Mastering

THE
OF THE
An Unusually Hardcore
Dharma Book
y
The In!erde"enden! Un#$erse
u! con$en!#onally a!!r#u!ed !o
The Araha!
Dan#el M% In&ram' MD MS(H
Third Edition
Copyright April, 2007, By Daniel M. Ingram
daniel_ingram@interati!e"#ddha.om
$$$.interati!e"#ddha.om
Thi% "oo& i% dediated to the memory o' the late Bill (amilton.
(i% relentle%% dediation to the #lti!ation and promotion o' $i%dom
de%pite all the on%e)#ene% made him a tr#ly great teaher.
C*+TE+T,
Content%......................................................................................................i
-ore$ord and .arning..............................................................i!
/art I0 The -#ndamental%.........................................................................1
1. Introd#tion to /art I..............................................................2
2. Morality, The -ir%t and 2a%t Training....................................3
4. Conentration, The ,eond Training.....................................5
3. .i%dom, The Third Training................................................12
6. The Three Charateri%ti%.......................................................17
Impermanene................................................................................................17
,#''ering..........................................................................................................27
+o8%el'.............................................................................................................29
The -i!e ,pirit#al -a#ltie% .......................................................43
-aith and .i%dom..........................................................................................43
Energy and Conentration..............................................................................46
Mind'#lne%%.....................................................................................................47
7. The ,e!en -ator% o' Enlightenment ....................................49
Mind'#lne%%.....................................................................................................49
In!e%tigation o' the Tr#th...............................................................................30
Energy.............................................................................................................33
:apt#re............................................................................................................33
Tran)#ility.......................................................................................................37
Conentration.................................................................................................37
E)#animity......................................................................................................37
7. The Three Training% :e!i%ited...............................................62
9. The -o#r +o"le Tr#th% .........................................................70
Tr#th +#m"er *ne0 ,#''ering.......................................................................70
Tr#th +#m"er T$o0 ;De%ire<........................................................................72
Tr#th +#m"er Three0 The End o' ,#''ering.................................................76
Tr#th +#m"er -o#r0 The /ath......................................................................77
5. /ratial Meditation Con%ideration%.......................................77
.hen, $here and 'or ho$ long=....................................................................77
Daily li'e and :etreat%.....................................................................................79
/o%t#re%...........................................................................................................74
*">et% 'or In%ight /ratie%...........................................................................76
:e%ol!e............................................................................................................79
Teaher%..........................................................................................................75
10. ,#mmary................................................................................93
11. Conl#%ion to /art I..............................................................96
i
/art II0 2ight and ,hado$%......................................................................97
12. Introd#tion to /art% II ? III................................................99
14. B#ddhi%m !%. The B#ddha @................................................52
13. Content and Altimate :eality @.............................................57
16. .hat .ent .rong= @..........................................................102
17. A Clear Boal .........................................................................111
17. (arne%%ing the Energy o' the ;De'ilement%< .......................115
19. :ight Tho#ght and the Aegean ,ta"le% ................................123
15. -rom Content to In%ight........................................................127
/art III0 Ma%tery....................................................................................142
20. Conentration !%. In%ight.......................................................144
21. The Conentration ,tate% C,amatha Dhana%E .......................145
The -ir%t Dhana...............................................................................................145
The ,eond Dhana...........................................................................................131
The Third Dhana.............................................................................................132
The -o#rth Dhana............................................................................................134
The ;/%yhi /o$er%<.....................................................................................133
22. +o8%el' !%. Tr#e ,el' .............................................................164
24. The -ormle%% :ealm% ..........................................................165
Bo#ndle%% ,pae, The -i'th Dhana..................................................................165
Bo#ndle%% Con%io#%ne%%, The ,iFth Dhana...................................................170
+othingne%%, The ,e!enth Dhana....................................................................171
+either /ereption +or Get +on8pereption,
The Eighth Dhana............................................................................................174
23. The /rogre%% o' In%ight ........................................................177
1. Mind and Body...........................................................................................171
2. Ca#%e and E''et.........................................................................................172
4. The Three Charateri%ti%..........................................................................174
3. The Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay....................................................................176
6. Di%%ol#tion, Entrane to the Dar& +ight....................................................191
7. -ear.............................................................................................................151
7. Mi%ery..........................................................................................................151
9. Di%g#%t.........................................................................................................152
5. De%ire 'or Deli!erane................................................................................152
10. :e8o"%er!ation..........................................................................................154
