BUDDHA IN THE MUD is a blog – a living book based on the Dzogchen teachings. Our teacher is life, and life is karma. We are all Buddhas in the mud of concepts.

Why do Shamata practice?

 Shamata meditation is focusing the mind on an object, usually the breath: this is called Shamata with support.

We then start to notice a gap between the breaths and the thoughts, and that gap expands as we rest in stillness, or nowness. That is Shamata without support (we still keep breathing!)

Although our essence is Buddha nature, most of the time we are pre-occupied. The mind is in turmoil about this and that. So, resting in awareness – let alone pure awareness – is a bit of a leap. However, it’s not a gigantic leap: Shamata is but a short step away from Emptiness.

Once Shamata has become stillness, we are aware of the present moment. The point is, there is still an I present: “I am aware of stillness in this present moment.” That is awareness. Then, this awareness merely looks in on itself and becomes aware that there is just awareness. It finds nothing to hang onto, self identity dissolves and that is Emptiness.

Of course this needs practice, as we will oscillate between clarity and finding things         to do!

The strange thing is that,  in emptiness, thoughts are allowed to arise, but now there is space to let them be. We just do not follow them. So, empty essence isn’t too far away,    is it?

This is why Shamata is so good. I used to think it was a basic practice to be undertaken for years and years, wondering was there something more interesting…or was this it?! But Shamata is the foundation and doorway! It is all about refining the view.

Now for the tricky bit – exhausting karma!

Karma is our habitual patterning and behaviour. This too has to be looked at very carefully, as our patterning is also part of our unique qualities and means of expression.

The trick is to avoid reacting to situations in our habitual way, taking ‘self’ out of the picture, while working for the benefit of others…tricky! This is all about compassion in action.

Dzogchen and Guru Yoga.

 The purpose of this blog is to help others understand the essence of the Buddha’s teachings. So, when you look for a teacher, a spiritual centre, or read a book, you may have an inkling for what is meant – rather like cracking a code!

 Quite often, in centres, we get bound up in procedures and stories. We get a nice feeling, but when we get home, the core essence may seem vague, or even be missed. One can practise for years, and either become adept in a ‘practice,’ or even start making up one’s own dharma. Either way, people get touchy because they can describe what they are doing, but not the meaning behind the actions.

 Why this happens, I’m not sure. In the past, it might have been due to differences in language and culture, and so we just follow along, feeling ‘buddhist’. Maybe we enjoy the exotic more than the esoteric…who knows? I used to go around asking people what does this or that meant: the answers were not at all satisfying. People just seemed to enjoy being there…which is not without merit on their part.

 The Dharma is all about Empty essence, Cognisant nature and unconfined Compassion: these are called the three Kayas. Empty essence is the Dzogchen teachings. There is no practice – it is merely recognising Emptiness. This will include the understanding of awareness and compassionate conduct.

 Everything else is either symbolic of this, or serves to lead up to it. The realisation of the three Kayas is wisdom, and there is also ‘method’ or ‘skilful means’. Basically, we need to warm up a little in order to become healthy human beings, and to be able to open to these more subtle teachings. So, meditating on the breath is important, as is study, loving kindness, and not being subject to emotions such as pride.

 These basics are very important, and we should incorporate them into our daily practices, keeping our heads and hearts on straight!

 This bring us to Guru Yoga. Most modern westerners find this difficult – or even, a big no-no!

 Once one gets a ‘taste’ of the Dharma, appreciating its value, and how it works in all situations, we feel, “Wow! Without this, I was floundering like a fish on hot dried sand!” So we feel grateful to those who are the holders of knowledge – the Sangha – spending their precious time explaining the teaching for our benefit. This is a unbroken lineage by word of mouth from the time of the Buddha.

 This is why, every day until enlightenment, we go for refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

 As the teacher represents the Buddha’s teachings, we start to see the teacher as a symbol of the Buddha, and therefore respect their presence. The principle of Guru Yoga is calling on the lineages, and all those who are enlightened, for blessings.

 At the beginning of the devotional practices we invoke the three Kayas (resting in natural empty awareness). We then go through a very complex visualisation stage, called development stage, ending with the completion stage – back to resting in natural empty awareness, which was actually present throughout. The point of the completion stage is to drop any attachment to the practice, although straight after that, one reunites with that deity and embodies it for the rest of the day and night. Like the compassionate qualities of Avolekishvara (Chenrizig), the lord of compassion…this practice helps us to remember our own compassion.

 So you can see how Dzogchen (in some traditions called Mahamudra, or Vidya) works with devotion. It is all for our benefit, not the benefit of the teacher.

 Yes, in this modern slick world there are many ‘teachers’ that come our way, and we just have to test them to see if they suit us. Maybe we need many teachers, like stepping stones! The search for truth is down to our own intentions. If you want a quick fix, you can get it. If you want a strong foundation, you can get that too.

Ego

Identification with self-me-I,

which does not exist.

~

Somebody said that Nobody had an ego.

Nobody thought that Everybody had an ego.

Everybody asked if Anybody had an ego.

Nobody knew that nobody did.

.

That very, very old ego.

Unfortunately this is a subject that we don’t want to talk about. But we have to! It’s why we are here!

Everything we do is probably ‘ego maintenance’. Ego is just our consciousness clinging to ideas about an artificial self, and the world it inhabits. It can even try to polish itself up by chanting OM MANI PEME HUM!

It can be uncomfortable to acknowledge this. Not to worry…that is precisely part of the process …feeling uncomfortable! That very feeling is the doorway to stepping out into the open – the real Dharma …or closing that door again, again!

Some translate ego activity as grasping, but I’m not too keen on that word. It can produce a feeling of guilt and worthlessness. Ego activity is merely mistaken identity.

We spend much of our time covering up our feelings, by projecting an even bigger, artificial, self image. Again, not to worry. Here we have to be relaxed about this: if we over-react to the suggestion of ego-clinging, that is still ego maintenance. Of course, we have an ego! We’re not enlightened yet.

The mere acknowledgement of what is happening is awareness. Let any reaction drop, and rest – that is pure awareness. It’s that simple! There nothing to protect. There will a residue ‘feeling’ which may feel uncomfortable, but that is in the subtle body (video to follow!).

In one instance of switching on the light, a room that has been in darkness for thousands of years is illuminated. All we have to do is remember…don’t forget!

