dorjeshugden.com
General Buddhism => General Buddhism => Topic started by: DSFriend on February 17, 2011, 11:22:09 AM
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So we have all experienced negative and afflictive emotions. Day in and day out, we focus on doing everything we can to avert such experiences, perhaps by continuously looking for happiness by blasting our favorite track through our car stereo set on the way to work, and intoxicating ourselves when we get home, etc.,, etc
Yet, the very moment the experience end, we are back to feeling unsatisfied, empty,...without sense and purpose.
So goes the cycle...not knowing if we will have this precious life and endowments again to meet the Dharma and holy teachers.
Through the Buddha Dharma, we learn that we are the creators of all our experiences, and countless more potential experiences (karmic seeds) yet to be experienced....all of which will not be pleasant.
Scary? Yes! Very scary.
Is it said in the Lamrim that Arya Chudapanthaka gained attainments within 3 months of applying ONE teaching from Lord Buddha through engaging in purification practices.
Various incarnations of the Dalai Lama practiced the preparatory rites, wearing down their brooms from so much sweeping that there were no bristles left.
So what is stopping us from sincerely learning the Dharma and achieve results as so many Victorious Ones have done so?
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Wonderful post and question, DS Friend.
What is stopping us?
No simple answer but it is a ceaseless accumulation of bad karma, lack of merits, wrong views, inner and outer obstacles from life to life, ignorance, and etc. All these combined and more would be enough to kill us off at any point in time.
Unlike the Victorious Ones - each of their lifetime have been dedicated wholly to Dharma and the pursuit of Attainments, Realizations and Enlightenments. They have reinforced everything they have learnt, retained them and made real efforts to come back with the memories of these attainments life after life.
Hence, the Victorious Ones are totally in control of their birth, rebirth and etc.
We can't even control our impatience, let alone anything else.
So, how can we change the course of our seemingly samsaric bound life after life?
We make a real commitment to do things differently from here on, NOW.
We start by creating new habits, new causes for us to be able to meet our Guru and the Dharma again - life after life.
We may not gain much realizations in this one lifetime, but we definitely will make real progress that will become the basis for our next life to be much better. And build further from there, from one life to the next.
If we are truly dedicated and diligent, who knows, we might be the lucky few to gain attainments in one single lifetime.
Anything is possible. Nothing is set in stone. We can change our destiny, if we put in the right methods and dedication.
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So what is stopping me from achieving Enlightenment? I agree with Helena that we have very thick layers of accumulations of negativities that have obscured our mindstream. Mind you, these have come from innumerable lifetimes before this present one. So deeply entrenched are these negative habituations that we will need a tremendous amount of real purification and accumulation of merits to even to begin to see a little light in this sea of darkness and find our way out.
We have also inherited, from our innumerable previous lifetimes, very grossly distorted misconceptions, perceptions and projections of the self that is “I” and of people and phenomena around us. These delusory perceptions and projections lead to our deeply entrenched mental afflictions through which we think, speak and act. Our misery and suffering stem from all these. Through these, we collect further negative karma.
But then, we have the Buddha nature and we have the eighteen opportune conditions in this precious human rebirth. We have found the Dharma and I am very fortunate to have found a highly realized Holy Being as a Spiritual Guide.
How then do we begin this Dharma journey out of darkness into the light of Liberation and Enlightenment. For me, the first step is to commit myself to putting into practice all that my Spiritual Guide has taught me , sincerely and steadfastly. This is because his teachings unmistakably show the Path to Liberation and Enlightenment. I know that I have wavered and faltered, but I have picked myself up and I will continue and persevere. I must also endeavor to continuously purify and accumulate merits in all the ways I have been taught.
Very recently, I have begun to put into practice(very slowly with fits and starts) what I am learning about being mindful in an open-hearted and compassionate way(through awareness of interdependent arising), from books on mindfulness, by Thich Nhat Hanh, especially the gloriously lovely book ‘Peace Is Every Step’. This new learning experience has been fraught with much struggle with my monkey mind. But I’m determined to take a step at a time and not give up.