11. E)#animity................................................................................................204
12. Con'ormity................................................................................................211
14. Change o' 2ineage....................................................................................211
13. /ath...........................................................................................................211
16. -r#ition......................................................................................................211
17. :e!ie$.......................................................................................................214
26. The Hipa%%ana Dhana%...........................................................217
Bill (amiltonI% Model....................................................................................215
-ratal%............................................................................................................226
A /anditaI% Model..........................................................................................227
In&ling% o' *ne More Model.........................................................................229
ii
27. (o$ the Map% (elp .............................................................225
27. The Three Door%..................................................................230
29. ;.a% That Emptine%%=< .......................................................236
25. Beyond -ir%t /ath C;.hat +eFt=<E ......................................262
40. Model% o' the ,tage% o' Enlightenment @.............................271
The +on8D#ality Model.................................................................................279
The ,#dden ,hool% o' A$a&ening...............................................................275
The -#ndamental /ereption Model%............................................................270
The ,pei'i /ereption Model%....................................................................271
The Emotional Model%...................................................................................272
The Thera!ada -o#r /ath Model...................................................................273
A :e!i%ed -o#r /ath Model...........................................................................275
A ,imple Model..............................................................................................294
The Ation Model%.........................................................................................296
The /o$er Model%.........................................................................................299
The Ti"etan Ten Bh#mi Model....................................................................250
The Ti"etan -i!e /ath Model........................................................................251
The Energeti Model%....................................................................................252
The ,pei'i Jno$ledge Model%....................................................................254
The /%yhologial Model%..............................................................................253
The Tho#ght Model%......................................................................................257
The Bod Model%............................................................................................401
The /hy%ial Model%......................................................................................402
The :adiane Model%.....................................................................................404
The Jarma Model%........................................................................................407
The /erpet#al Bli%% Model%...........................................................................407
The Three Jaya%............................................................................................409
The Immortality model%.................................................................................413
The Tran%endene Model%...........................................................................416
The EFtintion Model%...................................................................................417
The 2o!e Model%...........................................................................................417
The Anity Model%...........................................................................................419
The ,oial Model%..........................................................................................419
The Three Gana%............................................................................................420
Dithing o#r ;,t#''< !%. Dithing the ,plit......................................................422
The ;+othing to Do< and ;Go# are Already There< ,hool%.......................423
-inal /oint%.....................................................................................................429
41. ,o .hatI% ;-#ll Enlightenment<= @.....................................425
42. Integration@............................................................................444
44. It i% /o%%i"leK .........................................................................447
43. More on the ;M#%hroom -ator<@.......................................445
46. ,o .ho The (e& I% Daniel M. Ingram=...........................437
47. Conl#%ion And Be%t .i%he%...............................................462
AppendiF0 The Ce%%ation o' /ereption and -eeling C+irodha
,amapattiE....................................................................................464
IndeF...........................................................................................467
iii
-ore$ord and .arning
FOREWORD AND WARNING
.hen I $a% a"o#t 16 year% old I aidentally ran into %ome o' the
la%%i early meditation eFperiene% de%ri"ed in the anient teFt% and
my rel#tant %pirit#al )#e%t "egan. I did not realiLe $hat had happened,
nor did I realiLe that I had ro%%ed %omething li&e a point o' no ret#rn,
%omething I $o#ld later all the Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay. I &ne$ that I
had had a !ery %trange dream $ith "right light%, that my entire "ody and
$orld had %eemed to eFplode li&e 'ire$or&%, and that a'ter$ard% I
%omeho$ had to 'ind %omething, "#t I had no idea $hat that $a%. I
philo%ophiLed 'rantially 'or year% #ntil I 'inally "egan to realiLe that no
amo#nt o' thin&ing $a% going to %ol!e my deeper %pirit#al i%%#e% and
omplete the yle o' pratie that had already %tarted.
I had a !ery good 'riend that $a% in the "and that employed me a% a
%o#nd teh and roadie. (e $a% in a %imilar plae, a#ght li&e me in
%omething $e $o#ld later all the Dar& +ight and other name%. (e al%o
realiLed that logi and ogniti!e re%tr#t#ring $ere not going to help #%
in the end. .e loo&ed are'#lly at $hat other philo%opher% had done
$hen they ame to the %ame point, and noted that %ome o' o#r 'a!orite%
had t#rned to my%tial pratie%. .e rea%oned that %ome %ort o' non8
d#al $i%dom that ame 'rom diret eFperiene $a% the only $ay to go,
"#t a)#iring that %ort o' $i%dom %eemed a da#nting ta%& i' not
impo%%i"le.
(e $a% a "it 'arther along than I $a% in hi% %pirit#al ri%i%, and 'inally
he had no hoie "#t to gi!e it a try. (e )#it the m#%i "#%ine%%, mo!ed
"a& to Cali'ornia, and li!ed in a r#n do$n old mo"ile home, dri!ing
piLLa to %a!e money %o that he o#ld go o'' on a %pirit#al )#e%t. (e
'inally did %ome inten%i!e meditation retreat% and then e!ent#ally too&
o'' to A%ia 'or a year o' inten%i!e pratie #nder the g#idane o'
meditation ma%ter% in the B#rme%e Thera!ada B#ddhi%t tradition.
