"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.