Direct Teacher Or Schmoozer

A teacher who is all love and light can blind or schmooze us, knowing how to talk in a charming way – but not in a way that is direct or practical. An uncritical audience is easily won over.

We need someone who can show us our faults, so that we can work on our own. As the Buddha said, “Don’t take my word for the truth; test it for yourself.” We aren’t along for the ride; we are here for the journey (sounds like a car advert! :D)

In the Tibetan culture, each deity expresses a certain quality and has two aspects, peaceful and wrathful. Take Chenrezig, the deity of compassion whose mantra is OM MANI PEME HUNG: we can chant this and ‘feel’ compassion, or we can know what the mantra means – the conduct of generosity, patience, morals, discipline, concentration and wisdom-knowledge which is challenging and provoking when put into action because it needs skilful attention.

Both aspects are expressions of love – concern for others’ well-being – but one is dynamic, and the fast track that can sometimes be called ‘crazy wisdom’. It’s not crazy – it’s just direct and a shock, being brought to a halt into total confusion of emptiness.

Depending on our attitude, we all attract blessings of some sort. 🙂 This attraction is created by our self, and can either summon up beneficial help to correct our view, or demonic help that bolsters up our self-delusion.

Self is our karmic character that can either be schmoozed,
or receive direct instruction on our path.

We should always be aware of what we attract, and what attracts us. There is something called the messenger of the mind, knowns as Manas in Sanskrit. The Greeks called it Hermes, and the Romans, Mercury. We ask a question, and the mind brings up an answer. If the answer doesn’t satisfy, we ask again … We all have choice if we use it right, and don’t fixate on a schmooze-along. 🙂

It is the rawness of life
that is the direct contact of pure consciousness.
Raw: an emotion strong and undisguised,
frank and realistic in pleasant and unpleasant situations.

If we cover up this rawness with pleasantries,
we miss direct teaching.