The Show Goes On
The word ‘entertainment’ originally meant ‘to maintain’; to maintain our attention. Entertainment has a long term effect on our memories and so, on consciousness, replaying in our mind and captivating us ever after. In this way, our persona – and everything to which we cling – is created. Years ago, our minds were filled with work and survival, and now it’s entertainment because our everyday needs are more easily met.
Food, clothing, film, art, ablutions, driving, shopping, news, music, internet, gaming, sport, wealth, power, religion, philosophy, spirituality … meditation … gurus … can now all be part of our entertainment. It’s like hidden sugar and salt in food; we no longer notice the effect they are having on our health. The devil makes entertainment for idle minds. We cannot be still. If, however, we lose interest in the list above and start to concern ourselves with actual reality, then we will no longer be confused about the meaning of life.
Who’s running the ‘show’? Whomever allows it. As long as there is an audience, the ‘show’ will go on. This attack on our minds will not stop, but we can be aware of its effect rather than being part of the glue, holding all together by our reactions. The show loses its power.
We are all running the show, but we can take back our power by realising that our show is the product of our karma, and all we have to do is clean it up. The moment we see our mind entertaining us is the moment of freedom! Appearances and recognition are simultaneous = non-duality.
There’s No Business Like Show Business
Irving Berlin
There’s no business like show business like no business I know
Everything about it is appealing, everything that traffic will allow
Nowhere could you get that happy feeling when you are stealing that extra bow
There’s no people like show people, they smile when they are low
Even with a turkey that you know will fold, you may be stranded out in the cold
Still you wouldn’t change it for a sack of gold, let’s go on with the show
The butcher, the baker, the grocer, the clerk
Are secretly unhappy men because
The butcher, the baker, the grocer, the clerk
Get paid for what they do but no applause.
They’d gladly bid their dreary jobs goodbye for anything theatrical and why?
There’s no business like show business and I tell you it’s so
Traveling through the country is so thrilling, standing out in front on opening nights
Smiling as you watch the theatre filling, and there’s your billing out there in lights
There’s no people like show people, they smile when they are low
Angels come from everywhere with lots of jack, and when you lose it, there’s no attack
Where could you get money that you don’t give back? Let’s go on with the show
You get word before the show has started that your favourite uncle died at dawn
Top of that, your pa and ma have parted, you’re broken-hearted, but you go on
Yesterday they told you you would not go far, that night you open and there you are
Next day on your dressing room they’ve hung a star, let’s go on with the show!!
BUDDHA IN THE MUD is a blog - a living book based on the Dzogchen teachings. Our teacher is life, and life is karma. We are all Buddhas in the mud of concepts. 
Reblogged this on Ben Naga.
Hello willowdot21,
We can still enjoy the show!
Tony
Yes indeed 💜
I have entered this wonderful head space where I feel in touch with the Words Behind The Show. It is as though the substantial world has released its hold on my being and I am now being involved with the Creation that keeps the Show running for others, not yet awoken.
The fluidity of being, the infiniteness of possibility, the undeniable interconnectedness of detail – it call comes together to create this wonderful moment to moment passage of TIME. Which is what I believe the ultimate awakening is about – how WE related our selfs to TIME. Is TIME your Master? Is TIME your Friend? Is TIME your Teacher? Is TIME your Enemy? So many different ways to look at TIME and its passage, each being with their own individual perspective.
Which brings to mind my vision of TIME – The Immortal and Eternal yet Illusionary Dictator of our Shared Reality – he is made up of every moment. And so we in his moments help make up who he is. And so our collective opinions about TIME shape who and how TIME manifests for the Universe to experience.
My relation to TIME is a positive one. I can’t get enough TIME to excessively enjoy that which has been gifted my lucky life. I would take as much TIME in the moment I am in as TIME could possibly allow. TIME could not give me enough of himself for I am so thrilled by the wonder of the Universe I could take Forever and Ever After and Eternities exploring all the Magic and Perfection that is made possible in our little version of Reality.
LIFE is purely blissful when you find the Joy Behind the Show.
Hello Exploring Alura,
The infinite universe is eternal, therefore one could say timeless. Time relates to that which is created, dwells and then dissolves, so, all things. Our bodies dwell in time. Pure consciousness, for that is what we are, is timeless. Our essence is no thing.
While we dwell in time and in the show, we learn. As you say, behind the show is the joy of pure consciousness, pure being, and a relief from the rushing around.
Tony
Perhaps we could call it the Fourth time.
There is past, present and future, and the fourth…timelessness. 🙂
I like that thought quite much. Because with the place my mind is in, TIME just falls away. I don’t notice its passage, I can’t guess how much time has passed.
Literally, in TIMElessness, it feels as though you are living in a moment until the moment becomes so full it bursts and carries into the next moment.
Timelessness seems indescribable. It’s a continuity …of…. ! 🙂 a smile!