WHEN ‘BAD’ KARMA HITS

When ‘Bad’ Karma Hits

It’s like a torrent of blackness.
It is bewildering.
Whom do we blame?

Unfortunately, when we blame,
this is the cause of further bad karma in the future
…and round and round we go…

Poo happens!

Expectation doesn’t help.
It only makes us feel more unhappy.
Nothing lasts.

Only one taste helps.

As Shabkar Tsokdrug Rangdrol said,
“Resolve that all of samsara and nirvana is of one taste in the mind. Then, while in the state of dharmakaya – your own un-fabricated mind – You should walk, sit, jump, or run, Speak, laugh, cry, or sing, And be subdued, wild or disgusted. Having acted in these crazy ways, rest finally in a state of peace and ease.”

This torrent of blackness is only seen by the virtue of light!
😀 😀 😀
The light is the one taste, as it shines on everything equally.
The light is clarity – clear view.

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GET ANGRY!

Get Angry!
Why is there so much toxicity in the world?

If we are spiritually aware, we must be socially aware as well, otherwise we are hypocrites – merely actors. We need to have integrity, and we need to get angry. Spontaneous emotions are energy, dynamic energy. If we merely conform, we consent to groupthink, to being dumbed down. As ‘spiritual’ beings, we need to do more than “feather our own nests”. At the last retreat I attended, I was angry: I mentioned that sugar was toxic, and fellow students all shouted out, “Stevia!” (a natural leaf sweetener) – as usual they ignored the plight of others because they had their “Stevia” so they were OK.

Toxic food – WHY is it allowed?

Carcinogenic foods, sugar-saturated drinks… the list is endless; these are creating massive health problems among people all over the world. Food for bad health is for profit. Who profits? The uncaring food and pharmaceutical industries. Why is this callous, insensitive and cruel disregard for others allowed? They know what they’re doing!

The following is from Gmwatch.org:

“Glyphosate mixed with other chemicals is carcinogenically damaging our DNA.”

“The Soil Association is calling on the Government, farmers, the milling industry and supermarkets to ensure bread containing glyphosate residue is taken off store shelves.

“It argues that consumers should be protected, despite levels of the chemical traces being well below the current European safety threshold, set before new information about the potentially toxic effects of glyphosate emerged.

“In March, a World Health Organisation report published in The Lancet Oncology journal concluded that the chemical “probably” caused cancer in humans, based on a thorough review of scientific evidence.

“However the finding is controversial and has been dismissed as invalid by German regulators.

Glyphosate is the chief ingredient in Roundup, the world’s most widely used herbicide, made by the agritech company Monsanto.”

http://www.gmwatch.org/ glyphosate-damages-dna-says-world-health-organisation-expert

Sugar drinks

There is between 7 and 16 teaspoons of sugar in soft drinks, and the effect is devastating our health – and children’ s health! http://www.sugarstacks.com/beverages.htm

..and don’t get me started on
“gaming” “texting” “surfing”…
the unhealthy activities of sitting, staring at a screen for hours.
The screen replaces our mind!

Saying that, maybe the “Future Buddha” will be the one who
“verily came forth and did press many buttons”!
😀 😀 😀

..I’m still angry!
Here’s another reason why.
“IMF and World Bank are Weapons of War” by John Pilger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=211&v=WYCH1Ylncxc

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TEACHER – ARE YOU ENLIGHTENED?

Teacher – Are You Enlightened?
No. However…

As students, we regard the teacher as more powerful than ourselves, but it can actually be the case that the student is more powerful. Here’s why. It’s to do with the way in which we view our reflection of the teacher. Our view is our teacher. If we see the teacher as an ordinary person, then we reflect those ordinary qualities. If we see uplifting qualities in the teacher, we reflect those qualities. It is our mind that has seen something – and so, it is coming not from the teacher, but from ourselves. The teacher is a representative of the teachings; a conduit or bridge.

When we become involved with spirituality, we first need a teacher, a bridge. This bridge shows us the way; how to see our own nature. Although the Buddha, Dharma and Teacher are of utmost importance, it all comes down to the final effect it has on us. Genuine experience is superior to scholastic learning.

However, this bridge/teacher and the traveller/student may have problems. This is a little bit of a touchy subject, as we are not all perfect, so being honest about this is challenging.

The student may want what they want, and not what they need, and the teacher may not be able to give the student what they need as the student can only deal with what the student wants! Are you with me? 🙂 There is also the problem of the teacher wanting and needing students because of their financial commitments to supporting a monastery full of monks and nuns. So we have to be smart, understanding and compassionate.

Of course, an authentic teacher will want to lead us to what we need and not what we want – but we have to be ready for that to happen. To progress to what we need in our development may be a painful undertaking, so we need a firm foundation to proceed.

This brings us to our effort. To proceed, we need energy and a live connection through inspiration. This is where deep appreciation (devotion) and confidence are required. This, and a feeling of connection with enlightened beings through supplication. Spontaneous presence is spontaneity; it is alive, awakened energy. Letting go of preconceived ideas, we receive blessings which make come in many forms, one being clarity.

Importantly, emotions are energy! That energy may be wise, or it may be destructive. Getting angry is full of limitless potential, whereas aggression is limited and destructive.

The problem is that the world is losing spontaneity through conformity. We are programming ourselves. This is not direct experience; it’s hearsay.

Along with spiritual awareness goes social awareness; without this, we are hypocrites, merely actors. “Hypocrite; hupokritēs Greek for ‘actor’.

The Buddha said,
Don’t take my word for it; see for yourself.”

There comes a time to just suck it and see!
And then we know we know.

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WHAT WE SEE WE CANNOT BE

What We See, We Cannot Be

Whatever is seen is an impure contamination which time will destroy as it is created by causes and conditions. We are deceived by time.

‘Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds’ – Bhagavad Gita.

Death = Time.
Time only exists due to temporary, physical phenomena;
it does not exist outside this illusory display.

Everything we ‘value’,
everything that we believe to be eternal
– the sun, worlds, creatures, knowledge –
time will destroy.

Anything that becomes is impermanent; destructible.
The only pure reality is “seeing”; indestructible.

Time does not destroy ignorance.
It is only our seeing that can achieve this.

If ignorance is not destroyed, it will be the cause of rebirth in more ignorance.
A moment of ignorance is created by a previous moment of ignorance.

Our job is to eliminate the darkness to see the light.

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VAJRAYANA, SYNAPSES AND GOD

Vajrayana, Synapses and God

“Knock and the door shall open.”
We knock because we have a question.
When we admit that we are suffering,
we will look for a cause of that suffering.
When we find it, the synapses will join up = eureka!

We know.
That is our true nature; pure cognisance.
We just don’t know that we know.
And when we do know,
we have to learn how to express that knowing.

So to whom are we asking our question?
Our very own nature.

Is there a connection between Vajrayana deities and God? If we ask a strict Buddhist or Christian, they would say “No!” but just bear with me a moment. It all depends on how we look and what is actually experienced, rather than what we are supposed to experience according to doctrine.

Vajrayana or Tantric deities embody enlightened qualities; so does the idea of God. We might say that “God” is a figment of our imagination, but then, so are deities. Buddhists will say that deities are enlightened beings, showering us with blessings. Christians say the same of God. Buddhists might say “But God is not the same thing as Vajrayana deities – it’s just an idea. Who’s ever met God?” Who has ever met a deity?

Buddhist will say that deities represents the “pure consciousness” of compassion. Christians might say that God represents “God consciousness”, the lord of compassion. The Tibetan deity, Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezi), is also known as the lord of compassion.

Of course, zealous, dogmatic types will argue forever about this, and that is their choice. However, what matters is the effect on our own minds. We have a choice to live in division or harmony.

As an example:

Last week, I decided I was going to be “on holiday”, which pleased the wife! Nothing was going to upset me, not even being told off for not washing up ‘properly’! I realised that this compassionate state was freeing for me – and her. I have spent years doing Vajrayana practice and it never made sense – I wasn’t really feeling it, as it was a conceptual idea, a practice that I ‘do’. Until now. A connection has suddenly been made. I do the Avalokiteshvara (the lord of compassion) practice every day, and was supposed to walk around in daily life as if I was the deity – but this never felt right as it was merely a concept. Until now. Now, compassionate nature is a constant reminder to be Mr. Avalokiteshvara.

And that’s the point of Vajrayana; it’s a reminder to be who we are. God consciousness is exactly the same… walking around like Mr or Mrs God!

This is all about the power of imagination.
Imagination can lead us into fantasy or reality.

Only you know!
When the synapses join up,
we can have great fun
creatively expressing this joy.

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PROOF THAT THE BUDDHA WAS RIGHT

Proof That The Buddha Was Right

The Buddha tells us that which we already know;
that we are pure cognisance.
This is our true nature.

How do we know this?
Because it is pure cognisance that is recognising.
Re-cognising: Latin = know again!

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PROOF THAT THE BUDDHA WAS WRONG!

Proof That The Buddha Was Wrong!

Er…

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…haven’t found anything yet!

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🙂

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SYNCHRONICITY IS KARMA

Synchronicity Is Karma

…nothing just happens,
as everything is created by
causes and conditions.

Synchronicity = meaningful coincidences = karma = the result of previous actions = a meeting in relative time and space that results in events.

