Ancient Wisdom, Modern Choices
Su Maya—02/2005 |
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Su Maya reminds us of the simple basis
of a true spiritual life — the liberation
of all beings. |
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 HESE
DAYS, there are so many choices, so many distractions,
so many dynamic dramas and chaos pulling for attention. |
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| New directions may appear to have no origin, and
may not reveal an ending New friends arrive unannounced,
old friends disappear without explanation. Along the
way you may be searching for guidance. You may have
found some and then been disappointed by a teacher
or the lack of soul in a book. |
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| Every belief system seems important to those that
are promoting them. Which do you focus on? |
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| It depends on which path you choose to give power
and energy. That's the one that will become your legacy. |
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| According to the Lam-Rim teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, there
are 3 main types of paths, and therefore, people who
develop accordingly: |
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| 1. |
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Those that are seeking self gratification. |
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| 2. |
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Those who are seeking the release of their
own suffering. |
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| 3. |
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Those who are seeking liberation for all beings.* |
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| At the level of perception of pure consciousness,
there is a coherent whole within which we all exist
harmoniously. The Masters have seen this and
shared it with us to show us a way out of the cyclical
trap of surviving life, sickness and death. |
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| Overall, the meaning of their teaching is about the
balance of wisdom and compassion. The higher you go
in spiritual awareness, the more your empathy grows
for others, the more your decisions reflect this. |
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| So, how does one go from suffering to releasing the
suffering of others? First, you must find the way out
of the current mess. You may have had so much pain
that this becomes an all consuming drive. Clear away
all the causes and their aggregates. Once you have
gotten out, and reached a place of clarity, meditate
and keep peace around. You may find a purpose to help
others do the same. |
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| Be aware that this includes all sentient beings of
other species. They too are on a path, and struggling
toward the Light. |
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| If it is necessary, you may let some situations go,
and move on to higher ground. It is not wrong as long
as your focus is on the perfection of intention and saving
others. Part of the journey is continuing the
process of discernment. You will be asked to determine
who and what is in resonance with this protocol at
each level of sensitivity. |
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| For example, people say 'follow your heart' sounds
very spiritual right, but what are they really saying? You
have to look deeply into their intention. Are they
saying, 'buy our cars to satisfy your desire for status
and our yearly quotas'? Or are they saying 'look
at me, how beautiful, successful I am and don't you
just ache to be better than you are'. Or are
they saying, 'inside your soul is an effervescence
that will not die, therefore you do not need anything
that takes you away from the Truth'. |
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| After sorting through the loud and coarse forms
of persuasion, even in the most erudite dialogue,
there are many shades of deception. There will
be more trials, and more relief to follow. |
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The simpler your lifestyle, the fewer the distractions.
Of course the purification continues on more subtle
levels, but by then you are able to perceive obstacles
ahead of time, and have the tools to delay or avoid
new entanglements that my cross your way. |
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| Copyright © 2005
Su Maya |
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| Bibliography: *See "A Lamp
for the Path to Enlightenment" by Atisha Dipamkara
Shrijnana, or the very lucid book by the Dalai Lama
called "Illuminating the Path to Enlightenment" for
detailed explanations. |
Su
Maya is an inter-faith minister and
spiritual counselor. For 22 years she has been
receiving and sharing direct knowledge through
various media, including fine arts, visionary
writings and radio transmissions. Living as
a monk now, she provides private sessions by
phone only. For more information on Su,