There are two fundamental sufferings of the world.
The first one we each experience.
· The suffering of the body
· The suffering of the mind
The second one we may not know or realize.
· It is suffering of longing for the Truth of existence.
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The teachings of the Dharma are without merit when we do not practice. It will merely be a series of ideas that come into the mind and float away into space. It can also be that we have taken up an intellectual understanding that remains intellectual.
- Awakeniing is not based on what is in the numerous and countless books.
What we need to know and need to practice is cultivating the Self.
- Not the mind.
- Not the intelllect.
- Not the ego.
We must seek the Way. We need to learn, touch, taste the practices for ourselves.
We begin with the following encouragements that may seem old hat, a silly novelty that leads us to spin in foolishness. It is challenging to take the backward step, but it is what we need to do. We learn to go against the grain of all that the world emanates. We go beyond the customary desires.
To choose cultivating the self we refine our virtues.
YES! It asks us to rely on high moral standards. We cultivate refining our virtues and transcend the ego which wants what it wants when it wants. The backward step to study our Self requires prudence, courage and temperance aka as self-restraint.
We choose to take refuge in the Awakened One.
We choose to take refuge in the laws, duties & morals of the the teachings.
We choose to connect & take refuge in a spiritual community.
AND…
We choose…
A method for Self-Cultivation.
We make a concerted effort to understand the teachings. Some traditions seek merit for themselves and loved ones. The teachings abandon such limitations by giving up illusions.
Illusions are thoughts that take us off the path that are false and often make-believe. Illusions are rooted in fantasy and pretending something to be true when it is just what it says, an illusion.
Seeking merit is merely seeking praise or some form of a reward. We are cautioned NOT to seek merit. We can offer silent offerings to those who are in need especially for those who are stuck on the Wheel of Birth & Death.
We are far better trained when we study ourselves and the teachings.
Contemplating your own authentic form is how to contemplate Buddha. If you can experience yourself without distractions, simply surpass partiality and GO BEYOND conceptualizing. All buddhas and all minds reach the essential without duality.
Zen Master Hongzhi
DO NOT SKIP EVEN ONE LINE FROM ZEN MASTER HONGZHI. MAKE THE EFFORT TO STUDY EACH LINE> TAKE IT TO HEART!
The Buddha Way is everywhere, wholely pervading. Don’t give up. Keep practicing.
Sail Along As Long As Possible!