I came to the Dharma through many painful events which coincided; the results of both good and bad karma. Synchronicity/karma is happening all the time; it’s continuous. Everything is synchronistic karma.

There are seeming accidents, but we are just unaware that synchronistic karma is taking place. The whole physical universe is synchronistic karma which is constantly being created by more synchronistic karma. “If we could just stop picking th spot, it will get better by itself!”

As our perception refines, so does synchronistic karma. Everything becomes meaningful. Everything is significant as everything is the symbolic teacher. The more we are aware, the more we are aware.

There is order in chaos but it just goes unnoticed. Through wisdom, we may gain accurate and deep understanding, with insight into how and why ‘things’ happen. Insight = inner seeing; the realisation that everything arises within emptiness as a mistaken reflection that we take as reality. This ignoring of ultimate truth gives rise to desire and aversion, which in turn creates everything else.

We know 😀
but ignore 😉

As I like words, here’s one! Apophenia: the human tendency of perceiving patterns and connections. I would add, ‘without insight into the true nature of everything, and therefore, in the realm of fantasy and superstition’.

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MEDITATION DOESN’T MAKE US NICE PEOPLE

Meditation Doesn’t Make Us Nice People

Conduct does.

We may have a ‘high view’ and be able to meditate very well, sitting still and straight and mastering complex practices, but our behaviour is the hallmark of achievement.

When we understand (through meditation) that the nature of mind is pure awareness – and that that pure awareness is the nature of our mind – then we understand that the nature of mind of others is pure awareness as well.

Pure awareness is dry because it just is. The moisture comes from expressing pure awareness: that is love without conditions. Confident compassion arises, which influences our conduct. Conduct is merely the continuity of pure awareness, which is the result of meditation.

Having lost a strong sense of self identity (expressing a ‘mere I’, a little ego), we then care more about others than we do about ourselves, and true happiness arises. This is a rare event, and worthwhile…as it is.

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WE LOOK AND WE’RE INFLUENCED

We Look and We’re Influenced

It all depends on what we look at, and the way in which we look at it. The world can seem full of hellish demons, or full of pure spiritual beings. Whatever takes our attention has an influence on us.

That’s what happened when we saw our reflection in the mind and mistook it for our self. The absolute (our pure awareness) related to an image and created a duality – a relative 😀 …my best friend!

Hellish demons know how to influence – and so do pure spiritual beings. This is determined by how open or closed minded we are. We need to understand the middle way; the unity of the two truths of relative and absolute reality.

If we become caught up in either extremes, we start judging and spiralling down to the dull hell realms. The absolute is the very nature of the hellish demons – the buddha in the mud. The hellish demons are just a psychological idea and have no reality. They have merely forgotten what they are, and so have we. We are both aspects – spiritual and demonic – being kicked around like a football (and getting very bruised)!

Whatever we read or hear, whatever we digest, can either be satisfying – a relief – or give us indigestion; the collywobbles!

This is why we have to be very careful, very aware, very mindful, to only take in that which inspires us, that which we can comprehend and that which makes sense to meditate upon.

We need constant wisdom inspirations.
This is what compassion and devotion are all about.
That is what Vajrayana is all about.

PS We should be aware of what is going on in the physical and psychological realms of samsara but we need to know from which vehicle we are viewing this; in the lower vehicles, samsara is something to be disgusted about, whereas at the higher levels, it’s seen to have no reality. This can be difficult to comprehend because it’s important understand our own temperament at this moment in time. Some need a literal practice and for others, an expedient practice is sufficient: some use a vajra and bell to remind them of means and wisdom and others don’t; there’s no right and wrong.

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I SHOULD HATE MYSELF…BUT I DON’T!

I Should Hate Myself…But I Don’t!

We may find that we cannot – or do not want to – conform others’ standard. They may feel threatened by this. We don’t even have to say anything; we are just not one of them.

Because of this, we could feel that we are ‘wrong’ in some way. Also (spiritually speaking) the way we think of our mistaken self identity could make us feel wrong. Hence: “I should hate myself.”

I should hate myself?! Our confused state is our path. Those who conform love themselves as they feel safe in their playground.

Some of us are not ‘group think’ people, and we shouldn’t hate ourselves for that.

Maybe some worry more 😀 !
“You won’t get to heaven by worrying!”
Perhaps some aren’t meant for heaven…
Bodhisattvas aren’t.*

We all have to start somewhere
with an aspiration to help.
We all need a doorway to start our journey out of the group think.

This is the final paragraph from an article by Kosho Uchiyama in Tricycle (an online magazine about Buddhism):

It’s not enough just to know the definition of bodhisattva. What’s much more important is to study the actions of a bodhisattva and then to behave like one yourself.

Regarding the question “What is a bodhisattva?” you could also define a bodhisattva as one who acts as a true adult. That is, most people in the world act like children. The word dainin means “true adult” or “bodhisattva.” Today most people who are called adults are only pseudoadults. Physically they grow up and become adult but spiritually too many people never mature to adulthood. They don’t behave as adults in their daily lives. A bodhisattva is one who sees the world through adult eyes and whose actions are the actions of a true adult. That is really what a bodhisattva is.”

http://www.tricycle.com/new-buddhism/bodhisattvas/what-bodhisattva

*Traditionally, a bodhisattva is anyone who, motivated by great compassion, has generated bodhicitta (a spontaneous wish to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings) but does not pass into Paradise.

King-like bodhisattva – one who aspires to become buddha as soon as possible and then help sentient beings in full fledge;

Boatman-like bodhisattva – one who aspires to achieve buddhahood along with other sentient beings;

Shepherd-like bodhisattva – one who aspires to delay buddhahood until all other sentient beings achieve buddhahood. Bodhisattvas like Avalokiteśvara and Śāntideva are believed to fall in this category.

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Being Our Own Spiritual Protector

Being Our Own Spiritual Protector

We all have faults; that’s why we are sentient creatures and not fully enlightened Buddhas. These faults arise from our mistaken self identity; we react by becoming aggressive towards others in order to defend and maintain this self identity. This exposes our own weaknesses. Our reactions say more about us than they do about that to which we are reacting… and we lose our inner peace. On an ultimate, level life is our teacher, and so our supposed enemies are our helpers towards our goal!

It’s not going to work 😀 if we think that being rotten to others will be the cause of their enlightenment! If that was the case, we’d all be enlightened – NOW!!!

The only faults we should focus on are our own. There are two ways of looking at that – conventional and ultimate. On a conventional level, if we pay attention to our own faults, we will appear less confrontational; we’ll be nicer, and more empathetic. On an ultimate level – if we are truly practising spirituality – we are aware of the continuity of practice after death. We will not let a moment’s inattentiveness pass unnoticed. This is why some practise in isolation so as not to be distracted.

Although we may think that our incarnations are limitless and so we can just keep on going the same old way, if we consider that this may be our last incarnation …we won’t want to spoil it, would we?!

Not reacting ends karmic production. When we are no longer ambushed by likes and dislikes (at an ultimate level), we are free. The responsibility for this is in our own minds. No one can do it for us – not even a Buddha. If that was the case, we’d all be enlightened NOW!!! 😀 😀 😀

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SPIRITUAL THERMOMETER

Spiritual Thermometer
(wasting subtle energy is so easily to do)

Negativity wastes precious energy – if we over-react. Subtle energy transforms into gross energy.

When we over-react to something we have read, heard, seen, touched or smelled, the inner ‘wind’ in the subtle body (the nervous system) rises and we experience a ‘gut’ reaction. This may then rise to the heart, throat or head, and we feel a sensation of tension in those areas, and lose a little sanity (and our immune system may also be affected).

There is some material that we read or hear that can be so overwhelmingly negative that it has the effect of dragging down the subtle energy into gross energy, and we really do feel the effect of this. That is when the inner wind is rising – a bit like a spiritual thermometer 😉

It takes understanding to be able to deal with such negativity, and transform it into positivity; this is what Gampopa means by “confusion dawning as wisdom”.

There is a problem with listening to the same old wisdom every day; we stop hearing, and look for something new. But it’s not the ‘same old wisdom’ – which is ancient wisdom: with the clearing of obstacles (dare I say it – letting go), a refinement takes place.

The more the profound, the simpler it gets.
It’s what Buddha in the Mud is all about.

There is no Mud and there is no Buddha:
just pure awareness.

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SPIRITUAL HOLIDAY

Spiritual Holiday

‘Being spiritual’ can be such a headache for all concerned! We can sometimes give off vibrations of trying too hard, of being “present”, of being really keen and awake…and it can make others feel uncomfortable.

Retreats can be like that, with lots of big starey scary eyes! 😀 😀 😀
Unfortunately earnest people become quickly upset.

Take a holiday today. Be laid back and relaxed. Today, we are not going to get up tight and nothing will upset us…and we are not going to project ‘our’ spirituality 🙂
It’s actually a holiday for others! A holiday is a relief from methods.

Traditionally, there is view, meditation and conduct.

View is pure awareness – non-meditation – non-doing – the holiday.
Meditation is any method to remind us of pure awareness – and entails doing – work.
Conduct is the continuity of pure awareness – the expression of the holiday.

Give others a break and take a holiday
…and relax.

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“I JUST WANT TO BE ME!”

I Just Want To Be Me!”

..and what is that?

This is like trying to designing an animal;
it will have bits of everything
that we’ve ever seen…

..and never be quite right!

