Taking It Personally

At an academy of art, a criticism of students’ work takes place twice a day: a “crit” is when a teacher comes round and guides: “This is too big”, “That could be darker”…

If one then went out into the world with this work, one could not claim it to be one’s own, as one was just following orders! 🙂

The same is true with spiritual teachings.

We don’t know what we know until we stand on our own two feet, and then we know. This is not a matter of “I’ve learnt this and that”: it’s a matter of being willing to experience what actually is. No longer are we afraid of inner demons – thoughts, emotions and self preservation.

If we feel, “Well, I don’t know enough to do that”, this is not true. To experience pure awareness – rigpa – is merely to be. Rigpa is that which is aware of the mind saying, “Well, I don’t know enough to do that.” That’s it! From there, everything unfolds.

Of course, we may not be academically sound, but that’s only important if we want to teach….in an academic, dry way. Compassion is juicy. Empathy is real understanding through experience.

We may not manifest as the brightest lamp in the room – the teacher’s pet – but we are “the light of wisdom” and we can love unconditionally. Doubt arising in our mind is merely a residue from the past, which we neither accept nor reject, thus reducing its intensity. This doubt has no reality. Because of this, we no longer fear…ourselves!

Taking it personally is not creating “my” Dharma.
It’s taking the Dharma to heart
and gaining a sympathetic understanding of others.

Be the light of wisdom.