Lessons on Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior
Today, I will begin a new series on Shambhala; The Sacred Path of the Warrior. Each week I will post 5 new Warrior Slogans on living a life of bravery and gentleness taken from Chogyam Trungpa book Shambhala. The Slogans are posted for your contemplating pleasure and will present the basic principles and wisdom of Shambhala.
- Examine your experience to see what it contains that is of value in helping yourself and others. Warriorship is the opposite of selfishness. Even in the face of great problems, we can be heroic and kind at the same time.
- You are exposed to heaven above and earth below, sandwiched between heaven and earth. You can’t reject your atmosphere, the sun and the moon, sidewalks and skyscrapers, the landscape or the sea. This goodness is that basic, that unconditional. It is not good versus bad. It is not a “for” or “against” view, just as sunlight is not “for” or “against”.
- The human potential for intelligence and dignity is attuned to experiencing the brilliance of the bright blue sky, the freshness of green fields, and the beauty of the trees and mountains. We have an actual connection to the reality that can wake us up and make us feel basically good.
- In the wakeful vision of Shambhala, which we call the vision of the Great Eastern Sun, no human being is ever a lost cause. We are always willing to give things a chance to flower.
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When you don’t punish or condemn yourself, when you relax and appreciate your body and mind, you begin to contact goodness in yourself. Existence is wonderful and precious. We don’t know how long we will live. While we have our life, why not make use of it? Before we even make use of it, why don’t we appreciate it?
This is a continuing series on Shambhala. Click here for Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, or Part 5.
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Tags: , Lesson, Shambhala, warrior, wisdom
