Unconsciousness is attaching to thoughts as if they were ultimately true. On one hand you have Reality, which is what is happening now. On the other hand, you have your thoughts about what should be happening. When those disagree, you have suffering. If you energize what you think should be happening in opposition to what’s actually happening, it hurts more. The fundamental thing you can’t change is what is is. Attaching to the thought “This shouldn’t be happening” causes anxiety. Accepting what you can’t change is serenity.
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Posted June 7th, 2010 in
Video by James
Awakening is rare because it’s scary ― and yet it’s like the haunted house at a carnival. It’s all fake. The concept of mortality is horrifying, and most people would do anything to escape what feels like annihilation. The word “Nirvana” means “extinction.” It means ending the reign of your conceptualized world. Realize that words can point you toward awakening, just as a highway sign can point you toward a destination — but by themselves words have no ultimate value. The best way to get rid of fear is to notice that it’s caused by a thought that disagrees with Reality.
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Posted June 6th, 2010 in
Video by James
A major misconception about meditation is that it involves a suppression of thoughts. It’s unnatural to suppress thoughts. As the heart pumps blood, the mind pumps thoughts. They’re going to arise; the question is what is your relationship to those thoughts? The practice of meditation involves a conscious relationship with thoughts, seeing that they are ultimately false. Thoughts can be useful, but they’re not ultimately true. Prayer and inquiry are forms of meditation. Prayer involves surrendering your desire to Reality, whereas inquiry is investigating whether thoughts are true.
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Posted June 5th, 2010 in
Video by James
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