Tony
14th January 2012, 17:31
The Individual.
NEjpqWXFLbA
Spiritual practice is done by the individual.
No one can do it for us - not even enlightened beings.
So individual endeavour is utmost importance. You are responsible for your own evolution (or not....!)
However if we make a big deal of being individuals, it can create problems for ourselves and others around us, which is precisely what has been happening - for an infinite amount of time.
Being well-defined individuals can actually divide people.
We then place ourselves into groups.
Deciding to be outside a group is also a group.
And so we conform...
“My group is better than yours!” - class is then created.
“But I am classless!” - no, you have merely joined another group...sorry!
See how we defend ourselves?
Then along comes subtle aggression.
If we follow dislike to its conclusion, it will end up in hatred.
If we have a strong idea about self with which we identify, then we are not in control - the idea itself is in control.
This is how the mind can be infiltrated.
“Go forth and do your thing...you are a self-made man/woman!”
“I use Dabasmell...'cos I'm worth it!”
This process of clinging to an idea is called ego.
It is consciousness clinging.
This is self made prison. If there is ego clinging, then there is a sense of “I”.
In the west/modern world, we have been encouraged to have a very big sense of “I”.
We are very intense and speedy, very alert and conscious...and this causes many emotions to arise. When we hear or read something, we invariably relate it to 'me', and forget that others are also in the big picture.
In the old world, people have less of a big I...it is more of a “mere I”.
When we see a sea of people from the east...there is less of a huge sense of the individual. It is there, but not the same. One sees this clearly in the difference between western and eastern spiritual students: easterners are just there, whereas we westerns are “there”! We tend to overdo our spirituality...
In the west, we are getting to the stage of killing the teachers...which was a prophecy written thousands of years ago in the Mahabarata. “My will be done...kill the teachings.”
We should be careful: we have to be responsible.
Not too tight, not too loose.
Thus we can know the difference between the individual and the indivisible! LOL
This leads on to the next video...the individual in a system.(To follow)
The individual in a system.
Even though we are individuals, and the work of our path is self-clearing, working with provable guide lines can help as a support (although, of course, we should avoid being dogmatic).
An individual's path, is of course for the individual: we each have a uniqueness due to our mindset...our set mind!
A system is for everyone, from total beginners to advanced students. It has to suit all capacities and temperaments. If one path does not suit, then we simply find another - one where we may have a karmic connection.
Being in a system does not mean we lose our individual being...or leave our brains outside the door, lying on the pavement wondering what on earth is going on.
For some, they may have the karmic fortune to not need any instruction. They may even be fortunate enough to have their own quirky approach which works!
Generally, though, we need some sort of instruction when engaging in an activity, whether it be sport, music, art, electronics plumbing, gardening... We could take the “suck it and see” approach, which takes time - or we can move along a little faster, and be warned of the pitfalls by those who have trodden the path ahead of us.
A serious student of life will always be willing to learn – from many sources.
If we are interested in a subject, we will have a feeling for it.
The teacher is merely there to show you what you already know: they often just clarify and open the subject up.
The outer teacher reveals the inner teacher!
You do know...but you don't notice you know, because your attention has been misdirected.
Consciousnesses...?...and beyond!
This is from a Tibetan Buddhist viewpoint.
We generally think of consciousness as one 'thing'.
We are conscious, and that's it.
However, consciousness can be broken up into many components.
Let's try eight. After all, the brain is divided into areas, so why not consciousness, the mind?
It's quite simple, but takes a little practice to notice it in action.
The first five consciousnesses are the senses: touch, smell, taste, hearing and sight. These are non- conceptual. This is where we receive most of the information from the outside world...generally.
The sixth consciousness is perception.
The seventh consciousness is judgement.
The eighth consciousness is the 'storehouse' or library of experiences, memories and karma.
This consciousness can be thought of as the hard drive, with software in it. This hard drive is referred to as the 'all-ground' in Tibetan Buddhism, and is an important area.
In our normal life, the sixth consciousness – perception - views the world through the five senses.
Now this goes to the seventh, but quickly goes unnoticed to the eighth, where perception looks for a memory to understand what the sixth consciousness has seen (it does this because perception is unaware of its true essence, and is therefore searching for an answer). Perception then returns to the seventh consciousness to see if it likes or dislikes what has been recalled.
If no break enters this patterning, we just go round in circles in a habitual pattern or personality.
