The Dharma Is Do-It-Yourself

We can go to teachings, do retreats, read books, but these comprise generalised statements or concepts obtained by inference, just like a video on plumbing, electrics or bricklaying.

We don’t actually know until we put the idea into practice, where every situation is different. Once we know, we can adapt.

Confusion is not knowing, so we cannot adapt and have to rely on others (which can get quite expensive 🙂 ). What do we do for ourselves? Just be aware. Of course, we’ll say, “I am aware.” That’s the problem; the I is aware, but this is just a memory in the mind about what is seen. Being aware is just being aware, purely aware without concepts.

And we have to do this ourselves. Our true ‘self’ is pure consciousness, but this isn’t a thing that can be identified, as it’s that which is doing the seeing. Not many on this planet get that, as they are only aware of doing some thing, seeing some thing or enjoying some thing.

When the Buddha said,
“Don’t take my word for the truth; see for yourself,” he meant DIY. 🙂

A teacher cannot be aware for you.
The Buddha cannot be aware for you.

So what are we supposed to be doing?
Just be aware; that is absolute truth.

Once we know this,
anything that distracts is not the truth.

“But I have to do things!”
Just be aware while doing them – without emotion, without attachment;
just momentary satisfaction of completion.