Quote from Tsoknyi Rinpoche’s book: Fearless Simplicity. This came from The Pundarika website.

Two accumulations can be perfected.

Vajrayana practitioners should not belittle the emotions. Emotions are like smoke, and if there is smoke, there is also fire. In other words, when you look at somebody who has very strong emotions, that person may also have a lot of wisdom. Who knows? Such a person may perhaps, through skillful methods, be able to realize the original wakefulness within the emotions.

 Right now, however, as we have the opportunity, rather than suppressing negative emotions, to realize their natural purity. To apply this, and to truly understand Vajrayana, you must have a strong intelligence, otherwise you cannot pick up the methods.

You need a very sharp innate intelligence in order to eliminate or break free of the conceptual frame of mind. Conceptual mind wants to make you stay within the boundaries of concepts.

 Through the profound methods of Vajrayana, the two accumulations can be perfected on a tremendous scale. By utilizing certain skillful means to further enhance the recognition of mind essence, we can develop even more quickly, reaching progressively deeper levels. Let me mention some of these methods.

 The first entrance to the Buddhist path, which is taking refuge, involves regarding the Buddha as your teacher, the Dharma as your path, and the Sangha as your companions on the path and using all three of these as support. In other words, you could say, ‘I place my trust in you, the outer Three Jewels, in order to recognize and actualize the inner Three Jewels.’

No matter what Buddhist practice we apply, we should always remember that the two accumulations must be perfected. This holds true from the beginning level of shravaka training all the way up to and including Ati Yoga.

Fearless Simplicity, p. 34

The Bell

(The importance of the clanger!)

Self = the clanger

Empty Essence = dropping the clanger.

Over lifetimes of indifference, the clanger now fills the entire bell.

The bell is therefore no longer working!

We have created a solid entity – an Ego.

So we practise, and the clanger dissolves. However we still do not have a working bell!                                                                                                                                                                                                    

We need the union of both the mere clanger and the bell, to ring nicely.

Some say, 

“Those who know, do (no clanger). Those who do not know, teach (mere clanger).”

Thank goodness not everyone loses their clanger!

.

Living in a world of fear.

 Everything goes in cycles, so nothing lasts. We are living in an age called the ‘The Age of Strife’ ,The Kali Yuga – The Iron Age. There was a Golden age, a Silver age, and a Bronze age, and we’re probably at the bottom of the Iron age, so don’t expect things to run smoothly! This process will move in reverse, back to a Golden age at some time.

The world in which we live is full of self serving deceit: war engineering, financial engineering, social engineering, health engineering, law engineering, education engineering, surveillance, control engineering… they use naturally occurring situations to control the world. And, remember those who instigate these deceits will also fall victim to them. It’s strange they do not see this!

Fear is expectations about the future, and so fear is in the mind. Of course, there are situations in the present moment that have to be dealt with, and we can either do something about these, or we can’t.

The problem is fear-mongers: those who keep up the hype, which creates tension and therefore more strife. There are two aspects to this; intentional and unintentional.

There are those who know the inclinations of sentient beings, and the ways in which we are governed by our hopes, fears and indifferences – the three poisons. They use these traits intentionally order to control us, feeding a little information here or there, and the virus spreads like wild fire. And so, the unintentional jump on the ‘bandwagon’ and actually make things worse, believing and disbelieving anything that comes along. They are confused and easily swayed to create more fear. The unintentional work for the intentional!

Fear is fear of ourselves – “I don’t think I can deal with that.” Fear, hope and ignorance are the natural survival instinct of our primitive (reptilian) brain. But we are not that brain.

This is why spiritual transcendent knowledge is so important. Fear is not our true nature – fearlessness is! Spirituality is not about appearing to be meek and mild: it’s about taming our minds, causing no harm, and benefitting others.

So what can we do?

We can become informed about the practical things that are happening in order to be aware of subtle changes that could create reactions in us. We are then in a position to inform others in an intelligently manner. They may not want to believe us now, but there will come a time when the dots will join up for them. It is the same with the process of understanding spiritual knowledge! Everyone learns in their own good time – nothing is a do-or-die situation.

Know your own mind, and tame it (through meditation on clear view)  so that others cannot control it for you.

Remember fear is a perception in the mind.

Pure perception is that which is aware of all this – our Empty Essence.

THE FIVE BUDDHA FAMLIES.

Wisdoms.

Buddha………….all encompassing.

Varjra…………….mirror.

Ratna……………..equanimity.

Padma……………discriminating.

Karma…………….all accomplishing .

Enlightened style.

Buddha……………spacious, accommodation.

Varjra………………clarity, precision.

Ratna……………….generosity, richness.

Padma……………..selfless appreciation, love.

Karma……………..efficiency without ambition.

Neurotic style.

Buddha…………..spaced-out, stupid.

Varjra……………..aggressive, irritable.

Ratna………………territorial, suffocating.

Padma…………….clinging, grasping, poverty stricken.

Karma……………..competitive, pugnacious.

Unconditional happiness within ordinary happiness.

 I used to think that unconditional happiness was “up there” somewhere, and ordinary happiness was where we are…not so!

 “Unconditional happiness is that which does not rely on any conditions: it is our true nature. No outside force can disturb it (yes, the mind can be disturbed, but not our essence).                          Ordinary happiness relies on conditions, so if we take that condition away, the happiness goes. In fact, the searching and maintaining of ordinary happiness is the cause of our suffering!”

 This is pretty straightforward. However, on closer inspection, maybe there is another way of looking at this.

 If we look at ordinary happiness, it is desire, because it relies on a condition of wanting something. However, as we now know, desire has a wisdom aspect, which is the wisdom of discrimination – and it is very precise. This is one of the five qualities of pure awareness. These five wisdoms are known as the five buddha families.

( see the previous piece, The Five Buddha Families )

 So how do we find unconditional happiness in ordinary happiness? It is in the very first instance!

 Let’s say, you fancy a cup of coffee. In the very first instant of tasting, it is totally satisfying: it’s got to your brain – satisfied! You can then finish the cup – or not. It’s the same with a meal: we just have to know when enough is enough…and it’s actually the same with sex! We can enjoy, but we do not have to over indulge all the time. Have you noticed how huge cups of coffee are nowadays?! They’ve  even changed the name of sizes, and “small” is now called “regular”….do we really need such massive coffees?