We fixate on ideas, we fix our conclusions and we fix ourselves in a prison.
And...the outer world plays on and exploits this behaviour...
We are NOT free! We are caught in a cycle of concepts - which we learn at an EARLY AGE!
So how do we break out?
In meditation, thoughts and the clinging to thoughts gradually die down.
In this way, a space is created in the mind...a gap!
Now, when perception (the sixth consciousness) sees something, because of the space created through meditation, we have a chance to look into what is perceived and that which perceives it.
At that moment NO karma is created.
(our reactions are due to karma = past experiences).
So we can now respond (or not) in a different way, if this is what we choose.
We are no longer controlled by outside forces...good aaaaaaah!
Now we come to a very subtle process (forgive me, but as my own understanding develops, so will this description).
Because of this inner space created by meditating in the sixth consciousness, this perception expands to the seventh and eighth.
A state of non-thought can arise (which is the 'raw' hard drive in the eighth consciousness revealing itself), as thoughts have subsided.
We are now dwelling in space...in the now.
This is a high state - one could call it higher consciousness, or mistake it for higher self. However, it is still in the realm of relative truth. It still has duality about it...'me' in 'now'!
The trick is to merely look into that which is aware of now...and rest naturally.
Nothing can be found!
That is Empty Essence.
That is absolute truth.
The Emptiness of Emptiness is pure.
Once that is realised, it can radiantly express itself with joy! Good aaaah!
Resting in ultimate truth is not enough – then bless all with compassion.
This is how the two truths work nicely together.
Two confessions.
First confession - I am about to teach...!
When resting in Empty Consciousness, whatever arises in the mind is seen as if Empty Consciousness was a clear mirror, and all appearances are merely reflected.
Therefore, appearances and Empty Cognisance are inseparable.
At this stage, do not try to see if ego is present or not.
Merely rest naturally without modification - all clinging will naturally release.
Second confession - I do not like Dharma centres...!
I love going to teachings - any teachings - to see how they relate to experience. I am truly grateful to anyone revealing teachings, and trying to explain them.
However my biggest personal teaching is...other students. They get right up my nose, and into my brain and stomp around, smug and full of elitist jargon! That is my greatest teacher.
When going to spiritual centres, remember not leave your brains at the front door!
(Two more videos to follow)
NEjpqWXFLbA
Spiritual practice is done by the individual.
No one can do it for us - not even enlightened beings.
So individual endeavour is utmost importance. You are responsible for your own evolution (or not....!)
However if we make a big deal of being individuals, it can create problems for ourselves and others around us, which is precisely what has been happening - for an infinite amount of time.
Being well-defined individuals can actually divide people.
We then place ourselves into groups.
Deciding to be outside a group is also a group.
And so we conform...
“My group is better than yours!” - class is then created.
“But I am classless!” - no, you have merely joined another group...sorry!
See how we defend ourselves?
Then along comes subtle aggression.
If we follow dislike to its conclusion, it will end up in hatred.
If we have a strong idea about self with which we identify, then we are not in control - the idea itself is in control.
This is how the mind can be infiltrated.
“Go forth and do your thing...you are a self-made man/woman!”
“I use Dabasmell...'cos I'm worth it!”
This process of clinging to an idea is called ego.
It is consciousness clinging.
This is self made prison. If there is ego clinging, then there is a sense of “I”.
In the west/modern world, we have been encouraged to have a very big sense of “I”.
We are very intense and speedy, very alert and conscious...and this causes many emotions to arise. When we hear or read something, we invariably relate it to 'me', and forget that others are also in the big picture.
In the old world, people have less of a big I...it is more of a “mere I”.
When we see a sea of people from the east...there is less of a huge sense of the individual. It is there, but not the same. One sees this clearly in the difference between western and eastern spiritual students: easterners are just there, whereas we westerns are “there”! We tend to overdo our spirituality...
In the west, we are getting to the stage of killing the teachers...which was a prophecy written thousands of years ago in the Mahabarata. “My will be done...kill the teachings.”
We should be careful: we have to be responsible.
Not too tight, not too loose.
Thus we can know the difference between the individual and the indivisible! LOL
This leads on to the next video...the individual in a system.(To follow)
The individual in a system.
Even though we are individuals, and the work of our path is self-clearing, working with provable guide lines can help as a support (although, of course, we should avoid being dogmatic).
An individual's path, is of course for the individual: we each have a uniqueness due to our mindset...our set mind!