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7 BILLION IN ‘THE DEVIL’S’ FOCUS GROUP

7 Billion in ‘the Devil’s’ Focus Group

Don’t wander, don’t wander, place mindfulness on guard”

Mass surveillance of our likes and dislikes
tells ‘the devil’ how to control us.

Along the road of distraction, Mara lies in ambush.
Mara is this mind, clinging to like and dislike”

Looking for happiness is the cause of suffering.
Recognising suffering is the cause of happiness.

So look into the essence of this magic, free from dualistic fixation.
Realise that your mind is unfabricated primal purity.”

Of course we all want to be happy;
that means we think we are not happy.

There is no buddha elsewhere; look at your own face.”

Life might seem like a pile of poo,
but a temporary pile of poo.

There is nothing else to search for; rest in your own place.
Non-meditation is spontaneous perfection, so capture the royal seat.”

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t wander, don’t wander, place mindfulness on guard;

Along the road of distraction, Mara lies in ambush.

Mara is this mind, clinging to like and dislike;

So look into the essence of this magic, free from dualistic fixation.

Realise that your mind is unfabricated primal purity.

There is no buddha elsewhere; look at your own face.

There is nothing else to search for; rest in your own place.

Non-meditation is spontaneous perfection, so capture the royal seat.

Drubwang Tsoknyi Rinpoche 1

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WHAT TIBETAN LAMAS REALLY DON’T KNOW

What Tibetan Lamas Really Don’t Know

For decades, psychoanalysis has ruled America – to rule the world

This is a very difficult subject to write about as it may be upsetting to some. We are basic goodness, but have been separated from that goodness by an idea of goodness: this not easy to recognise as we are arrogantly “knee deep” into ourselves. Psychoanalysists believe we are irrational demons that have to be controlled. Funnily enough, this isn’t too far fetched, but their methods are diabolical!

We can either study a thousand facts to understand the one essential principle, or we can understand the one essential principle in order to understand the thousand facts. That one principle is the code breaker! In Tibetan Buddhism, this is pure awareness.

Tibetan Buddhism can sound complex, full of thousands of teachings and facts, but it all comes down to one thing and that is pure awareness, for without that, nothing would be known. All Tibetan lamas know this. This is why the Dzogchen (Maha-Ati) teaching is so valuable, as it starts with the code – pure awareness. We are Dzogchen – pure awareness. All we have to do now is live it!

However. Tibetan Lamas are at risk of arrogance when they see us (modern people) as speedy and irrational… “unreasonable, illogical, groundless, baseless, unfounded, unjustifiable, unsound; absurd, ridiculous, ludicrous, silly, foolish, senseless, nonsensical, laughable, idiotic, stupid, wild, untenable, implausible, unscientific, arbitrary, crazy, mad.” This could be said to be reasonable because, as sentient beings, we are all of the above 😉 but if this idea is held onto, there is a danger of fixation.

So what is it that the Lamas don’t know?

The answer lies in the reason why we (modern people) are all caricatures of the above. Of course, it comes down to an identification with a mental image of ourselves, forgetting that which is aware of this nonsensical image.

Lamas (well, the ones I’ve met) do not recognise how modern life came about: they fail to understand that we are all caught up in an insidiousness of corruption about our true nature. There are those who wish to gain from our ignorance, and keep us ignorant by our consent – crazy! We do not see this because we are the problem – we are the main course! The problem for lamas is that they are surrounded by those who are too willing to please, and who readily submit to being seen as inferior (which is, of course, contrary to the teachings).

I once attended a retreat where we met in groups of four to discuss what we felt about the Dharma; this was termed “Harvesting” 😉 . At the end, we fed back to the main group what had been said. I was shocked at the regurgitation of platitudes, and very pleased to have managed to have got in the phrase “neurolinguistic programming!” The Lama gave me such a look 😀 !

The teachings are perfect. The only escape from attitudes is being aware.

Tibetans have not studied the history of western society in depth (actually, most westerners haven’t either!). They do not understand that there is an ‘elite’ (the very arrogant) who have been using psychoanalysis in America for decades, and who see humans as irrational and potentially dangerous. Modern psychoanalysis ruled America, and now their principles rule the world.

As shown in the four documentaries below, this idea came from the Austrian Sigmund Freud, whose theories were taken up by his nephew Edward Bernays and Freud’s fanatical daughter, Anna Freud. They were incredibly influential within American corporations and governments, and this influence continues through those who continue the work. Society was “engineered” to conform so that corporations and governments could profit from human desire. To make profit on such a massive scale, one needs control on a massive scale. What happened was – and is – incredible.

These documentaries show the effect psychoanalysis has controlled and influenced the modern world, from the top right down to street level. They are also interesting for the reason that they were commissioned by the BBC in the first place, as they reveal how the media works, and how psychology is used to manipulate people’s thinking. All one has to do is take glimpse at one of the films to get an idea of what has been, and is still, going on.

The first video is entitled, “The Happiness Machine”.
The second – “The Engineering of Consent” – shows the build up to the 1950s.

“There is a policeman inside all our heads: he must be destroyed” is the third in the series, and reveals what was behind the Californian pseudo-spirituality of self help therapies (I’ve met Lamas who have laughed at these Californian mystics, but do not understand underlying causes).
The fourth video – “Eight People Sipping Wine in Kettering” – is about how those in politics make use of these theories.

There is much more to all this, but I’ll stick to the videos for now. Like Buddhism, all one needs is the one principle which can then multiple itself. So it started with “Look good – feel better!” and then developed into “Express who you are!” One controlled the body consciousness and the other, the mind consciousness, and they both make money. You have to pay to be you?!

We can smile at the videos, thinking, “How stupid people were!”, forgetting that we are part of it right now! We are dinner! There is no hiding place. Policemen have been placed in our mind.

We do not need complexity. Within us all is simple goodness, not a deep underlying danger as Freud suggested. Evil is banal. It is superficial. The demons within us are our wisdom: they are nothing to be afraid of. Fear is looking at things the wrong way round through a dirty lens.

“Look good – feel better!” and “Express who you are!” are deceptions to make people identify only with the mundane. We are sold the idea that we are unique and individual, but this is merely conventional self indulgence.

Unless we truly understand that evil is a banality, we will merely continue to act out this banality through demonstrations of superficial love, rather than expressing our ultimate true nature of love and pure awareness. We are being conned at every turn.

The very understanding of this is an enhancement of our daily practice;
it brings energy and dynamism, and gives a reason to practice.
Everything is banal.
Everything is nonsense –
except the pure awareness that is aware of the banal and the nonsensical.
Once aware, we are free.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2j2sfp_the-century-of-the-self-part-1-of-4-happiness-machine

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2j2xh9_the-century-of-the-self-part-2-of-4-the-engineering-of-consent

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2d2l6u_the-century-of-the-self-part-3-of-4-there-is-a-policeman-inside-all-our-heads-he-must-be-destroyed_school

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2j38dj_the-century-of-the-self-part-4-of-4-eight-people-sipping-wine-in-kettering

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WELL-BEING AND CRITICAL THINKING

Well-Being and Critical Thinking

A feeling of well-being is when our mind and body are at peace with the way we are, but not docile.

We need a balance of being open to change while being vigilant against being engineered.

There are many influences in the world trying to make us consent to follow. If we don’t follow our own conscience, we feel constantly guilty.

Our spiritual welfare is maintained by intelligent awareness.

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ANTIDOTES ARE NEVER ENDING

Antidotes Are Never Ending

Antidotes are a temporary measure – the ‘problem’ will repeatedly return. Understanding that the ‘problem’ is temporary reveals the true nature of the ‘problem’ – that it is empty of any true existence. So there is no need to rely on antidotes!

Antidotes take time and money.

On a relative level, we feel empty and so we look for an antidote to occupy us – to pass the time.
On an ultimate level we are empty, and so are aware of antidotes occupying us – there is no time… to waste!

The Tibetan word for meditation also means ‘to cultivate’. Meditation is an antidote to confusion about ourselves. Once the confusion is recognised, the antidote is no longer needed; we are familiarising ourselves with – and cultivating – spacious awareness

But let’s be honest,
we still like to be occupied;
best to keep meditating!

Better still, break the meditation.
Short moments, many times.

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THE WRATHFUL MIRROR

The Wrathful Mirror

We normally think that a wrathful situation is something in which we find ourselves. However, it may be that we are the wrathful mirror to others!

In general, wrathful situations are challenging, and can be painful: it’s a very shiny mirror! Even if we try to put things ‘right’ it seems that nothing works. This could mean that an association has run its course and it’s time to let go or move on.

For ordinary people, this type of situation can cause much suffering, as we don’t like change. Spiritually speaking, wrathful situations cut through dilemmas and have a releasing quality; they are part of our evolution. When this is experienced as a healing event, we can then empathise with others.

There is no point in talking to people who barricade themselves in a mud castle of a ‘peaceful’ docile life. They wouldn’t know what on earth we were talking about! For such people, WE are the wrathful situation! Many spiritual people fall into that trap, claiming to have compassion but quickly moving away when a seemingly wrathful situation is standing right next to them.

