knock on the door
means the heart is already open.

* see, four types of teacher.
https://buddhainthemud.com/2013/07/21/the-four-types-of-spiritual-teachers/