Archive for the ‘Life Lessons’ Category
Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. Buddha means awakened—awakened to ones true nature, to the essence of reality, to radiant emptiness. It does not mean god, deity, or celebrity. Buddha was clear that we shouldn’t blindly trust everything we are told, but rather to find out for ourselves what is real; which is why he gave this most important teaching: “Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense” – The Buddha
You will develop deep inner unshakable confidence when you are comfortable in your own skin. Be your own teacher to know your own wisdom. We see our own inner teacher reflected in our desire to be kinder, more loving. It is the impulsion to begin seeking answers, to aspire beyond our limitations, to climb our own particular mountain and find our own path, for within each of us is Buddha nature, the potential for awakening.
No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path. We wouldn’t marry someone as soon as we meet them—we would take time to know them first. It is easy to believe someone if they have all the answers and will save us from ourselves. But, we are the only one who can do it. We have the wisdom of the ages inside our hearts; we just need to be still and look more closely, as the Buddha has done. Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech and a life of service and compassion are the things that renovate humanity.
WordPress Tags: Triple,Truth,Peace,Buddha,nature,essence,Believe,teacher,wisdom,impulsion,limitations,mountain,path,Teach,heart,speech,life,compassion,hearts
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I understand human as the great chain of being; which is a conception of the nature of the universe that had a pervasive influence on Western thought, particularly through the ancient Greek Neo-Platonist and derivative philosophies during the European Renaissance and the 17th and early 18th centuries. The term ‘chain of being’ denotes three general features of the universe; namely, plenitude, continuity, and gradation. The principle of plenitude states that the universe is full, exhibiting the maximal diversity of kinds of existences; everything possible (i.e., not self-contradictory) is actual. The principle of continuity asserts that the universe is composed of an infinite series of forms, each of which shares with its neighbor at least one attribute. According to the principle of linear gradation, this series ranges in hierarchical order from the barest type of existence to the perfect being or God.
The disorders which man sees in the universe are actually parts of some larger perfection which man’s limited knowledge cannot perceive. Man’s prideful speculations, not the external universe, are the cause of his misery.
Within man himself, there is also an order based on the workings of self-love; the faculty of desire, and reason; the faculty of judgment. Right living depends upon the two working in harmony, since neither is good or evil in itself. To a certain extent, good or evil arises out of their proper or improper use.
Human society also plays a role in this universal order. The imitation of nature and rational self-love enable man to create a successful social order, but his favoring of a particular government or religion, instead of reliance on general principles, creates disagreement and oppression. Man’s end; happiness, is attained when man accept that "Whatever IS, is RIGHT." dispenses pride, conducts orderly exposition of ideas, concentrates on universals rather than specifics with the idea of balance, subordination, and harmony; which softens human ills and brings patience.
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Both Zen and Taoism lead to same place. The methods for getting there are quite different. It is like two roads leading to the same destination, but definitely they are two different roads.
The idea that Taoism and Chan were cross-fertilized is a typical modern misunderstanding, and one that is usually perpetuated by Western Scholars; not Chan masters. Taoism and Chan have separate histories. In the development of Chan in China, none of the six patriarchs had any influence from Taoism.
One needs to look at the priests of Taoism and Zen to see the differences. Zen monks shave their head, are vegetarian, avoid wine and intoxication, value the Heart Sutra, and practice celibacy. Taoist priests generally have a full head of hair, drink wine, value the Dao De Jing, and are permitted to have wives and sex.
We can have a look at their meditation techniques. In Zen, practitioners keep their mind on the void. In Taoism, visualization is used extensively in meditation. From a Zen perspective, these visualizations are considered a deviation because they cause thoughts to arise, which conflict sharply with Zen teachings, but not with Taoist teachings.
Chan talks about no mind and Taoism talks about the extreme void. To a Western ear, these terms may sound similar, but upon deep scrutiny, they are different. Both terms refer to “Cosmic Reality” and are thus similar. But this does not point to a link between Taoism and Chan; it points to a link between all of the world’s religions, all of which point to the concept of this “Cosmic Reality.”