The more we look within ourselves, the more we see, the faster we catch our own reactions, and the clearer the mirror becomes. This is just too uncomfortable for some, who want to cover up their fear of change. People quickly panic to ‘fit in’ so as to be seen to have acquired ‘the answers’, preventing any refinement from taking place as ‘the answer’ has become a barrier. Whatever we say or do seems a threat to them and their way of life – in such a case, we are the seemingly wrathful mirror, and all we want to do is love…but it’s too much. This could be one of the reasons for old friends turning away as we develop and change.

When looking closely at others (and this is very important), we are not condemning them, but understanding them. We don’t over analyse them, as they have to do this for themselves. A mirror merely reflects.

The four enlightened activities of compassion deal with ego’s games through pacifying, enriching, magnetising and destroying*. There is nothing that we do. Merely listening reflects something of the four activities. If the mirror is clear and bright, others may see their own reflection…or not. The reflection may be too much and they turn away: that is their path.

Skilful compassion is conduct – the continuity of meditation.

* Put four enlightened activities into search for details.

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KARMA IS OUR TEACHER

Karma Is Our Teacher

Life brings up all sort of situations, and our minds bring up all sorts of reactions to those situations. These are all products from our past actions; karma. Karma is our collection of confusion about ourselves and the world in which we dwell. Undoing our confusion is our path. And so, our karmic confusion is our teacher. A physical teacher merely shows us how to look.

We learn from every situation through observing our reactions, looking closer, and closer still. Stopping reacting puts an end to the production of karma; when karma is exhausted, there is no more learning and we have arrived at fruition. Fruition is realising that the confusion was just a collection of ideas that never truly existed in the first place. The whole thing has been an illusion to which we consented…following everyone else.

We may find ourselves in peaceful or wrathful situations, or a bit of both! I once replied to someone about happiness and that person “went crazy at me” 😉 . Was there a right or wrong? We were both learning from our karma. How much we learn may depend on how much we can put up with 😀 We can’t please everyone, and have our own karmic load to deal with.

We receive many knocks and wounds in life, and if we are skilful, they can be our guides – our teachers: “May confusion dawn as wisdom.”

It’s nice to meet with peaceful deities, but it’s faster meeting wrathful ones…if we are ready for them.

Compassion in peaceful company is easy. It takes a massive amount of compassion and empathy to maintain balance in wrathful company. That “massive amount” is a boost …if we are ready for it.

When we get used to this boost, we find we stop reacting. There is still a mental reaction, but it is now a massive boost of clarity in the mind. That’s the light of wisdom.

The Four Dharmas of Gampopa

Grant your blessings so that our mind may follow the Dharma.
Grant your blessings so that the Dharma becomes the path.
Grant your blessings so that the path dispels confusion.
Grant your blessings so that confusion dawns as wisdom.

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DEMONIC AND WISDOM ASPECTS OF HOPE AND FEAR

Demonic and Wisdom Aspects of Hope And Fear

Two Sides Of The Same Coin

In a demonic realm, we are attracted to hope, and repulsed by fear.
In a wisdom realm, hope is symbolised by the qualities of peaceful deities, and fear by wrathful deities.

Both hope and fear (desire and aversion) are controlled by ignorance: these are the three poisons. However, these very same poisons are, in actuality, wisdoms. This is the one thing that the demonic realm does not understand, and we spend all our time distracting ourselves from the reality of the nature of the three poisons.

If we want to understand what is controlling us as a population, we merely have to look into our own minds; as in the part, so the whole.

That which governs our minds also governs the world: ignorance, desire and aversion, the main villain being ignorance of our true nature of pure awareness.

Through ignorance, we are controlled by:
deceit, terror and fear
and/or
deceit, pleasure and hope.

Just look at the world now. If a newspaper is available, so is control! This is how modern society is governed by violence and pleasure.

However, this can easily be turned on its head through the wisdom of peaceful and wrathful deities – once we know. Knowing dispels ignorance!

mahakala_detail

Avalokiteshvara/Chenrezi is a peaceful deity representing compassion. His other aspect is Mahakala. the wrathful side – intense love. We can easily understand the peaceful aspect, but what of this wrathful aspect? If we miss the value of compassion and resting in inner peace, then we have to be woken up! That is when we need the piercing eye of the wrathful teacher, who will not let us go to sleep or be distracted. This is especially valuable in the BARDO (the state after death) but is also relevant now; that is why the disruption in the world has to be seen in the light of wisdom.

The intense evil in the world of deceit, terror and pleasure is a waking up call, and can serve as a wrathful deity. It is obvious that the world is now in darkness, and getting darker.

The antidote for the three poisons of ignorance, desire and aversion is the three kayas: Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya and Nirmanakaya – Emptiness, Awareness and Compassion.

The following is from an article I wrote entitled The Reptilian Brain – Beauty and the Beast. For the full article go to https://buddhainthemud.com/2013/07/27/videos-for-reptilian-brain-beauty-and-the-beast/


This is how they correlate.
Desire
 – Emptiness
Aversion – Awareness
Ignorance – Compassion

Our essence is emptiness: pure sacred space. Desire arises, creating concepts which fill this sacred space. Emptiness get filled with fixated ideas.

Our nature is awareness: a knowing quality. Aversion arises when awareness creates an “I” by forgetting its essence, emptiness, and we start judging.

Our expression is unconfined compassionate energy: joy of being. Ignorance arises when empty awareness forgets its own true nature – emptiness and awareness – which is also that of others. So we lack love = ignorance.

A devil cannot understand wisdom.
:D- :D- :D-
If it did, it would be enlightened!
:D- :D- :D-

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IT’S NOT COMPLICATED

It’s Not Complicated

“There is no division between perception and field of perception”; there is no separation – no time gap. This bypasses thinking, which arises from judgement and reference/memories.

Step one.
Shamata.
Perception is one with the breath;
not separated – no time gap.

Step two.
Awareness and perception are one;
not separated – no time gap.

Step three.
Awareness of awareness;
not separated – no time gap.

Step four.
Emptiness of awareness;
not separated – no time gap.

Step five.
If step four is not clear, go back to step one!

(This can happen in a moment, or can take years. In a moment is cheaper! 😉 )

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SPONTANEOUS WORKS OF ART

Spontaneous Works of Art

There is no division between perception and field of perception – awareness and the field of awareness. There is no judgement or reference, merely pure perception – pure awareness.

Normally, we see through a haze of judgements and reference points, following a mechanical routine. Pure perception can scan for previous information, but is not affected by it. Our practice is the continuity of pure perception, not deviating from timeless awareness.

Art is spontaneous presence.
We are spontaneous works of art
expressing acts of uninhibited inspiration.
The continuity of little deaths and rebirths.

It may seem a little crazy
but it makes us smile!

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HOW SIMPLY AMAZING

How Simply Amazing

Dzogchen is just everyday life itself, being totally open to everything, natural and spontaneous, accepting and learning from everything that comes our way.

There is no division between perception and field of perception. There is no need to behave in any special way or attempt to attain anything above and beyond what you actually are. There is no feeling of striving to reach some amazing goal or advanced state.

Simply in the moment now,
free from doubt, boredom or excitement,
is enlightenment
…not being in the dark!

Surprised?
What else is there?!

(If this is good enough for HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, then it’s good enough for us 🙂 )

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THE TEACHER IS THE OUTCOME OF MEDITATION

The Teacher is the Outcome of Meditation
the level of sensitivity we experience

Meditation is being aware of awareness. Realising that there is nothing other than awareness, the realisation of our true nature takes place – pure awareness – nothing doing.

Our personality is an expression of the balance between ordinary awareness and pure awareness. It is what we work with; after all, on a conventional level, we’re not ‘non-people’, are we? Our personality can range from ‘heavy’ to ‘light’ (we mustn’t assume that we know what the terms ‘heavy’ and ‘light’ mean, as this will depend on whether we are working in ordinary awareness or pure awareness).

Reactions arise within us from external stimuli: the noticing of these reactions is our teacher. In themselves, reactions are neither good nor bad, and it’s a matter of how skilfully we respond to them to bring about balance; not too tight, not too loose.

On the conventional level, a heavy personality is dogmatic* and monopolises space, whereas a light personality is flexible and spacious**.

When compassion is present in pure awareness, both of these aspects may be employed; not too tight and not too loose. Empathy is constantly balancing the four enlightened qualities of pacifying, enriching, magnetising and destroying; not too tight, not too loose.

The outcome of meditation is compassion.
The teacher is empathy.

.

*There seem to be two qualities to the word ‘dogmatic’, one being clarity and the other, fixated clarity: assertive, imperative, insistent, emphatic, adamant, doctrinaire, authoritarian, authoritative
or
domineering, imperious, high-handed, pontifical, arrogant, overbearing, dictatorial, uncompromising, unyielding, unbending, inflexible, rigid, entrenched, unquestionable, unchallengeable; intolerant, narrow-minded, small-minded

For example, the idea of ‘dogmatic’ can mean a person is very precise: a few of my teachers have described their teachers as being ‘quite scary’. With some teachers, one has to be careful of the questions one asks as they don’t bend at all, and one as to do exactly what they say! This is something we westerners can struggle with 😉 It’s said that such teachers had a high level of clairvoyance.

** Likewise, ‘light’ has two qualities, one being a light, sensitive touch and the other being a lack of substance, flighty, easily swayed.

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MASS MIND CONTROL

Mass Mind Control

An seemingly innocuous idea
can control populations for generations.

