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Nondual Highlights Issue #2291, Wednesday,
October 19, 2005 - Editor: Mark
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Student: I feel if I were to explain the tonglen practice to
somebody, it would just sound masochistic.
Pema: I think the important thing is, What do you say to
yourself?
Right now. Do you feel it's masochistic?
Student: No, no.
Pema: It's all right if you do.
Student: No, no, it doesn't at all.
Pema: So, why not?
Student: Because I feel like I'm helping.
Pema: And how?
Student: That I'm changing my perspective and realizing I have
something to give, I have something positive to give.
Pema: So, that's what you could say to them. All you can say is,
well, listen, I can understand where you're coming from, but
here's
my experience. It's opening the heart to where you usually shut
down. Because we all know, there's this common practice where you
breathe in what's pleasant, and send out what's unpleasant.
Right? I
think that's a common visualization that¹s done. From the point
of
view of logic, that's what we want, right? If you want to be
happy,
you breathe in what's pleasant, and you get rid of . . .
Tonglen is actually just a little more sophisticated. A little
bit
more in touch with what the root of suffering and the root of
happiness are. It isn't like the other is "off the
wall." It's just
that if you want to go deeper into the real root of suffering,
it's
closing down, and the real root of happiness is opening the
heart,
or dissolving the armor.
We just go right into that which we usually armor against. And,
conversely, when there¹s attachment or addiction, we train in
letting go of those things. It doesn't have to do, really, with
morality or ethics, per se, at all. It just has to do with what
brings an individual happiness. And what then brings happiness to
the bigger picture as well. But, it is good for us to do this,
that's the interesting thing.
We're not doing it because we want everyone else to be happy,
therefore we're willing to suffer--although sometimes the
teachings
do sound like that. But, the truth is, it's what will also bring
us
happiness.
It takes courage, that's why the image of the warrior or the
bodhisattva-- warrior or bodhisattva are two names for the same
thing-- it's the one who cultivates courage. Because it does take
courage to go to reside with this kind of energy-- you want to
get
away from it. Whether you know what the core fear, core belief,
is
or not, you know what that energy feel like.
And you know you want to get out of there. And then you begin to
acknowledge your thoughts--like all the ways you get out of
there:
it's her fault, it's his fault, it's because of me, I'm bad . . .
endless.
-Pema Chödrön, posted to DailyDharma
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Peace and happiness are within you: in every step, in every
breath,
in every smile. The more aware you are of it, the more present
they
will be in your daily life.
- posted to AdvaitaToZen
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Right now in this moment:
close your eyes.
Be still.
Be silent.
Rest in this stillness.
Rest in this silence.
This is all that there is
to find freedom.
All of your
trying to figure it out,
adopting teachings
and philosophies,
seeking ways
to make this moment better
are just ways
you struggle in distraction.
You are perfect as you are.
Your life is perfect as it is.
This moment is divine.
So be still.
Be silent.
Rest in this stillness.
Rest in this silence.
Consciousness is always here,
always aware.
Consciousness is what you are.
- anon, posted to MillionPaths
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How shall the 'Infinite' rest 'anywhere'
but in itself?
The infinite is below
above, behind, before
To the right, to the left
I am all this.
This 'Infinite' is the 'Self'
The 'Self' is below
above, behind, before
To the right, to the left
I am all this.
One who 'knows'
contemplates upon
And 'realizes'
the 'truth' of the 'Self' ...
Such a one delights
in the 'Self'
Rejoices in the 'Self'
He becomes 'master of himself'
'master' of 'all worlds'
'Slaves' are they
who know not 'this truth.'
- Chandogya Upanishad 7.23-25, posted to Poetic_Mysticism
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SO CHEAP
I am all hollowed out now
Like a reed.
I gave everything for this.
And still I laughingly wonder:
How would it have been so cheap?
-Adyashanti from My Secret is Silence: Poetry and Sayings of
Adyashanti