 The body has needs, but does it really need such large portions? That’s advertising for you. And men…do we really always have to exhaust ourselves with ejaculating every time? We can enjoy a gentle coasting: over indulgence pays a toll on the body, and subtle energy is lost.

 This all down to personal choice, but one can notice in sex that there is a moment of satisfaction, just before the ‘point of no return’. There are no hard and fast rules, but it can help just to be aware of the body. Coasting can keep the mind alert and bright, whereas when we over indulge, it can dull the mind, and that is what the modern world is all about!

 Unconditional happiness within ordinary happiness is equivalent to unconditional love within ordinary love. The unconditional part creates space…it is not sticky!

Live long and prosper!

Spiritual progress.

 There has to be spiritual progress, otherwise there is no point in practising. We have to get switched on – inspired. Apart from being more contented and having less desire, there are three main signs of progress – an increase in intelligence, devotion and compassion.

Intelligence, here, means having some understanding of the nature of mind. From this, devotion and compassion arise. We may have devotion and compassion but what gives them strength and stability is intelligent understanding.

Spiritual progress is not a matter of knowing lots of words and rituals: parrots and monkeys can do that. Is it a matter of recognising awareness, and that awareness looks in on itself, and finds it is empty of any contamination. That is pure awareness. That is truly satisfying, and confidence arises.

Then a deep sense of appreciation arises, and that is devotion. This is a contentment from being one with enlightened activity, and this blessing gives power to our practice. From that, compassion arises as it is a natural expression of love.

The recognition of spiritual progress may take a little time. We have to look back at how we were a few years ago, and see if there is any change. Personally, I was on the wrong paths (for me) for many years, because I was either just studying, just practising devotion or just engendering compassion: what was missing, for me, was intelligence – wisdom! You may have to look around to find what suits you…or it may just appear at the right time!

No path is a waste. We just find ourselves…where we find ourselves. Years of ‘idiot meditation’ (so my teacher informed me…wasn’t too pleased about that!) actually served to focus me more, when I found what I was looking for. That is so strange! We are looking for something we intrinsically know about. It is possible that we were engaged upon certain practices in a previous incarnation, and now we remember!

We may practise for years, either because we enjoy it, or because we hope it’s doing us good. This is excellent, as we know we are facing the ‘right’ direction. However, a time will come when we will need to upgrade our understanding.

This Kali Yuga is an excellent moment, as those juicy emotions are staring us in the face!

Politics…

…is creating problems not to be resolved.

We know but do not see.

There is only one party:

some move to the left and some to the right,

and have a debate.

≈

You see the debate, but do not see.

A move one way and then the other,

in a prearranged code.

≈

The left creates a problem for the right to resolve

creating the next problem –

which is not meant to be resolved.

These plans are meant to create wealth for themselves

…from our wealth.

≈

Where do we come in?

We just comply.

≈

It is all about control of perception.

Has anything ever improved?

Yes!

Their wealth.

≈

How does this affect my life?

You work too much.

≈

How else does this affect my life?

It makes you feel guilty.

≈

How else does it affect my life?

You are constantly distracted.

≈

Recognise the war game.

Being responsible.

 There comes a time when one realises that one’s practice is working. One recognises that there is not so much reaction, and less desire. There is more clarity, confidence, joy, and also there is a sense of …responsibility. One’s conduct has to be constantly reviewed.

 We recognise a power that, if misused, could cause harm. So following the path of a bodhisattvas is not without wisdom and safety. That is the practice of working for the benefit of others, and is called bodhichitta.

 The bodhisattva vow is not to be taken lightly, as one’s now practises for the benefit of all. This includes what are called ‘demons’. These demons are in turmoil, and need peace, so we can include them in our practices.

 If you were a demon or a ‘lost’ sentient being, in the form or formless realm, wouldn’t you be attracted to someone who just practiced perfect peace…without any attitude? Of course, you might hate them at the same time, but still be drawn to them.

 While resting in empty essence, we can afford to be generous. Being generous is fearlessness. When we recognise that our power is coming from the practice itself, we feel gratitude, deep appreciation and devotion, and so our wish to practise increases. Otherwise, we too may become one of those demons!

 That is why responsibility is like walking on a sharp knife edge. The more we practise, the deeper we go. The more we practise, the more careful we are. Of course, sometimes we may wish to go back into being careless – ignorance was bliss – but this state was not without its suffering. Now there is no turning back.

 Be very careful what you wish for!

 People around us may find themselves getting irritated with these views, and this is where we have to be very skilful and kind. Personally, I’m still coming to grips with this can of worms!

 Being responsible is being able to respond to a situation, thus bringing it back to balance.

Depression.

Feeling weighed down?

Heavy hearted?

These are not physical attributes:

they are the result of a disturbed consciousness.

If we try and make our lives perfect

and protect ourselves in every way,

we have taken the pill

to numb ourselves,

to fit into this *!*!*! up world.

All this achieves is keeping the pill-makers rich.

We are supposed to be depressed and dissatisfied!

That is the catalyst

to look for the cause of our suffering.

Having admitted we are suffering, we are on the road to recovery!

Hooray!

 The four noble truths:

1. Recognise suffering

2. Find the cause of that suffering (this ‘I’ thing)

3. Find the path that leads away from that suffering.

4. Tread that path.

The difference between Stillness and Emptiness.

This is not easy to comprehend unless one meditates, and possibly one may not accept that there are many consciousnesses. This will depend on what tradition you follow. In some traditions and cultures, Consciousness will mean Awareness, or even higher Awareness, and so, for them, the word Consciousness is very important. In Tibetan Buddhism, it is meant as a conceptual state.

Words can really get us into trouble!

As mentioned before, there are eight consciousnesses; five of the senses and three of the mind. The 6^th is perception, the 7^th is judgement and the 8^th is the storehouse of memories. It’s the 8^th we are concerned with here. This has two aspects to it (as in hardware and software), called Alaya and Alaya vijnana.

The 6^th 7^th 8^th consciousnesses are in the conceptual realm. It is possible, when meditating, that we arrive, or rest, in a state of stillness, in the feeling of now. We are aware of non thought. And that is the point: ‘We are aware of stillness’! There is still a duality, this state is not to be belittled, as it is a profound state. It’s like trying to hit a gong, and just missing it.

At this point, merely be aware of that which is aware of this stillness, and let be. That moment is Emptiness. It may only last a moment, but there is a glimpse, before we go back into stillness again. No matter. It is good to practise short moments many times. This was the teaching of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche.

