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.

Root Guru – A Sticky Relationship

A root guru is our main teacher, and our strongest connection to the Dharma; it’s sometimes translated as ‘spiritual guide’. The bond is voluntary. Common sense will show us what to rely on.

We have to be aware of pretending that any relationship actually exists.

Binding oneself to a teacher and hoping that they are bound to us is an illusion. It just keeps the ‘wheels’ turning. Any guru has too many students to know anyone outside their immediate inner circle – and even then, it’s an illusion. Been there, done that. 🙂

You may be told that your Buddha-nature is your teacher. This is, in itself, a very confusing statement. You are Buddha-nature, but you’re confused because this Buddha-nature is holding on to something – a self-identity = karma! Karma is the result of previous clinging that drives our mind and body, and reveals itself in our reactions. This is our root guru/teacher as it shows us all our faults, and is therefore our personal guide.

Use common sense. No bond is necessary; we’re already stuck with karma at every moment, until enlightenment. And that doesn’t cost anything. 😀

Karma puts us in the ‘right’ place at the ‘right’ time,
commensurate (in proportion) with our tendencies.

If we are fortunate, the ‘right’ things come along.
That’s if we are aware enough to appreciate them!
🙂

“I Don’t Belong To Groups”

“I don’t belong to groups” … really?

Pride says, “I am unique; I don’t need to belong to a group.”

Ever heard of family, gender, town/country, music, culture, language, humanity…?
We are all certain types, and we fall into categories.

We are merely copycats
– one who imitates or adopts the behaviour or practices of another.

We only become unique when we realise our true essence
(and even then, we join a group 😀 ).

How Conspiracies WorK

How do conspiracies work?
By controlling information:
Belief is accepted as truth.

Coordination control = “One size fits all” = create belief en masse.
In the moment now = “One size does not fit all” as the moment now is unique.

How do we recognise conspiracies?
By the introduction of conformity.

We have our own karma to face,
rather than adopting others’ karma.

Conspiracies are slightly hidden
to create division and guise
… a presentation meant to conceal the true nature of something.

We Get Stuck Because We Copy

This is a question asked by someone in a feltmaking group on Facebook,
which sounds very familiar!
Truth is everywhere.

“How did you all move from buying wet felting kits
and following someone else’s patterns to making your own visions come to life?

“I’ve wet felted several patterns from kits at this point,
but I have so many ideas of things I’d like to make that would rely on my skill
rather than my ability to follow directions.

“I can’t seem to transition over. I get stuck.
Maybe it’s like some form of self-limiting block.
I don’t know.”

Attachment To Ancestry Is An Illusion

The idea of ancestry and family keeps us bound to sentimentality and status. Ancestry is merely a genetic code patterning in our temporary bodies. As humans have been on Earth for around two million years, our genetic codes are probably all connected: we have simply become selective in our attachments.

If we consider infinite reincarnation,
then every sentient being has been our mother …
and has eaten us.

Letting Go

Letting go is not at all difficult.
Simply drop it … drop it!

The echo may still resound, but just let that go as well.
It’s not a highfalutin spiritual experience; it’s a relief.

Gradually, we appreciate not holding on to any thought or emotion.
In that way, wisdom arises.

Words Confuse

We hear and read words differently from one another, and mistake context because of our backgrounds. This creates and maintains the different atmospheres in which we live, and is the reason why we talk at cross purposes. For instance, we may assume that we have consciousness, soul, spirit when, in reality, we are consciousness, soul, spirit. Even if we say, “I am consciousness, I am soul, I am spirit, I am”, this is not ultimately correct.

Pure consciousness is unattached, silent awareness.
It’s not a thing.

Buddhists say there is no such thing as soul, in the same way that there is no such thing as consciousness. Words confuse because they are a generalisation, and not the experience. Whatever we talk about, it’s out there in the mind; it’s some -ism, some theory.

The truth is conscious awareness, the arbiter, the supreme ruler. But even this can confuse. 🙂 As long as we are confused, evil sees to it that we have no sense of direction.

Words are not truth.
That which realises the meaning is the truth.

“But that celebrity guru said such-and-such!” Once we know, we don’t need to know what a particular celebrity guru knows. This doesn’t mean they don’t know – it’s just their version of what we know … and we’re back to generalisations.

It is because someone says something in a different way that we may doubt what we know, especially if they come from a different culture.

These words being written now are a generalisation. That which is reading and experiencing them – without intellectualisation – is the truth. The truth is never, ever ‘out there’.

Talking confuses.
Our reactions say much more.
Pure awareness of our reactions tells us everything.

There Are Other Ways

It’s very important to understand that there are other ways, otherwise we can become narrow-minded. There are many paths up to the peak.

The search for ultimate truth comes with the realisation of what it is that perceives this ultimate truth. The two are inseparable. The summit is pure consciousness but, depending on the path we choose, we may find that the summit has always been at the base. 🙂

In other words, there is no point in arguing about who has the better path. One person sees it one way and another sees it a different way. I’ve experienced sitting in retreats with 120 people and we all have individual approaches and inclinations. I definitely wouldn’t want to be in their shoes – too serious – and they, in turn, will think something odd about me. So what?

