Oct
01
The Shambhala journey: discover what is intrinsically good about human existence
By
When we see a bright color, we are witnessing our own inherent goodness. When we hear a beautiful sound, we are hearing our own basic goodness. When we step out of the shower, we feel fresh and clean, and when we walk out of a stuffy room, we appreciate the sudden whiff of fresh air. These events may take a fraction of a second, but they are real experiences of goodness. They happen to us all the time, but usually we ignore them as mundane or purely coincidental. According to Shambhala principles, however, it is worthwhile to recognize and take advantage of those moments, because they are revealing basic nonaggression and freshness in our lives—basic goodness. Chogyam Trungpa
A warrior never needs to take time off.
Uplifting your head and shoulders may sometimes give you back pain or a strained neck, but uplifting yourself is necessary. The journey may be demanding, but there is no way of avoiding it.
Always think only of the good of others.
The point of the warriorship is to become a gentle and tamed human being who can make a genuine contribution to this world. The warrior’s journey is based on discovering what is intrinsically good about human existence and how to share that basic nature of goodness with others.
Cultivate authentic presence.
Authentic presence is genuineness that radiates both gentleness and brilliance to others. Cultivate inner authentic presence by letting go of selfishness and regarding other people’s welfare as more important than your own.
Join survival and celebration.
There appears to be conflict between survival and celebration. Survival, taking care of your basic needs, is based on pragmatism, exertion, and often drudgery. Celebration, on the other hand, is often connected with extravagance and doing something beyond your means. For the warrior, ruling your world means that you can live in a dignified and disciplined way, without frivolity, and at the same time enjoy your life.
The warrior is not afraid of space.
The coward lives in constant terror of space: afraid of darkness because he can’t see anything, afraid of silence because he can’t hear anything. The setting-sun world teaches you to wear a suit of armor to protect yourself. But what are your protecting yourself from? Space. The challenge of warriorship is to step out of the cocoon, to step out into space, by being brave and at the same time gentle.
Cultivate natural decorum.
In the warrior’s world, a sense of order or hierarchy is based on allowing things to flower. This comes from the discovery of wakefulness, or the Great Eastern Sun, reflected in everything. You see possibilities of order in the world that are not based on struggle and aggression. This understanding of hierarchy manifests on a personal level as natural decorum, or intrinsically knowing how to behave. Because you experience dignity and elegance that do not have to be cultivated or imposed, you see how to be quite naturally in the world.
Apply the seven principles of richness.
To cultivate harmony in your life, view yourself as the ruler of your world. The ruler’s first richness is to have a mate, a King or a Queen. This represents extending yourself and cultivating decency. Whether you have a partner or live by yourself, you develop decency and reasonability in relationships. The second richness is Minister, representing friends who provide counsel or advice. Third is the General, representing fearless protection, a companion who will take care of you. Then, you need exertion and energy, the richness of the Horse. Next, the principle of the Elephant is that you are earthy, steady, not swayed by confusion. The sixth richness is the Wish-granting jewel, connected with generosity. You are open and hospitable. Finally, you hold the Wheel of command. You take your seat properly in you life, so that all these principles work together.
This is part 8 in a continuing series on Shambhala. Click here for Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, or Part 9.
.-= zw´s last blog ..To settle or not to settle, that is the...
I have a question about the statement “Always think only of the good of others.” What should one do when one finds oneself trapped in a relationship with a person who views others as tools for his own advancement? I’m serious about this. I have been married for nearly 12 years to a man whose only concern for me is how much money I earn. I recently had a major health crisis that came to a head because when I told him I was feeling ill, he told me it was all in my head. I am dying under the control of this man. Please help?
Leave. Regard yourself kindly first, then the others. If your do not regard yourself you cannot regard the others. It is possible to transcend the situation within the bounds of the situation, however, constant vigilance is required. It is simpler to allow yourself to be happy.
There was once a sheperd on a hillside.in each valley on each side of the hill was a village. One day, and red faced angry young man came stomping up the hillside, and spoke with the sheperd. “i am moving to the next village in the next valley over there, can you tell me what the people are like?” the sheperd asked “what were they like in the previous place?” the man answered; “Horrible i hate them all the people are all so out of order!” “well, said the sheperd, the next village is just the same”.
Later, a smiling happy-looking young man arrived walking up the hill, and asked the sheperd the same question; “what were the people in the previous place like?” asked the sheperd, once more. “quite nice actually”, said the young man. “Well, my friend”, replied the sheperd… “The people in the next village are quite fine, just the same”.
moral – When we see a bright color, we are witnessing our own inherent goodness. When we hear a beautiful sound, we are hearing our own basic goodness.