Emptiness is sometimes called the 9^th consciousness, and encompasses stillness – stillness within emptiness. If we become stuck in stillness, we sometimes feel we have to have a perfect place in which to rest – and it’s limiting. Emptiness can be experienced while moving around, talking, living – because everything is allowed to arise with emptiness.

Interestingly, feelings are stored in the ‘subtle body’, but we will come back to that.

Stop at Nothing.

 When every thing is exhausted

we arrived at nothing.

There is nothing more.

The path was our confusion.

Liberated from that confusion,

we now know nothing.

Our confusion dawned as wisdom.

There are no more enemies

to fight.

Love is dealing with

others confusion,

with a sense of knowing nothing.

Life is a lesson.

        1. You are here to learn specific lessons – because of your specific mental imprints*.

2. There are lessons at every moment – there is no getting away from it.

3. There are only lessons – at some time you will learn from your mistakes.

4. Lessons will be presented – when you have just enough understanding to deal with them.

5. There is no end to lessons – as there is no end to wisdom.

6. There is nowhere better than here – your imprints are the creator of the lessons.

7. Others are your own reflection – like it or not, good or bad.

8. What you make of life is up to you – know the choices.

9. The answer is always within you – it is nowhere else.

10. Whether you like it or not – the lessons are always perfect.

*Imprint: our actions and reactions that we hold onto create images and concepts that are stored in the mind. They become a filter through which we view everything, and they are our obscurations/demons. The lessons serve to disassemble these obscurations so we can realise our perfect true nature that has been here all the time. Imprints create karmic reactions in our dream. It’s like a home made film (all our acquired images and concepts) running in a projector – take the film out and all there is is light!

Ordinary thought and Essence Expression.

 Here we have to be honest about this experience. One leaves a residue (karma) the other does not.

We have to be honest with our capacity, and understand how the ordinary mind is driven by the emotions creating reactions and actions…and causing suffering.

 There are stages when we use anti-dotes, and there are stages when we go beyond anti-dotes. Anti-dotes only have a temporary effect, the emotions will still arise. If one knows what one is aiming for, then we are more willing to understand, experience and recognise the previous stages. We have to walk before we can run…or fly! We may even recognise the value of just sitting doing nothing.

 This is advanced stuff, but I feel people should have an inkling of where they are going, and in doing so be prepared to do the basic work.

 When resting in the nature of mind, that is rigpa essence (empty essence) and without moving from that essence, expression rigpa (essence love) naturally arises. The 5 wisdoms manifest as expression and the 5 main afflictive emotions being the nature of the wisdoms are also allowed to arise, otherwise we couldn’t be able to develop the full aspect of rigpa (empty essence) which is the expression aspect.

 When the mind is resting in essence rigpa, there lies the root of the three poisons, – desire, aversion and ignorance, which if not recognised as the three wisdom qualities of empty essence, cognisant nature, and unconfined compassion, create the 840000 afflictions (negative emotions). However these are no more than the display for one’s own mind and when they arise we should just let them be, and not get carried away. We shouldn’t be careless.

 Liberation cannot be done through an antidote, the emotions are primordially free and that is how they are liberated – just by the presence of empty essence. Therefore if we are able to release them as soon as they arise they do not generate karma.

 There are 3 moments:

1st space for emotions to arise – don’t block it

2nd emotions arises

3rd released – recognising the essence of that emotion.

 Otherwise there is an opportunity for the afflictions to generate karma.

 When the thought arises, we shouldn’t react to it (like applying an antidote that blocks it). This is not appropriate because the thought is an expression of rigpa and will not be able to develop its full potential which is expression rigpa. We deal with it by the 3 moments. The 3 moment have different levels of liberation: Like a knot in a snake- unties itself, like writing on water, like a thief entering an empty house.

 When the mind rests in empty cognisance and it is sustained without meditating and without distraction and without making observations, that is how the view is sustained. That empty cognisance, uncontaminated by the grasping subject or the object – that is the mind of the Buddha.

 So when the mind is open and the heart and full of devotion, inspiring thoughts can arise – the expression!

 On the opposite side, there are the demons – negative conceptual thoughts and the displeasure we experience towards these negative conceptual thoughts. We then experience suffering of accepting what we see as good and rejecting what we see as bad. Hope for what we see as good and fear of what we see as bad.

 There should be neither accepting or rejecting. Whatever comes, comes. This is just karma playing itself out.

 Don’t feel anxiety. Don’t feel fear – not even the smallest speck of dust of fear or anxiety. Whatever arises, as long as everything arises from within empty essence, you recognise as the same taste – mere appearances. Only good can come from that.

 Whatever harm appears in the world is a result of our ego clinging so combat that with loving compassion (relative Bodhicitta). Through developing relative Bodhicitta we destroy the self cherishing mind. Remember here we are talking about spiritual development, not putting the world to right. We are putting ourselves right first! We have to begin by being healthy human beings.

 With Absolute Bodhicitta we are dealing with the clinging to an I, and the dissolving of that fixation.

 We should always be on the look out for sticky rigpa (empty essence), claiming creates karma.

Oneness.

On an ordinary level

we all judge.

At the level of a yogi,

this is not beneficial.

Condemning someone for judging

is a fools game

it’s part of being sentient.

Feeling superior,

we abandon any sense

of oneness.

Oneness cannot be

that we all think the same.

That will never happen.

Oneness is the unity

of the two truths.

When our relative view

reflects our ultimate view,

and our ultimate view,

is expressed in our relative view,

we will be at one.

Our expression will be unique,

to meet the needs of

a unique part

of the universe.

Condemn no one,

just be aware of differences.

 This is just a personal view. People talk about “Oneness” thinking that we are all one really, and we’ve somehow separated off from a“Source”. Until I can see the expression of oneness manifest, I have to say that it does not exist, and never will….in that form. 

 The Buddha and Christ will both have an essence love, but it will manifest differently, and that attracts a certain type.

 Personally, I have been part of many organisations, and have been on many retreats and there has never been even a sense of oneness! There’s a “joining-in-ness”, a “following-ness”, a “learning-the-set-pattern-ness”…but never a “one-ness”! In fact, at one of these retreats, the lama was asked if we are all one, and he replied that we are not: we all keep our uniqueness. If we were all one, it would e pretty boring!

