Years of Dhamma.
For
all of my many years of training, the only thing I ever wanted was to
be a worthy disciple of my teacher, the Buddha and the Dhamma. I see
now that even when I was instructed to teach it was only the
continuation of my own training, as we always take care of those
things that are precious to us, and for me Dhamma was, and is,
everything.
It is true that as we teach, we learn, and since those very early days, sitting in small rooms sharing Dhamma with groups of interested people, throughout my many years in India to now, sharing from country to country through the modern technology of Skype, Facetime and other internet platforms, it has been my own great joy.
One time during those early years someone came to train with me. At the beginning they were very enthusiastic as is usual, and meditated a lot as well as asking many questions and listening to Dhamma Talks. After three months this person arrived at my door and looking me directly in the eye said, ‘Now I have the same understanding as you,’ and left, never to be seen again.
The way we see our true Dhamma understanding is to look at the quality of our life. Here if we are honest, we will see everything. Carrying and repeating the words of the teacher is not the same as having the spontaneous understanding of them. This usually takes many years of consistent effort, letting go, letting go, letting go.
The unlearning and deconditioning process of Dhamma demands a true dedication and a prioritising of practice. Memorising a few quotations and scriptural verses will never be enough.
If we really have the same understanding as the teacher our life will manifest the same qualities as the teacher, after all, at the place of liberation we are all exactly the same.
The heart expresses itself with love, compassion, joy and equanimity, naturally and spontaneously is every moment and in every situation. When this is the manifestation of our life, we are able to say that we have the same understanding as the teacher, but in this moment which part of us would ever even think such a thing ?
Dhamma life is not a contest. Dhamma sharing is not a lesson to give others. When there is the true understanding of the emptiness of a substantial self, who is there to stand above others and say, ‘I know, listen to me ?’
For myself, I have no teaching to give, only the sharing of the most precious thing in my life, as it was shared with me for so many years.
Dhamma is sharing without conditions. Love is sharing without demands.
Wisdom is a life of powerful and loving responses to each and every situation.
This, in the end, is Dhamma.
It is true that as we teach, we learn, and since those very early days, sitting in small rooms sharing Dhamma with groups of interested people, throughout my many years in India to now, sharing from country to country through the modern technology of Skype, Facetime and other internet platforms, it has been my own great joy.
One time during those early years someone came to train with me. At the beginning they were very enthusiastic as is usual, and meditated a lot as well as asking many questions and listening to Dhamma Talks. After three months this person arrived at my door and looking me directly in the eye said, ‘Now I have the same understanding as you,’ and left, never to be seen again.
The way we see our true Dhamma understanding is to look at the quality of our life. Here if we are honest, we will see everything. Carrying and repeating the words of the teacher is not the same as having the spontaneous understanding of them. This usually takes many years of consistent effort, letting go, letting go, letting go.
The unlearning and deconditioning process of Dhamma demands a true dedication and a prioritising of practice. Memorising a few quotations and scriptural verses will never be enough.
If we really have the same understanding as the teacher our life will manifest the same qualities as the teacher, after all, at the place of liberation we are all exactly the same.
The heart expresses itself with love, compassion, joy and equanimity, naturally and spontaneously is every moment and in every situation. When this is the manifestation of our life, we are able to say that we have the same understanding as the teacher, but in this moment which part of us would ever even think such a thing ?
Dhamma life is not a contest. Dhamma sharing is not a lesson to give others. When there is the true understanding of the emptiness of a substantial self, who is there to stand above others and say, ‘I know, listen to me ?’
For myself, I have no teaching to give, only the sharing of the most precious thing in my life, as it was shared with me for so many years.
Dhamma is sharing without conditions. Love is sharing without demands.
Wisdom is a life of powerful and loving responses to each and every situation.
This, in the end, is Dhamma.
May all beings be happy.
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