.hen he ame "a&, the "ene'it% o' hi% pratie $ere o"!io#%, and a
'e$ year% later I "egan to try to 'ollo$ a %imilar path.
In 1553, I "egan going on inten%i!e meditation retreat% and doing a
lot o' daily pratie. I al%o ran into %ome !ery odd and intere%ting
eFperiene%, and "egan to loo& aro#nd 'or more g#idane on ho$ to
proeed and &eep thing% in per%peti!e. Bood teaher% $ere 'e$ and 'ar
i!
a$ay, their time limited and o'ten eFpen%i!e to o"tain, and their an%$er%
to my )#e%tion% $ere o'ten g#arded and rypti. E!en my old m#%i
'riend $a% &eeping mo%t o' $hat he &ne$ to him%el', and i%%#e% aro#nd
di%lo%#re o' meditation theory and per%onal pratie detail% nearly o%t
#% o#r 'riend%hip.
-r#%trated, I t#rned to "oo&%, reading eFten%i!ely, poring o!er teFt%
"oth modern and anient loo&ing 'or onept#al 'rame$or&% that might
help me na!igate %&ill'#lly in territory that $a% ompletely o#t%ide my
pre!io#% eFperiene. De%pite ha!ing ae%% to an a%to#nding n#m"er o'
great and detailed dharma "oo&%, I 'o#nd that they le't o#t lot% o' detail%
that t#rned o#t to "e !ery important. I learned the hard $ay that #%ing
onept#al 'rame$or&% that $ere too ideali%ti or that $ere not '#lly
eFplained o#ld "e a% "ad a% #%ing none at all. -#rther, I 'o#nd that
m#h o' the theory a"o#t progre%% ontained ideal% and myth% that
%imply did not hold #p to reality te%ting, a% m#h a% I $anted them to.
I al%o ame to the pro'o#nd realiLation that they ha!e at#ally
$or&ed all o' thi% %t#'' o#t. Tho%e darn B#ddhi%t% ha!e ome #p $ith
!ery %imple tehni)#e% that lead diretly to remar&a"le re%#lt% i' yo#
'ollo$ in%tr#tion% and get the do%e high eno#gh. .hile %ome people
donIt li&e thi% %ort o' oo&"oo& approah to meditation, I am %o grate'#l
'or their reipe% that $ord% 'ail to eFpre%% my pro'o#nd gratit#de 'or the
%#e%%e% they ha!e a''orded me.
Their %imple and anient pratie% re!ealed more and more o' $hat
I %o#ght. I 'o#nd my eFperiene% 'illing in the gap% in the teFt% and
teahing%, de"#n&ing the myth% that per!ade the %tandard B#ddhi%t
dogma and re!ealing the %eret% meditation teaher% ro#tinely &eep to
them%el!e%. -inally, I ame to a plae $here I 'elt om'orta"le $riting
the "oo& that I had "een loo&ing 'or, the "oo& yo# no$ hold in yo#r
hand%.
Thi% "oo& i% 'or tho%e $ho really $ant to ma%ter the ore teahing%
o' the B#ddha and $ho are $illing to p#t in the time and e''ort
re)#ired. It i% al%o 'or tho%e $ho are tired o' ha!ing to deipher the
ode o' modern and anient dharma "oo&%, a% it i% de%igned to "e
hone%t, eFpliit, %traight'or$ard and rigoro#%ly tehnial. 2i&e many o'
the ommentarie% on the /ali Canon, it i% organiLed along the line% o'
!
the three "a%i training% that the B#ddha ta#ght0 morality, onentration
and $i%dom.
Thro#gho#t thi% "oo& I ha!e tried to "e a% #tilitarian and pragmati
a% po%%i"le, and the empha%i% i% al$ay% on ho$ to at#ally ;get it< at the
le!el that ma&e% %ome di''erene. All %etion% al%o a%%#me to %ome
degree that yo# ha!e a pratie o' %ome %ort, hang o#t in %ome %ort o'
%pirit#al %ene, and &no$ a "it o' the %tandard dharma lingo. All
%etion% al%o a%%#me that yo# are $illing to do the $or&.
I ha!e tried to inl#de eno#gh in'ormation to ma&e thi% "oo&
apa"le o' %tanding on it% o$n a% a man#al o' meditation and 'or
$al&ing the %pirit#al path. (o$e!er, I ha!e al%o tried to 'o#% on tho%e
area% that I on%ider to "e my ore ompetenie% and al%o tho%e area% o'
the %pirit#al path that I do not 'eel ha!e "een ade)#ately o!ered in the
$or&% that ha!e ome "e'ore thi% one. Thi% "oo& %hine% in area% o'
tehni)#e and the 'ine point% o' !ery high8le!el pratie. (o$e!er, the
%pirit#al li'e i% !a%t "eyond mea%#re and annot po%%i"ly "e ade)#ately
o!ered in a %ingle "oo&. Th#%, I $ill o'ten re'er yo# to other eFellent
%o#re% 'or more detail% on tho%e topi% that I 'eel ha!e already "een
o!ered )#ite $ell "y other a#thor%. I %trongly %#gge%t he&ing o#t at
lea%t %ome i' not all o' the%e other %o#re%.