 But we can have is unity in diversity. We can have harmony. We are all progressing in our own way, so one man’s meat is another man’s poison. And, one man’s poison is another man’s wisdom.

 Some people have the intention of personal realisation and enlightenment: others are more concerned about the welfare and enlightenment of others. One is not better than another, it’s just the way we naturally are…at that moment. So much depends on our natural intention. We just find ourselves looking from a certain viewpoint, which is different from the viewpoint of others. That’s all!

 We may be a simple ‘soul’ or a scholar, but to truly understand anything, all you need is an open mind and an open heart.

 However, there is a kind of oneness that comes from a kind of selflessness. On meeting someone, one offers no resistance or confrontation, and remains in open space to allow a meeting of minds to occur, a unity can be experienced for a moment or two. Of course if one were enlightened I’m sure this would be ‘different’!

 What we are talking about is empathy: remembering all the suffering we have experienced, we can walk in the shoes of others for a while.

Ultimate oneness is the recognition of the unity of the two truths. 

(All we have to do is bring down the view and raise our conduct.)

Softening the heart

Endeavouring to be correct hardens the heart

When dealing with others.

It imprisons us in a dark dungeon of ignorance.

A moment of a softened heart melts everything

And is the mark of a true warrior.

The heart softens by recognition of the hardness we are holding on to.

And seeing this is quite a shock.

I was once in a teaching when the lama related the story of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche taking food from his mouth and handing it to another lama. We were asked, in turn, to say what we thought happened next. I – and everyone else in the room – was desperate to give the “right” answer! We all gave plausible suggestions, all revolving around pride – which, of course, was the answer. But the actual teaching was to recognise our own pride that wanted to have the right answer, and how that separated us from everyone else…teachers are really irritating!

There are no words to described a melted heart.

.

Prayer

May the precious Bodhicitta arise where it has not arisen

And where it has arisen may it not decay

But increase further and further.

May the precious view of emptiness arise where it has not arisen

And where it has arisen may it not decay

But increase further and further.

May the precious conduct of non-violence arise where it has not arisen

And where it has arisen may it not decay

But increase further and further.

Prayer is not only a devotional supplication to enlightened beings: it can also serve as a powerful reminder, and that is why repetition is so important. This prayer mentions 3 words: bodhicitta, emptiness and non-violence.

Bodhicitta is working for the benefit of all sentient beings. This also means accepting all suffering, and thereby being able to empathise with others.

Emptiness is our absolute essence.

Non-violence is causing no harm, or over-reacting.

We may think we understand these already, but I can’t emphasise enough how profound these aspects are, within every moment of our lives. It’s remembering to rest in empty clarity, which can encompass everything and everyone. Of course, we fall short of this, but it’s like a ruled line, where one can wander off from side to side, but return to the main guide when we remember. Any prayer you choose can have the same effect: we are sentient, and governed by the three negative emotions of desire, aversion and ignorance, and so need some strong medicine.

The more sensitive we become, the more everything becomes more meaningful. However, it also makes us more vulnerable, but in that vulnerability, we can either lose our way, or return to our essence. We can become over-sensitive, and turn the illusion into a solid reality, when all we have to do is let go. This is just our habitual pattern that we have to recognise – and that’s why daily repetition of prayer is so important.

We may think we have got rid of our emotions, but they will always be there at some point. Those demons are our guides!

We have to do the work.

Don’t place your trust in something someone has said – find it out for yourself.

The teachings say that mind doesn’t exist: that is something you have to determine for yourself.

One has to make a choice: do I go with what I see on the relative level and be satisfied with that, or examine further. We have to first separate ultimate and relative truth and then find the inseparability of ultimate and relative truth.

How Do We Know No Self?

(I have no idea!)

A self creates

desire, aversion and ignorance.

No self has

No desire.

No aversion.

No ignorance.

But there is

Knowing desire.

Knowing aversion.

Knowing ignorance.

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Knowing desire is Emptiness – Dharmakaya – Ultimate truth

Knowing aversion is Awareness – Sambogakaya – Relative truth

Knowing ignorance is Compassion – Nirmanakaya – Union of the two

Thought is Emptiness – Dharmakaya.

By virtue of Emptiness thought is known,

like a reflection in a mirror.

We do not have an original thought!

(part two)

This is a huge and complex subject, and I will try to keep it simple. The dharma says that it is our concepts, emotions and ego clinging that are the elements obscuring our clear view. This is correct: however, it does not recognise the insidious nature of those who use the dharma elements against us. This is a very subtle subject, and you will have to prove it or not to your own satisfaction. The Dharma recognises inner demons which have no true existence, but the teaching does not talk about worldly beings who use the principles of the three poisons (desire, aversion and ignorance) against us. They are the cause of much physical and mental suffering in the world.

What I can say is that, even though this may sound very scary, it will in fact enhance our practice. NO challenge, NO progress! Tibetans will sit in a cemetery all night to be scared, putting the dharma into practice in order to dissolve fear. They really do believe in ghosts…we don’t!

We have something much scarier: the idea that there are too many of us on this earth.

Our minds are like transmitters and receivers. The brain is the wiring, memory, and reaction system. We are neither the mind or the brain, but merely the awareness of listening and viewing.

We receive information via the five senses…and subliminally directly to the mind. All information is fed to us – we do not have an original thought in our heads! However, we do have free will to ‘join up the dots’, to use this information, experience knowledge and recognise wisdom…or otherwise…

Unfortunately there are two sources of this information in the universe – one dark, and the other light. You will have to decide which is which!

From childhood, we are bombarded with ‘media’ information, which is reinforced by our parents, and their parents, and the world around us. All life is…is work, work, better ourselves and then die. Getting out of this mental jungle is simple, but not easy.

We are constantly being fed false information via the media, to distract us from recognising our true nature. “You really need this!” and “You will feel much better if you have that!” Why? To answer that question, you will have to understand that corporate marketing is now so sophisticated that it practically controls the whole planet. I kid you not! Smoking, cola and mobile phones can be found in every village in the world…and the rest! We have been made reliant on ‘them’ – and they on us, to give them our wealth – but it seems that we’re not all needed any more (see Agenda 21). And actually we have no wealth, as they have the gold, whereas we have meaningless digits on a screen.

