Going the Wrong Way
Everyone is given many things to use. Look around the kitchen! There are numerous tools and utensils given as means to making food or making a hot cup of tea.
Is it arrogance to think any of it belongs to you.
Is it conceit to think that is was gotten by self-wit? What do all these accumulated things come from if it isn’t self-wit? We forget even self-wit is also given.
When we look upon things as possessions, we believe that we are the owners of all that we believe we have acquired. This ofen leads to a plan for more or different things. If we conclude it is my good fortune, we covet pride and proclaim “lookie, lookie, lookie, how lucky I am!”
When we claim everything as mine it divides us instantly from all beings. This is mine and that is yours.
When we let our ownership expire, we avoid self-indulgence and dividing things as mine and yours.
When we cling to the worldly objects of things, people and ideas we risk becoming a bandit claiming possession of what we do not own, which includes everything.
There is no blame or fault-finding when we recognize everything is not claimable. Everything is borrowed. None of it is eternal. Think of death and it gets clear.
We have been conditioned to claim ownership. But it is merely a mirage which we agree to look after. We mistakenly believe we earned what we have and claim it as “mine.” In fact it leads us to claim many things as “mine.”
When we ponder, “who gives things?” and “who is in charge?” We determine it is either mine or belongs to someone else. In either case, we fail to see that nothing is actually mine or belongs to someone else.
All of the ownership of worldly objects is constructed-possesiveness. Constructed-possesiveness allows humankind to do as they want and wish. Although there are boundaries of possesiveness, the boundaries of possesiveness are under the rule of constant change. Think of it as here today, gone tomorrow.
If, however, we experience humankind as not in charge, we look for THAT which is. It requires humankind to sever the possessiveness of stuff which includes everything that shows up. When we drop possessiveness we begin to seek our true nature.
How do we find our true nature?
There are many ways to take the backward step and let go of grasping the world. Fundamental to the search are certain conditions of mind. We will look at just one condition which, if followed with devotion, will significantly help us let go of our desires for the world.
Start with a willingness to study the mind.
To study the mind requires a commitment to sitting in stillness and silence.
The silence and stillness allows us to see the contents of the mind.
When we see that we record and receive mental contents in the mind we are then able to study the contents in such a way as to STOP the contents that lead to all sorts of reactive ideas and plans.
In other words, we calm the mind down to such a stillness that we do not get caught up in the content that shows up.
The work is to determine what hinders and harms the mind.
Watching the recordings received in the mind without regard, without classifying and reacting leads to a calm mind. There are disciples who listen and there are many who do not. Those, who do not, are craving something.
In reality, cravings are veiled hindrances. Confusion remains.
Confusion is an indication that light is blocked and something is concealed and hidden. When we are not able to see that confusion conceals the light, self-defensiveness arises. Then, we need determination to see that we need more determination and training.
It is important not to leave this teaching, to draw a conclusion or to ease the mind. This work is not rushed but tended to with devotion. Confusion enlightens when we are willing to trust the Truth without measure.
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Don’t give up. Keep going.
OM
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Thanks for reading The Fundamental Point ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts.
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