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.

Can A Lazy Person Realise Truth?

Can a lazy person realise truth?
No.

Can an uneducated person realise truth?
Yes.

To realise truth, all we do is see.

In being lazy, we become dependent; we limit our reality and so, our freedom. Never be put off by feeling guilty about being lazy; just acknowledge this behaviour, and see how it affects your motivation. We all need a proper teacher, and there is no better teacher than our own mind!

Spiritually speaking, we are all more or less lazy, particularly when it comes to knowing the truth about our reality, as this means we have to give up something dear to us … the concept of ‘me’.

The idea of being lazy isn’t easy to accept as we tend to transfer the picture of laziness onto others rather than ourself. Transforming our ‘laziness’ isn’t actually a great problem, and the solution is very simple; we merely have to see what is going on within our own mind, and we are free – but having the heart – the courage – to see is challenging. We have to acknowledge the need to transcend. 

“We are free in the very moment of seeing.”
Tulku Urgyen (a realised being).

When we hear the word ‘lazy’, we might think of someone lying on a sofa doing nothing; a total slob. This is as much of a fanciful idea as thinking the devil has horns and tail, and is truly evil. It’s all much subtler than that. Both images are advertising gimmicks to separate us from the facts, which are that it’s all in the mind.

We are lazy because we seek comfort and happiness through the dopamine effect caused by neurotransmitters responsible for reward and pleasure to which we become addicted and obsessed, and which becomes an habitual way of life. This pleasurable sensation can come from either being vacant (can’t be bothered, too sloppy) or occupied (an uptight fundamentalist, possessed by the gods). 

The Buddha described this point while watching a lute player tuning the instrument and noting if the strings were too tight or too loose. If we want to be ‘in tune’, we shouldn’t be either too tight or too loose. 🙂

This is an important point when viewing our spiritual practice of being aware. We may become too enthusiastic, chanting away and waving vajras, bells and beads, feeling we have done something good, while missing the whole point. We fall under the dopamine enchantment; terms that describe this are ‘futile diligence’ and ‘spiritual materialism’. Spiritual practice is about letting go, dropping any attachment to practice in the final stage known as ‘completion’. In fact, we can do this all the way through a practice by just being there, rather than following a chant-along.

Lazy people are quick to find fault because they lack experiential empathy. The cause of laziness is an absence of purpose, which is essential to give our life meaning. If we don’t have a goal, we won’t be motivated. People will pick up on the flimsiest excuse to keep busy, and meditation can, unfortunately, be a vehicle for laziness if we do not know how to drop it. For this reason, we need to know why we are meditating.

We need discipline to cut through old habits. Of course, once we love what we do, we don’t need discipline … unless we then become attached to love! 😀 Actually, once we see properly, everything become effortless and carefree.

Laziness is self-deception; we play hide and seek. We seek something, but hide away from it if it gets too close for comfort. Long-term goals do not provide immediate gratification. Laziness can lead to depression, exhaustion and apathy, when the dark hole of depression swallows up anything positive. 

Laziness masks fear, where we seek a comfortable bed to escape from reality. Meditation is realising our reality. 

The Buddha: “Don’t Live Vicariously”

Living vicariously through the actions of others
can cause us to become dependent
when it comes to happiness and fulfilment in life.

Trying to avoid living vicariously isn’t easy to do
as we all seek acceptance
and conform to others’ conformity

To find our originality,
we have to find our origin.

We Do Live In A Reptilian World!

As long as we remain reactive to situations, we will be subject to fight, flight and freeze, acting in response to a situation rather than being creative or controlling it. If this is so, we have no mastery over ourselves. In everyday terms, fight, flight and freeze correspond to desire, aversion and indifference.

Our primitive brain is known as ‘reptilian’ as it functions on a survival mode. We may lead very sophisticated lives but our existence is still based on hope, fear and ignorance of our true, higher nature.

Even if we say we love, this is merely conditional love, as it relies on conditions. Take the condition away and we suffer – so our happiness is also conditional; “If I achieve that, I will be happy. If it is then taken away, I will be unhappy.”

Our higher nature of pure consciousness is unconditionally happy, and loves unconditionally. If we are honest, we can see this. The good news is that, the moment we see that we are being selfish, that is our selfless nature revealing itself! We have always been this higher consciousness, while believing we are something less that is functioning at a jungle level.

“It’s A Jungle Out There”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ9JRQnQO8c

It’s a jungle out there
Disorder and confusion everywhere
No one seems to care
Well I do
Hey, who’s in charge here?

It’s a jungle out there
Poison in the very air we breathe
Do you know what’s in the water that you drink?
Well I do, and it’s amazing

People think I’m crazy, ’cause I worry all the time
If you paid attention, you’d be worried too
You better pay attention
Or this world we love so much might just kill you

I could be wrong now, but I don’t think so
‘Cause there’s a jungle out there

It’s a jungle out there
It’s a jungle out there
Violence and danger everywhere
It’s brother against brother
Pounding on each other
Like they would make a mess

It’s a jungle out there
It’s a jungle here too
You got a tap right on your phone
A microphone and camera check on
on everything you do

Call it paranoia as the saying goes
Even paranoids have their meek

I’m not the one who’s crazy, I’m not afraid of them
They’re afraid of you and me

I could be wrong there, but I don’t think so
‘Cause it’s a jungle out there

It’s a jungle out there
It’s a jungle out there
Even the cops are scared today
So if you see a uniform
Do exactly what they say
Or make a run for it

I’m only kidding with ya

‘Cause it’s a jungle out there
It’s a jungle out there

How Are We Supposed To Be?

