Are There Phrases That Switch Us On?
I’ve often wondered if there is a set of words that we hear or read at the right time that changes how we see – and thus changes our lives. My conclusion is yes. We have to build up questions where the answers seem closed to us and then, suddenly, the door opens. Eureka! After a while, the same process occurs again, and another door opens to let in more light. At each stage, we feel that we can then start living. Where was I before I saw the light?
Do we have an on/off switch?
Yes.
When we become distracted, we switch off.
Are there sudden realisations that gradually build up to enlightenment?
It seems so.
When will we start our true life?
The moment we drop our patterning.
Then we will never be the same again.
Never the same again.
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. 
But then I find there are switch words that simply perpetuate a confusion/delusion. Sex, for example, or politics is riddled with them.
Agreed.
I assume you will have also read Lama Mipham’s text translated as “Calm And Clear”.
Blue cover, clouds, sun, calm and clear! “D
Yes, that’s it. Reflecting on your post here I founf myself thinking of page 58:
“T
Yes, that’s the one. Reflecting on your post here I found myself thinking of page 58:
“The search for the nature of mind begins with the visualisation of the most fascinating object of sexual desire. … Woman is taken as the epitome of desirability, the strongest attachment of mind in the world of desire from which this meditation will lead.”
Hello Ben,
This is a truly interesting subject and depends on how we personally view it and its associations. On one level desire is seen as a distraction and at another level it is wisdom, discriminating wisdom.
I’ll get back to you on this.
Tony
Perhaps we have to recognise and explore the nature of our “mental” desire to arrive at the potential wisdom enclosed. 😶
Hello Ben,
You are totally right. The very nature of all negative emotions is wisdom. Something is seen or recognises, consciousness brightens, just sees, in that moment of just seeing IS pure consciousness. But, our habit is to go to our memory bank and judge from there, are so we react.
It’s all about catching that first moment, of just seeing. In that moment is the unity of the two truths, or non duality.
This is how life or karma becomes our teacher, reminding us to stay in equanimity.
We can still respond but now the response is measured.
As you say, it is we who have to recognise and explore…to arrive! 😀
Tony
😶
I don’t think we can rid ourselves of desire, we can observe it, we can disciple it, we can tame it, we can choose against it/resit it, but to do that usually only intensifies it. To not want desire is to desire not to desire, and thus trying to not desire only serves to perpetuate it, as you’re using the very thing you’re trying to rid yourself of. It seems, for certain things, that surrender to desire may help more to end/quell desire then trying to force it to stop. I think this is due to the Law of Diminishing Returns; The more you do something the less the reward, and eventually it just doesn’t offer any reward anymore and thus you no longer desire it.
How does one know it doesn’t need to go through experiencing certain desires in this life in order to end their desire for them? Perhaps its not desire that is the problem, but that which desires? Which is more powerful, will or desire?
A cold person desire warmth,
A hungry person desires food
An unloved person desires love
A lonely person desires companionship
Perhaps desire is needed and not a mistake? Perhaps the mistake lies in unmitigated or undisciplined use of desire, where desire controls you, you don’t control it?
Hello Ken,
As you indicate this is a complex issue from a relative point of view. The relative point of view is consciousness relating to phenomena and so reifying it, making it seem real. We need desire to function, and we need to know when to get out of the way of danger.
What I’m about to say comes from an ultimate point of view from the Tibetan Nyingma tradition, concerning Dzogchen or Rigpa– pure consciousness. Other traditions have others names, and in esoteric term it’s all the same.
This blog is all about Dzogchen, that the three poisons: desire, aversion and ignorance are actually the three wisdoms of emptiness, cognisance and compassion.
Simply put in the very first instant of a negative emotion, the mind or consciousness brightens up, and realises the presence of pure perception, that is what we are. A milli-moment later ego shows its head, goes to memory and then judges…and we react. The more we practice the more familiar we become with this spontaneous presence.
We can talk more about this.
As you say desire isn’t a bad thing. It’s hanging onto to that desire that causes us trouble.
Tony
Thanks for clarifying Tony, I understand. My study has been more focused on Taoism, Advaita Vedanta, some Buddhist works such as The Dhammapada, Hinduism, Stoicism, The Arcane Teachings-Mental Alchemy, The Kybalion and other Esoteric teachings and the principles of Human Psychology. Out of all that I’ve studied Taoism speaks to me the most, for some reason I resonate with it. I also tend to write more towards trying to guide those who are entering the path and are in the deep questioning stages, rather than those who’ve made it to the other shore so to speak.
As a result of years of my own mental and emotional suffering and waking out of it one day, and then going a 10 year exhaustive study in search for “the truth” to try and understand what happened “to me”, I now try to help those who are going through transformation or are still in suffering but waking out of it, and so I guess I write more from a relative point of view in an attempt to guide one across the bridge to the other side.
I am not trying to be in opposition to what you’re saying/teaching/sharing, rather, I’m trying to bring one towards it, perhaps meeting them at a level that is a few degrees shy of pure consciousness so to speak. Please know my intent is always for the betterment of the reader, just because someone doesn’t comment or reply here doesn’t mean its not being read, so we never know who our words are effecting. I see words as seeds, and the seeds we cast may eventually take root and flower into something beautiful depending how they’re nurtured, or perhaps them may not even take root, thus, I just keep casting seeds.
Hello Ken,
I share your sentiment entirely. We all have to find our way, and sharing is precious. Finding the level to communicate is challenging.
My view is that our karma shows us the way, in our reactions, and what sees those reactions is naturally consciousness, and it’s already pure.
Keep sowing.
Tony