So I may not achieve Enlightenment within this lifetime, but I do so want to achieve control of my unruly mind and be set on the highway to Peace. May I always know and remind myself ( as my Spiritual Guide has taught me) that all my endeavors will come to naught if my mind keeps focusing on egocentricity, whether grossly or subtly.
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I also wish to add that we need,particularly, the help of Dharmapala Dorje Shugden, Wisdom Protector of Je Tsongkhapa's teachings, to move forward in our Dharma path, by his clearing our obstacles - inner, outer and secret.
Only with his help can we overcome ultimately these obstacles that prevent us from moving definitely from the darkness of ignorance and delusions into the light of knowing and wisdom and onwards and upwards.
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It is possible though, to achieve liberation in this very lifetime... but if that is to be, than there will need to be leaps and bounds of progress in virtues, and tremendous lessening of delusions.
The path is not an easy one, due to our own creation,...therefore, all who come in contact with Dorje Shugden and to be able to receive his practice and protection is very rare.
It is said that Dorje Shugden will be with us UNTIL we achieve our goal of developing Bodhichitta.
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My first step was to pick up a Dharma book.
The next step was to internalise what I read.
Then to try to put what I read into practice.
Then found a brick wall with my own understanding.
Then I found the lamrim.
I have yet to find a lama, but I feel I am getting somewhere with practice.
I know its necessary to have a guide, a navigator in samsara.
But for now I have none.
I found out throught this site that I can practice Dorje Shugden without a teacher,
So for now I put my practice in His Hands
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My first step was to pick up a Dharma book.
The next step was to internalise what I read.
Then to try to put what I read into practice.
Then found a brick wall with my own understanding.
Then I found the lamrim.
I have yet to find a lama, but I feel I am getting somewhere with practice.
I know its necessary to have a guide, a navigator in samsara.
But for now I have none.
I found out throught this site that I can practice Dorje Shugden without a teacher,
So for now I put my practice in His Hands
Dear Roberto
I am happy that you somehow is connected to Dorje Shugden and your faith in him is strong, even without a teacher. I rejoice very much for you. I am confident Dorje Shugden will lead you to your Guru to continue in the path of Dharma.
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Hmmm, there is so much out there and within our own minds that is stopping us. Ultimately, it is our own search, conclusion and application that can put an end to the never-ending search. In Dharma, we look into our mind for answers. However, our minds are deceptive, hence we check with the teachings and with the advice of our Gurus. On top of that, we have never-ending obstacles self-created by our Karma so we have to purify and Dorje Shugden is very helpful in clearing obstacles like someone had already mentioned. I think for most of us with little devotion and merit, Dorje Shugden is literally a life-saver.
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I completely agree with you, Big Uncle!
Our minds can deceive us and even hide the truth from us.
I cannot imagine what will happen to me if I didn't meet my Guru and be given this precious Protector Practice.
While in samsara, with our own baggage of karma and issues - we need a powerful Protector to help us stay on the path.
Simply put, we need all the help we can get.
Some days, we do very well. Other days, we may fall back a couple of steps.
But as long as we are determined, we will always be going forward. Because Dorje Shugden will help us get up and get moving.
But if we are already despondent and giving up, then no one can help us. Not even all the Buddhas in the universe combined.
A closed mind is a dead end. No one can get in or get out.
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Very recently, I have begun to put into practice(very slowly with fits and starts) what I am learning about being mindful in an open-hearted and compassionate way(through awareness of interdependent arising), from books on mindfulness, by Thich Nhat Hanh, especially the gloriously lovely book ‘Peace Is Every Step’. This new learning experience has been fraught with much struggle with my monkey mind. But I’m determined to take a step at a time and not give up.