2i&e my o$n pratie, thi% "oo& i% hea!ily in'l#ened "y the
teahing% o' the late, great Maha%i ,ayada$, a B#rme%e meditation
ma%ter and %holar in the Thera!ada B#ddhi%t tradition, and "y tho%e in
hi% lineage and o#t%ide it. There are n#mero#% re'erene% to other
eFellent tradition% a% $ell, %ome B#ddhi%t and %ome not. It i% my
%inere $i%h that all diligent %t#dent% o' meditation 'ind %omething in
thi% "oo& that i% o' pratial !al#e to them.
I ha!e inl#ded a 'e$ o' my o$n eFperiene% and la"eled them a%
%#h. Thi% i% done to try to add %ome %en%e o' the reality o' $hat i%
po%%i"le, "oth in term% o' %#e%%e% and 'ail#re%. They %ho#ld add a
h#man dimen%ion to the theory. (o$e!er, i' yo# 'ind that the%e %torie%
get in the $ay, or i' they %eem to ha!e too m#h o' the )#ality o' ;let me
tell yo# a"o#t my per%onal %pirit#al )#e%t,< plea%e do #% "oth a 'a!or
and %&ip o!er them $itho#t a %eond tho#ght.
I ha!e al%o $ritten thi% "oo& in $hat i% learly my o$n !oie. Tho%e
$ho ha!e read thi% $or& $ho &no$ me tell me that they an almo%t hear
!i
me %aying it. I ha!e al%o le't in a lot o' my ne#roti %t#'' and made it a%
o"!io#% a% I an. I $ill a%%ert that anyone $ho $rite% p#t% their %t#'' in
there e!en i' they try to hide it, %o at lea%t yo# %ho#ld "e a"le to %ee it
learly rather than it "eing hidden and o!ert. I' yo# $ant a "oo& that i%
>#%t the %traight dogma and theory $itho#t thi% %ort o' !oie, there are
lot% to hoo%e 'rom and I $ill mention a n#m"er along the $ay.
I ha!e al%o inl#ded a modi#m o' %oial ommentary, %ome o'
$hih ha% a de'inite "ite to it. ,ome o' yo# may not 'ind it help'#l, or
e!en 'ind it )#ite di%ta%te'#l and o''en%i!e. ,ome o' yo# $ill )#i&ly
di%mi%% it a% har%h or $rong %peeh. I am torn "et$een the 'eeling that
there really are %ome important point% in tho%e %etion% and the
#nder%tanding that not e!eryone $ill "e a"le to ma&e good #%e o'
in'ormation and opinion% pre%ented in %#h %trong term%. Th#%, I a%&
yo# to plea%e %&ip o!er tho%e hapter% and get to the 'riendlier or more
tehnial %etion% "eyond them i' yo# donIt 'ind them help'#l. To
'ailitate doing %o, I ha!e inl#ded a %tar Ca%teri%&E in the title% o' tho%e
hapter% that ontain potentially in'lammatory material %o that they may
"e treated appropriately.
.hile I 'eel that the point% made in tho%e hapter% are important
and potentially )#ite !alid and #%e'#l, they are not a"%ol#tely nee%%ary
'or #nder%tanding the hapter% that 'ollo$ them. The $orld i% "rimming
$ith !ery nie and 'riendly dharma "oo&%. There are h#ndred% a!aila"le
on the %hel!e% o' any mega8"oo&%tore. (o$e!er, I "elie!e that there i%
room 'or a "oo& that %ometime% on!ey% it% me%%age in a !ery di''erent
!oie, tho#gh I re%pet'#lly gi!e yo# the option to hoo%e ho$ m#h o'
that !oie yo# $ant to hear. It i% the #nre%trained !oie o' one 'rom a
generation $ho%e radial% $ore %pi&e% and om"at "oot% rather than
"ead% and %andal%, li%tened to the ,eF /i%tol% rather than the Moody
Bl#e%, $o#ldnIt &no$ a "eat poet or early M70% dharma "#m 'rom a hole
in the gro#nd, and tho#ght the hippie% $ere pretty 'rigginI naN!e, not
that $e donOt o$e them a lot. It i% al%o the #nre%trained !oie o' one
$ho%e pratie ha% "een dediated to omplete and #neFelled ma%tery
o' the traditional and hardore %tage% o' the path rather than %ome %ort
o' !apid +e$ Age 'l#'' or pop p%yhologial head8trip. I' that ainIt yo#,
on%ider reading %omething el%e.