Basically, we have become part of the ‘corporate’ ideal of putting us to work, and into debt, for our whole life. Politicians are part of it, but they are only there for a short while, the corporations behind the corporations aren’t. Their wealth is greater than countries. This has been going on for generations. Whatever you do, you are working for the corporation – just look up the committee of 300. Have you noticed how large corporations have taken over every high street? The true names of the parent companies, we will probably never know. Independence is disappearing!

Large corporations influence the globe through their banking systems, and also through the use of psychological tools. One of the these tools is fear: look at the actions taken in the name of preventing terrorism: these are based on ‘what if’ and not ‘what is’. Look at the tension and killing in the world. Do you think it’s “just one of those things”? Or is it social engineering? More than two million people in America are in private jails…for-profit incarceration?!

This control and manipulation of consciousness has been going on for generations: here is just one insight.

There two methods of control: violence, and subtle influence. These two methods are described in George Orwell’s 1984 and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. You may think that these are just novels until you realise that they both came from the same organisation, the Fabian Society, with its symbol of a wolf in sheep’s clothing! I984 depicts mind control through violence and “doublethink”, so changing people’s perception of reality. Brave New World is about indoctrination through the media and use of chemicals, from foetus to old age – and “drugs” includes foodstuffs and liquids.

They know all about human desires and aversion…and the tendency of humans to ignored what is taking place. These are the three main negative emotions, according to Buddhism. I’ve spoken to Buddhists about this, and their response is, “Oh, that’s just conspiracy theory stuff!” But these are not theories, and people are suffering because of them. If we have compassion, we need to be aware of both the enemy within, and the enemy without.

May all sentients being find happiness.

The Dharma really does work in all circumstances.

NO CHALLENGE, NO PROGRESS.

These corporation may be clever but not wise.

They actually help us to not be attached!

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No challenge, no progress.

(part one)

I am going to write a couple of articles to illustrate the spiritual realm working in the daily worldly realm. This may be read on many levels, but it is not for the faint hearted.

The root of everything is ego clinging – it is the mind that clings to concepts about itself, and desperately holds everything together. Seeing this can be painful! Although, primordially, clarity (awareness) and emptiness are indivisible, due to not being recognised, clarity grasps at objects outside. The mind that grasps (or ‘ego clings’) becomes more gross: the clarity aspect becomes aggressive and the emptiness aspect becomes passionate. The union of these two aspects of aggression and passion is ignorance. It is said that out of that, the 84000 obscurations arise, and the expression of these (even though they don’t have a true existence) manifests as infinite variety of forms arising in one’s own mind. These are called demons, and despite the fact that they are in our own mind, they are known as obstructing spirits.

What is the immediate cause of these mara (demons) influencing us? Ego clinging. But what is the underlying cause? Surprisingly, it is our perseverance, our diligence. Why? If there is no effort, then the demons don’t have a reason to be. Laziness is a demon in itself. For all the Bodhisattvas, the demons come. We should understand that their activity comes about because of the perseverance of the Bodhisattvas (how ironic…laugh!).

It is said that from time without beginning, we have been having this continuous ego clinging, even though there is no intrinsic identity. Because of that there are many subtle events that can happen and cause reactions within us. There must be an opportunity for us to refine – because if we leave the continuity of ego clinging, that creates a equal opportunity for the demons to interfere. Remember, we are not enlightened…yet!

If there is a hole, there is a chance for wind to get in. If there is no hole, the wind can’t enter. For a yogi, if they have a hole within themselves (an ego of some sort), that creates a chance for the mara to enter. This hole comes from the constant pressure of ego clinging and that creates an opportunity for mara to penetrate.

No worries: this is merely part of the process!

For the highest practitioner, the best way to remove this is to go back to the main principle of the Dharma, which states that all phenomena arise from our own mind. The antidote is that you have to understand (intellectually) or recognise (experience) that all these forces or appearances do not truly exist – they are manifestations of our own mind…and our mind does not truly exist either. Within that realisation of the nature of mind, all these false structures completely collapse, and the train of conceptual thought of hope and fear ceases. When all this happens, negativity changes into positivity: on the basis of the bad, we experience the good. If you can deal with this, your practice will be upgraded.

If understood, the symbolic teacher, which is life itself in this relative realm, reflects the empty nature of everything. No challenge, no progress. Without this, our practice will be very flat.

Just a note: Emptiness is called Rigpa or Mahamudra (different traditions have their own names). However, there are four aspects to this: Rigpa, Rigpa expression, Rigpa display and Rigpa ornament. Rigpa itself is dry, and depending on the practitioner, could be anything from a “baby” Rigpa to something little more constant. Rigpa expression is the juice: it’s love and compassion being expressed (though a little ego is present). Rigpa display is similar, but more advanced. Rigpa ornament is constant Dharmakaya – the real deal!

Worry

is turning what is into what if,

anticipating something unfortunate

happening in the future,

as opposed to what is actually happening

now.

There are no advanced levels of spirituality

we merely return to the beginning.

Our task is deconstruction!

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Worry.

Worry isolate us.

Worry is dis-ease.

If we are ill-at-ease

Our minds are disturbed.

Being at ease is natural.

Worry…Anxiety…Fear…Depression…depleted immune system…poor physical and mental health…all these arise from dis-ease.

This is our ‘lot’. This human realm is governed by desire and frustration, and these very words describe addiction. Whatever situation we find ourselves in was our creation! Our job, family, home, life style, are a product from our past…with a little help from the ‘corporations’.

As this is our creation, we have to allow it to dwell for a while and then dissolve, without creating new creations! If we maintain our desire for things to be perfect, this will only make things worse. The search for happiness is the cause of suffering. You are already happy but fail to recognise it.

I have a noisy neighbour one one side of my terraced house: she is noisy because she is hard of hearing. And when the other neighbour’s family comes to stay, it’s like a chicken gathering! It never lasts long, so there is no point in complaining. Other neighbours, a long way away, are bombing one another, and I cannot do anything about that…so again, there is no point in complaining. If we can do something about a situation, we do something, without making things worse.

How we react reveals our level of understanding and capacity, so we have to tread carefully. On a coarse, human level, we fight and retaliate. We read this day in and day out on forums, where people are trying to wind one another up, in order to prove a point (and their superiority).

I once had a discuss with a Tibetan Lama about another lama whose behaviour was…well, to put it in my teachers words, “Enthusiastic.” We could have used more colourful words, but the point was that my teacher did not want to disturb his own mind, my mind or anyone else’s mind. When you are working at that level, every moment is significant.

