Friday, May 29, 2015
creating heaven realms
Oscar Wilde wrote, "a map of the world that does not include utopia is not even worth glancing at." This is much like the work Sensei has been doing in creating a better world, a new realm. Awakened humans are world creators, the realms overlap one another like a stack of transparencies but of course more complicated with infinite and varying interconnections. We all contribute to this tremendous mass of vibrational energy. Her work recently has been imagining harmony and kindness existent right now and I have seen results which inspire and warm the heart. It is fascinating to me that by letting go and simply being in the practice of generosity compassion and wisdom so much can be accomplished. Wilde was truly a brilliant mind, he also wrote, "Society needs its deviants." Indeed it does, this is where creation occurs. When looked at with the higher mind so much beauty and such a depth of wonderful kindness is happening all the time all around us, but we are often sucked down into the gloom by the everyday life of society. When we step out of that abyssal darkness the light is so spectacular it is really worth the effort.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
three powers of intention
Three powers of intention denied would be "you live in a fantasy world; visualization is closing your eyes and seeing what you want to see; drawings should look the same to everyone". These are errors in thinking that are instilled in us early on in life to keep us from roaming too far in our imaginations. To prevent us from developing as the potent world creators we are meant to be.
Instead, the Three Powers of Intention are: we choose what to perceive, we can imagine things without seeing them, and what ever you draw is just as it should be. If everyone looks at a drawing of a horse and sees the same horse it is not the horse you perceived but the horse you learned should be there. It does not reveal your experience, it shares nothing but your learned point of view. Visualization is an error of semantics - it is not necessary to be visual for you to imagine -image - anything in your perception. What we each perceive is informed by what we expect and demand to perceive, not what is there. Survival and our limited resources prevent us from perceiving ninety nine percent of what is around us. When something is perceived by someone that does not fit theirs or others expectations it is denied, refused, forgotten. This is a failure of courage, a failure of faith in the world and in the process of life. Few people have the opportunity to develop without either being forced into the common world view or willingly and even eagerly adopting it.
As spiritual athletes we take up the challenge of repairing this. It not only feels risky it is risky. We risk our connection to the common which establishes sanity. We risk isolation and fear and lack of support. We are vulnerable to repeated upheavals as the lessons prepared for us turn the rock beneath our feet to sand. But once initiated it becomes a delight to pass milestones and recognize that we are on a path, and a very fulfilling journey.
Instead, the Three Powers of Intention are: we choose what to perceive, we can imagine things without seeing them, and what ever you draw is just as it should be. If everyone looks at a drawing of a horse and sees the same horse it is not the horse you perceived but the horse you learned should be there. It does not reveal your experience, it shares nothing but your learned point of view. Visualization is an error of semantics - it is not necessary to be visual for you to imagine -image - anything in your perception. What we each perceive is informed by what we expect and demand to perceive, not what is there. Survival and our limited resources prevent us from perceiving ninety nine percent of what is around us. When something is perceived by someone that does not fit theirs or others expectations it is denied, refused, forgotten. This is a failure of courage, a failure of faith in the world and in the process of life. Few people have the opportunity to develop without either being forced into the common world view or willingly and even eagerly adopting it.
As spiritual athletes we take up the challenge of repairing this. It not only feels risky it is risky. We risk our connection to the common which establishes sanity. We risk isolation and fear and lack of support. We are vulnerable to repeated upheavals as the lessons prepared for us turn the rock beneath our feet to sand. But once initiated it becomes a delight to pass milestones and recognize that we are on a path, and a very fulfilling journey.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
jury summons
Who woulda thought? Once upon a time I looked forward to participating in this civic duty, I thought then that there was such a thing as justice and that it was conducted in a fair and beneficial manner. Ok, so I do not think that any more but now this is further complicated or simplified (depending on your POV) by having ordained as a Buddhist nunk.
I welcome the summons as an opportunity to reflect on what it means to abide in the Dhamma - and even writing this provides further insight. I do not abide by the Dhamma, I abide within it, I dwell within the Dhamma, in this place there is no concept of 'justice,' consequences are a natural unfolding of events. Within the world of Dhamma we are each responsible for our own actions, attitudes and achievements. We recognize that greed anger and delusion are problems for each and every one of us. Change, pain and loss are inevitable but suffering is optional. We don't achieve anything by punishment or retribution. Sensei likes to say "Life's not fair, now get over it."
Within the Dhamma the justice system has no place, makes no sense and in a way being asked to serve on a jury is like being asked to jump on a speeding train. I cannot quote chapter and verse prohibiting serving on a jury, there are so many that apply, but I rely on the grounded evidence that only by acting from noble intention with compassion generosity and wisdom can we create a better world. From that informed perspective we know that all beings desire happiness. We know that sometimes some of us become so hurt, so consumed with either greed anger or delusion or a combination of them that we then hurt others and our selves and the ripples that spread from that are never stilled until met by their opposites which are generosity compassion and wisdom.
That balm or healing ointment, is how suffering is ended and happiness achieved. And it is such a beautiful thing to witness. That is how our justice system works in the Dhamma. We apply the balm and the suffering stops and all the universes are suffused with love and pleasure at the creation of such beauty. Imagine if courts were gathered to bring acknowledgement and forgiveness into being. That is where I live.