I was just thinking what's the next book I should read! Well, it shall be "Peace is Every Step" then :)
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" What is stopping me from achieving the same results? "
Maybe not "what?" but "who?" : ME
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So what's stopping me from learning the dharma and achieving the results? Not enough merits, not wanting to put in more effort due to laziness, lifetimes and lifetimes of habituation of not wanting to transform etc etc. So now I seek Dorje Shugden's help to please guide me and help me clear away my inner and outer obstacles. I may not be able to achieve the results in this lifetime, but it is better to start now than not at all. The journey may be difficult but with faith in Dorje Shugden, it will not be impossible.
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Time flies...this topic was started back in February and now we are entering june, the second half of 2011!
One of the things I started to pay more attention to since posting up this topic, was to be more conscious in my daily actions. My thoughts and actions has got to be different if I was to have a change in my results.
I've since tried to be more aware of my thoughts to not dwell on negativities and letting them pull me down. I sure do have a long way to go but for now, I will continue to develop discipline in mindfulness meditations...
As for my actions, I'm determined to kickoff my laziness and substitute it with more wholesome activities such as studying and engaging in some charitable works.
This is starting to sound like a personal journal which I do not intend for it to be so,...just reflecting on where I am after 4 months of posting up this topic.
Thanks for all the sharing and wishing all of you success in your spiritual pursuits.
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I believe that for every different individual, there is a different approach or method to achieve the same enlightenment. For those of us with good merits to have a Guru for guidance is great. The Guru who embodies Buddha has the wisdom to guide us and point us to the right direction. For those who do not have the merits to be close to a Guru and is unable to receive guidance, is it possible for them to find enlightenment?? Can a person achieve enlightenment if they solely have faith in the Buddhas and pray diligently?? I cannot see how that it is possible without a Guru. I would not know where to start.
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What is stopping me from achieving the same results?
1. My fear. Fear of getting out of my comfort zone!
2. My resistance. Resistance to change and insecurity of the unknown!
3. My stubbornness. Stubbornness to accept criticism and accepting i could be wrong!
All three of my "reasons" are mere delusions but how does one come face to face with one's greatest enemy... oneself? What helps me I find is the reliance of my kind guru who I have put my faith on and that I trust has only y best interest at heart. Of course it is easier said than done as I still apply the same three delusions even on my guru! However, I do watch myself and i know I need to just "fall" and trust he will catch me.
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So, in essence, no matter how different we all are and where we come from - it doesn't matter.
It does not even matter whether we are young, old, male or female or something in between.
The only reason stopping us from achieving the same results, or even better results is ourselves. And this has really nothing to do with our backgrounds, culture, colour or education.
It has to do with our resolve.
All of us have our flaws, weaknesses and afflictions. No one is free from it and no one is spared from it. That is why we are still stuck in samsara. So, there is really nothing unique or special about our afflictions, negativities, flaws and weaknesses. We ALL have them. Some more than others.
We should stop glorifying these weaknesses, flaws, negativities and afflictions like they are some kind of higher force that deserve so much of our time, adoration, worship, attention, and whatever you want to call it. Because as long as we are feeding it and fueling them every second of the day, we are giving them more power and recognition. We seem to dedicate so much time and effort talking about them - whether it is to ourselves, to our families and friends, through blogs or through our shrinks - we are, in actual fact, crediting them with so much importance in our lives. Worse of all, it is when we actually allow them to rule over us. Thereby, giving them sovereignty over us in all aspects.
Is this really what we want? Of course not!
So, do the opposite. Stop giving them the time, space and day. Stop dedicating every minute of our lives re-living every single agony or pain or fear over and over again in our minds, or by talking about it - end it, shut it and not feeding more to it.
Think of how much time we spend in our heads, paying homage to our weaknesses, afflictions and negativities - just be honest and see within. You'll be surprised to find that almost every other minute is spent talking to those voices in our heads - no matter what names they can come by - be it fear, insecurity, laziness, etc.