A system is for everyone, from total beginners to advanced students. It has to suit all capacities and temperaments. If one path does not suit, then we simply find another - one where we may have a karmic connection.
Being in a system does not mean we lose our individual being...or leave our brains outside the door, lying on the pavement wondering what on earth is going on.
For some, they may have the karmic fortune to not need any instruction. They may even be fortunate enough to have their own quirky approach which works!
Generally, though, we need some sort of instruction when engaging in an activity, whether it be sport, music, art, electronics plumbing, gardening... We could take the “suck it and see” approach, which takes time - or we can move along a little faster, and be warned of the pitfalls by those who have trodden the path ahead of us.
A serious student of life will always be willing to learn – from many sources.
If we are interested in a subject, we will have a feeling for it.
The teacher is merely there to show you what you already know: they often just clarify and open the subject up.
The outer teacher reveals the inner teacher!
You do know...but you don't notice you know, because your attention has been misdirected.
Consciousnesses...?...and beyond!
This is from a Tibetan Buddhist viewpoint.
We generally think of consciousness as one 'thing'.
We are conscious, and that's it.
However, consciousness can be broken up into many components.
Let's try eight. After all, the brain is divided into areas, so why not consciousness, the mind?
It's quite simple, but takes a little practice to notice it in action.
The first five consciousnesses are the senses: touch, smell, taste, hearing and sight. These are non- conceptual. This is where we receive most of the information from the outside world...generally.
The sixth consciousness is perception.
The seventh consciousness is judgement.
The eighth consciousness is the 'storehouse' or library of experiences, memories and karma.
This consciousness can be thought of as the hard drive, with software in it. This hard drive is referred to as the 'all-ground' in Tibetan Buddhism, and is an important area.
In our normal life, the sixth consciousness – perception - views the world through the five senses.
Now this goes to the seventh, but quickly goes unnoticed to the eighth, where perception looks for a memory to understand what the sixth consciousness has seen (it does this because perception is unaware of its true essence, and is therefore searching for an answer). Perception then returns to the seventh consciousness to see if it likes or dislikes what has been recalled.
If no break enters this patterning, we just go round in circles in a habitual pattern or personality.
We fixate on ideas, we fix our conclusions and we fix ourselves in a prison.
And...the outer world plays on and exploits this behaviour...
We are NOT free! We are caught in a cycle of concepts - which we learn at an EARLY AGE!
So how do we break out?
In meditation, thoughts and the clinging to thoughts gradually die down.
In this way, a space is created in the mind...a gap!
Now, when perception (the sixth consciousness) sees something, because of the space created through meditation, we have a chance to look into what is perceived and that which perceives it.
At that moment NO karma is created.
(our reactions are due to karma = past experiences).
So we can now respond (or not) in a different way, if this is what we choose.
We are no longer controlled by outside forces...good aaaaaaah!
Now we come to a very subtle process (forgive me, but as my own understanding develops, so will this description).
Because of this inner space created by meditating in the sixth consciousness, this perception expands to the seventh and eighth.
A state of non-thought can arise (which is the 'raw' hard drive in the eighth consciousness revealing itself), as thoughts have subsided.
We are now dwelling in space...in the now.
This is a high state - one could call it higher consciousness, or mistake it for higher self. However, it is still in the realm of relative truth. It still has duality about it...'me' in 'now'!
The trick is to merely look into that which is aware of now...and rest naturally.
Nothing can be found!
That is Empty Essence.
That is absolute truth.
The Emptiness of Emptiness is pure.
Once that is realised, it can radiantly express itself with joy! Good aaaah!
Resting in ultimate truth is not enough – then bless all with compassion.
This is how the two truths work nicely together.
Two confessions.
First confession - I am about to teach...!
When resting in Empty Consciousness, whatever arises in the mind is seen as if Empty Consciousness was a clear mirror, and all appearances are merely reflected.
Therefore, appearances and Empty Cognisance are inseparable.
At this stage, do not try to see if ego is present or not.
Merely rest naturally without modification - all clinging will naturally release.
Second confession - I do not like Dharma centres...!
I love going to teachings - any teachings - to see how they relate to experience. I am truly grateful to anyone revealing teachings, and trying to explain them.
However my biggest personal teaching is...other students. They get right up my nose, and into my brain and stomp around, smug and full of elitist jargon! That is my greatest teacher.
When going to spiritual centres, remember not leave your brains at the front door!
(Two more videos to follow)