Truth is My Religion - My Vehicle is Buddhism
Posted: Saturday, June 18, 2011
by e
Dhammabucha Rocksprings Meditation
Seeking truth is a process of eliminating the false. We all do it. Every time we learn a life’s lesson, we eliminate a particular trick that was played on us and discover the truth of the matter. So what is this truth that all of us eventually discover in some capacity or another?
Truth is simply what’s real, what’s factual. When we don’t see that reality or that fact because we either refuse to look or because the realty or fact is hidden from us, then we live in the false.
So why seek truth instead of easily falling asleep in the arms of falseness? Because if we are wise, we understand how falseness never provides the lasting happiness, contentment and security we seek. We pretend that it does, but late at night, when we are by ourselves, don't we wonder about it all?
Falseness hangs over our heads like an executioner, and only puts us to sleep in a delusional existence until the other shoe drops.
When enough shoes have dropped on our heads, we will usually wake up. But how can we learn to wake up? Where is the owner’s manual to this complicated, emotional machine? How do we become wise?
We can become religious, which is not the same as becoming wise. We can become intelligent, which is not becoming wise either. Both religion and intelligence involves the false at very refined levels, because both, again, are merely tools to root out the false and not a truth in themselves.
For example, in Buddhism we test out theories. We are scientists in a way. But we use more than the religion and our intellect; we use a tool called meditation.
Meditation shifts the way the mind works. At deeper levels it actually changes the DNA and creates an evolved being, but even at cursory levels, meditation cuts through falsity like a knife cuts through hot butter.
No need to experience all those little surprises in life that throw us for a loop. There are no more surprises, no more loops thrown. This is the beginning of wisdom.
The reason I personally was attracted to Buddhism was because of its simplicity. Meditate and see what happens! But meditate seriously, with effort, and with intelligence. In other words, do it right. . . . I started out all wrong.
Thirty three years ago I found myself living in a Zen Buddhist monastery which I was more or less disappearing into as an escape from some youthful indiscretions. In order to stay there, I had to behave myself and follow the program, which I did, but I was not Buddhist. I was hiding out!
The rule was silence all day, meditation frequently during the day, and very little reading. In other words, there was no indoctrination; unless you consider meditation an indoctrination, which it is not. Meditation is observing, in this very moment, your own mind.
So I followed the routine in order not to raise eyebrows, and with the meditation and the quiet surroundings, my life took a dramatic turn and has never stopped.
It was the meditation that made the dramatic shift in my consciousness. It wasn’t thinking about the Buddha or worshipping him like a God or any of that childish nonsense, this was real, this was life changing, and if I wouldn’t have experienced it for myself, I would have never believed it.
Talk to anyone who has gone on a 10 day meditation retreat and ask them if it changed their lives. With few exceptions, you will find that it has - providing they put forth the right effort. How can sitting still for 10 hours a day change your life in as little as ten days when you haven’t changed during an entire lifetime, even a religious lifetime? How can the anger and fear, the frustration and anxiety simply fade away?
It fades away because something deep inside is touched by the mind stilling itself, seeing intuitively, not intellectually, that the things that cause so much angst and pain are not real, not facts. They are, after all, false.
The illusion that everything is stable and concrete, even ourselves - is false. The idea that things will never change - is false. The thought that if we can only find the right situation or person, then we will be content forever - is false. Discovering and seeing through these kinds of falseness - is freedom, but this kind of freedom can never be discovered by the brain.
Without a change in the DNA of the mind, which can never be accomplished by the brain or by intellectual thought, the falseness will continue to represent itself as truth, and the truth as falseness.
As the Buddha so aptly put it,
“O monks and wise men, just as a goldsmith would test his gold by burning, cutting and rubbing it, so must you examine my words and accept them, not merely out of reverence for me.
“My teaching is not a philosophy. It is the result of direct experience...
My teaching is a means of practice, not something to hold onto or worship.
My teaching is like a raft used to cross the river.
Only a fool would carry the raft around after he had already reached the other shore of liberation.
If you were to follow the Dharma purely out of love for me or because you respect me, I would not accept you as disciple. But if you follow the Dharma because you have yourself experienced its truth, because you understand and act accordingly - only under these conditions have you the right to call yourself a disciple of the Exalted One.”
