When I was listening to Beethoven at my University and studying, and remembering how everyone around me will soon die, as will my own self, and therefore I have no reason to partake in my usual egoic reactions but simply should dwell in the love that Christ knew. As I let this feeling seep into me through the day, I was overwhelmed with the realization of how complete and unending is the suffering of people, fleeting from one impression to another, never knowing peace, calm, gentleness, or love for fellow-men. It struck me that all of our egoic crystallizations are a kind of self-defense mechanism to live unconsciously and not comprehend the unending upwelling of guilt, selfishness, swagger, self love, competition, people have from within. It seems like when people enact their egos I join in with my own tendencies to not see the pain human beings live in, but can pass it over unconsciously by partaking in any number of habits of mind, action, ect. It is undoubtedly outside of the comfort zone to simply be, to listen for the voice of the innermost, to pray unceasingly, and I think it is a sort of leap of faith, but this is how I currently understand self-remembering. At a University, where everyone is absolutely overwhelmed with lust, judgement, general unrest, it is a hard thing to do, but is laughable in the face of what adepts of the past have been through. However can you offer any perspectives on this stage in development? It is so beautiful that we students have access to your instruction it brings tears to my eyes.
Accepted Answer
(5) Just as a flash of lightening on a dark, cloudy night,
For an instant, brightly illuminates all;
So, in this world, through the might of the Buddhas,
A positive attitude rarely and briefly appears.
(6) Thus, constructive (behavior) is constantly weak,
While negative forces are extremely strong,
and most unbearable.
Except for a full bodhichitta aim,
Can anything else constructive outshine it?
(7) The Kings of the Sages, having thoroughly reflected for many eons,
Have seen this very (mind) to be of (best) help,
For by it, limitless masses of beings
Will quickly and easily attain Supreme Bliss.
(8) Those who wish to destroy the hundreds of sufferings
of compulsive existence,
Those who wish to dispel the sorrow of limited beings,
And those who wish to enjoy the hundreds of states
of much happiness,
Will never give up the bodhichitta aim.
(9) The moment miserable beings bound in the prison
Of uncontrollably recurring samsara develop a bodhichitta aim,
They’re called spiritual offspring of the Blissfully Gone,
And become figures to be honored by the gods of this world,
as well as by men.
(10) Like the supreme creation of a gold-making elixir,
This unclean body, having been taken, will be transformed
Into the priceless gem of a Triumphant One’s body.
So, firmly gain hold of what’s known as bodhichitta.
(11) Since the immeasurable mind of the sole Navigator
for wandering beings
Has (seen) its precious worth upon examining fully;
Please, anyone wishing to be parted from the plights
of wandering beings:
Gain hold, truly firmly, of (this) gem, bodhichitta.
(12) Everything else that’s constructive resembles the plantain tree:
Having given birth to its fruit, it’s depleted.
But the tree of bodhichitta forever bears fruit
And, never depleted, it grows ever more.
- Quote from Bodhicharyavatara by Shantideva
For an instant, brightly illuminates all;
So, in this world, through the might of the Buddhas,
A positive attitude rarely and briefly appears.
(6) Thus, constructive (behavior) is constantly weak,
While negative forces are extremely strong,
and most unbearable.
Except for a full bodhichitta aim,
Can anything else constructive outshine it?
(7) The Kings of the Sages, having thoroughly reflected for many eons,
Have seen this very (mind) to be of (best) help,
For by it, limitless masses of beings
Will quickly and easily attain Supreme Bliss.
(8) Those who wish to destroy the hundreds of sufferings
of compulsive existence,
Those who wish to dispel the sorrow of limited beings,
And those who wish to enjoy the hundreds of states
of much happiness,
Will never give up the bodhichitta aim.
(9) The moment miserable beings bound in the prison
Of uncontrollably recurring samsara develop a bodhichitta aim,
They’re called spiritual offspring of the Blissfully Gone,
And become figures to be honored by the gods of this world,
as well as by men.
(10) Like the supreme creation of a gold-making elixir,
This unclean body, having been taken, will be transformed
Into the priceless gem of a Triumphant One’s body.
So, firmly gain hold of what’s known as bodhichitta.
