we\u2019ve so deeply imbibed the ignorant reality that it\u2019s hard to believe in a reality free from ignorance, let alone take steps to realize it<\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\nSo, even while steeped in ignorance as we are, we are given an archetype, a symbolic representation, of the purified reality (Buddhahood). This is represented by a Bodhisattva<\/span> who embodies a particular aspect of Buddhahood for us. Now the fact of the matter is that Buddhahood is within all of us all the time;<\/span><\/span> we don\u2019t necessarily need<\/span> to use these archetypes, they\u2019re just useful starters and reminders for us. The image often used is that of a diamond covered with mud. Our true nature is like a diamond, but it is mucked up and all we generally see in life is the muck (bad habits, old relationship issues, past failures, future worries).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWe utilize the visualizations to actively shift our mind off<\/span> the ego-fixation (the muck) and on to our innate Buddha Nature (the diamond). It sounds simple enough, and as such I\u2019ve often thought of this way of explaining things as a bit juvenile. But today David brought up an excellent further point. That is the fact that we generally take comfort in our ego. <\/span> We refuse to try to work past it. Even if we know it causes us suffering, we are afraid to let go of it.<\/p>\nDavid mentioned a story of meeting a man who had recently been in prison. The man despaired of being free! He, and apparently many like him, called prison \u2018three hot and a cot\u2019 referring to the basic comforts inside that they could not get in the free world. On the one hand this reflects terribly on our society, where people with criminal tendencies (often with mental disorders) and others have to commit crimes to be get basic amenities. But on the other hand it illustrates the habit we all have of fleeing to our ego even knowing that it causes us suffering. We cling to our titles, our labels, our possessions, our friends.<\/span><\/p>\nWe do this because we cannot clearly see what other option we have. We think, especially in times of panic, that \u2018not clinging\u2019 = \u2018throwing away\u2019. We do not see the third option. <\/span><\/span>The image of the Bodhisattva<\/span> is always the image of the being who is poised to help all others immediately and without bias. This is the third option, developing an open and responsive heart for all beings. This means \u2018letting go\u2019 in a very special way, and this goes back to a story that I was taught by a 10 year old girl (the daughter of a classmate) while I was in Bristol.
<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nLetting go in Buddhism means holding the whole world with an open hand.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
What a powerful teaching! I can still have my titles, friends, and toys, but when they need to go, they can go. I don\u2019t cling with a tight fist. Think too of how much more we can hold with an open hand compared to a clenched fist! Much, much more!<\/p>\n
Of course ego still comes up, I still cling, but less and less. And what do I find? Fewer friends? Fewer wonderful things and people and places in my life? No, many, many more! And more work to do too \u2013 phooy \u2013 gotta run \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
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