Contrived Spiritual Behaviour
Spiritual groups develop contrived behaviour. This seems to come from an idea that people follow; a formula of what they think being ‘spiritual’ is. Our greatest problem here is converting theories into genuine experience – and that genuine experience is being ordinary. You can’t get more ordinary than emptiness!
We do need ideas or theories to convince the mind about the path we take, and then we follow the steps; we make the journey.
Unfortunately we cannot go as a group, as a step by step progression cannot work en masse because we are individuals. In the human condition, we are not all one. If we were all one, when one is enlightened, we would all be enlightened. In practice, it doesn’t work like that does it? 😀 There is oneness, but that is the unity of our absolute and relative nature. There is a progression in teaching, but much depends on the personality, capacity and intention.
Acting ‘spiritual’ is a contrivance, a stratagem, a deception and…it’s dishonest. If we do this as a group, it just looks and sounds ridiculous. I’ve seen people bowing so very low to a shrine as if they were trying to squeeze a drop of extra magic out of the artefacts by being ever so humble (when in fact, they are manifesting pride!). The magic – everything – is all in the mind!
If you just want to scream and be angry, compassion – unlimited compassion – will allow this. We need to be honest that we are suffering. Then we can do something about it. We are not here to squeeze ourselves into bejewelled spiritual boxes.
We are here to experience distraction, desire, fear, laziness, anger, stinginess, pride and jealousy in order to realise our true nature. It is only then that we can empathise with others who experience the same emotions. This level of compassion is rare – I mean genuine compassion for others’ (perceived) mistaken views; I was with a lama for eleven years when he kicked me out for not ‘fitting in’ and his followers – my former friends – closed ranks, and nothing was ever clarified or explained.
We are not here to pretend we are pure. We are pure. It’s knowing how to transform those emotions into pure emptiness, and realise the wisdom that their true nature is emptiness.
In emptiness, there is no distraction, desire, fear, laziness, anger, stinginess, pride or jealousy. These arise because of confusion. When we look directly, without distraction, into the one who feels these emotions, they clear and turn into emptiness. That is the purification. The very first instant of an emotion brightens the mind, as something is seen which creates a reflection, and so, a reaction. If we look into that which perceives the reaction, we are back in emptiness and lucidity.
It is we who have to look both at the experience
and
that which experiences the experience.
It is uncomfortable
but that conflict and resistance
is what makes the progression.
Walking the path is achieved by
the contact of foot opposing the road.
It is the irritation that creates the pearl.
This is all about spiritual beings in the human condition.
BUDDHA IN THE MUD is a blog - a living book based on the Dzogchen teachings. Our teacher is life, and life is karma. In this way, Dzogchen is practical - no bells and whistles required. 
“Our greatest problem here is converting theories into genuine experience – and that genuine experience is being ordinary. You can’t get more ordinary than emptiness! We do need ideas or theories to convince the mind about the path we take, and then we follow the steps; we make the journey…”
Hello Tony,
If I understand correctly then there is work to be done on exhausting karma, by not reacting and developing the good heart. Any moment of the day, is an occasion to exhaust karma. Is this what you call that everything and everbody is our teacher? Can you say something on best methods/practices to exhaust karma? Thanks a lot.
Hello Marcel,
If we see our karma to be our habitual pattern of behaviour, which is based on how important we consider the mental idea of ourselves,(this being the filter through which we view everything), then unless that is broken we will continue to go round in circles.The same things will keep happening, as we respond in the same old way.
Anything that occurs is a product from our past, and any reaction on our part is also a product from the past.
If we do not reaction in the same old way,then by just staying in spaciousness no karma is created.
However, as Rob just pointed out, we don’t just stand there and get run over! 😀 We may have to DO something. But as this ‘doing’ action, comes from spaciousness/emptiness it will have the flavour of benefit and compassion…we hope!
This good action will produce karma or merit, but it is now good karma. Now we have to let go of the good karma by not claiming it….we hope!
Sorry this is so long but it’s an important subject.
Once we recognise the inner teacher, which is the mind being able recognising what is real and what is seemingly real, then anything that occurs is seen as a reflection of our true nature.
It’s like something occurring in emptiness – that clarity of emptiness easily sees that there is an occurrence
so it becomes a reminder of its own natural clear space -clear light.
“There is a movement in the FORCE!”
It is a chance not to get involved in the dream, while working within the dream. We are awake in the dream.
I suppose there is a contentment of allowing things to play themselves out. Of course we may wish for things to go faster, but that will just cause problems.
Yogis go away in isolation to take that final journey of exhaustion.For us house holders, life seems to simplify, needs and wants just drop away.
The best method? Love!
Tony
“This is all about spiritual beings in the human condition.”
The bottom line of post is “the actual bottom line” !
Both relative and absolute truth are contained within it !
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While in this human form, the laws of nature causes the meat suit body to be in survival mode at all times subconsciously by instinct . For the spiritual being inside to act as a pacifist, is willfully acting out against Gods laws of nature on planet earth, which will cause negative karmic reactions to happen as that is “Gods Laws” of the universe !
DEEPER THOUGHT—-
“This is all about spiritual beings in the human condition, and that statement has both the relative and absolute truth contained within it !!!!!!!!!!<10x
While in this human form, Gods laws of human nature causes the meat suit body to be in constant never ending survival mode at all times subconsciously by instinct . For the spiritual being inside to act as a "pacifist", is willfully acting out against Gods never changing laws of nature on planet earth, which will cause negative karmic reactions and repercussions to happen as that is guaranteed 100% due to the unchanging “Gods Laws of the universe" !
This comment was inspired by , and I was directed by the Holy Spirit, which is actually my "EGO", which is absolutely not a bad thing and actually is…. "Eternal Gods Omnipresence" living inside me and everyone else whether they know about it and understand it or not !
Right now on planet Earth the negative powers and principalities that we are forced into battle with every day have turned our gift from God into a weapon by making you believe the lies they tell you about EGO being a bad thing that needs to be destroyed !
Do you have eyes to see this pearl of wisdom, and ears to hear the relative and absolute truth !
Just watched the following video on a couple of subjects discussed in this post/thread, presented in a direct and clear way. Lot’s of echo.
Yes, because of cosmic law,the laws of karma, the world is perfect.
Tony
innocence, separation, reconciliation. Returning home..
Returning is like everything just dropping away. The result is tears of joy.
25 million people watched this video, and can you believe it, 2,296 didn’t like it.
Tony