Now, consider my words very carefully. Study every nuance. Whatever you do, don’t misunderstand in a reckless way, or in a way that causes more ignorance, or in a way that leads you off into greater misery. What I learned while in the light for an eternity is that we are completely indestructible. Our true self, if there could be such a thing, is indestructible.
If you look carefully at life, at every atom, at the infinite expanse of quantum, you will see rather clearly that this physical manifestation, that body, voice and mind that some may think is self, actually doesn’t last for more than a fraction of a second. We are completely and totally impermanent from one moment to another. We can see this by looking inwardly. We can know this by studying what can be known through intellect. It can be observed, it can be measured. We know that everything everywhere, all at once, in all directions, times and places, throughout the ever-expanding universe and the multiverse, changes completely from one moment to another. Nothing whatsoever, if it is a mundane appearance, can ever stay the same, when we are shrouded in our own delusions that we perpetuate.
This nervous background pain forms the basis of samsara. We suffer continuously, feeling anxiety about something inexplicable, even if we don’t know that is happening. Our greater wisdom senses that we are being shredded each and every moment. We feel it. We know it. This is what is known as Dukka.
When I was about to return back to life on earth, I was both astonished and surprised that such a thing could exist in any way. It makes no sense, from an Ultimate point of view. Then, relaxing into what is, as it is, all possibilities can be seen with clarity. This horrible place in the dark recesses of possibilities, this place we call Earth, must happen in a field of infinite possibilities. There is simply no other way.
Beings are, or become trapped here, perpetually recycling themselves throughout all possibilities. An infinite number of beings do this, an infinite number of sleeping Buddhas do this to themselves, even though there is not the slightest reason to do so. It is of no value whatsoever, other than it simply remains as a field of infinite possibilities. There’s no purpose, there’s no meaning to life. We simply sleep, and we have big dreams within little dreams, filled with almost microscopic dreams. We sleep.
Awakening means that we open our heart and mind to what is, as it is. Remaining in this infinite cycle of birth, death and rebirth means that we close our heart and mind, clinging tightly to this illusion of a physical existence, where self seems real and ego seems like a good idea. If we treat ourselves and others with harshness, we perpetuate the suffering, the trap of this cycle is enhanced. If we treat all that appears with loving kindness, our heart and mind begins to open. This is why I keep repeating that Bodhicitta is the key. Great compassion, along with the aspiration to awaken is the key.
Sometimes I hear people say that they want to simply end it all, that this world is too much. Sometimes I hear about people who have committed suicide. This is very sad to me, because it requires violence and an even darker, more closed-off heart and mind. If a person ends their own life, they will not be able to escape this great suffering any time soon. This great suffering they feel will only become stronger and more painful. The tighter one closes their heart and mind, the greater the delusion of a painful existence becomes.
This is very important to understand. Awakening means becoming more open, more loving, not being bothered by appearances, such as this appearance of an apparent self. When someone harms us, the person who is beginning to awaken does not mind. They may even open their heart and mind even further as a result of unfortunate circumstances or personal great suffering. This is only possible through the cultivation of Bodhicitta.
In Buddhism, we feed ourselves to our demons. In Christianity, we turn the other cheek. I use these two examples because they are most familiar to me. Teachings from many spiritual traditions teach something similar. These are actually ineffable teachings that can help us to awaken. They are teachings which contain deeper meanings of love and compassion.
The point is that we do not engage our ego, which is our defensive strategy to do harm to self and others, perpetuating our cyclic existence. What we do is to allow the ineffable reality, this amazing light, to enter our lives. We learn to live courageously, with the understanding that we are actually indestructible beings of light. Within this growing wisdom, we can live altruistically, without ego, without concern about our own suffering. We can open our heart and mind completely by relaxing for once, for all time. We can embrace this great joke that has been vexing us completely, like a bad dream that makes us tremble, even though it has never been real.
Bodhicitta is the key. Know this essential point, know why, then utilize this key for liberation. You will awaken, I have no doubt.
Blessings in Light,
Robert Aho
This resonates with me so strongly! I am around a lot of young people of color trying to escape this samsara with alcohol and weed. They have experienced trauma in their own lives and through their ancestors. Our culture espouses judgement, so these kids become their own executioners. But they're so beautiful and they can't even see it. Bodhichitta is the only way ❤️