Worrying is pointless: we just get stuck in a loop, and are not thinking constructively. We merely have be aware of what is going on, and the causes of that. Then, where possible, we find a solution, and act on it. We are not going to change the world, only ourselves.

It is natural to be dissatisfied.

That is the cause for change.

Worry takes us in one direction,

Acceptance in another.

Neither accept nor reject,

But merely be aware of what take place in the mind.

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Love is absent minded.

Love is spontaneous and carefree.

It’s nothing you do, but are.

Love does not seek recognition,

it is absent minded.

Dignity with no expectation.

Repetition.

Throughout life we practise our karmic behaviour.

If not countered, we merely repeat.

The meaning of pray, chant and reciting

are positive antidotes.

At death or in turmoil they will come to fore.

A set routine sets a good foundation,

sets a good foundation for those around.

Finding fault.

Finding fault with others.

Corrupts one’s own mind.

However, a mistaken view

does not go unnoticed.

In that very moment

look into one’s own mind,

to see that cloud first.

Harsh words.

Harsh words disturb other’s mind.

They create a reaction,

sending back arrows of destruction.

Precise words of clarity.

Precise words of clarity.

shock the mind into stillness,

cutting the arrows of destruction.

Creation.

We competitively accumulate and create endlessly,

therefore this has to be maintained and protected.

Love is to let go of everything,

therefore there is nothing to maintain or protect.

The tap of inspiration.

If we turn off love,

the well runs dry.

Open the tap,

and blessings flow.

The whole universe is waiting for us.

To ask for help,

so we can also help.

Pass it on.

I like me.

When I found that I didn’t have fit

into others’ expectations,

I was free.

Why bother?

You don’t, that’s why you’re still not bothering.

Spirituality does not exist.

It only exists when we are still in the mental realm.

When we are in it, nothing exists.

Spirituality is reality.

When we are in it, it exists.

When we go beyond,

it neither exists, nor

not exists.

Reality.

Is neither real nor not real.

It is the constant play of

one in another.

Using truth as poison.

Truth can be a two edged sword.

It is either something that you want,

or something that you are.

The poison is

being led to believe truth is

somewhere else.

Living the dream.

Living the dream is always

living someone else’s dream.

Ours dreams are nightmares

wanting to wake up.

We put up with it because

we know no better.

Once we become aware,

we will know better.

The jabber clatter.

Everywhere we go there is jabber clatter,

music, noise, conversations, are the

jabbering cluttering-chatter,

of distraction.

Its vibrational sound

dulls the mind.

Digital god.

We seek the answer

from the digital god

the mobile.

It is an addictive religion.

I’m too busy to stop.

We spend our life either

vacant, occupied or asleep.

And never find the time

to know who we truly are,

or wake up.

Cruelty.

There will always be

vigorous carelessness in the world.

People justify their actions with

selfish righteousness.

Maybe it’s their first

human incarnation.

They seem to like uniforms and rules.

Precious human life.

Our time here is so precious,

to realise our true essence.

and what do we do with it?

We only know we have choice,

when we have a choice.

Class.

I am better than you,

but he is better than me.

He thinks he is bette than us,

but we know we are better than him.

She’s just as bad!

We divide ourselves to appear to be better.

Appearance isn’t everything.

Nothing ever happens.

Because these bodies do not permanently exist,

they cannot be said to have done anything.

Because this mind cannot be said to exist,

it too cannot be said to exist.

Therefore, nothing ever happened.

Crazy!

Crazy wisdom.

Crazy wisdom is said to put one’s mind into neutral.

At the dining table a teacher took the food out of his mouth

and handed it to a student.

The student ‘was’ disgusted.

Then took it, to swallow his pride.

Don’t try this at home!

The right time, the right place to the right person.

The pointing out instruction of the nature of mind

has to given at the right moment.

For some it is a word, for others a gesture.

You may or may not ‘get’ it.

But the seed will be sown.

Joy.

If you have joy in other achievements,

that joy is real, as pride has totally gone.

Exaggeration.

Don’t!

It only deceives you and those around you.

Cliches

Are not worth the paper they are printed on,

unless put into practice.

Apathy and Empathy.

 Apathy is self destroying.

Empathy is destroying the self.

There is a personal drama unfolding.

Apathy does not understand Empathy.

Empathy understands Apathy.

Waking up means toughening up

All we need is to lose the separation.

Compassion is love.

Love heals all.

How does one prove the existence of ‘being’?

 One of the reasons I keep writing is because we have to keep looking at truth from all angles, and maybe a phrase will truly hit home. There could be an crazy absurd moment where everything looks upside down, and we don’t know where we are…and there we are! This is not one of them!

Our usual answer to ‘being’ is, “I know I am,” or “I think, therefore I am.” But this is maybe just an expression of being: it is not ‘being’ itself.

There are teachings in Buddhism called Madhyamika, which negate everything: when nothing is left, even that nothing is negated. This teaching really blows your mind, which is great if you want to become a lawyer, or a scholar. In ancient teachings there is a saying, “Not this. Not this (to all appearances). Thou Art That.” And, then one says, “Not this. Not this”to that also.

We still need proof. How does one prove to a conceptual thinking mind that it does not exist? One cannot outsmart a concept with a concept.

So where are we?

Our mind wants to express itself in words, and that’s ok – this is still workable, and that is what we have to use. But do you notice that we say, “My mind”? We have a subject and an object! We keep falling into the same old trap. We keep failing to notice that there is that which is aware of the mind!

In the practice of sitting still, and observing, we become aware of the awareness itself. The moment we think about it, we are back in the mind again. Practice is needed in order to keep letting go, and to allow awareness…to be. Just say, “Thinking.” When there is mere awareness, it becomes pure awareness, empty of any contamination…that is ‘being’.

Inner ‘being’ knows all this but gets fixated on the thinking mind, which creates an inner conflict. This inner conflict is part of the process. All we need to do is expand our inner awareness to encompass all.

We divide ourselves.

Being divided, we suffer.

As sentient beings, we can work in space.

This space is our true reality.

Crazy!

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What is spirituality? What isn’t spirituality?!

 Sometimes we use the word spirituality in a general way, and so experience, experiencing and experiencer get a bit muddled up, and we end up just sniffing incense! But to be more specific I suppose we are are talking about the spirituality psychology. Ordinary psychology deals with the human/primitive mind, and how to get along in a society… ‘functioning well’!