“The Light of Wisdom” and “The Torch of Freedom”.
It all depends who is using these words.

The “Light of Wisdom” is the clarity of the nature of mind; our enlightened nature, which liberates the mind from innocuous, controlling ideas.

The “Torch of Freedom” is a cigarette, a ‘penis’*, manipulating the population for generations through suggestion, and innocuous, controlling ideas.

A lie gains power by its element of truth.
We all want freedom, but freedom from what?

I keep bringing back Edward Bernays, the father of propaganda, to remind us of the influences we are under. The ‘elite’ wanted him to turned need into desire, training the mass mind.

This is the great experiment that began in America, and that rules the world – the consumer world: It creates the haves and the have-nots, which in turn divides and creates dissatisfaction.

The great experiment of over-indulgence creates hatred in the world.
This creates extremism.
So consumerism creates terrorism and the raping of the planet, turning it into a mental and physical cesspit.

This is all brought about by mass mind control.

Why is this so important?
Because it only takes a small percentage of the population to consent.
Because we need to be aware that it can creep into spirituality as well.

The Happiness Machine: the work of Edward Bernays

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xyxlxj_the-century-of-the-self-1of4-happiness-machines_shortfilms

*Smoking was regarded as a male-only activity, and it was frowned upon for women to smoke. Bernays was employed by the tobacco corporations to lure the other half of the population into enjoying cigarettes, by calling them ‘the torch of freedom’, linking it to the Suffragette movement and the Statue of Liberty.

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IMPRISONED IN A CONFUSED, DUALISTIC REALITY

Imprisoned in a Confused, Dualistic Reality

The confusion…
Who am I?

There are two realities; one that is told to us, and the other…!!!
The reality we are told is a deviation, a diversion.
The other is what we actually are; pure awareness – an is-ness…!!!

For a deviation to be believed, it must contain an element of truth to make it credible. This sets up a dualistic confusion which, if not properly identified, leads us to consent to believe this confused idea because it sort of works, but leaves us frustrated as it isn’t the complete picture. It shifts our consciousness to that which we are being told, rather than that which we know instinctively…!!!

The problem is that we are so far down the road of deviation that it has become our instinct, our familiar habit, our norm. That’s how this prison works.

Our true nature is on holiday all the time! A holy-day is a break from being caught up in the mundane; ‘holy’ is resting in moral and spiritual excellence. And that is having fun in the simplicity of everything, without excess and over excitement.

We are told that a holiday is a rest – a short break from our usual business of excessive, over-excited activity. But in fact, the holiday turns out to be just more excessive and over-excited activity ;-)… and we find we’re still imprisoned. Here’s our thinking: “If a little bit of what you fancy does you good, then a lot of what you fancy is even better!” 😀 😀 😀

Once we recognise that we are imprisoned by others’ reality, we can return to resting in moral and spiritual excellence. And that’s just simple fun…!!! It doesn’t take much to make us smile because we are looking more closely, and experiencing more of the richness of everything…!!! A mere smile has so much potential…!!!

Who am I?
Who asks the question?
What is…!!! is the answer.

There is no prison:
by consent, we have been the jailer all along…!!!

PS all the !!! in this represent indescribable joy…!!! ;D

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OVER-CONFIDENCE, CONFIDENCE OR A LACK OF CONFIDENCE

Over-Confidence, Confidence or a Lack of Confidence

Another touchy subject!

Separation <—connection—> separation.
“Not too tight and not too loose.”

When we appear over-confident, others want to bring us down.
When others appear over-confident, we want to bring them down.

When we lack confidence, we become aggressive.
When others lack confidence, they become aggressive.

Both over-confidence and lack of confidence have no empathy for others as it’s
‘all about me’.
Confidence is empathising with the situation and with others, neither accepting nor rejecting.

It gets worse 😉 !
Over-confidence and lack of confidence are pride and inverted pride; both are rooted in arrogance (self importance).

People with pride feel themselves special, and better than others.
People with inverted pride (upside down) feel special because they are a victim, and less fortunate than others.

Pride monopolises the conversation with how wonderful, and how much more deserving and special we are: me first!
Inverted pride monopolises the conversation with self-condemnation, insisting that everyone else go first!

Both attitudes are all about me, me, me with little consideration for the rest of humanity. There is no recognition that other people also have their own good qualities and shortcomings.

It gets worse 😉 !
We are talking here about both forms of narcissism:

  1. Excessive preoccupation with or admiration of oneself.

  2. A personality disorder characterised by self-preoccupation, a need for admiration, a lack of empathy, and unconscious deficits in self-esteem.

Confidence is being relaxed with how we are,
and never gets touchy.

Everybody knows this.

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THERE ARE THREE CONSTANTS IN THE UNIVERSE

There Are Three Constants In The Universe
Space, pure awareness and formula.

There is order in chaos.

In the teachings, much is spoken about the constancy of space and pure awareness – but formula? Nothing! I have brought this subject up many times in teachings and all I get is a blank look from the teacher – and from the students, who think I’m going off-topic because they haven’t heard the teacher say this. Dare I say it…their reactions are sometimes even hostile.

“Who is this strange fellow, talking about formula?”
“It’s not in the text!”
Exactly.
And actually, it is!

I’ve lost count at the put downs I’ve had to endure, because students become caught up in the idea that things are an illusion, and in the acquisition of answers*. Of course things/phenomena are impermanent and have no reality, and are therefore an illusion.

But. Things will always come about through causes and conditions = formula!

The 3 poisons.
The 3 kayas.
The 6 realms.
The 12 links of origination.
The 8 consciousnesses.
The 5 skanda.
The 84.000 types of confusion.
A biscuit.
Suns and planets.
Emotions.
E=MC2.
…the list is endless.

Everything comes about through formulae. The thing itself is an illusion; the formula is not. We use the formula to discover a thing’s basic nature. For me this is important, as then we start to recognise the formula in others and ourself. Personality is a programme, a formula: push the right button and off the formula goes.

You don’t know until you try it.
Just like the Buddha said.

*Before I bought my first 35mm camera, I went to several shops asking questions and receiving answers, so that at the next shop I would be armed with an intelligent question, and so on. Finally returning to the original shop with full info on a particular camera, I now sounded like an ‘expert’… and I hadn’t even used the camera yet! Going to teaching is a bit like that 😉

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DON’T BELIEVE A WORD THE BUDDHA SAYS

Don’t Believe a Word the Buddha Says
…even the Buddha said that!

Don’t believe a word your teacher says.
Don’t believe a word I say.

I say, “Yellow and black make a great green”.
You don’t know that
until you try it.

You may come back and say,
“Well, the type of green I get
depends on whether I use lemon or cadmium yellow.”

Now you know!!!

.

(This brings us to the next article…formula.)

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WE ARE OXYMORONS

We Are Oxymorons

Paradox, contradiction, inconsistency,
incongruity, anomaly, conflict,
absurdity, oddity, enigma, puzzle,
mystery, conundrum,
oxymoron.

We are enlightened beings
in a sentient body,
forgetting that we are enlightened beings.

We are all Buddhas in the mud.

Buddhism is being aware that we are covered in mud/enthusiastic ideas; these become emotions, which are very enthusiastic ideas. The moment we re-cognise this enthusiasm is the moment of knowing awareness; we remember our pure nature – pure awareness – and the mud drops off. The wisdom is to see that the mud never existed in the first place.

Oxymorons.
Get used to it!

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NOT EMPTINESS BUT MELTING-NESS

Not Emptiness But Melting-ness

One of the problems I find in Buddhism is its formulaic approach, which can appear rather cold. We chant many prayers that are meant to melt us – and I’m not talking about sentimentality – but they don’t seem to work…well not from what I’ve seen. Rows of people – including myself – sit up straight on our special cushions, becoming more and more indifferent to those around us. We’re in our own emptiness 😉 but this is just a phase we are going through at this stage of our development.

The prayers may be descriptive and mention many past Tibetan masters but these do not mean much to a different culture that is not so ostentatious, even though we have tried to engender a feeling for this for many years. Our practice can become prosaic (unimaginative) in the sense of lacking empirical/first hand inspirational experience.

Texts do inspire in a ordered way, but because of their formality, they can lack true melting-ness of love; it is usually ‘my melting-ness’.

It’s not just Buddhists. We all have the same problem looking for the exotic when the middle-way is right under our nose. The escape route! We have become so indifferent that we don’t notice the beauty on the toilet door. What?

The “Desiderata” has become a pretty poster to pin up on the back of the toilet door to feel good for a while, when in fact it could change our lives completely. It is a beautiful instruction on how to live, but we can miss the whole point and become narrow minded even though we chant high minded prayers.

This poem was written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann, and only became famous after his death; I guarantee you will melt. Read it slowly as it’s not an academic piece; you are meant to join in the sentiment, without becoming sentimental. The word “visceral” is apt here – relating to deep inward feelings rather than to the intellect.

Desiderata”*

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.

And whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann

* Desiderata: Latin for ‘desired thing’.

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CROSSROADS OF CONFLICT

Crossroads of Conflict

“When in doubt, do nowt”*

A conflict occurs when we know something, but don’t know how to express it. This is happening all the time, but we don’t notice it because we fall back into the self-programme; we may find that we revert to “business as usual” and do or say the same old things, returning to habits.

If we have a question, that means that what went before no longer satisfies and, more to the point, we are looking – this is a crossroad.