Bodhidharma’s teachings are not recorded in language and words. Bodhidharma teaches transmission beyond the tradition. Bodhidharma points at the mind. Bodhidharma propose entering Buddhahood in an instant. These concepts are different from Sarvastivada, which is essentially a Hinayana school teaching. Bodhidharma’s teachings are a reaction against Sarvastivada teachings, not a continuation of Sarvastivada teachings.
As for Zen Buddhism being different today than it was in the past depends on where we look, just as it does with Kungfu. If we look at modern Shaolin Wushu, we might say that Kungfu is different today than it was practiced in the past. But if we look at genuine Kungfu schools, we might say that it is very much the same.
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Buddhist makes a distinction between what is called Big Mind, or Natural Mind, and "small mind," or ordinary, deluded mind. Big Mind is the essential nature of mind itself. This is what we call Buddha-nature, or natural mind. This is human true nature – the pure boundless awareness that is at the heart, and part, of us all.
Natural Mind is still, clear, lucid, empty, profound, simple or uncomplicated, and at peace. It is the luminous, most fundamental clear light nature of our ground of being. This is the heart of enlightenment, the Buddha within – the perfect presence that we can all rely on. Waking up to this Natural Mind, this Buddha-nature, is what meditation is all about.
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We all would dearly love to be enthused about life and work. What a joy it would be to feel inspired and motivated all the time. How rich it would be to love life and love work! Instead, it is alarming how often we limp along, out of touch with true talents and desires. Sadly, we operate with an external sense of duty. We are compelled to achieve goals others say are important instead of a pure inner power that makes life simple and richly rewarding.
Everyone talks about passion when it comes to business, happiness and a successful life in general. Think about when you’ve had passion for something. Maybe it’s for a hobby. Maybe it is for a game or a sport. Didn’t that make things easier or more fun, at least for a time? Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. Yes, that sure sounds good.
What do you think of when you think of hard work? Having to exert a lot of discipline? Certainly, it involves a mental force of will and perhaps physical strain. For most, hard work and will power have a decidedly repelling quality to them. We all want success. If we lack something, we chase that which we lack. Whatever success means to us: Status, love, happiness, money, rewards, attention, you name it, if we’re missing some essential element; all our attention focuses on that.
Energy is the elixir that transforms thought and emotion into action. Without fuel there is no fire and no discussion of success, passion and discipline would be complete without understanding the source of human energy. When does your energy flow more easily? Why are there times when you can tap into your reserves more readily? Notice children at play. When watching them romp around in shear joy, how many times have we said: “Where do they get all that energy?” Aren’t we saying, for one thing, that we wish we could have such energy?
Certainly, children’s energy doesn’t come from a sense of duty or self discipline! Are they running on passion? If so, where does that passion come from? When we are truly engaged in something like children, it is not discipline that moves us nor is it passion that is providing the energy.
What is going on here? Passion? Not likely. Discipline? Of course not. You were being childlike. You got your judgmental mind out of the way. Your opinions about others, your personality, and your beliefs about yourself and any worry about what others thought of you, all took a back seat to your current attention. Your preconceived sense of duty, honor, responsibility and all those things that bind you up with doubt, fear, and embarrassment vanished and an attitude of discovery and being emerged. What’s going on here?
You were in the state of flow. In the state of flow you are free. There is no other place you should be or want to be. Self doubt doesn’t exist. All blocks that your normal self believes in are obliterated for those few moments. In a word, it is presence. It is being in the moment. This is when life is sweet. It is total engagement. You are caught up in the everlasting present moment of complete awareness, curiosity and effortless action and a feeling of limitless energy. Your adult, controlling mind left you alone! Your inner child was freed.
You begin to see that energy is free. It doesn’t have to be manufactured or sought after. Your mind-body must rest to replenish itself but your mind and body do not create the energy. They just use it! When used without blocks, fear or anxiety, the result is effortless!
This is happiness. This is richness. Now that you understand the role of personal energy and presence in the success game, you can begin to become aware of the choices you make in life. Observe yourself. Is something blocking the flow? Begin experimenting with your flow of energy. Prove to yourself that it may be more about a mindset and freeing yourself than it is about self discipline or feelings of passion.
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