If we seriously want to achieve greater results, stop feeding our afflictions with more conversations in our minds, stop giving them more credit by saying how painful they are or how greatly affected you are by them. All these only give them more power. TURN IT ALL AROUND. Do not give them any more power than we already have done so in all our lives.
TIME TO STOP. THE END.
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Can a person achieve enlightenment if they solely have faith in the Buddhas and pray diligently??
I don't think so.
The fact that the person has come to learn about the Buddhas and to develop faith in them is a proof that he has to rely on a teacher. Faith is essential, but having a teacher is utmost to help us achieve enlightenment.
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All the posts on this thread gives me insights and thoughts to contemplate. In my contemplation I cannot help but think how the mind is indeed very powerful to do both negative and positive, and confuse. I do not know how to express what I am thinking and I hope that in expressing my thoughts I do not offend anyone.
In all the knowledge we share here on karma, negative afflictions, etc. and all the correct ways forward, what I read is good theory. I guess what I am trying to say is where are the results of the positive changes and practices. In the post below by Positive Change:
[What is stopping me from achieving the same results?
1. My fear. Fear of getting out of my comfort zone!
2. My resistance. Resistance to change and insecurity of the unknown!
3. My stubbornness. Stubbornness to accept criticism and accepting i could be wrong!
All three of my "reasons" are mere delusions but how does one come face to face with one's greatest enemy... oneself? What helps me I find is the reliance of my kind guru who I have put my faith on and that I trust has only y best interest at heart. Of course it is easier said than done as I still apply the same three delusions even on my guru! However, I do watch myself and i know I need to just "fall" and trust he will catch me.]
I cannot help but think, "So, we come with all the negative karma and habituations only to find a Guru and dump it all on the Guru?" I find this not very responsible. Isn't the point of spiritual practice and learning from a Guru to attain the knowledge and practices to keep ourselves from "falling" and if we do, which I am certain we always will, to pick ourselves up with the changes in our habituation from teachings and new habits? We learn to be responsible for oneself and for others, no?
Again, I do not mean any disrespect, at the end of it all, isn't it actions and results speak louder than theory. What we learn must be put to practice (action) to achieve the attainments and merits (results). Also, we speak of collecting the merits now and change now so that we can attain Enlightenment in the next lifetimes. How about thinking to achieve it in one lifetime and work very hard to have that. I mention this because the mind will use this conversation of next lifetimes as a way to not do more and achieve more this lifetime....
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I think FEAR plays a big part in everyone's life. Fear of getting old, fear of getting reject, fear of failure, fear of trying, fear of letting go, fear of commitments.. in fact, we have fear in almost everything we do. We pushes ourselves but things don't go well, the fear sets in again... The fear of not achieving the result that we wanted.
Therefore, dharma study is so important. With a guru, it is like having a guide or a teacher guiding, teaching you until you get things right. Without a guru, dharma texts, dharma videos from various gurus might help, but homework must be done. There is no such thing as without practicing or learning, enlightenment can be achieved. When setting our foot onto a spiritual journey, it is vital to eliminate the fear in us and fully believe in the dharma, Buddha and Sangha. It is almost like pushing a "refresh" button.
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For me there's one thing that stops that change. LAZINESS.
Laziness to get out of my comfort zone.
I don't reinforce my negative habits by talking about it, but by not shifting my butt to change, and thereby just repeating my negative habits over and over again... coz it's easy, convenient and habituated already!!
It's scary. I know in my mind what's right, what's wrong and what I need to clarify. Yet, even knowing so - there is no shift.
I look at myself in the mirror and think: "You big, fat, lazy butt - you're going to end up boiling in a pot of oil in hell".
It's cynical and a bit morbid - but I have so much goodness around me but I choose to not use it for a greater benefit to others.
I read something today which I found SO SO APT (for this thread especially). I don't know who wrote it, I think that it was from some legendary drummer: "The noblest of dreams is nothing without the reality of disciplined behavior."