Spiritual practice is breaking out of this cycle of existence. We just have to be aware that we may be ‘doing spiritual practice’ to make our life better; this is either wanting a better habit, or “by opposing, end them”.

Within the mind is all the knowledge we need; maybe this is the akashic record. An all-pervading field in the ether in which a record of past events is imprinted – but then this can only be known through an observant mind! It’s all in the mind.

The trick is to hold the question in space…or emptiness. “When in doubt do nowt” and be at peace. This brings about clarity. “Knock and the door shall open” – synchronicity can occur – but don’t be in such a hurry!

These crossroads are a change in levels of capacity. The synapses are joining up, and everything looks different. Eureka!

This is what meditation is all about.
The crossroads of conflict are like little deaths and rebirths.

Things are much simpler than we think!
When knowing is present, not knowing isn’t!
Knowing the process builds confidence in every moment.

This is how we are own teacher.

*nowt = nothing

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MODERN PSYCHOLOGY AND BUDDHIST PSYCHOLOGY

Modern Psychology and Buddhist Psychology
Consciousness and subconsciousness

The words ‘consciousness’ and ‘subconsciousness’ can be confusing to most of us; to be honest we are not even bothered with such terms. However, they are actually our programming, or bias – that which makes us do or not do things. There is much we do not want to look at about this acquired self, and this is the reason why we cover up our ‘presumed’ faults by projecting an image of ourselves because we feel incomplete. Complicated isn’t it?! This is only because, due to hope and fear, we try to belong to a collective mind rather than realising true liberation 😀

Dictionary definition:
Consciousness: awareness by the mind of itself and one’s surroundings.

Subconsciousness: part of the mind of which one is not fully aware but which influences one’s actions and feelings.

Subconscious could be said to be where we are unconscious or unaware, but that would depend on the individual. It’s that which drives us, or rather, controls us. We can assume the posture of light and fluffy, but our ‘buttons’ can be pressed at any time and off we go, whirling around in samsara.

Buddhist definition:
Consciousness: faculty of mind made up of eight elements – five are the senses, 6th is perception, 7th is judgement and 8th is memory. Very subtle consciousness could be said to be pure awareness – the 9th consciousness which is beyond conventional consciousness.

Subconsciousness: 7th (judgement) and 8th (memory) consciousnesses (these may be deep seated feelings that we don’t want to admit).

This is a delicate matter as we believe we are what we think; this is incomplete and so we constantly defend ourselves and that which we believe. This gives rise to subtly aggressive reaction; what is lacking is honesty. It’s honesty that is the delicate matter. We may appear to be ‘nice’ Buddhists but underneath we are still tricksters projecting, merely rewriting our programming rather than breaking out of it.

In actuality, we can’t be honest in a collective mind as it’s too threatening; this is the reason we need courage and skilful compassion.

The core of the mind is subtle consciousness.
The core of subtle consciousness is pure awareness.
The core of pure awareness is emptiness.
The core of emptiness is love.

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ROBOTS AND HUMANS

Robots and Humans

Do robots resemble humans, or do humans resemble robots?

Sentient: capable of feeling, aware, responsive, reactive.
Conscious: aware of and responding to one’s surroundings.
Programme: a series of coded software instructions to control
the operation of a computer or other machine.
Origin:“before written”.

What do robots and humans NOT have in common?
Humans have the ability to break out of “before written”.
Robots merely repeat “before written”.

Can a robot be spiritual?
They can appear so.

😀 😀 😀

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GOD AND PURE AWARENESS

God and Pure Awareness

God is an idea in the mind.
Pure awareness isn’t.
Therefore, God is pure awareness,

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DZOGCHEN IS NOT AT ODDS WITH ANYTHING

Dzogchen Is Not At Odds With Anything

Dzogchen is pure compassionate awareness,
in which anything may arise
while pure awareness remains uncontaminated.

A Pure Garden
where anything may grow
and the garden remains pure.

This is a Buddhist Dzogchen site and as such, has a flavour and language describing our essential nature as pure emptiness – naked awareness – primordial wakefulness. There are many other Buddhist traditions that have slightly different methods for arriving at the same conclusion. These differences are not at odds with each other; they reflect one another. We all follow the path that suits us the best. Within these traditions, there are many levels or yanas and it is here that we have to be careful because it’s easy to talk at cross purposes as our understanding of the same word may differ; each may be correct in itself but as perception changes, so does the meaning.

As an example, Dzogchen and other Buddhist traditions use phrases such as “the three kayas”:

Dharmakaya = Empty essence (absolute truth)
Sambhogakaya = Cognisant nature (relative truth)
Nirmanakaya = unconfined Compassionate energy (the union of the other two)

Confusion arises due to our capacity to perceive, and how closely we look in practice – how we see things in genuine experience as opposed to philosophical discussion. Dzogchen is not concerned with philosophical debate: it is how we are. If we are looking down a microscope, we have to be clear what we are looking at; it could be matter, or it could be the space between matter. It is said that we can’t follow two paths at the same time; that would be like sewing with a two headed needle, and we’d just become confused. Much depends on whether we are using ordinary perception or pure perception, and whether we are being literal or metaphorical/symbolic.

Let’s look at the Garden of Eden through Dzogchen eyes:

In a spiritual sense we could say that our true nature is a pure garden of all we need, as it is eternal and beyond desire and aversion. Our problem arose when we turned aside from dwelling in the metaphysical* and wanted a literal dwelling. This strong desire created an identification with a body and mind, and the contaminated quality of our desire determined a corresponding body form and mind (this is the karmic effect). Although we may be born into unfortunate circumstances, this could be karma playing itself out; it could be our final piece of karma as karma is finite.

Our pure garden became impure, contaminated. This happened when we “ate the apple” by wanting to know, instead of being knowingness itself. Thus we discovered judgement – this and that, good and evil. We became this and that, good…and evil!

When we are no longer satisfied with merely naked awareness, we look for something extra – and we’re still doing this. We have separated ourselves from pure, naked wakefulness. Embarrassed, we cover ourselves up in conceptual justifications, and have condemned ourselves to lifetimes of looking for home – the pure garden.

Our path home is our own confusion.
Eliminate the confusion and we are home.

Our conflict is what we have become as opposed to what we are;
this conflict is a metaphysical battle across space and time.

Returning to who we are is beyond
a metaphysical battle across space and time.

*Metaphysical: the essentially metaphysical question of the nature of mind. Transcending physical matter or the laws of nature: Good and Evil are inextricably linked in a metaphysical battle across space and time.

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UNITY WITH SOURCE

Unity With Source

This is not a phrase one would hear in Buddhism, but there is no reason why not. There are many ways to look at and translate experience, depending on one’s taste. If we have one taste, then it’s all the same; it’s all one!

The word ‘Source’ is a new word introduced into the language as an alternative to the word ‘God’, but by definition, God must be pure, timeless and unlimited awareness. All we need to do is follow the steps in taking anything apart to see what is left, rather than jumping to assumptions.

A psychological confusion occurs when we describe this ‘Pure Timeless Awareness’ or ‘Source’ as separate or different from ourselves, our ‘essential nature’, our ‘essence’.

The word ‘mysticism’ is a good starting point:

Dictionary:
Extraordinary experiences and states of mind. In modern times, “mysticism” means the aim at the “union with the Absolute, the Infinite, or God”.

Wikipedia:
‘Mystic’: a person who seeks by contemplation and self-surrender to obtain unity with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or who believes in the spiritual apprehension of truths that are beyond the intellect.

The interesting word here is ‘unity’ or ‘union’; an understanding of this will depend on how we translate the experience of ‘union’. We can see this as either something we join, or something that we are already. In the first case, two become one and in the second there were never two in the first place.

The question is, “What are ‘we’ and what is ‘it’?” Here, I am talking from a Buddhist perspective. We are awareness, for without awareness (some might call this consciousness) nothing would be known. All creatures have awareness. However, this awareness is contaminated by a belief in a self image – a mental construct – and so this awareness is limited.

When this awareness truly looks inward on itself, it finds nothing but awareness. This finding nothing but awareness is pure awareness. That is Essence, Source, Union, Oneness of relative and absolute reality.

It’s that pure and simple.
If there was an external source,
it would have to be pure and aware.

If we say that God is all-knowing,
we can say the same about the enlightened state.
It’s that pure and simple.

‘Union’ or ‘unity’ is not that there are two separate things that become one: rather, the nature of one reflects the nature of the other. A belief in an external creator and the idea that we are the creators are not compatible, and therefore there comes a time when we have to choose which path we are taking, otherwise there will be conflict and confusion, lacking clarity.

Which is the right one? The one that is right for you. Any stance can be refined.

 

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TRANSFORMING CONSCIOUSNESS

Transforming Consciousness
into timeless primordial awareness

This could sound scary! We are not dropping consciousness yet; that would be enlightenment. We are in the process of transforming it into a pure state. This is something the ‘I’ will not want to do, as the ‘I’ is made up of consciousness, and transformation is a threat to its existence – that is the reason ‘we’ feel threatened. We have to take these steps carefully in order to be convinced at every stage that we are still suffering. Knowledge is only practical when it has an effect, and that is realising wisdom.

