Energetic Dimension

2024, September, Issue 114

Energetic thoughts dancing

Before our mind, energy dancing

With purpose, with intention,

Without really knowing that we have this

Intention, intention without knowing,

Without understanding our own

Energy,

Without knowing Our

Real condition,

Not knowing, and so

We perpetuate what we

Do not really want,

Thinking we are apart,

Ignorantly thinking,

Always thinking that

We are separate from

The light of Dharmakaya.

A poem by Robert Aho © 2024

When I talk or write about my death experience, I tend to break it down into three aspects: the bright light, the energetic dimension and our physical condition.  In reality, there is no reason for me to break it down this way, other than it makes it easier to understand.  People need a way to compartmentalize their concepts, in order to appear that they understand something important, something practical that they can utilize in some way.  This is just an appearance, as the ignorance remains within the conceptual effort.

This bright light, or Dharmakaya, is always here with us.  It’s not something that we can actually leave.  Only our ignorance prevents us from being aware of this at all times.  People allow themselves to become poisoned, simply by generating ignorance, attraction and hate, as well as accompanying disturbing emotions, such as fear, anger, anxiety, lust, desire, greed, jealousy and depression.  Stupidity is the most important component for remaining in this dark condition.  We have the opportunity to awaken any time we choose; however, the most typical response to this knowledge is to place stupidity above enlightenment, and to do nothing, or worse, to become much more dark and dismal.

Our dark and dismal existence in this physical realm is just an illusion.  We only think that we are hidden or separated from the light, maybe believing that we’ve fallen from heaven and now need to find a way back.  People work very hard to do very sinister and evil things, in order to generate this illusion of darkness that they think is real.  In reality, they’re only fooling themselves.  It’s almost comedic to watch, except for the fact that this act harms untold numbers of beings within our physical dimension.

Between our apparent physical existence and that bright light is something that I refer to as the energetic dimension, or Sambhogakaya.  Everything that we can possibly imagine exists within this dimension.  Not surprisingly, the energetic dimension is not something that we can ever leave.  It is held within the Dharmakaya, just as our physical dimension, or Nirmanakaya, is within both.

When we think about our lives, we start to see how very energetic we actually are.  Our actions, or karma, dominate our entire existence.  This is why it is said that the winds of karma sweep us into the next life, and the one after that—really every moment we find ourselves propelled by our actions.  Karma takes precedence over awakening.  We think we have to always be doing something.  When we do something, we are generating karma.

Think of yourself as a manifestation of the energetic dimension.  Our own consciousness transmigrates within the energetic dimension.  Even though we may not be aware of any energy, self is fabricated within this energetic dimension.  We don’t wait until we are born to have some sense of a self, we cling to this within the energetic dimension, grasping at ideas about who we are, clinging to past lifetimes, even as a new lifetime is about to start.  The turbulence and confusion are most profound.

When we appear into a new life, we try to establish some sort of stability by creating and defending ego.  In reality, this act of maintaining ego only perpetuates our great turmoil and suffering.  Since we don’t really leave the energetic dimension, we energetically create further causes and conditions for us to remain in confusion.  We may say that we don’t want to suffer; however, we do everything in our power to keep this suffering going for all eternity.  This is what is called samsara.

On this day, within this moment, consider placing Bodhicitta above stupidity and suffering.  Please understand that I’m not telling you what to do.  You must always do what you consider to be best.  This is your decision, and I am only suggesting that you take the time to prioritize your life.

If you generate the aspiration to awaken, then you are no longer constrained by those things that have been poisoning you.  You are worthy of such a thing as awakening.  If your actions are those of love and compassion, then the darkness will no longer dominate.  You will begin to break down this dark barrier that is only a figment of your imagination.

It is time for you to awaken.  This aspiration is long overdue, in reality.  There is no point for you to remain in confusion and doubt, remaining dominated by disturbing emotions.  There is no point to remaining in extreme suffering.  Please place Bodhicitta above all else.  It is time.

Since you have been toying with this notion of awakening, doesn’t it seem like a good time to test the waters?  I can guarantee that the Spiritual Path is completely worth it.  When you die, you will no longer be propelled uncontrollably.  Your entire existence will become bright.

Blessings in Light,               

Robert Aho