The self is the product of our culture and background. This is karma. However we find our self, it’s what we have to work with. When realising that we are more than just a body and thoughts, and that we are consciousness itself, we may wonder, “How am I supposed to be now? How am I supposed to act?”

Copying others into a ‘spiritual’ mode (you know what I mean) is an act: we shouldn’t forget that we are still human with karmic traits, warts and all.

We definitely shouldn’t try to be like others, and go into their act. This is the universal, spiritual trap.

Due to their background, some practitioners may be cultured, while others are (like me) as common as muck. Anyone can realise their true nature, and manifest or express in their own peculiar, unique way, as skilfully as they can in order to be of benefit to others – or at least, not make things worse.

The act makes things worse.
Even if we are perfect at it,
others pick up that it’s a show.

It’s not our job to be ‘perfect’.
We already are.

After all,
we are Buddhas in the mud.

In whichever strata of mud we find ourselves,
we can be of benefit to others.

Enlightening Errors

In being shown how we are wrong, we learn what is right. Conversely, if we think we are right, we cannot transcend or evolve, and therefore stay as we are. There are many levels of understanding. We work at one level until we find that this no longer satisfies; the conflict we then experience is the cause of transcendence. We find what we have been looking for – our true nature.

The suggestion that we stay in others’ interpretation of teachings will cause misery; holding on to any idea brings grief at some point. We may justify our position, but that may not suit everyone. There is always more to learn, especially when dealing with others.

This is why teachings have to adapt to the present age. The Buddha saw that people suffered from old age, sickness, and death; nowadays, we still suffer from those things but have to add addiction to technology, information/propaganda and entertainment …

When we recognise the harm caused,
that is enlightening.

Realising the error of our ways
is a relief.

Our confusion becomes alleviated;
from late Latin alleviat -‘lightened’

See how simple it all is?

It Is Our Right To Find Errors

It is our duty to know the truth,
rather than merely accepting others’ version of the truth.

In finding an error, however,
we then have to come up with something better.

Hint: the errors apply to our self,
so we keep the finding to our self.

Q. What is it that finds the truth?
A. That which sees the flaw.

And that’s what it’s all about!

User’s Manual For The Mind

Living life without a manual to instruct us how to work properly, we limit our experience with our clinging to ideas.

Troubleshooting

Mind comes in two parts; consciousness and thoughts. Watching and the thing watched.

This is easy to see if we just sit in silence and watch thoughts arise, realising that what we believed was all one – consciousness and thoughts – in fact isn’t! We cannot be what we see, but become so attached to adopted thoughts that we believe these thoughts to be us. That is our main problem, which creates doubt and confusion, and affects our mental health. We think we’re normal when, in fact, we are anything but 🙂

The questions arise; “What are we?” and “What is consciousness?” The answer to both these questions is that we are consciousness. The essence of this consciousness is pure, sacred spirit (sacred not in a religious sense, but as a profound realisation that is sacrosanct and not to be interfered with).

Interfering with consciousness can be termed ‘sin’, and this world has become a sin bin! Fortunately, at any moment, we have the ability to see clearly with the wisdom of insight.

Actually, mind essence/pure consciousness cannot be interfered with as it isn’t a thing that is created and comes to an end. It is timeless because it has never changed throughout our life, and therefore may be a clue to afterlife. This essence, however, is obscured by the maintenance of a feeling of me, a self image.

In troubleshooting, we have to know what it is that is trying to interfere with this consciousness.

Believing thoughts to be our self, we become mistaken about our reality and enter a psychological hell. It may be alluring and comfy, but it’s still hell. It’s not heaven.

… Or is it? …

Recognising that which sees – pure consciousness – everything becomes a reminder and a teacher. It is the clear seeing that sanctifies whatever appears, turning hell into heaven, which means there is no difference in these states. The same concerns thoughts and emotions, and our reactions to the things we don’t like. “Our enemy is our best teacher” as it shows us our reactions.

Unless we value our ultimate state of pure consciousness, which is right here, right now, we will never realise havingright sanity – the complete view.

The key to unlocking our mind

Our ordinary mind is governed by three negative qualities of desire, aversion and ignorance. Everything in the universe is governed by attraction, repulsion and inertia; in primary instincts of nature, this is fight, flight or freeze.

Before these emotions arise, there is a moment of clarity, of spontaneous pure consciousness which is our origin of being that just sees but, for most, this moment goes unnoticed, and so we suffer. For a practitioner, however, the arising of these emotions is recognition and realisation that we are ethereal entities of pure consciousness, extremely subtle and not of this worldliness, while abiding in an earthly vehicle.