!ii
A% a highly regarded %enior meditation teaher and %holar C$ho $ill
remain anonymo#%E %aid to me a'ter %&imming thro#gh an earlier dra't
o' thi% "oo&, ;Mo%t B#ddhi%t% are >#%t aging Boomer% $ho $ant to do
%omething to 'eel "etter a"o#t them%el!e% a% they get older and are not
really intere%ted in thi% %ort o' thing.< I $i%h them great %#e%% in getting
tho%e !alid need% met and %o I m#%t rel#tantly ad!i%e %#h indi!id#al%
to a!oid reading thi% "oo& or at lea%t the hapter% mar&ed $ith a %tar.
Thi% i% %im#ltaneo#%ly an admi%%ion o' the limitation% o' thi% $or&, an
in!itation to adopt a more empo$ering !ie$ o' $hat i% po%%i"le on the
%pirit#al path, and a $arning.
I ha!e had other moti!ation% 'or $riting thi% "oo&. A n#m"er o'
people ha!e attempted to ha!e me "e their meditation teaher. I ha!e
done $hat I an to eno#rage them to pratie $ell, go on retreat% and
eFplore, "#t a% %oon a% I get the %en%e that they are not into really doing
the $or& or are trying to idoliLe me in e!en %mall $ay%, I go o#t o' my
$ay to alienate them ompletely. I greatly pre'er the ompany o' 'ello$
ad!ent#rer% $ho $i%h to eFplore the my%terie% o' thi% li'e together than
any other %ort o' relation%hip. Dharma 'riend% may "e at di''erent %tage%
in the pratie and one 'riend may teah another %omething #%e'#l, "#t
thi% ha% a !ery di''erent 'eel 'rom people $ho are 'ormally teaher and
%t#dent. Th#%, $riting thi% "oo& allo$% me to hand them the "etter part
o' $hat I &no$ and %ay, ;(ere, i' yo# are really into it, there i% more
than eno#gh here to allo$ yo# to pl#nge a% deep a% yo# are to. I' not, I
ha!e $a%ted little o' my time and an a!oid "eing p#t on %ome %trange
pede%tal or pillory, at lea%t to my 'ae.<
That %aid, I do ha!e the eFpliit goal o' 'ailitating other% to "eome
li!ing ma%ter% o' thi% material that they may go 'orth and help to
eno#rage more people to do %o. The more people are a"le to teah
'rom a plae o' deeply e%ta"li%hed per%onal eFperiene, the more
people $ill "e a"le to learn the dharma $ell, and the %aner and happier
the $orld $ill "e.
Thi% "ring% me to the )#e%tion o' the i%%#e o' $hat %ome $o#ld all
hierarhy. The %imple 'at i% that there are tho%e that ha!e attained to
$hat i% alled a$a&ening, enlightenment, realiLation, et. and tho%e that
ha!enOt. There are tho%e $ith %trong onentration a"ilitie% and tho%e
tho%e $itho#t. There are tho%e $ho ha!e their morality trip together and
!iii
tho%e that donOt. There are tho%e $ho are ma%ter% o' %ome thing% and
tho%e that ha!e more $or& to do. .hile there i% a %trangely per!a%i!e
mo!ement in the .e%t to try to imagine e!eryone i% e)#al in the $orld
o' %pirit#ality, it i% o"!io#%ly ompletely del#%ional and $rong8headed.
.hen I $ent loo&ing 'or teaher% and 'riend% to pratie $ith and help
me along, rather than get mad that %ome people laimed to &no$ more
than I did, I $a% eFited "y the opport#nity, ho$e!er rare, to %t#dy $ith
people $ho &ne$ $hat they $ere doing. Thi% >#%t ma&e% %en%e. :ead
thi% a% another $arning0 i' yo# get good eno#gh at the%e thing%, people
$ill o'ten ha!e "ad reation% to yo# i' yo# go aro#nd tal&ing a"o#t it,
and the n#m"er $ho $ill in%tead 'ind yo#r ahie!ement% a %o#re o'
in%piration and empo$erment, a% they rightly %ho#ld, $ill li&ely "e 'e$.
*n that %ame 'ront, it i% a !ery %trange thing to ha!e %#h a
ompletely di''erent lang#age, %et o' eFperiene% and per%peti!e% 'rom
mo%t o' the people aro#nd me. I an o'ten 'eel li&e an alien $earing a
trenh oat o' normaly, and I dream o' a $orld $here on!er%ation%
a"o#t the %ort% o' e!ent% and in%ight% that ha!e ome to dominate my
e!eryday eFperiene are m#h more ommon and normal. :eading
"et$een the line%, yo# %ho#ld ta&e thi% admi%%ion a% yet another
$arning. I' yo# get $ay into thi% %t#'', yo# $ill di%o!er thi% %ame
loneline%%.
