Half of the problem, or maybe even most of the problem with an unenlightened mind is the 'monkey mind'. The part of our brain that won't shut up. It can lead us on endless wild goose chases like I have mentioned before. The monkey mind is the enemy of faith in Amida Buddha. It keeps me wanting to explore and not trust in the Buddha, It tells me there is ways I can be enlightened in this life despite my karma. The monkey mind likes to keep you confused and scared but also full of hope that you can become a buddha here and now, which is false.
There is ways to quite the monkey mind.....
-Meditation - It works. It helps. It's not perfect though. Your monkey mind may be suppressed and easier to ignore, but it's still there and gets louder when you don't keep up your practice.
-Booze - Drinking shuts your mind up, but drinking too much or too often isn't good for your health.
-Nembutsu and forget - What does this mean? It means don't worry about your mind. Know it's tricks and say 'it's ok my mind is telling me that I can save myself and that my cat will die next week because my mind is talking out it's ass and it doesn't speak the truth'. Then say the Nembutsu and smile because Amida Buddha has got your back.
Namo Amida Butsu
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Almost there....again
As I mentioned in my last post I recently thought I had figured out enlightenment again. Thought that I was so darn close to taking that step into figuring out everything and how to acheive all my goals and desires. I have been there countless times without every 'figuring it out' but it doesn't seem to change the fact that I keep getting drawn back there. And that's my karma. The karma of a seeker. Some ego comes with that too. A seeker sometimes thinks they are better then those who realize their inability to save themselves. As I said...karma.
It gets tiring trying to save yourself spiritually. Over the recent holidays I felt like I always had to do something to keep my path towards enlightenment going. I got sick of it and in my desperation muttered the Nembutsu and remembered Amida's wonderful vow to save us unenlightened fools.
When I was a Christian I felt the same. Always having to pray or read the Bible to feel 'connected'. I was a Calvinist too meaning I shouldn't have to do anything but there was still 'expectations' of what a Christian should do. Amida says 'don' worry'. Say the Nembutsu and rely on me,
Ok. I will do that.
Namo Amida Butsu
It gets tiring trying to save yourself spiritually. Over the recent holidays I felt like I always had to do something to keep my path towards enlightenment going. I got sick of it and in my desperation muttered the Nembutsu and remembered Amida's wonderful vow to save us unenlightened fools.
When I was a Christian I felt the same. Always having to pray or read the Bible to feel 'connected'. I was a Calvinist too meaning I shouldn't have to do anything but there was still 'expectations' of what a Christian should do. Amida says 'don' worry'. Say the Nembutsu and rely on me,
Ok. I will do that.
Namo Amida Butsu
Monday, December 28, 2015
I'm back after another circle of unenlightnement...
Once again I am shown how I am a fool and unenlightened. For the last month or so I was once again caught up in the idea that I found a path that would lead to all my desires being filled and eventually to be enlightened in this life. I stopped saying the Nembutsu even though I liked saying it. It's like I knew if I kept saying it I would not forget that this path was just like all the others I posted about. I didn't listen and I did forget and chased another white rabbit around for a month.
I won't lie, the experience was interesting but it all of a sudden hit me one day it's a path I have been down before. Oh how foolish I am to forget to say the Nembutsu and remember the vow of Amida where I can be a buddha after I die in his Pureland.
So yesterday I started saying the Nembutsu again and I think that is good. There is no magic rushing of 'extascy' at saying this phrase again. No magic or supernatural feeling. Just the knowledge that I am back on a path to eventual enlightenment in the Pureland. Also it feels peaceful to know that it's ok to be the unenlightened fool that I am because Amida has my back with is vow.
I post this to show that even when one lectures about the way of the Nembutsu, it doesn't mean they are enlightened. They are still a fool like myself and I hope you stay on the path of the Nembutsu and if you leave it you come back so you can escape the Samsara.
I won't lie, the experience was interesting but it all of a sudden hit me one day it's a path I have been down before. Oh how foolish I am to forget to say the Nembutsu and remember the vow of Amida where I can be a buddha after I die in his Pureland.
So yesterday I started saying the Nembutsu again and I think that is good. There is no magic rushing of 'extascy' at saying this phrase again. No magic or supernatural feeling. Just the knowledge that I am back on a path to eventual enlightenment in the Pureland. Also it feels peaceful to know that it's ok to be the unenlightened fool that I am because Amida has my back with is vow.
I post this to show that even when one lectures about the way of the Nembutsu, it doesn't mean they are enlightened. They are still a fool like myself and I hope you stay on the path of the Nembutsu and if you leave it you come back so you can escape the Samsara.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
I'm lazy and that's ok
As much as I loved my spiritual walks and various journeys in the end I always got lazy with the practice. And when I got lazy with the practice I would usually get frustrated and feel disconnected from that path. Most likely I would eventually leave and move on.
My path with Amida can be similar, except now I know that it's ok to be lazy with your spiritual practice. Even when I am totally not interested in my 'shinjin' (faith in Amida), I know even if I mutter the Nembutsu just a few times, all is ok. I am unenlightened and not expected to save myself in this life from the samsara, or ever for that matter.
Of course being diligent and studying the Dharma is important, but not stressing about it is the key. Only do what you can and what you want to. You can't save yourself by reading the becoming a Dharma scholar, but it can help you on your journey with the Amida.
Focus mostly on saying the Nembutsu as much or as little as you want. That will remind you that even though you may be lazy today, it doesn't matter because it's Amida doing the work that will take you to the Pureland, not you. Being lazy can actually be a benefit to your shinjin, as you will learn to rely more on Amida Buddha and less on yourself for enlightenment.
