Manipulation

2024, February, Issue 85

Here they are, swirling in space, grimacing,

making every sort of nasty face, here

we see those demons that plague us,

those demons beyond reason, those demons of mind; 

Those demons are not out there,

though it is out there where they appear,

they are mind, they are in here, and

a fierce spiritual warrior locks the door

before facing all those

repugnant

foes.

A poem from, The Frog: A Spiritual Autobiography, Spanning Many Lifetimes, pg. 266, © 2021.

Be very careful when you encounter Spiritual Gurus from various traditions from across the spectrum, as the traps out there are more common that we realize.  This is very true with charismatic spiritual leaders, or those who seem to possess that cheap salesman gene, as they can create obstacles.  This is what demons do.  Be very careful that you are not manipulated in such a way that you lose your own power as a Spiritual Practitioner.  We all need to take good care by never letting anyone take away your power within.  Be very stubborn about this point.

What I want you to be is someone who thinks for themselves, someone who is somewhat of a spiritual bad-ass, a spiritual warrior of sorts.  Be aware when someone tries to manipulate you.  Protect your mind from those who seem to say all the right things, or look the right way, or have a strong marketing campaign going, but don’t quite feel right to your intuition.

As a reminder, your intuition is synonymous with your Buddha Nature.  It is that part of you that never steers you wrong.  Pay attention to that when encountering new situations.  You should be constantly aware of your own strength within, examining your own authenticity in this aspiration to awaken, this determination with enlightenment mind or Bodhicitta.  Utilize that for your own dynamic and individual methods of awakening.

There is a danger that we get lazy, letting ourselves get lulled into a sort of cult-like thinking.

When you come to me for teachings, I ask that you really question and consider everything that I teach you.  Please don’t turn me into a cult leader. Do not follow me with blind faith.  It is my job to help you to awaken.  This means that I consider it very important to empower you with the abilities and strength you will need to awaken.  I’m just someone who will encourage you here or there, utilizing what I know to help you to become who you really are.  That’s all I am, nothing more than that, nothing special.

Now, from time to time I mention that I want you to practice every day.  This is your sacred promise to me, and it is your sacred promise to you as well.  It’s very important not to dabble or to take Spiritual Practice lightly.  You don’t have much time.  You need to instill Bodhicitta as a part of your daily routine or this enlightenment mind will elude you for all eternity.  Life passes quickly, and death is for certain.  You don’t have much time!

As I have stated before, many Tibetan lamas have determined that teaching in the West is a complete waste of time.  Some lamas also complain that Western students dabble too much in New Age ideas about spirituality.  This is not something that makes much sense to them; however, this is because western culture is very confusing to them in general.  We can also say that Westerners have a difficult time understanding Tibetan culture.  It goes both ways. 

Many Tibetan lamas are likely to throw up their hands in frustration at some point, not really knowing what is being asked of them.  The usual attitude is to simply reiterate secular views that have been traditionalized for centuries.  This is helpful to many; however, it also chases many Westerners away from the Dharma. 

My advice to you is that that you consider everything as Dharma.  If it makes sense to you, explore that fully.  Utilize that for Spiritual Practice, but be open to needing to discard that at some point, when it no longer holds water. 

The inexplicable light, that I mention often, is not realized by hanging on to Spiritual Practice.  It is beyond, available only after letting go of concept and belief.  It is not realized by intellect.  This realization comes only after we become capable of opening our heart and mind completely.  Spiritual Practice is meant to make us more flexible, so that we can ultimately awaken.  If we hold ideas too tightly, then we’re stuck.

I want you to gather teachings from everywhere, not just what I teach you.  Utilize everything that seems important or essential.  Attend retreats, attend talks, read books, but think for yourself.  Don’t let yourselves become manipulated into something that isn’t right for you.  If it feels right intuitively, then there is something to that.  Make the commitment to practicing what you gather.  Practice, practice, practice.

If you become fierce in your spiritual attitude, if you become a bit of a spiritual bad-ass, it won’t matter how many demons you must face before your own awakening.  You will have no fear.  You won’t be easy to manipulate or trap.  It will become impossible for anything to stop you from becoming fully enlightened.

Blessings in Light,

Robert Aho