I %ho#ld al%o mention that I on%ider my%el' and many o' tho%e $ho
hail 'rom the lineage% 'rom $hih I primarily dra$ to "e dharma
o$"oy%, ma!eri&%, rog#e%, and o#t%ider%. :eally $anting to get
%ome$here i% a %#re ti&et to 'eeling thi% $ay in mo%t .e%tern B#ddhi%t
irle%. .hat i% ironi i% that I al%o %ee my%el' a% an eFtreme
traditionali%t. The %trange thing i% that the%e day% to "e a B#ddhi%t
traditionali%t, one $ho really trie% to pl#nge the depth% o' the heart,
mind and "ody a% the B#ddha %o learly admoni%hed hi% 'ollo$er% to
do, i% to 'ly in the 'ae o' m#h o' main%tream meditation #lt#re.
In that %ame !ein, I %ho#ld '#rther mention that the path I ha!e
'ollo$ed ha% "een dangero#%, de%ta"iliLing more o'ten than alm,
eFr#iating more o'ten than plea%ant, harder to integrate than mo%t
other dharma path% I ha!e heard o', and in general )#ite a ro#gh ride. It
ha% al%o "een pro'o#nd, amaLing, and more glorio#% than mo%t other
path% I ha!e heard tell o'. ,#r'ing the ragged edge% o' reality ha% "een
iF
ea%ier 'or me than %lo$ing the thing do$n. In my eFploration%, aident%
and ad!ent#re%, I ha!e learned a lot a"o#t not only ho$ to ma&e !ery
'a%t progre%% in meditation "#t al%o a lot a"o#t ho$ to do %o $itho#t
ompletely $iping o#t. I hope that I an pa%% on %ome o' the &no$ledge
o' "oth in thi% "oo&. Thi% %ho#ld "e %een a% another $arning. Thi%
"oo& and the path pre%ented in it are not 'or the damaged and #n%ta"le
%pirit#al %ee&er. Go# ha!e to ha!e yo#r p%yhologial trip 'airly together
to "e a"le to handle the inten%e tehni)#e%, %ide e''et% and re%#lt% I am
a"o#t to di%#%%.
I $o#ld li&e to than& the !ery many people $ho%e in'l#ene,
'riend%hip, %#pport and &indne%% $ent into ma&ing thi% $or& $hat it i%,
tho#gh they are $ay too n#mero#% to li%t here. Thi% i% an
interdependent #ni!er%e, and %o to $rite that thi% $or& i% %imply "y me
i% not in aord $ith reality. It $o#ld "e a"%#rd not to a&no$ledge the
eFten%i!e %#pport o' Carol Ingram, ,on>a Boorman, Da!id Ingram,
Chri%tina Done%, Chri%topher Titm#%%, ,harda :ogell, Bill (amilton,
Jenneth -ol& and :o"ert B#rn%, all o' $ho $ere !ery in%tr#mental in
ma&ing $hat i% good in thi% "oo& and my o$n pratie po%%i"le. I $o#ld
al%o li&e to than& Dohn (a$ley, :oger .ind%or, Daniel :iLL#to and
Mihael .ade 'or all their help $ith editing. (o$e!er, the
re%pon%i"ility 'or any 'la$% thi% $or& may ontain m#%t 'all %)#arely on
me. I anIt "e %#re that all o' the%e 'ine people $o#ld e!en $ant their
name% a%%oiated $ith thi% $or&, "#t I re%er!e the right to eFpre%% my
deep gratit#de nonethele%%.
A "rie' note on %tyleP The Engli%h lang#age ha% no great $ay to #%e
prono#n% that re'er to a %ingle per%on $itho#t getting gender8%pei'i.
Hario#% %ol#tion% eFi%t, %#h a% on%tantly #%ing ;heQ%he< C$hih an "e
!ery di%tratingE, alternating "et$een ;he< and ;%he<, and rea%ting
%entene% in the pl#ral, $here the prono#n ;they< may "e #%ed. -or
"etter or 'or $or%e, I am going to #%e the prono#n ;they< to mean
;heQ%he,< th#% #%ing $hat i% ordinarily a pl#ral prono#n $ith !er"% in the
%ing#lar. I am not parti#larly thrilled $ith thi% %ol#tion, "#t I donIt
thin& it i% m#h $or%e than the other%. ,ho#ld a reader di%agree, I hope
that heQ%he $ill 'ind a $ay to 'orgi!e me, or at lea%t that %he $ill
#nder%tand the pro"lem, ma&ing room in hi% heart 'or one more a#thor
%tr#ggling $ith thi% ling#i%ti limitation. I m#%t al%o admit that I am
F
%ome$hat errati in my #%e o' apital letter%, and yo# may >#%t ha!e to
2i!e .ith It.
May thi% $or& "e 'or the "ene'it o' all "eing%. May yo# realiLe $hat
yo# are tr#ly loo&ing 'or, p#r%#e it relentle%%ly de%pite all o"%tale%, and
'ind it.
