We begin
And then, light;
We begin again,
And bright light;
The door is open to our infinite potentiality,
The door is open, the door is open
And they rush in, gnashing their teeth,
Causing us anguish,
And they’re nothing
Whatsoever.
A poem by Robert Aho © 2024
Sometimes it seems that I do not repeat myself enough, even though I do hear from people from time to time, complaining that they get it already. Do you?
The important points that I make require a deeper level of understanding than mere intellectualization. The important points, such as developing a strong foundation of Bodhicitta, need to be internalized to the point that we understand every aspect of such points. We need to know in a way that goes well beyond mere concept or belief. We need to feel it in our gut, we need to keep such points in mind at all times.
When I have stated, as in a recent podcast, that I’m interested in teaching with the door open, I have a reason for that. It’s not that I’m ever trying to demonstrate some sort of intellectual ability, it’s that I’m trying to bring the most benefit. If I teach with the door open, then you will have some idea of where this is going. Without such an approach, the points that I make will never rise above the level of short-term curiosity.
If the door is open, then we have the opportunity to awaken. If the door is closed, then we can safely go back to our slumber, as unsatisfying as it may be. This is not to say that we can cast everything aside, not taking care of ourselves. What it means is that we can take care of ourselves in a supreme way. This means that we protect our mind, and we don’t pretend to be more capable than we are. It means that we proceed with honesty, as well as a realistic approach to what we are doing. We take on what we can handle, without sabotaging this endeavor to awaken.
So, when we think about Bodhicitta, we must first think about self, understanding that we cannot help anyone, unless we create a place of safety first. Bodhicitta cannot arise unless we heal ourselves first. We must not only heal from all the trauma life brings us, we must utilize that healing process to cultivate strength and endurance. With the door open, we see that there is bright light; however, we are also vulnerable. Our typical reaction is to become darker, more closed minded. With the cultivation of Bodhicitta, however, we open ourselves to the pain, transforming the pain of the world into our own Spiritual Path. We start to see that our own awakening requires us to face our worst fears.
As we begin to see the illusory nature of the world, the impermanence, the emptiness of all phenomena, we start to get the joke of how we always fooled ourselves into thinking that it is real. A certain joy will manifest from this, and the world may appear to be incredibly crisp and clear. If something happens, maybe somebody slaps your face, you can immediately laugh about it, turning the other cheek. It’s not real. We begin to cultivate a sort of compassion that is truly lighthearted, something that does not immediately resort to anger.
Cultivating Bodhicitta requires us to see things realistically, rather than egotistically. Within this, we can begin to transform everything that happens. We protect our mind in an energetic way, rather than closing ourselves off further. When we transform misfortune, we always win.
If we close ourselves off further, choosing to do battle with whatever disagreeable thing comes our way, then we always lose. Awakening requires us to be more open, more accepting of what is, as it is. If we engage in the world in a way that is not compassionate for others, then there is no hope of us ever developing compassion for ourselves. To egotistically battle all that comes our way creates a situation where we might begin to hate ourselves.
Why is this? It is because we know deep down that we are really that radiant light. We yearn intuitively to become what we have always been. When we close our heart and mind, we nurture self-loathing. The darkness is depressing, to say the least. It is not who we really are.
In your Spiritual Practice, please consider that there is nothing preventing you from awakening. All the demons who stand in the way are merely figments of your own imagination. You have the power to transform anything. You have the power to awaken. If you see the unreality of all that has ever perplexed your mind, then you can learn to protect your own mind in a way that will truly bring benefit. When you have compassion for self, you have compassion for all. When you protect your mind, you shine more brightly.
There is no doubt whatsoever, that you will all awaken, if you take my words to heart. Spiritual Practice requires the key, which is Bodhicitta. Awakening is never far away, if you have strongly developed the aspiration for awakening. All we need do is begin. Never give up.
Blessings in Light,
Robert Aho