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For me there's one thing that stops that change. LAZINESS.
Laziness to get out of my comfort zone.
I don't reinforce my negative habits by talking about it, but by not shifting my butt to change, and thereby just repeating my negative habits over and over again... coz it's easy, convenient and habituated already!!
It's scary. I know in my mind what's right, what's wrong and what I need to clarify. Yet, even knowing so - there is no shift.
I look at myself in the mirror and think: "You big, fat, lazy butt - you're going to end up boiling in a pot of oil in hell".
It's cynical and a bit morbid - but I have so much goodness around me but I choose to not use it for a greater benefit to others.
I read something today which I found SO SO APT (for this thread especially). I don't know who wrote it, I think that it was from some legendary drummer: "The noblest of dreams is nothing without the reality of disciplined behavior."
I can relate to what jessicajameson has said. My greatest obstacle to change is also my laziness, attachment to my comfort zone and lack of discipline. I know all that but it is still a great struggle to get out of it mainly because it the selfishness that cause the reluctance to change to accommodate others and the environment.
Change is difficult when the selfish mind is strong. I acknowledge that in myself and to get to the root of the problem, I find that I have to address my selfish mind. I believe that as the selfish mind lessen all the rest will fall in place. I say that because looking at the examples of great masters and saints, they achieve great results because their focus is always outwards towards benefiting others and as such they thing nothing of their own difficulties as long as others are benefited.
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Many reasons have already been mentioned by everyone here of how they stop us from achieving the same results.
And all these are very valid reasons, or rather they are valid afflictive emotions that bind us in our current state.
To help anyone better in this, I would suggest that we start by SETTING SMALLER TARGETS OR OBJECTIVES in whatever we want to achieve, be it enlightenment , a huge task or a big dream....
In doing so, we can achieve these smaller targets easier which will then propell us to set the next target or level, and so on and so on..
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Understanding our afflictive emotions which set us back is good, but we must also find a practical way to help us to move forward......so as to achieve the same results as others or the buddhas.
Just my two cents opinion...
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So what is stopping us from sincerely learning the Dharma and achieve results as so many Victorious Ones have done so?
I agree it is laziness. We procrastinate and say that we will start tomorrow but when tomorrow comes, we postponed it again. Our mind is so lazy because we feel comfortable doing what we are used to that when the thought of learning and practicing the Dharma, we pushed it to the back of our mind. And because we think so, our body follows suit. We rather carry on the daily non Dharma pursuits because we think these make us happy and contented. But when the party ended and we departed from friends, we return home alone. And when we wake up the next day we start to chase for the thrill again and again. We tell ourselves that the Victorious Ones are different from us. Are they? Who were they before they became victorious?
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Many reasons have already been mentioned by everyone here of how they stop us from achieving the same results.
And all these are very valid reasons, or rather they are valid afflictive emotions that bind us in our current state.
To help anyone better in this, I would suggest that we start by SETTING SMALLER TARGETS OR OBJECTIVES in whatever we want to achieve, be it enlightenment , a huge task or a big dream....
In doing so, we can achieve these smaller targets easier which will then propell us to set the next target or level, and so on and so on..
........
Understanding our afflictive emotions which set us back is good, but we must also find a practical way to help us to move forward......so as to achieve the same results as others or the buddhas.
Just my two cents opinion...
Dear Triesa, I like the positive note in your post. It's true that investigating and contemplating on what is setting us back is the first thing we must do to identify the real source of our lack of results but we must must not stop there. Otherwise all our investigation and contemplation will come to a naught. Nothing will change and we will still not progress from where we were.
What you said about setting smaller targets for all our goals initially is surely one practical way to progress forward. When we achieve these smaller targets, we will progressively expand to achieve higher targets and our success rate will definitely be higher.
If we set unrealistic target for ourselves in the beginning, we may be setting ourselves up to fail. Therefore, setting realistic target is important to ensure our graduated progress towards our goals and moving forward.