For smooth running of this earthly vehicle,
simply apply the juice of
silence, insight and compassion daily.

The Point Is To Shock Us Out Of Complacency

The point is to realise sanity;
a mind which is in sound, excellent condition, and runs nicely.

This is opposed to insanity:
a mind that prevents clear perception, and doesn’t run nicely.

It depends on whether we are
exorcising or exercising our demons;
eliminating them or making them stronger.

If we join a spiritual group to feel better about ourself,
we are just looking for comfort.

If, however, we join a spiritual group to feel better
about working with ourself,
we are just seeing.

Just to be clear;
just seeing is clear consciousness.

Phantom Spirituality

Phantom: a figment of the imagination.
Our self image is a figment of our imagination.

For spirituality to be practical, there can be no wishful thinking, no mind games. It is spirituality – or pure consciousness – that sees the mind’s pattern of behaviour.

Spirituality is the acknowledgement of personal psychological tendencies, and their transcendence. Our true nature is consciousness; its essence is emptiness – our uncontaminated reality which is the very source of intelligent, compassionate, human communication. 

No holy ghost here.
Just wholeness.
Complete and harmonious unity.

Ever Wondered About Modern Warfare?

A few bombs, bullets and missiles here and there
but the weapon of choice is information.
The modern tactic; disinformation and reaction.

Create disharmony and fear,
and people will fight one another
and surrender their freedom.

If this is true,
we are at war.

If that is true,
we have been at war
for millennia.

If this is true,
we are being encouraged to war with ourselves.

If that is true,
we distract our ability to know our true nature.

The devil’s ways work,
and go unnoticed.

Our task is to see the devil in action.
The devil is our own likes and dislikes
that are used against us.

Still want to raise to the top of the pile?

It is a war on common sense;
seeing things are they are,
rather than being told how they are.

You may ask why?
When we are not in control of ourselves,
someone else is!

Am I Wrong Or Am I Perfect?

This I is an accumulation from past experiences and reactions that has resulted in present doubt and confusion. I do this, say that, and think this, while regretting all the things I did, said, and thought.

None of this, however, is what I am. What am I? Pure consciousness that just sees. This consciousness cannot be found, or even realised; realisation is a phenomenon following the experiencing of non-dual pure consciousness. Moreover, this accumulation of confusion is our path to enlightenment, transcending this precise confusion.

Acknowledging this,
may confidence and peace and peace be everywhere.

There is a rightness about our mistakenness in that, if we ignore this, that will happen. Noting this, ignorance drops away,  and “we are free in the moment of seeing.”

The Isha Upanishad
That is perfect; this is perfect; perfect comes from perfect.
Take perfect from perfect, the remainder is perfect.
May peace and peace and peace be everywhere.

Truth isn’t old;
it’s timeless.

Apologies For The Cascade Of Articles

When the tap is open,
it keeps running.
😀 😀 😀

Don’t bother reading it all;
it’s all the same substance!

Look at it this way.
It’s free.
It only costs a moment.
😀

Substance:  the quality of being important, valid, or significant. From Latin substantia ‘being, essence’, from substant- ‘standing firm’.

“Finders Keepers”

Once we have found or realised our true nature of pure consciousness,
we can never lose it again.

To keep hoping that the teacher will tell us where we are
perpetuates doubts and fears.

See for yourself.

Sit and just see,
and everything will be revealed.
“Knock and the door shall open.”

The saying, “finders keepers” continues “losers weepers.”

If someone else finds what you have lost
don’t get irritated.
Recognise that you recognise,
and you are a finder!

No Longer A Seeker

When we realise what we are,
we stop seeking
and behave accordingly.

Knowing we are all pure consciousness,
inspiration flows and everything is surrendered, even meditation.

My guru is my self,
with me until perfect enlightenment.

If We Think We Are Right …

If we think we are right,
we will be mistaken.

We are only right
when we just see.

GOD, MY SELF AND ME

God: illusory outer being.
Self: illusory inner being.
Me: illusory pure consciousness.

Although we equate ‘me’ with a self,
we have to designate who the speaker is.

In pure consciousness, 
there is no me and no self – and even no pure consciousness.
It has gone, gone, gone beyond … 

We have to relate to others via a little i
in order for them to relate to us,
otherwise we would just stare at one another
hoping to get the message!

😀

Spiritual Knowledge Is Only A Generalisation

(all knowledge is a generalisation)

Knowledge may inspire, but we cannot know if it is true until we practise it. Knowledge then becomes personal, practical wisdom. Whatever is said here is according to the writer’s understanding: you may see it differently, because you will have a different background and motivation.

Practical wisdom is knowingness – if it works and we are happy with it – but we should be prepared to change when convinced. We may use Occam’s razor, but here’s the problem … and this is where it gets personal!

Occam’s razor: supposing there exist two explanations for an occurrence, the one that requires the smallest number of assumptions is usually correct. Another way of saying this is that the more assumptions you have to make, the more unlikely the explanation.

Ideas Occupy Our Mind

It may take time but,
through our understanding,
these occupiers remove themselves.

The dissolution of relative self-esteem
reveals unique originality.