Fi
/A:T I0 T(E -A+DAME+TA2,
1
1.INTRODUCTION TO PART I
I' yo# didnIt read the -ore$ord and .arning, do %o no$.
The B#ddhi%t path ha% o'ten "een alled a ;%pirit#al path,< and thi%
#%e o' religio#% lang#age an "e !ery in%piring 'or %ome people. The
B#ddhi%t path o#ld al%o "e tho#ght in term% o' a %ienti'i eFperiment,
a %et o' eFeri%e% that the B#ddha and tho%e $ho ha!e 'ollo$ed him
ha!e laimed lead to !ery %pei'i e''et%, e''et% that they deemed
$orth$hile. A%ing thi% %ort o' pratial lang#age an al%o "e !ery
in%piring 'or %ome people. In an attempt to in%pire a $ide a#diene, I
$ill #%e "oth %pirit#al and pratial or tehnial lang#age $hen
di%#%%ing the%e i%%#e%. (o$e!er, my pre'erene i% generally 'or the
pratial lang#age. Go# o#ld thro$ o#t all o' the %pirit#al trapping% on
the B#ddhi%t path and %till ha!e a %et o' "a%i pratie% that lead to the
e''et% promi%ed. Go# o#ld al%o &eep all o' the %pirit#al trapping%, do
the "a%i pratie%, and prod#e the %ame re%#lt%, a%%#ming o' o#r%e
that yo# had the eFtra time and re%o#re% nee%%ary to do "oth.
/art I ontain% %ome traditional li%t% that $ere ta#ght "y the B#ddha
and relate diretly to %pirit#al training. They ma&e important and
pratial point% in !ery oni%e $ay%. The%e teahing% $ere made
ompat and porta"le on p#rpo%e %o that people o#ld remem"er them
and #%e them. It i% their !ery %impliity that ma&e% them %o pratial and
do$n to earth.
I, ho$e!er, am going to ta&e the%e !ery ompat teahing% and go on
and on a"o#t them. It t#rn% o#t that the B#ddha %ometime% made
thing% %o %imple that $e are le't $ondering $hat the he& he $a% tal&ing
a"o#t and ho$ to do %omething #%e'#l $ith hi% teahing%. Ba%ially he
$a% %aying, ;Bet to &no$ yo#r at#al reality really, really, really $ell, and
try to do right "y yo#r%el' and the $orld.< A% $e all &no$, thi% i% not
al$ay% a% ea%y a% it %o#nd%, %o that i% $hy I inl#de all o' the additional
ommentary.
Th#%, the%e teahing% are de%igned to help people get in to#h $ith
their reality in %ome $ay that ma&e% a di''erene. They an al%o help
people a!oid %ome o' the ommon pit'all% on the %pirit#al path and in
li'e in general, %ome o' $hih I $ill tal& a"o#t later.
To that end, $e $ill "egin $ith an introd#tion to the Three
Training%, morality , one ntratio n and $i%dom . The Three
Introd#tion to /art I
Training% enompa%% the %#m total o' the B#ddhi%t path. Th#%, they $ill
"e #%ed a% the 'rame$or& 'or thi% "oo&. The Three Training% in!ol!e
%&ill% that $e on%io#%ly and eFpliitly try to ma%ter. Eah training ha%
it% o$n %pei'i %et o' a%%#mption%, agenda%, pratie%, and %tandard% 'or
%#e%% in tho%e pratie%. The%e are at#ally 'airly di''erent 'rom eah
other, and all %ort% o' pro"lem% an ari%e i' $e miF the%e #p and #%e the
a%%#mption% o' one training $hen p#r%#ing the other%. Eah training
al%o ha% it% ommon pit'all%, limitation%, and %hado$ %ide%. The%e are
rarely made lear, and the 'ail#re to do %o ha% a#%ed m#h on'#%ion.
Th#%, I $ill do my "e%t to ma&e them lear, parti#larly in /art II C2ight
and ,hado$%E. Eah training al%o ha% %pei'i %tandard% 'or %#e%% and
ma%tery. The%e an %ometime% %eem a "it tehnial, parti#larly the
map% o' the high onentration %tate% and the %tage% o' in%ight, %o I $ill
$ait #ntil /art III CMa%teryE to pre%ent the%e in order to &eep /art I
'o#%ed on the "a%i 'rame$or&% and pratie% that ma&e the $hole
thing po%%i"le in the 'ir%t plae.