I welcome the summons as an opportunity to reflect on what it means to abide in the Dhamma - and even writing this provides further insight. I do not abide by the Dhamma, I abide within it, I dwell within the Dhamma, in this place there is no concept of 'justice,' consequences are a natural unfolding of events. Within the world of Dhamma we are each responsible for our own actions, attitudes and achievements. We recognize that greed anger and delusion are problems for each and every one of us. Change, pain and loss are inevitable but suffering is optional. We don't achieve anything by punishment or retribution. Sensei likes to say "Life's not fair, now get over it."
Within the Dhamma the justice system has no place, makes no sense and in a way being asked to serve on a jury is like being asked to jump on a speeding train. I cannot quote chapter and verse prohibiting serving on a jury, there are so many that apply, but I rely on the grounded evidence that only by acting from noble intention with compassion generosity and wisdom can we create a better world. From that informed perspective we know that all beings desire happiness. We know that sometimes some of us become so hurt, so consumed with either greed anger or delusion or a combination of them that we then hurt others and our selves and the ripples that spread from that are never stilled until met by their opposites which are generosity compassion and wisdom.
That balm or healing ointment, is how suffering is ended and happiness achieved. And it is such a beautiful thing to witness. That is how our justice system works in the Dhamma. We apply the balm and the suffering stops and all the universes are suffused with love and pleasure at the creation of such beauty. Imagine if courts were gathered to bring acknowledgement and forgiveness into being. That is where I live.
Friday, May 8, 2015
"Yes,, and no..."
"Yes,, and no..." These are the answer to nearly every question for me today. There is no need to deny the reality that everything is relative and that on one hand this is so and on the other hand that is so. This is called yin and yang, the sunny side and the shadow, up and down, left and right.
The very clear perception that there are realms of reality created by levels of understanding, expectations and shared intentions which overlap one another like layered transparencies has been taking shape in this body-mind for some time. It is a great portion of our Dhamma practice at Great Determination to investigate and experience a panoramic view of the universe thru this lens.
Having this understanding means being an observer, a witness of unfolding events but it does not create a cloak of invisibility. We are still in the realms we observe and take part in them and have an impact upon them, perhaps it is a law of nature that this must be so. Just because our perception and attitudes have changed does not mean that others have as well. It does mean that we are freer to investigate and comprehend the foundation of the different realms, that we are responsible for our impact there. I recall Castaneda sometimes described the shamans detachment from localization as mischievous, amused, delighted, respectful and awed.
The Dhamma is the guide to efficient, intelligent and practical management of our resources, energy and time. Purity and elimination of self refers to getting out of the way so that we sail like a boat on the sea, impelled by wind and current but empowered by being there, reveling in oneness. On the sea there are clear things that must be done, times to take in or let out sail, moments to tack or to jibe, likewise it is clear at times what we must do in daily life. We act without question and with full commitment centered on our course. The universe provides feedback just like the wind moves the tell tales on a jib and the sense of tension between keel and sail as the boat powers forward is similar to the sensation in the center of the body when fully engaged by living.
This is an enormously satisfying way of life. When participant in the realms we cannot see this, we are each and every being and warp and weft of the fabric of all the layers but we cannot see that while engaged in maintaining the shape and texture of the world we create. When we step out of that participant role we are able to enjoy so much more. But having stepped out we should not expect that others have the same point of view, indeed we should anticipate them and be proactive in response to the Dhamma which does not allow us to become inert but instead charges us with the shock of lightening and the subtlety of air.
The very clear perception that there are realms of reality created by levels of understanding, expectations and shared intentions which overlap one another like layered transparencies has been taking shape in this body-mind for some time. It is a great portion of our Dhamma practice at Great Determination to investigate and experience a panoramic view of the universe thru this lens.
Having this understanding means being an observer, a witness of unfolding events but it does not create a cloak of invisibility. We are still in the realms we observe and take part in them and have an impact upon them, perhaps it is a law of nature that this must be so. Just because our perception and attitudes have changed does not mean that others have as well. It does mean that we are freer to investigate and comprehend the foundation of the different realms, that we are responsible for our impact there. I recall Castaneda sometimes described the shamans detachment from localization as mischievous, amused, delighted, respectful and awed.
The Dhamma is the guide to efficient, intelligent and practical management of our resources, energy and time. Purity and elimination of self refers to getting out of the way so that we sail like a boat on the sea, impelled by wind and current but empowered by being there, reveling in oneness. On the sea there are clear things that must be done, times to take in or let out sail, moments to tack or to jibe, likewise it is clear at times what we must do in daily life. We act without question and with full commitment centered on our course. The universe provides feedback just like the wind moves the tell tales on a jib and the sense of tension between keel and sail as the boat powers forward is similar to the sensation in the center of the body when fully engaged by living.
This is an enormously satisfying way of life. When participant in the realms we cannot see this, we are each and every being and warp and weft of the fabric of all the layers but we cannot see that while engaged in maintaining the shape and texture of the world we create. When we step out of that participant role we are able to enjoy so much more. But having stepped out we should not expect that others have the same point of view, indeed we should anticipate them and be proactive in response to the Dhamma which does not allow us to become inert but instead charges us with the shock of lightening and the subtlety of air.
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