(11) Since the immeasurable mind of the sole Navigator
for wandering beings
Has (seen) its precious worth upon examining fully;
Please, anyone wishing to be parted from the plights
of wandering beings:
Gain hold, truly firmly, of (this) gem, bodhichitta.
(12) Everything else that’s constructive resembles the plantain tree:
Having given birth to its fruit, it’s depleted.
But the tree of bodhichitta forever bears fruit
And, never depleted, it grows ever more.
- Quote from Bodhicharyavatara by Shantideva
“Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what each man wishes, that he also believes.” —Demosthenes
"Do not worry; cultivate the habit of being happy." —Samael Aun Weor
"Do not worry; cultivate the habit of being happy." —Samael Aun Weor
Accepted Answer
(5) Just as a flash of lightening on a dark, cloudy night,
For an instant, brightly illuminates all;
So, in this world, through the might of the Buddhas,
A positive attitude rarely and briefly appears.
(6) Thus, constructive (behavior) is constantly weak,
While negative forces are extremely strong,
and most unbearable.
Except for a full bodhichitta aim,
Can anything else constructive outshine it?
(7) The Kings of the Sages, having thoroughly reflected for many eons,
Have seen this very (mind) to be of (best) help,
For by it, limitless masses of beings
Will quickly and easily attain Supreme Bliss.
(8) Those who wish to destroy the hundreds of sufferings
of compulsive existence,
Those who wish to dispel the sorrow of limited beings,
And those who wish to enjoy the hundreds of states
of much happiness,
Will never give up the bodhichitta aim.
(9) The moment miserable beings bound in the prison
Of uncontrollably recurring samsara develop a bodhichitta aim,
They’re called spiritual offspring of the Blissfully Gone,
And become figures to be honored by the gods of this world,
as well as by men.
(10) Like the supreme creation of a gold-making elixir,
This unclean body, having been taken, will be transformed
Into the priceless gem of a Triumphant One’s body.
So, firmly gain hold of what’s known as bodhichitta.
(11) Since the immeasurable mind of the sole Navigator
for wandering beings
Has (seen) its precious worth upon examining fully;
Please, anyone wishing to be parted from the plights
of wandering beings:
Gain hold, truly firmly, of (this) gem, bodhichitta.
(12) Everything else that’s constructive resembles the plantain tree:
Having given birth to its fruit, it’s depleted.
But the tree of bodhichitta forever bears fruit
And, never depleted, it grows ever more.
- Quote from Bodhicharyavatara by Shantideva
For an instant, brightly illuminates all;
So, in this world, through the might of the Buddhas,
A positive attitude rarely and briefly appears.
(6) Thus, constructive (behavior) is constantly weak,
While negative forces are extremely strong,
and most unbearable.
Except for a full bodhichitta aim,
Can anything else constructive outshine it?
(7) The Kings of the Sages, having thoroughly reflected for many eons,
Have seen this very (mind) to be of (best) help,
For by it, limitless masses of beings
Will quickly and easily attain Supreme Bliss.
(8) Those who wish to destroy the hundreds of sufferings
of compulsive existence,
Those who wish to dispel the sorrow of limited beings,
And those who wish to enjoy the hundreds of states
of much happiness,
Will never give up the bodhichitta aim.
(9) The moment miserable beings bound in the prison
Of uncontrollably recurring samsara develop a bodhichitta aim,
They’re called spiritual offspring of the Blissfully Gone,
And become figures to be honored by the gods of this world,
as well as by men.
(10) Like the supreme creation of a gold-making elixir,
This unclean body, having been taken, will be transformed
Into the priceless gem of a Triumphant One’s body.
So, firmly gain hold of what’s known as bodhichitta.
(11) Since the immeasurable mind of the sole Navigator
for wandering beings
Has (seen) its precious worth upon examining fully;
Please, anyone wishing to be parted from the plights
of wandering beings:
Gain hold, truly firmly, of (this) gem, bodhichitta.
(12) Everything else that’s constructive resembles the plantain tree:
Having given birth to its fruit, it’s depleted.
But the tree of bodhichitta forever bears fruit
And, never depleted, it grows ever more.
- Quote from Bodhicharyavatara by Shantideva
“Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what each man wishes, that he also believes.” —Demosthenes
"Do not worry; cultivate the habit of being happy." —Samael Aun Weor
"Do not worry; cultivate the habit of being happy." —Samael Aun Weor
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