This is also why it is very difficult to talk to others about actual experiences, as it can bring up all sorts of reactions from them. I’ve experienced this, especially when talking to other Buddhists. It’s uncomfortable to realise how much we are holding onto ‘our’ consciousness – our version of reality – our version of self!

Selfism = Autism*
Who is and who isn’t autistic is a complex, touchy subject.
Maybe we are not as ‘normal’ as we like to think!
We are all caught in the same web, more or less.

*Autism: a mental condition, present from early childhood, characterised by great difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and restricted and repetitive behaviour.

ORIGIN early 20th cent. (originally with reference to a condition in which fantasy dominates over reality, regarded as a symptom of schizophrenia and other disorders): from Greek autos ‘self’ + -ism.

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LIGHT AND FLUFFY

My wife said, “You should write something light and fluffy”.

I know what she means.
Something ‘light’ meaning clarity, yes.

Unfortunately, there is too much evil brainwashing in the world
for fluffiness.

Brainwash: pressurised into adopting radically different beliefs by using systematic means – both forcible and subtle – to indoctrinate, condition, re-educate, persuade, propagandise, influence, drill, pressurise. Indoctrination can take place at an early age often through over-stimulation: these children become adults and have children of their own.

We can become so traumatised by life that we reject society and become ‘spiritual’ in order to escape, separating ourselves from the rest. This is intentional brainwashing as we do it to ourselves.

“Happy-clappy” does not relieve suffering.
Some of us are just not fluffy

😀

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WASTING LIFE IN BEING DIFFERENT

Wasting Life in Being Different

There are two aspects to meditation: focused attention and panoramic attention. In meditation terms, these are Shamata (watching the breath) and Vipassana (insight of awareness). During the early stages, we are still trying to change, to be different to the way we are and, though necessary, this creates a separation from the activity as we are ‘doing something’. These are the steps leading to the non-meditation of non-duality – not being different or separate from the activity – when partial turns to impartial; emptiness in action.

In this ‘not being different from the activity’, there is a detachment of ‘self’ doing the ‘activity’ ; there is merely the activity taking place. We all get a sense of this sometimes.

A misunderstanding can occur when we speak of the unity of the two truths of the conventional and the absolute. At first, we do have to separate them to see them individually in order to identify the effect of each, and then we can realise their unity and that one is created by virtue of the other. This is why spiritual guidance is vital; without it, we are banging our head against a brick wall.

The opposites to focused and panoramic attention are vacancy and occupancy, which are our usual states.

In the practice of focused meditation – Shamata – we are ‘one’ with the breath. When this basic practice is introduced into daily life, this focus can make us more efficient but there may be a claiming involved as the quality of emptiness is lacking. We can see this in spiritual gatherings where unfortunately the teacher hasn’t taken the students to the next level, and that is when we see the behaviour of ‘being different’ with wide eyes and an exaggerated manner; this is merely a stage of wooden-ness that we all go through.

In the practice of panoramic meditation – Vipassana – we are ‘one’ with awareness. However, if the clarity of emptiness is not present, this awareness can be spaced-out, scattered and dull, and may become sentimental.

Both focused and panoramic attention are upgraded when emptiness is present; that is clean, pure activity without any residue.

In daily life, alternating between focused and panoramic attention helps us to be efficient, while finding inner peace at the same time. We are focused on the action and then release into panoramic awareness of emptiness, coming to rest and therefore not fixated. This means we can be more creative!

In totally ‘not being different’ (this is the opposite of indifference) there are no judgements; we just get on with what needs to be done. That, of course, is after observing what needs to be done, which entails judgement, discernment and balance in order to adjust; “Not too tight and not too loose”!

We waste our precious life trying to be different/better while at the same time causing ourselves suffering by claiming an activity, so giving rise to emotions. In not trying to be different, we are different. Rather than living a set of ideas from a collective consciousness, we are in fact returning to our origin – now, that is being original!!! Oneness is being one with our relative and absolute nature…the same potential of every creature in the universe.

If we were all one, then when one was enlightened, we would all be enlightened. It doesn’t happen like that, does it? Of course, there can be a oneness with another in total silence, but that is short lived, if it happens at all. We can’t expect too much from friends and associates!

Two zeros make a zero.
Then one zero says something like, “This is nice”
and a separation occurs.

We are funny creatures. 🙂 🙂 🙂

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EMPTINESS IS NOT BEING DIFFERENT

Emptiness Is Not Being Different

Emptiness is like a mirror, reflecting everything. The mirror and the reflection are inseparable – not different. Not being different, there can be no judgement. Sounds, appearances and awareness are inseparable from emptiness.

How is this practical?

When communicating with another, we are just an empty, clear mirror with no judgements, remaining in non-duality. If clarity can be brought to the situation, all well and good. If not (as we don’t have enough data) all well and good; at least we haven’t made things worse!. We are not going to solve the world’s problems in an instant. Everyone at some time will find their own mirror-reality.

Being so simple, we give this no value because we expect more, as our habit is to seek pleasure in complexity in order to gain something. Of course, judgements will arise within our mind, but we communicate with these in the same way, as they are mere reflections.

When doing anything, we (pure awareness) are not different from the action. We are one with the action. This is oneness – or rather, zero-ness – in complexity: the inseparability of our empty essence and appearances, which are mere reflections. This applies to both others and the reactions in our own minds.

This takes practice and familiarity. The more we practise, the quicker we return to our true nature.

Not putting up barriers and just listening is what love and compassion is all about. We’d want this for ourselves after all. There is a saying, “Give what you think you lack.”

In that reflective listening, there is a recognition that the other does not have the capacity to listen at that moment. There is nothing to be gained, only given. Unfortunately, this is not a listening world as it is full of projected, preconceived ideas. This is where we pass from alone-ness into a one-ness. We no longer need to be part of a group, as we can rely on our own resources without making demands on others.

“I want someone to listen to meeeee!”
is the reflection talking.
The mirror just hears.
The simplicity essence is aware of the complexity of the reflection.

Two birds in the self-same tree:
one pecked the fruit
and the other sat and watched.

This is the unity of mind and mind essence.
Listen to yourself.
Things loosen and drop away with a sense of relief.
No one outside can do that for you.

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KHYENTSE YESHE IN RUSSIA

Khyentse Yeshe in Russia

I am so pleased to present this video of YESHI NAMKHAI (Khyentse Yeshe), the Italian-born son of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu.

Please note the ordinariness of his presentation; no brocade, no throne, no robes, just ordinary language. It may be a little difficult to follow because of accent and style, and having to wait for the translator, but it’s very worthwhile. The gist of what he is saying is that we get more pleasure out of complexity and so miss the simplicity of the enlightened attitude. The video is called “What is Enlightenment?”, but maybe it is more to do with the enlightened attitude.

Here are some (rough) notes taken from the video which give a feel of what was spoken about. The main points are in CAPS and bold type. If you don’t get to the end of the video, he likes mango ice cream…at the moment!

We are the centre of our universe, but our universe is unstable. As this universe is in our mind and our mind is full of perceptions, judgements and memory, it is also unstable. We are always right in our mind. Traditionally, this is called ego. We believe inside of us is true and outside of us is never true.

Why do I have a question? Why am I here as opposed to there? Once we ask a question, it is impossible to separate this from the answer. First of all, I am searching for something. If we are discussing what is outside, then I already know some possibilities.

Our reflections can be positive and also negative. We can decide whether this reflection is good or bad, we like it or don’t like it. We are here, looking for reality. We discover that the answer is already in front of us. Being conditioned by the mind, we believe that everything that appears is the truth.

There cannot be any action without a thought in the mind; all we have to do is observe our actions. All our actions have some kind of emotion. Before this emotion, there is some kind of idea, some kind of judgement, a structure in our mind.

Just to do an action with an empty mind is very difficult. We have to go back in our mind for the essence of our existence.

Having the truth presented in front of us – the truth, the answer – we will never find it.

The manifestation of the mind is our own manifestation, and this is always true for us. We only care about ourself – we don’t care about others. We give pleasure to the mind.

Knowledge is what one can observe oneself; understand that this is an activity of the mind. So knowledge is presence. In that moment is to know it’s ice cream; I don’t feel a separation between this ice cream and myself. I have a tongue to feel what is nice. I have 5 organ senses to feel pleasure. I can have fear of interruption of this pleasure.

I can have the idea that another flavour exists in time and space. It is the capacity of mind to work in time and space. We cannot taste two flavours at the same time. Mind always has knowledge of change. It knows very well that all things must die. We see that there is nothing to judge.

Through this understanding, we can be more happy (not wondering what is over there!). We all have this recognition. We should be in the presence of this knowledge, but this knowledge does not give something special; just like enlightenment, it doesn’t have a special feeling. No interesting characteristics. It has no quantity. It has nothing to do with personal feeling.

The problem comes when I feel different. In my mind there doesn’t appear the feeling of difference. I am not different from others. I am happy not because I feel higher than others. I DON’T HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING JUDGEMENT because I do not have the idea of conceiving difference. Everything is connected and discovered within oneself. Just remain instantly present in our present condition.

BEING SO SIMPLE FEELS IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY VALUE. Because whatever we observe is very complicated and has a lot of construction of the mind, when the mind is engaged there is pleasure of the mind. THE MORE THERE IS COMPLICATION, THE MORE THERE IS PLEASURE.