 Spirituality psychology is more like being a spiritual engineer, ie if that doesn’t work, try this.

 This is also the area that the mind can be influenced to conform to …’functioning well’ in society! This is pseudo spirituality psychology – polishing up the ego – achieving an enlightened ego – making us feel good in society. It’s spiritual materialism.

 This is why we have to test information, and the teacher. The Buddha said, “Weigh my teachings as if testing for the purity of gold.” Spirituality itself is beyond description in silent experience.

 Every experience is spiritual!

Whenever there is an appearance in the mind, there is that which is aware of it. That awareness can then note its own awareness, without manipulation….that is pure awareness. Sometimes it is called Emptiness, or “God”.

 For me, the right brain is feelings and pattern, and the left brain translates these feelings and patterns. I spent most my life in the right brain, without able to explain it, and it’s only in the past couple of years that it seems my left brain has finally kicked in!

 Someone asked on a forum about meditating on a symbol.

This is to do with visualisation practice, be it a letter, sound, symbol or figure. Sometimes we are drawn to an image or a sound and have a feeling for it which cannot be explained: maybe it is a feeling of longing or a sense of satisfaction. Then we find out what it means, and it makes more sense, but…that longing, that satisfied feeling was right all along, and that was what it was all about. Personally, I find this with the mantra OM MANI PEME HUM.

 This image or sound could have stirred a forgotten memory from a previous life – “Hmm… this seems familiar, it doesn’t seem strange.”

 Sometimes we hear a teaching and understand it (left brain), and then all we need is a symbol to remind us (right brain).

 Our final teacher is every interaction within the whole of phenomena: this is known as the symbolic teacher. To repeat, everything that arises has an impermanent appearance…especially our emotions!

 However, in whatever happens, there is always that which knows.

So everything is a reminder of that….our true nature.

THE KEY IS THE REPTILIAN BRAIN.

 The reptilian brain is a name for our basic primitive brain, with its basic function to survive – fight, flight or freeze. The term reptilian brain can be misleading, and can become a bogey man. The primitive brain functions as “Might is Right”. Primitive does not mean unsophisticated, when embedded into the human mind.

 Interestingly, in history, this basic brain has been connected to the Serpent, the Devil and Evil. Now I would like to investigate another connection. Firstly, I have to say that everything is a figment of our imagination – our collective imagination. Things exist at a relative level, but we exaggerate – and some people/cultures do this more than others.

 This primitive brain has three instincts: FIGHT, FLIGHT AND FREEZE. The three basic negative emotions in our consciousness are DESIRE, AVERSION AND IGNORANCE, or to use other words – HOPE, FEAR AND INDIFFERENCE. This is what drives us, day in and day out. You can see the connection: they are a control mechanism for personal “I” survival.

 These three principles not only help us survive in a coarse physical form, but they also keep us imprisoned in a mental state, of not knowing our true identity. These three basic negative emotions obscure our connection to higher functions, and limit our potential. That is why they are the devil…and by the way, the devil does not exist!

 What we can now see is The Corporate ‘Reptilian’ Brain at work. Psychologists are finely aware of our likes, dislikes and don’t care attitudes, and use them against us, for their own profit. In order to make profit, the more control you have, the more wealth you create. Simple! The corporate primitive brain is based on “might is right”. They may appear to be sophisticated but use no higher functions, especially empathy and compassion!

 If you fight against the corporate ‘primitive brain world,’ you are using your ‘primitive brain’. The same applies if you run away, or if you do nothing – you are complying with primitive brain orientations.

 The way to breaking out of this prison is to know how your mind works and recognise your true nature. I won’t go into it now, but the secret of nature of these three poisons (desire, aversion and ignorance) is wisdom.

Reptilian Brain

Innermost in our brain is what is called the reptilian brain, its oldest and most primitive part. The reptilian brain appears to be largely unchanged by evolution and we share it with all other animals which have a backbone. 
At this level of evolution, behaviour relating to survival of the species, such as sexual behaviour, is instinctive and responses are automatic. Territory is acquired by force and defended. Might is right, based on fight, flight or freeze.


Mammalian Brain

Next to evolve from the reptilian brain was the mammalian brain. An enormous change took place as mammals evolved from reptiles, the mammalian brain containing organs for some conscious feelings about events (amygdala).

To this extent the mammal is more consciously aware of itself in relation to the environment. Millions of neural pathways connect the hippocampus and amygdala structures to the reptilian brain and behaviour is less rigidly controlled by instincts. It seems that feelings such as attachment, anger and fear have emerged with associated behavioural response patterns of care, fight, flight or freeze


Human Brain

 And the mammalian brain became the human brain by adding the massive grey matter (neocortex) which envelopes most of the earlier brain and amounts to about 85 per cent of the human brain mass. 
This massive addition consists mostly of two hemispheres which are covered by an outer layer and interconnected by a string of nerve fibres.
The brain is actually divided into left and right ’hemispheres’ .

The aim of The Corporate ‘Primitive’ Brain is to disconnect – as much as possible – the functions of these two parts of the brain. We can be manipulated through the right brain, while only being conscious of the left. This is neurosymbolic programming.

 Thoughts, responses, and images are planted in the right brain, through symbolism and subliminal imagery while imprisoning the human consciousness in the left brain – the thinking hemisphere.

 This is why the media system is designed to talk to the left brain via the right brain. The Corporate Primitive brain can enter the human brain through the right side, undetected, and these images and subliminal messages then enter the left brain as consciousness to be decoded. People therefore think that their thoughts and actions are their own: this is subtle neurolinguistic programming.

 They know that by going through the right brain with suggestion, they can enter our mind and tell our left brain how to decode it into conscious language eg “I want to buy that car”: notice how all car advertising is done through imagery and sound, with no mention of the superior mechanics of that particular model.

 The ‘media’ creates a make-believe fantasy world in endless forms: the “reptilian devil” was created in the very same way, and forums play their part too. Its aim is to open up the right brain and allow the ‘primitive’ brain to justify reactions in the left brain. This keep consciousness embedded in a mental prison.

Know the enemy.

Know your own mind.

Know how to be free.

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Ego.

Ego is just our mind desperately clinging to a self identity, that’s all.

It shouts and screams,

obscuring pure perception.

Pure perception sees through ego’s games.

“There I go again!”

Little devil…

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