Spontaneous Creation

2023, April, Issue 40

Part of being present means evaluating just what we are doing here.  What’s going on?  Why are we this way?  I’m wondering that quite a bit lately, when I write or give talks, or when I think about the purpose or usefulness of this newsletter.  When I returned from the death bardo, it seemed important that I should be here, creating something useful or inspiring, helping people somehow with the knowledge that I had realized. 

It seems that I’m doing what I should be doing, but is it enough?  Is this what people need?  Some have requested that I give more talks or lead people in meditation.  Maybe that would provide something people need in order to awaken, or to simply provide a basis for something they need on their Spiritual Path.  I am considering this.

As a Dzogchen practitioner, I’ve learned to live spontaneously.  That is not to say that I am prone to impulse; it is to say that I evaluate just what is happening with circumstances and mind, what sorts of actions I’m doing in this world, remaining aware of the Nature of Mind the entire time.  I pay attention to what some call Buddha Nature.  I’m prone to acting quickly and decisively, no matter what seems to make sense in a conventional way, if it seems clear in that spontaneous moment.  This is the sort of spontaneous living that you will see with Dzogchen practitioners.

These last few days, as I sat in contemplation, a poem arose in my mind.  It became so powerful that I was forced to abandon the book I had been working on, in order to capture this radiant appearance.  I’m happy that I did so, because this poem is capturing the subtlety and brightness of living spontaneously, living with awareness of the Nature of Mind.  As I sat to write, the words sprang forth with decisive spontaneity.  The essence was captured.

It’s not entirely refined or composed yet, as it appeared in a flurry which reflected upon itself, seeming very obvious and elusive at the same time.  The elements could only be contained by their essence, as they could not be kept in any particular order.  It would be similar if someone threw a thousand-piece puzzle at you.  What do you do with that?  Where did all the pieces go?  The essence is there from the start, you saw the picture on the box cover; so, you have some idea about what you should do.  Now it’s time to piece it all together, refine the elements very carefully.

Since this poem occurred to me while practicing deep contemplation, which is that sort of meditation where one becomes accustomed to our natural essence, this amazing radiant light, I could say that this poem has been born in light, that same light that I became fully integrated with when I died, that same brilliant bright light of Dharmakaya that I encounter when I enter the Dharmadhatu, during deep contemplation.

Both of my currently published books, Timeless Luminosity and The Frog, have many aspects where the creation of certain elements came to me in this way.  At the time, I was truly amazed that my life could contain such spontaneity.  What I ended up writing also pleased me very much.  How such things appear in our physical reality is truly amazing.  We all have this ability.

With this poetry, it appeared to me as an epic poem.  I need to write it down now, before the impression of it fades away, before something comes along to distract me.  For now, my book is on pause.  I plan to get back to it at a later date.  I hope this does not disappoint too many people.  I think this poem may be well worth all the time spent spontaneously creating.

For now, please make the best use of your time by meditating and observing what appears to mind.  To live with awareness, we must be realistic about everything.  We must be steadfast, like a mountain, unmoving in our determination to discover reality, as it is.  We must cultivate Bodhicitta, which is this sort of great compassion that arises with the determination and yearning for awakening. 

Protect your mind.  Be fearless.  Practice meditation every chance that you have, even in dreams.  Enter this ineffable state we have only just forgotten, but is always here, right now.  You will awaken if you have the key, which is Bodhicitta.

Blessings in Light,

Robert Aho