The Buddha was very sophisticated when teaching about compassion, and about everything. He taught there are different gradations of suffering, or dukkha. Superficially we all know and experience physical and mental pain. A little hidden is change. No more chocolate cookies! Or waking up with sunburn after the pleasure of laying out at the beach. More hidden yet is the foundation for all our suffering. It mistakes who we are and what the world is, almost like we are hallucinating! We call this distorted ignorance. Because we are so habituated to believing that things exist on their own, objectively, this ignorance is hard to recognize. Once we do, we meditate on its opposite. This process leads us to understanding and experiencing reality correctly. In Sanskrit this is called śūnyatā. In English, emptiness. Emptiness overturns all suffering. Coupled with Bodhicitta, it leads directly to enlightenment.
uncategorized
With a relaxed mind, say a clock on the wall
With a relaxed mind, look at something, anything, say a clock on the wall. Mentally check to see if there is really a clock over there, seeming to exist on its own. Check to see […]
Message
Complementary and not contradictory
The Buddha taught many different teachings to suit the disposition of different disciples and guide them along the path. This is particularly true regarding the teachings on selflessness, which is emptiness. Since people of his […]
Message
Practicing gratitude enhances our happiness even further
Now that we have at least considered practicing forgiveness, practicing gratitude enhances our happiness even further. Both practices rely on mindfulness, to know when we are not practicing, and to remind ourselves what specifically to […]