Namo Amida Bu
My path with Amida can be similar, except now I know that it's ok to be lazy with your spiritual practice. Even when I am totally not interested in my 'shinjin' (faith in Amida), I know even if I mutter the Nembutsu just a few times, all is ok. I am unenlightened and not expected to save myself in this life from the samsara, or ever for that matter.
Of course being diligent and studying the Dharma is important, but not stressing about it is the key. Only do what you can and what you want to. You can't save yourself by reading the becoming a Dharma scholar, but it can help you on your journey with the Amida.
Focus mostly on saying the Nembutsu as much or as little as you want. That will remind you that even though you may be lazy today, it doesn't matter because it's Amida doing the work that will take you to the Pureland, not you. Being lazy can actually be a benefit to your shinjin, as you will learn to rely more on Amida Buddha and less on yourself for enlightenment.
Namo Amida Bu
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
I'm happy, even if I am unenlightened
Many people say, 'why are you so down? why are calling yourself unenlightened? you seem so negative about your life!'
When I hear this I tell them that I am not down, I am not negative, but I am unenlightened. I actually get great peace and happiness knowing I can rest in Amida's vow and I no longer have to worry about my spiritual path, but I am still unenlightened.
And that doesn't mean I or anyone else can't do wonderful things in this life if it's our karma to do so. I will admit there is many things I am good at. I know people who do and create amazing things. This is not what I am talking about when I get down on my enlightenment. I could build 10,000 bridges of amazing engineering, and I could be proud of that, but it won't make me enlightened. Spiritually there is no way to save myself, except through Amida's vow.
Simply put, feel free to pursue your goals, dreams and desires. Be proud of your accomplishments, but remember, when it comes to spirituality or your enlightenment, there should be no ego there, as you can not become enlightened in this life or the next, without the Amida Buddha's help. And that doesn't mean him helping you do the work of enlightenment, but you taking your hands off the wheel and turning over your enlightenment completely to him. All you need to do is trust in the vow and say the Nembutsu when you remember to. And even if you forget to do the Nembutsu as much as you would like to do, no worries....
Namo Amida Bu
When I hear this I tell them that I am not down, I am not negative, but I am unenlightened. I actually get great peace and happiness knowing I can rest in Amida's vow and I no longer have to worry about my spiritual path, but I am still unenlightened.
And that doesn't mean I or anyone else can't do wonderful things in this life if it's our karma to do so. I will admit there is many things I am good at. I know people who do and create amazing things. This is not what I am talking about when I get down on my enlightenment. I could build 10,000 bridges of amazing engineering, and I could be proud of that, but it won't make me enlightened. Spiritually there is no way to save myself, except through Amida's vow.
Simply put, feel free to pursue your goals, dreams and desires. Be proud of your accomplishments, but remember, when it comes to spirituality or your enlightenment, there should be no ego there, as you can not become enlightened in this life or the next, without the Amida Buddha's help. And that doesn't mean him helping you do the work of enlightenment, but you taking your hands off the wheel and turning over your enlightenment completely to him. All you need to do is trust in the vow and say the Nembutsu when you remember to. And even if you forget to do the Nembutsu as much as you would like to do, no worries....
Namo Amida Bu
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Not interested in Buddha Dharma today...
...and that's ok. An unenlightened chap such as myself finds it hard to stay interested in such things for a long period of time. So I just say the Nembutsu a bit and know that Amida has got me covered. In past paths I would really get down on myself if I lost interest in my practices. No more, thanks to the vows of the Amida Buddha. It is so amazing how even when I am 'meh' on Buddha Dharma that saying the Nembutsu instead is so reassuring.
Namo Amida Bu
Namo Amida Bu
It's ok to not always think what you think is right
The title may not make the most sense, but let me explain. In my past experiences with different religions and ideologies I always felt I had to 'tow the line' of what that specific path valued. For the most part this was really difficult as alot of the time I didn't really agree.
When I was a Christian I felt I should be against gay marriage or the homosexual lifestyle in order for my views to line up with Christian 'values'. The problem was I had NO problem with gay marriage or homosexuals. I felt I was being torn in two different directions. One way was what I really thought and the other with what I thought I should think.
Another example was when I got into neo-paganism (more specifically Druidry). It was heavy on nature and the environment. While I like to do what I can for the environment, I found this path made me feel I should care more about something which I wasn't really passionate about. It felt fake.
Thankfully via the vows of the Amida Buddha I don't have to worry about what I think anymore. If I feel strongly about something, by current path won't make me feel like I have to change it. All my path wants me to do is trust that I will be reborn in the Pureland and say the Nembutsu. Beyond that, nothing is expected of me. It's real liberation to feel that. And even when thoughts enter your head that maybe disturb you, don't fret, as they are only thoughts and unenlightened beings such as us can't ever be totally in control of our thoughts, no matter how hard we wish and believe we can.
When I was a Christian I felt I should be against gay marriage or the homosexual lifestyle in order for my views to line up with Christian 'values'. The problem was I had NO problem with gay marriage or homosexuals. I felt I was being torn in two different directions. One way was what I really thought and the other with what I thought I should think.
Another example was when I got into neo-paganism (more specifically Druidry). It was heavy on nature and the environment. While I like to do what I can for the environment, I found this path made me feel I should care more about something which I wasn't really passionate about. It felt fake.
Thankfully via the vows of the Amida Buddha I don't have to worry about what I think anymore. If I feel strongly about something, by current path won't make me feel like I have to change it. All my path wants me to do is trust that I will be reborn in the Pureland and say the Nembutsu. Beyond that, nothing is expected of me. It's real liberation to feel that. And even when thoughts enter your head that maybe disturb you, don't fret, as they are only thoughts and unenlightened beings such as us can't ever be totally in control of our thoughts, no matter how hard we wish and believe we can.
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