When we know where we are, does it matter if others think we shouldn’t be there?

Of course, there are momentary meetings of minds, but there comes a time when we realise our paths or vehicles are different.

There is no universal consciousness;
if there was, when one gets it, we all get it!
This doesn’t happen, does it?
It’s not a virus … 🙂

Universal consciousness is merely a substitute term for God. If we believe in a God, or universal consciousness, or universal nature, that is the path we choose, and we have to accept the consequences, which relate to something ‘out there’ and are therefore a separation. If we become upset, that is a consequence of our choice of path. If the path results in genuine understanding of others and compassion for all, then it’s worthwhile.

We should be confident in our path,
but be willing to change if refinement presents itself.

You never know – it could be God’s will 🙂

Effortlessness And Effort

To realise our true essence of pure consciousness takes no effort at all;
we let go of all presumptions, and just be.
It’s so simple, it’s hard to believe! 😀

Even though we may realise our true reality,
showing concern and listening to others is challenging,
and takes effort.

Being a theorist-therapist is only playing at being a friend.
Genuine empathy is sharing.

The more we remember our true essence,
the more compassion cuts through ignorance.

If we want to know which path to take,
we look at the people.

Are they high-minded, which takes no effort?
Or is there true compassion, which takes effort?

Enlightenment Isn’t ‘Up There’

Enlightenment isn’t ‘up there’.
It’s right here, right now.

We only have to uncover the elaborations
which add complexity and doubt,
and divide wholeness.

Handing Over Control To Others

It’s your life, not theirs.
If you choose to live their life,
you have to accept the consequences.
They don’t.

Sorting Your Self Out

We may not like what we do or say; we mean well but this well-meaning doesn’t express itself properly, and we become unable to communicate in the way we’d like. This can be even more frustrating when others lack the ability to communicate too.

Our self is a concoction – a mixture of various ingredients, an elaborate fabricated story. It is a history of memories in the mind, all of which are observed by consciousness. When we finally realise that we are that consciousness, we can sort our self out. 🙂 Actually, our self sorts us out, as it shows us our karmic tendencies.

Look after your self,
and your self will look after you.

How?!

Your self is your karma
that teaches you – consciousness – how to become enlightened
by knowing what to drop, and when to drop it.

God & God

There are two paths:
one is a belief in an external God the creator,
while the other is our supreme being of pure consciousness,
which is the wisdom of natural law.

A belief in God requires intercessors,
while the other is direct realisation of what we ultimately are.

All arguments about whether there is a God or not
are meant to divide and confuse.

Pure consciousness is barely present,
without any elaborations.

Connecting And Disconnecting

Connecting with others who feel the same way about a problem enriches life, but this is rare. Even when we do connect, a disconnect then occurs as our background experiences tailor what we do about the problem that we see.

These background experiences are our filters – our karmic tendencies which have different levels – and it is that which creates the disconnect, depending on the levels of hope and fear being generated.

The more we cut through our hopes and fears,
the less we ignore any problem.

Your Mind Is Lying To You

All that is in our mind is memories of information; this is not actual reality. The mind is a filter that we impose on every moment. This information that we have gathered is our karmic characteristic, and wanting recognition for being able to remember selected information is only pride. The truth is in the living situation now. One size does not fit all!

We may read that, if we have a leaky tap, we need to change the cartridge. Having pride in our information, we then tell others that that’s what they need to do. But when it comes to buying a new cartridge, it turns out that there are umpteen sizes, so we have to take the old cartridge out and actually measure all the parts. And voila, no drip! But this doesn’t mean the dripping tap upstairs can have the same cartridge.

The mind has the general idea, but not actual knowledge.
True knowledge starts from not ‘knowing’ and, at that point,
knowingness is present because there is questioning.

Knowingness is what consciousness is,
and through meditation,
consciousness is realised as what we are.

Through deeper meditation, we drop the meditation,
and consciousness is realised as emptiness.

We now have no fear of drips.
😀

Why Do We Perceive Things So Differently?

We choose to select different aspects of a message based on what interests us or has influenced us, and what we consider to be important. This background is the basis of our understanding anything – in other words, it’s karma.

How we perceive comes down to levels of understanding; in Sanskrit, levels are called ‘Yanas’, which means vehicle. It is so easy to talk at cross-purposes and misunderstand each other, because we’re actually speaking about different subjects without realising it.

Talk about absolute reality can be misunderstood by relating to relative reality.

Absolute reality is pure experience, while resting in pure perception now.
Relative reality is how we relate to everything – our reactions now.

Even when we may agree, there will be subtle differences in approach. This, in truth, is our actual uniqueness. Krishna, Buddha, Jesus … all enlightened ones realised pure consciousness, but each expressed this to suit the situation.

Levels Of Awareness … Continued

Being aware:
aware of whatever we are doing.

