The Dark Image represents the vastness of what we call ignorance, but THAT is not the whole story. Ignorance boils down to a lack of knowledge which may or may not show up as complete darkness.
There are times in life that the darkness comforts us as we struggle with the inevitable changes that occur. There are also times when we become confused & bewildered by the changes that occur over & over again.
Ignorance appears in the times of darkness as well as in times of mistaking what we think and believe to be true.
When we begin to study the Dharma we are often stymied. We make an effort to understand only to find ourselves hindered and blocked by our mental formations. That’s right! We come to the practice with all sorts of ideas and thoughts and beliefs that prevent us from recognizing our ignorance of reality.
Human nature struggles with the three poisons;
- wanting something that is harmful…selfish desires
- disliking something that is loathing…aversion
- dreaming for something that is more fantasy than real…imaginary wishes
Each poison exposes us to harm.
We must relinquish the three poisons…Greed, Hate & Delusion.
Oddly, Greed seems to be the first and worst poison. It is aka desire. Desire sounds so much better than greed but it is the first & the worst of the three poisons. Desire appears to be the strongest of the three.
Most of us fall for desire again & again until such time we wake up to all the misery desire generates. Disappointment & dissatisfaction of life is continuously present. The smallest disappointment can linger in the mind for long periods of time.
When we LONG for something, anything…we are close to being wacko…we often cannot shake off the wanting of something. Letting go of desire requires a strong and clear mind state which is empty of desire & hatred & delusion. It sounds saintly…but it is far more difficult than saintly…relinquishing states of mind is not easy nor is it quick.
It is a bit like having a fight with your mirror…the mirror being the constant temptation to grab one of the three poisons. We are conditioned to play with these three poisons. Sometimes we hate ourselves & often we hate others. We blame & shame in this fight for whatever we are wanting. Underneath this conundrum of the mirror image is freedom from the poisons. It requires great effort.
There are periods of our lives when greed becomes a familiar root in the mind. We bow down to desire and want something to come our way. Delusion is wily. It deceives us to the point that we fall for the deceptions again & again.
Thankfully, there is light that shows up without effort.
Is it the light that has the capacity to change ignorance into transcendent wisdom?
- Is the light that comes through the window real?
- Is it just a light on the wall?
- Is the blurry image on the wall real?
- Is it a delusion?
Is there ignorance that comes through the window as light? Remember the light does not last…it, like the darkness, comes & goes. Darkness does not last, it comes & goes.
Light & darkness appears to represent change…constant change in the material realm. Light comes & goes and darkness comes & goes. We benefit when we experience all acceptance of change.
Mankind makes great effort to maintain light in darkness & darkness in light. Think of how mankind turns on light and turns off light.
Light * darkness are ungraspable. Does this apply to ignorance & wisdom?
Are we able to change ignorance into transcendent wisdom?
The teachings say YES!
We may not be able to change light & darkness and darkness & light but we are encouraged to drop ignorance & cultivate transcendent wisdom. We learn that the Source of confusion is in the mind…but…yes, but…the mind requires the ability to renounce indulgence in sense pleasure.
Often we want to satisfy our cravings which ultimately keeps us stuck in ignorance is bliss.
Don’t Give Up!
Contemplate Awareness
Drop Greed. Hate. Delusion.
