Heat
from 
JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
With palms together,
Good Morning Everyone,
There is nothing to teach that you don't already possess. Its just a question of discovery. Discovery means to uncover, to become aware of for the first time, thus, discovery requires a beginner's mind, a clear mind.
As I have taught many times, we clutter ourselves with ideas, notions, and beliefs. We hold them tightly. We use them as lenses with which to see or as tests for the validation of our prejudice. So, we should know, that as we do this, we can never really discover anything as it really is.
As we sit outside on a bench and it is hot, the sun offers us an opportunity to discover, that is, uncover, heat. The breeze, an opportunity to relish cool. If we approach these as known experiences, we will miss something. I cannot tell you what that something is: it will be yours entirely. In fact, if we think we know these experiences, we are likely to forgo them entirely as 'uncomfortable' and stay inside in our conditioned air.
Now, there is nothing inherently special about sitting on a bench in the sun --- or in the shade. What is important is setting aside what we think we know and placing our attention on the actual experience. In this way we uncover it, that is, open ourselves to the discovery of it.
A disciplined spiritual practice is a practice that requires an internal stillness. Through such a practice we develop the capacity to be present completely regardless of the environment. We see clearly what is there before us, not what we wish were there, long for, or despise.
Through such practice, heat is no longer heat. Its just what we call heat. Heat ceases to exist as our concept of heat.
Why is this important?
Be well.
Good Morning Everyone,
There is nothing to teach that you don't already possess. Its just a question of discovery. Discovery means to uncover, to become aware of for the first time, thus, discovery requires a beginner's mind, a clear mind.
As I have taught many times, we clutter ourselves with ideas, notions, and beliefs. We hold them tightly. We use them as lenses with which to see or as tests for the validation of our prejudice. So, we should know, that as we do this, we can never really discover anything as it really is.
As we sit outside on a bench and it is hot, the sun offers us an opportunity to discover, that is, uncover, heat. The breeze, an opportunity to relish cool. If we approach these as known experiences, we will miss something. I cannot tell you what that something is: it will be yours entirely. In fact, if we think we know these experiences, we are likely to forgo them entirely as 'uncomfortable' and stay inside in our conditioned air.
Now, there is nothing inherently special about sitting on a bench in the sun --- or in the shade. What is important is setting aside what we think we know and placing our attention on the actual experience. In this way we uncover it, that is, open ourselves to the discovery of it.
A disciplined spiritual practice is a practice that requires an internal stillness. Through such a practice we develop the capacity to be present completely regardless of the environment. We see clearly what is there before us, not what we wish were there, long for, or despise.
Through such practice, heat is no longer heat. Its just what we call heat. Heat ceases to exist as our concept of heat.
Why is this important?
Be well.