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Hi E...long time no speak and I hope you are well. I have read about meditation and have a doctor friend who meditates and swears by it. Two things: What is the best way to learn to meditate short of going to a retreat or taking lessons? Is there an article-tape etc. that one can get going in the right direction. And also, in your view, the enlightenment meditation can offer to those meditating, can that same enlightenment be found through hardship and learning from it, deep desire, calm reflection or help from your fellow man? Thanks!
SteveThanks Steve. Good to hear from you. Your articles are great! I read them every chance I get. Regarding meditation, the best way to start is simply, but practice with determination. Take time out preferably in the morning sometime before you eat breakfast. The earlier the better so noise and activity won’t disturb you. Move from your bed to a "special place," sit down comfortably in a chair but sit upright, don't lean back. Keep your back straight but relaxed. Close your eyes and determine to watch yourself breathe. It’s easy; just be aware of every in breath and every out breath for 5 minutes. This is it. That's all there is to it. But if you do it right, you will soon have questions. The first question is something like; “I can’t find my breath!" or, “I can only keep track of my breaths for one second before my mind begins thinking about something!" Email me anytime.
Regarding enlightenment, the things you mention would be preliminary insights. Enlightenment has many definitions of course. The enlightenment that the Buddha talked about (Nibbana) refers to becoming an "Arahant." It is a very deep transcendent stage.
The only way to try to explain it by the ten fetters that one must subdue to accomplish this. Here is the list. Maybe you can apply this list other definitions of enlightenment as a comparison.
1. The belief in self, ego, the “I" thought. (This experience of dissolving self is not merely thinking, “Hmmm, I don’t really believe in a self. Good, I am past the first fetter!) It’s not like that at all; it’s an epiphany of the grandest kind, one that leaves you wandering around for days saying “Wow! Wow!"
2. Questioning and doubt. (It all goes away because the one who would question or doubt is gone).
3. Belief in religious rituals, religious personalities, and religious ceremonies as a means to salvation. (Silliness)
4 Anger, even slight frustration. (Just equanimity, understanding)
5. Sensual cravings for anything. (Disenchantment with people, things, anything to do with material existence).
6. Wanting to continue after death in a physical realm. (A sensual desire for immortality).
7. Wanting to continue after death in a formless realm. (Same as above but more subtle).
8. Conceit – “I know." (I am enlightened!)
9. Restlessness (Desire for experiencing).
10. Ignorance of the cause and effect relationships leading to the rebirth of the stream of kammic consciousness. (Here one will see the Twelve Steps Of Dependent Origination flash forward and backward, completely defining the Four Noble Truths).
Best ……eHi E and thanks. It sounds too easy--shouldn't I do sit ups or something while I'm doin it!!!!E--I went to your website and got some further info that you had written and posted there--thanks....
The meditation thing I get. I don't know though, the "Exalted One" part sounds a little bit too much like the Abrahamic religions to me.Translators are usually not enlightened! Thanks David.
Very wise, e. I love your quotes. The hard thing for me is not to judge people who look to me as if they aren't ready yet to face their truth and to accept that wherever a person is, is the right place for them to be. Life will lead them to their truth.You're right about that Jenniifer. Thank you.
Good article e, the Buddha was truly a great man wasn't he?He merely gave us a map, we have to travel the road. Thanks David.
E an excerpt from your excellent article in which you provide many. "Truth is simply what’s real, what’s factual. When we don’t see that reality or that fact because we either refuse to look or because the realty or fact is hidden from us, then we live in the false." Geat! It is in my belief system as stated by my God, the great delusion. As Christians we do not realize that Mediation is the route to closeness with our God. In humbelness, prayer and silence we can lierally hear God speak. I know many will not understand but even His voice. NO, can't project into words for non believers just to say it is so. Now to those, as you stated, who know not, this is all meaningless. So, I respect what you teach because Buddists are an example to all of what they shoud be doing to draw closer to their creator. There are many prayers of meditation in the Christian faith but few know of them. In fact many believe Jesus Himself studied with Buddists. That is not to detract or minimze Jesus but to point out that good comes in varied ways as does evil. Somehow, and I don't know how, but we all will get the answers when we cross over. After all we all have a date to do that. My faith locked on Jesus Christ but in respect of those who believe otherwise mans ways are not Gods. The final judge He who is love. In that one message we share and in that we search for a closeness with the creator.Catholic saints meditated seriously. The contemplatives. Thanks so much for commenting.
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