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.

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.

Conscious-mess

That’s us!
😀

Conscious-ness.
And that’s also us!

We have become a duality.
The moment conscious-ness recognises conscious-mess
is the moment of non-duality.
Appearances and recognition are simultaneous.

Don’t Take Your Self To Seriously

It makes life happier.

We become self-obsessed due to the set of ideas we’ve acquired. Clinging to this collection creates an I, an ego. The more we cling to ideas and beliefs, the more egocentric we become, the more narcissistic we become, the less empathetic we become.

We are individual pure consciousness. Believing we are part of a collective consciousness gives rise to inner conflict. Feeling ‘split’ is the foundation of either mental illness or enlightenment: there’s a very fine line between sanity and insanity. Once we take sides, it’s very difficult to know the complete truth. We need to be able to see both sides as one, and that is the key to non-duality. Appearances and recognition are simultaneous.

We are a mess because we take our self (our side) too seriously. We ignore the fact that we actually have individual experience which is conscious awareness; life itself. That is significant. Life itself – conscious awareness – comes way, way, way, before whatever we acquire and develop into an idea.

This self identity became important to us in order to shine within the collective. We are proud of it … and so are the other inmates. We hope our projection makes people think well of us, and we prefer this projection to our true reality of emptiness – uncontaminated consciousness. As humans, we believe that we – and what we do – is important, while it is the first moment of conscious awareness that is the key to sanity. But even that cannot be taken seriously as to do so would still be an idea. Our reality is way, way, way beyond that – and it’s nothing special. We are all ordinary pure consciousness – and “nothing is real, and nothing to get hung about …”

Watching is meditation. In watching – being consciously aware – we realise that there is no self. Who are we? We are pure seeing. Meditation ‘seeing’ pierces the illusion of a self. There is merely observation without an observer – but we have to actually do it to see (‘doing’ is sitting, seeing, dropping all reactions and expectations).

If we keep complaining about others, 
we may miss the thin line between sanity and insanity. 

Life is significant, but we are not significant. 
We/self is a personalised addiction, 
while the source of life is consciousness. 

When consciousness looks at itself, a self cannot be found. 
There is only watching. 
We are whom we seek.

Not taking our self too seriously,
we can have more fun
as there are no limits.

Turning People Into The Enemy

Turning people against themselves.

If we give in to others’ fears, beliefs and conformities, 
we will avoid people and separate ourselves,
becoming divided and conquered. 
We lose our sense of both humanity and spirituality.

There are ‘elements’ that turn us against ourselves,
where we don’t know what to think anymore.
We compete with one another.
We dislike one another.

Once a population is convinced,
it goes to war.
Nowadays, it’s a domestic war.

Why?
Unity, harmony and good health aren’t conducive for business
which needs the power of science, technology and the media.
And we end up confused.

We are free in the moment of seeing the effect of what is happening to us:
empathy is missing.

Get the empathy vaccine today.

Vaccine: a substance used to stimulate the production of
antibodies and provide immunity.

When we have empathy, we know what dis-ease is like,
and we will never be indifferent again.