Awakening The Buddha Within

This is a book I recently finished, written by Lama Surya Das who, among other things, did two back to back three year silent retreats as a Buddhist Monk.  Then, like many, came to a point where monastic life no longer made sense.

Here are some thoughts or ideas brought up in the book:

Many of the unenlightened ask themselves things like:” When does my real life begin?”  “Is this all there is?”  “Why does life often seem barren and lonely?”  “Why is there so much anxiety, fear and doubt in my heart?”  In actuality, we create our own reality.

Enlightenment is not about becoming divine.  Quite the opposite as it is about becoming more fully human.  Enlightened living is a compassionate path.  Zen Master Dogen said, “To be enlightened is to be one with all things.”  Makes sense to me.  Every living thing on this planet is connected to every other.  That is not a theory.  That is a fact.  It’s just common sense.

The only place you are going to find your truth is in your genuine spiritual center.  Be who you are and where you are.  Be present.  Within you and all of God’s creatures there is an inner radiance.  The luminosity is birthless and deathless.  It carries unconditional compassion and love.  We can awaken it if we want to.  We can become enlightened.  Seek enlightenment and you will not find it but clear your mind and you may learn that it was there all the time.

Enlightenment means an end to directionless wandering…

Here’s a meditation:

Breathe, breathe again, smile, relax, arrive where you are, be present only where you are, get rid of the noise in your head, forget what was and what may be, be present now, make it about being and not doing, drop everything and let go, enjoy for a moment this marvelous joy of meditation…

Following a balanced, moderate path that is honest, straightforward and impeccable is living the Dharma.  Learning to live without excessive confusion, anger, clinging, vacillation or greed is following the Dharma.  Be in tune with things as they are…not as you would wish them to be.

Buddha is truth.  Buddha once said, “There is nirvanic peace in things left just as they are.”  It’s about letting go.  It’s like coming home.

There are Four Noble Truths in Tibetan Buddhism (and perhaps the Korean I am involved in).  They are:

1.       Life is difficult.

2.       Life is difficult because of attachment.  We crave satisfaction in inherently dissatisfying ways.

3.       The possibility of liberation from difficulties exists for everyone.

4.       The way to realize the liberation and enlightenment is by leading a compassionate life of virtue, wisdom and meditation.  These three spiritual trainings comprise the teachings of the Eight-Fold Path to Enlightenment.

Soon I will discuss the Eight-Fold Path.  Peace and God bless!

Kwan Seum Bosal

Kwan Seum Bosal (phonetic Korean).  Meaning: one who "perceives the cries of the world” and responds with compassionate aid; the bodhisattva of compassion.

Mother Teresa of course comes to mind immediately.  This woman's soul may have found Nirvana after it lived as Mother Teresa.  This woman is more amazing than I even understand.  I should have done some research before sitting down here. I know what I know not from making an effort to read about it.  I know what I know from the TV and word of mouth.  I suppose it does't matter where it comes from but I have made a mental note to add a book of hers or one about her to my list for the year. 

I am by no means trying to compare myself to Mother Teresa in this post.  However, I do sometimes perceive the cries of the world.  I carry a lot more than just my own pain around.  I had to recently unfriend a friend on facebook because of the images of abused dogs she was posting.  I understand she was trying to get people to realize how bad it can be (it can be real bad for humans also) but these images were graphic and the last two were enough for me.  I shudder thinking about it right now and wish I wasn't thinking about those dogs and all the abused dogs, animals and people in the world.  The world can be beyond horrible, beyond what most of us can even imagine.  Too much of it is bad.  What do we do about it?  I've had bad stuff happen in my life.  You have in yours.  Is there a difference?  Or do we both need to get beyond it and understand that life is much more than this life and body we currently inhabit?   I know it's easier said than done and for some, much harder than others.  I am terrible at it.

I carry around everything that has happened since I was nine when my brother died.  That's forty years of stuff dragging me down.  Then I carry around all the serious "stuff" happening in the world like senseless wars, brutal hunger and abuses of people.  Human beings.  What are we as a race?

I don't know.  Only don't know.  Anyway, Mother Teresa,  essentially a Bodhisattva (a Buddha that has taken human form to relieve mankind from suffering), gave herself completely to help as much of the world as she possibly could in her lifetime.  Is there anyone in our lifetime we can compare her to?  I don't think so...not even close.  Ghandi?  He was cool.  Another one I haven't really studied so should not give an opinion on at this time.  On my list as we speak of books to read, something about him or by him...perhaps both.  Anyone else?

My point?  I honestly don't know.  It is just rare to find such a human as Mother Teresa.  A true Kwan Seum Bosal.