"Develop the mind
of equilibrium.
You will always be getting praise and blame,
but do not let either affect the poise of the mind:
follow the calmness,
the absence of pride."
Sutta Nipata
..............
A potential student went to see a Dharma Master and asked:
If I work really hard,
how long will it take me to become enlightened?
Ten years
the Master replied.
No, I mean really work at it
the student said.
The Master replied,
I am sorry
I misunderstood you,
it will take you twenty years.
The student loudly said,
I am serious I am willing to do anything to gain enlightenment.
Oh that's different,
said the Master,
it will take you thirty years.
So I ask myself
Am I ready for enlightenment ?
Can I commit to one day of silence?
A month, a lifetime?
Am I able to one hour, every now and again, to sit and follow my breath?
As a broom sweeps the street;
My breath sweeps my mind.
I am told this practice will lengthen the spaces between my thoughts.
I then become aware it is the spaces that are important,
not my thoughts.
What would happen should my thoughts become less,
do I become a lesser person?
Not when I realize how calm I am.
How peaceful my surrounding, how vibrant the colours.
This place must be where my Buddha Nature resides.
With the practice comes realization that when there is no thought.
I am one with the Universe.
Nothing external.
All is joined.
All is one.
My entire practice is based on this premise of Oneness.
Awareness comes when I let go all past, all future.
I actually achieve serenity beyond my wildest imagination .
This awareness and realization frees me from the mundane.
Is this enlightenment?
All I have to do is practice........
Nathan
Sent from my iPhone and
http://www.dharmamaster.com
With love
