The Distortion of Evil
(dealing with demonic forces)

We have to recognise evil in order to know what we are dealing with. Once an obstacle is recognised, it can no longer causes harm in the mind. However, before recognising the obstacle, we have to identify that which the obstacle is obstructing, as we have been living in the obstacle so long that we hardly notice it any more.

The Four Enlightened Activities are a natural expression of our true nature.

Pacifying
From an enlightened perspective, everything happens within inner peace – inner space. This allows room for anything to occur. Pacifying acknowledges the right of every thing to be, within the illusory world in which sentient beings live. The action of pacifying understands that there are no such things as problems, obstacles or enemies. Aggression arising from ego’s negativity is entirely unnecessary, and only serve to deepen the illusion into delusion…THERE ISN’T A PROBLEM!

Enriching
Enriching allows the clarity of light into a situation, for refinement to take place through an effortless unfolding of spontaneity and capacity. Situations have an abundance of resources, no matter how poverty-stricken they may seem from a conventional point of view…EVERYTHING CAN BE REFINED!

Magnetising
In conventional terms, we try to attract pleasant situations and ward off undesirable situations, and as a result, we can find ourselves disappointed and unfulfilled. The action of magnetising is to remaining centred. Then, whatever is needed is naturally and spontaneously attracted without the intervention of ego – perfect synchronicity…BE AT PEACE!

Destroying
The action of destroying is compassion. It destroys that which needs to be destroyed – the negative energy of ego, which tries to smother situations. Ego wishes to cut off the flow of positive energy, so the action of destroying is aimed at ego’s destructive manipulations…BE A MIRROR.

The Distortions of Ego: the Four Demons
Each of the four wisdoms is distorted by the manipulations of ego, which is self-centredness. Everything relates to a me, what ‘I’ want. The ego thinks it’s enlightened. These four demons maintain the concept of a self.

The Demon Action of Pacifying
This imitates genuine pacifying, expressed through a self-serving attitude, in the sense of “TRUST ME”.

The Demon Action of Enriching
Here, ego turns natural growth into its own manipulated world. It wants to possess knowledge for itself, in terms of my wealth, my knowledge, my possessions. “I AM CLEVER.”

The Demon Action of Magnetising
There is an attempt to use attraction to feed our ego with that which we consider to be desirable. Based on this, we develop pride, jealousy, anger, fear etc. “ADMIRE ME.”

The Demon Action of Destroying
We cannot discriminate, and so want to destroy everything: it cannot help itself. As Chogyam Trungpa said, “Ego begins to get inspired in the wrong way, to uproot the whole tree… “I HATE YOU!”

All we have to do is recognise.
There is a momentary feeling of pain
as heightened emotions die away,
allowing space for
generosity, patience, discipline, perseverance, meditation and transcendental wisdom
to arise.