We are constantly looking for satisfaction, but we are the user of this knowledge. Everything becomes more easy, more joyful, more free.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpZ9AkV-KAU

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IS BUDDHISM A RELIGION OR A PHILOSOPHY?

Is Buddhism a Religion or a Philosophy?

This all depends on to whom one is talking. It’s actually neither. One could say that Buddhism is a series of steps to realising extremely subtle awareness – pure reality. This is Dzgochen/Mahamudra, and the same as Advaita* in the Vedic tradition.

The trouble lies within the series of steps – the path – which is our confusion. As we gain incomplete information and knowledge which is partial, we may find that we act in strange ways. One of the ways in which this reveals itself in thinking that the knowledge we have acquired is more important than the person standing in front of us. This is when we get stuck in a religious or philosophical attitude, and lack wisdom.

Extremely subtle awareness – pure reality – is loving compassion with wisdom.
There are no disagreements here; ‘isness’ just ‘is’.

On the path of our confusion – the series of steps – there are all sorts of exotic names.
Within ‘isness’, there are no names.

Chemistry is chain reactions of matter.
Mind is chain reactions of ideas.
Wisdom is cutting through chain reactions.

 

 

* “Vedantic doctrine that identifies the individual self (atman) with the ground of reality (brahman). Traditionally Buddhism does not recognise an atman or brahman.” But reason says, this is meaning of the two truths – non-duality. The same as God and God-consciousness. Disagreement is only at the stage of the series of steps. 🙂

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TRUST YOURSELF

Trust Yourself
Trust pure perception.

Trust the judgements of pure perception and how it feels,
without exaggerating and elaborating.

Ultimately it is all one taste.
Relatively, we have to decide what is beneficial.

If we put on something smooth we feel, “How nice.”
If we put on something rough we feel, “How scratchy.”
If we look at people we feel, “How exaggerated.”
If we look at the earth we feel, “How beautiful.”

Before these judgements there is merely pure perception, empty of judgment. Relatively speaking, those judgements are valid. Having identified that a person exaggerates, just leave it alone. Trust that perception has noted an imbalance, and remain in pure perception. Condemning and admiring only serve to make perception impure, although desire and aversion may also be paths to liberation; this is wisdom in action.

When we do not trust ourself (pure perception) we engage in an impure world of emotions, and lack confidence. Whether it is warm or cold is neither good or bad. We live in collective self-serving world, this is a fact. And there is nothing we can do about that – it’s the Age of Strife!

Just note and remain in pure perception, and be happy.
If we are not happy, then we allow others to rule our life.

NB We have to know the difference between perception and pure perception. According to Tibetan Buddhism, perception is the sixth consciousness, following the five sense consciousnesses. The seventh is judgement and the eighth is memory. One could call the ninth consciousness pure perception, although it is beyond consciousness.

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NEUROLINGUISTICS AND THE DHARMA

Neurolinguistics and the Dharma

Neurolinguistics: the relationship between language and the structure and functioning of the brain.
Words affect our brain.

Ultimately, we are beings of pure awareness. Relatively, this pure awareness is locked into appearances in the mind to which it relates! There is a tenuous connection between our glimpses of pure awareness and the brain/mind being able to express this experience clearly; we are rather like stroke victims where connections have been broken, and we must make effort to rewire the brain (or become resistant and not bother).

When someone seems to be wilful, dogmatic or troll-like, this merely shows their lack of capacity in expressing themselves. We all know, but are locked into limitations of expression, ‘cherry picking’ to make a point which never stands up to ultimate reasoning. It stays at a relative level of ‘I’ – it’s all about me. The more understanding we have of this process, the more empathy and compassion we can apply.

The term ‘neurolinguistic programming’ is generally perceived as subversive suggestion. Advertisers, the media, politicians and propagandists use this method all the time; read up on Edward Bernays and Goebbels. We hear and we obey! If we hear a phrase enough times, we start to believe it. This is an outside source rewiring our brains; hence, we don’t have an original thought in our heads. Someone, somewhere, puts an idea into the collective system and it spreads like a virus. It’s meant to! This is clearly evident in social media where people are winding one another up all the time.

“Divide and rule”.

A few days ago, I wrote that genuine experience is beyond words, but that was after 45 years of personal study. So reading and studying does have an effect on the brain and mind, and gives us a code or formula to unlock this prison mind. This is how the Buddha’s teachings help us to see our complete picture. This is opposed to ordinary, everyday neurolinguistic programming that affects the way in which we relate to everything…they get inside your head!

So studying text and commentaries from the Buddha’s teachings makes a connection for us to express reality, put it to the test and gain confidence. We always have a choice whether to become biological parroting* robots or free spirits.

Unfortunately there is one other point in spiritual neurolinguistics, and that is sentimentality regarding the Buddha’s teachings, or rather, the guru. Smiley faces can hide a multitude of emotions. Realise the essence of the teachings and watch out for trappings** They aren’t called ‘trappings’ for nothing – we can become spiritual robots as well.

Spirituality is all about liberation from fixations.

*To parrot: To parrot slogans without appreciating their significance: repeat mindlessly, repeat mechanically, echo, say again.

** Trappings: trimmings, frills, accompaniments, extras, ornaments, ornamentation, adornment, decoration; regalia, paraphernalia, apparatus, finery, frippery, livery, fittings, accoutrements; appurtenances, appointments, equipage, equipment, gear, effects, things, panoply; baggage, impedimenta; informal bells and whistles, stuff, bits and pieces, bits and bobs

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STILL NOT CONVINCED?

Still Not Convinced?

The answer is so simple, and our confusion is so complex. We buy hundreds of spiritual books and go to teachings and retreats because we keep doubting. When we keep doubting, we play the role of pauper, having no wealth. Maybe it’s just our synapses habitually mistrusting others and ourselves. It’s as if we are continuously walking to the end of the road and finding ourselves at the beginning again.

We imagine that the exotic has the answer,
when the answer is quite ordinary
without ornamentations.

We will not find the answer to ultimate truth anywhere else in the universe (in any universe) but in our own pure nature – pure knowingness. The problem is that we might expect the universe to suddenly change (go transparent 🙂 ) and all our karma to instantaneously disappear. We still have work to do by relaxing. Loosening. I have to remind myself of this all the time.

The more we want to know,
the less we will know.

We are not trusting in
our own knowingness.

We keep finding ourselves
back at the beginning, doubting.

Doubt is our jailer
and doubt gets expensive!

Our wealth is within us
and nowhere else.

You are Rinpoche:
Precious One.

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PERCEPTION AND REFLECTION ARE INSEPARABLE

Perception And Reflection Are Inseparable
This is the realisation of the two truths – non duality.

For most of us, what usually happens is that perception gets caught up in the reflection of perception (the object). This creates a subject (me perceiving), and a separation occurs and is maintained.

When perception identifies with a reflection, perception becomes caught in a deception. This is mara activity – demonic activity – and nothing more than that! Of course, this identification sounds harmless enough, but it is the precursor to stifled or exploding emotions. These like-and-dislike demons are always lurking, ready to pounce when we consent.

We can easily miss the point of spiritual activity, by getting caught up in the practice or wandering off. I do this all the time. The point is to be honest and not pretend that we are practising; rather, if we analyse the experience/problem, we then find the solution. Remember; our spiritual evolution is in our own hands. We do the refining. The problem is usually that we are more interested in our habitual interpretation of reality than in reality!

An example:
Chanting mantras or prayers is used as an extension of pure perception, and can help inspire us – but it can also become a distraction. We may be ‘involved’ in visualisations or chanting at speed. Unfortunately this can also hold us down in the reflection, as ‘we’ are ‘doing’ the practice. That is a separation, a duality.

Much depends on who told us what to do and why. Teachings are generalised and are at a certain level. We have to be careful not to be too literal with someone else’s intention at that moment. Some advice is just expedient.

Remember the Buddha’s words; “Not too tight and not too loose”, and “Don’t take my word for it.” We have to follow what feels right for us, gain confidence and act compassionately.

When chanting, merely hear the sound of the voice.
Hearing is totally open like the other senses.

This is mere perception.
Perception and reflection are inseparable.

During practice, when taking a breath there is a silent emptiness.
Perception and emptiness are inseparable.

This is always present.

This goes for any spiritual practice. Once we get the hang of this, it goes for any activity. In this way, whether we are engaged in a ‘high’ practice or washing the floor, there is no difference.

Perception and reflection are one continuity of our essential nature.

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COMPOS MENTIS

Compos Mentis
Having full control of one’s mind.

Normal
Conforming to a standard.

Conventionally, we conform to a standard set for us. This conforming controls the mind to stay within limits – ‘normal compos mentis’. We consent to self imprisonment. We repeat words and phrases, and therefore ideas. These neurolinguistics affect the structure and functioning of the brain, and therefore how we see things. This has a hypnotic effect, inducing a sleeping consciousness that loses the power of voluntary action and becomes highly responsive to suggestion.

In other words, we become highly addicted. 3.9 billion people on earth (half the planet) are addicted to football* – and that’s just football!

Insane statement
“I am normal, therefore I am in control of my mind.”

Sane statement
“Awareness, aware of itself, wakes up.”

 

 

 

*http://www.sportingintelligence.com/2011/10/28/a-football-competition-and-a-headline-about-a-global-audience-of-billions-and-yet-its-actually-true-what-on-earth-is-going-on281002/

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