Many of us are on a path of self-discovery. We really want to answer the question, “Who am I?” sufficiently to be happy and free of the burden of suffering and our eventual death. With such an insight, we hope to live a life that is open to life; having the smile of an old Zen sage.
Some of us hope to find such an answer by going from one religious teaching to another, hopefully to find the one that best suits us. But this is not the way to find out who we really are. It is a kind of fool’s version of self-discovery that consists of one failure after another failure with no end in sight.
Besides religion there are, in fact, many kinds of fool’s paths, from following the path of consumerism, to raising a family, joining the military, or becoming an artist—you name it.
To really find out who we are demands, above all else, that we seek out the one who asks the question who is beyond mental imaging and internal words. This is very subtle. For if we don’t begin to look deeply in this direction for the source of this voice that asks the question, we will be on another fool’s path. Always we have to keep in mind that very deep within us is the very fountain of life. To be more precise, deep within us is the Buddha-nature.
Taking this all together, Buddhism should challenge us in a huge way. It should demand of us to accomplish the seeming impossible; to go beyond a limit we imagine cannot be traversed. Without such a challenge, the path we are on is more than likely one for fools who only want to remain fools, never to learn who they really are; never to answer the question, “Who am I?”
"Prey tell me, what is a man ready to do or pay for his complete freedom from suffering? I speak of a freedom, that when revealed in a glimpse of direct gnosis, emerges as more wonderful and glorious than anything seen or imagined through the dim consciousness of his fragmented mind?"
"Anything master. If such where the reality , for even a short moment, a man would truly do anything or pay anything required to regain such freedom permanently, as once experienced through that glimpse of Minds heaven."
"Then find a way to earn the special currency required, as advised by our Lord, and use it wisely to enter that immaculate light of your own true nature."
"But how is such a way found master?"
"By keeping that glimpse of the Minds true essence before your minds eye in any activity, whether it is one of day or night or even one through the valley of death. This is called the skillful use of the noble eightfold path From it , springs forth the very fountain of life granting its awestruck beholder superior right knowledge and superior right liberation."
"I see. I understand master. How wonderful, how wonderful indeed. Thank, you."
"I have not said anything beyond the scope and resourcefulness of your own true nature. Remember that and find humble reverence before your own true self. After all, why keep throwing mud at what cannot ever be stained? Why not hold that jewel steady in your heart and let its clear light lead the way to the other shore? Your rightful home of everlasting peace and noble wisdom."
Posted by: minx | October 28, 2012 at 10:30 AM