Being aware of being aware:
meditation.

Being awareness itself:
our original reality.

Awareness follows where attention goes. Whatever awareness focuses on, it becomes. This is why, in meditation, we first focus on the breath as it calms activity in the mind and body.

However, this is also why we become distracted and confused about our original reality. When awareness identifies as a gender, race, culture, religion, class … we lose our original reality in favour of focusing on a status, playing a part like an actor. Professional actors play many parts; we, as individuals, adopt one part, and that is our lot for life.

Awareness comes from consciousness.
When consciousness adopts a part, that part is called ‘self’.

When consciousness rests in its original, uncontaminated reality,
inner peace is maintained.

What Is The Purpose Of Life?

Our definitions may differ. That’s okay, as we all have our individual story to unwrap.

Throughout life, we conformed to others’ standards, which may not be totally satisfactory but we put up with it as we don’t know anything better. After years of so-called ‘spiritual’ endeavour, the answer may be, “Not this, not this”. Everyone is just mimicking a doctrine of some sort, which might be clever but is uninspiring.

Why?
Monkey see, monkey do
– but does monkey know?
🙂

When we stop following – or rather, believing – there is a wobbly moment where we are on our own. We may give up and go back to others’ standards, or give up and really let go. Change occurs when we come to a conclusion through testing the essence of teachings, rather than relying on make-believe. We have every right to challenge the teachings. It’s why the Buddha said, “Don’t take my word for it; test it.” When we realise that we cannot come up with anything better, the relief is beyond words!

To say ‘pure consciousness’ again is pointless;
it’s more being the moment, rather than being in the moment.
And that sounds like a cliché. 🙂

People can make all sorts of claims, but the moment of knowing is the key: it cannot be pretentious.
It is not something we can claim in order to be admired, but is a knowingness that becomes more and more precise.

All We Need To Know

All we need to know is what we are, and then everything makes sense.
We are pure consciousness.
Everything else – including self – is an illusion.

Pure consciousness knows. Mind repeats memories. Brain stores. Body carries. Life is karma.

Karma teaches us the way home to pure enlightenment. By realising our mistakes, we learn. Our biggest mistake is believing what we are, as opposed to knowing what we are.

Self is an intellectual construct, where everything is believed to be real and everlasting. As we get older, life becomes shorter, and it’s easier to see the revolving illusions and their effects.

Do not believe in the Buddha or any teacher; realise what they meant. Belief is the trap, and is the reason why we only live in hope.

The Buddha realised the Vedas = not two.
That is here, right now.
It’s all we need to know.
Appearance and realisation are simultaneous.

Mere belief makes us seem foolish.
In realisation, illusions speak to us.

Having A Good View

Having a good view is having a clear view, with no obstructions, no mental commentary, no taking sides of likes and dislikes. We may have a preference, but we’re never obsessed because we recognise our reactions keep us bound, ignoring intuitive insight.

This insight frees us from worry. When encountering a scary situation (such as sitting with religious people :D), we can either run away, stay and bear it, or just let it wash over us like water off a duck’s back.

We should be grateful that we have changed.
🙂

Too Much Information

Information isn’t knowledge.
Information is belief.
Knowledge is experience.

Too much information cuts our capacity and our ability to digest properly. When we intellectualise, we lose the simple joy and reality of life.

All the information we need is within.
Empty consciousness asks, “What’s this?”

Each situation explains everything. The tap leaks, the electricity switch trips, the lawn-mower cuts out … all they need is systematic attention.

Dealing with emotions is the same. We again have to look systematically at the effect and the cause. Too much information makes us go in all directions at once, and creates confusion.

Nothing Will Make Us Happy

There are, of course, two ways of looking at this statement. We are either never satisfied, always looking for something better, or we realise that the emptiness of phenomena and self are totally satisfying.

How can that be? We can enjoy by letting go, without holding on to anything.
As pure (empty) consciousness, we are happy for no reason, a happiness that does not rely on conditions.

If We Want To Be Special, We Lose

In the cult of celebrity, we trust in an inner circle to feel special, rather than relying on ordinary, direct experience. When we defer our reality to others, we lose. Lost in false euphoria, we learn the right words to repeat, but there is no meaningful insight.

Being nothing ‘special’, we are free.
We are no longer reliant on a name or system,
as this merely limits our ability to cope on our own.

There are two doors.
One door leads to a happy cosy place, and the other opens to all our raw karma.
Which one leads to enlightenment?

Humans Are Natural Addicts

We can all be enthusiastic devotees.
Evil and Goodness both know this.
Can Evil and Goodness both be addictive?

Addiction is an intense urge to engage in behaviour providing immediate sensory rewards. This is obvious when considering evil, but what of goodness? They are the same; we can be addicted to meditational practices or gurus, or even to giving advice, and this is exactly why, in the Dharma, we are advised to drop any realisation. 😀

In this way, we remain spontaneous pure consciousness.

This is “Stayin’ Alive!”
Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!
😀