.hile I thin& that eah part o' thi% "oo& ontri"#te% to the $hole,
there are rea%on% $hy yo# might $ant to %&ip to ertain %etion% 'ir%t and
'ill in the re%t later. -or in%tane, i' yo# are ha!ing po$er'#l !i%ion% or
J#ndalini eFperiene%, yo# might $ant to read the 'ir%t 'e$ hapter% o'
/art III and then go "a& and read the re%t. I' yo# are %imply intere%ted
in the map% o' the %tage% o' in%ight, go %traight to the hapter alled The
/rogre%% o' In%ight. I' yo# >#%t $ant to get right to %ome ore in%ight
pratie%, read the hapter% on The Three Charateri%ti% and The
,e!en -ator% o' Enlightenment. ,ho#ld yo# "e in a mood 'or %ome
%athing %oial ommentary, the "eginning o' /art II i% 'or yo#. I' yo#
>#%t $ant to hear my ta&e on enlightenment, then Model% o' the ,tage%
o' Enlightenment might "e a good plae to %tart. I %tr#ggled 'or a long
time de"ating $hether to pre%ent the map% that tell $hat the%e pratie%
lead to at the "eginning or at the end o' the "oo&. I ha!e inl#ded them
la%t, "#t yo# might "e the %ort $ho $ant% to %ee them 'ir%t, and i' %o yo#
%ho#ld read the hapter alled The Three Charateri%ti% and then %&ip
%traight to /art III. In my ideal $orld, e!eryone $o#ld read thro#gh thi%
"oo& t$o or three time% o!er8to8o!er and then $or& on ommitting
the more important %etion% to memory.
4
2.MORALITY, THE FIRST AND LAST TRAINING
The original /ali $ord 'or thi% training i% %ila, $hih I am tran%lating
a% ;morality.< /eople tran%late it in !ario#% $ay%, $ith %ome other
po%%i"ilitie% "eing ;!irt#e< and ;deeny.< :egardle%% o' the $ord $e
hoo%e, it i% li&ely to ha!e "oth po%iti!e and negati!e impliation%. I' the
$ord ;morality< "other% yo# d#e to the a%%oiation% that it "ring% to
mind, ta&e a loo& at the a%%#mption%, agenda%, and pratie% o' thi%
training and ome #p $ith yo#r o$n $ord 'or it. I donIt thin& that it i%
%o important $hat $e all it. I do, ho$e!er, thin& that $e %ho#ld gi!e
%ome attention to trying to li!e it.
-rom my point o' !ie$, training in morality ha% a% it% domain all o'
the ordinary $ay% that $e li!e in the $orld. .hen $e are trying to li!e
the good li'e in a on!entional %en%e, $e are $or&ing on training in
morality. .hen $e are trying to $or& on o#r emotional, p%yhologial
and phy%ial health, $e are $or&ing at the le!el o' training in morality.
.hen $e philo%ophiLe, $e are $or&ing on training in morality. .hen
$e eFeri%e, $e are $or&ing on training in morality. .hen $e try to ta&e
are o' o#r%el!e% or other%, $e are $or&ing on training in morality.
.hen $e try to de'end the en!ironment, re'orm the go!ernment, or
ma&e thi% $orld a "etter plae, $e are $or&ing on training in morality.
.hen $e try to 'ind a good and help'#l >o", try to "#ild a healthy
marriage or rai%e healthy hildren, or %ha!e o#r head% and mo!e to a
remote de%ert, $e are $or&ing on training in morality. .hate!er $e do
in the ordinary $orld that $e thin& $ill "e o' %ome "ene'it to other% or
o#r%el!e% i% an a%pet o' $or&ing on thi% 'ir%t training.
The %eond t$o training%, tho%e ha!ing to do $ith attaining #n#%#al
%tate% o' mind and tho%e ha!ing to do $ith #ltimate realiLation%, ha!e
limit%, in that $e an ma%ter them a"%ol#tely. (o$e!er, thi% annot "e
%aid o' the 'ir%t training. There i% no limit to the degree o' %&ill that an
"e "ro#ght to ho$ $e li!e in the $orld. Th#%, morality i% al%o the la%t
training, the training that $e $ill ha!e to $or& on 'or all o' o#r li'e. .e
may "e a"le to attain to a%to#nding %tate% o' on%io#%ne%% and
#nder%tand the tr#e nat#re o' reality, "#t $hat people %ee and $hat i%
a#%al are the $ay% that the%e a"ilitie% and #nder%tanding% tran%late into
ho$ $e li!e in the $orld.
Morality, The -ir%t and 2a%t TrainingMorality, The -ir%t and 2a%t Training
There are "a%i a%%#mption% that are eFtremely help'#l $hen
#nderta&ing training in morality. It i% !ery help'#l to a%%#me that %ome
%ort o' "a%i moral ode i% help'#l 'or getting along in thi% $orld, and
th#% that there i% %ome pratial "ene'it to "e deri!ed 'rom training in
morality.
It i% al%o help'#l to a%%#me in %ome loo%e and non8dogmati $ay that
the more good $e do in the $orld, the more good there $ill "e in that
$orld, and th#% the more good thing% $ill happen to #% and all other
"eing%. It i% al%o $orth a%%#ming the orollary o' thi%, that the more $e
do "ad thing% in the $orld, the more "ad thing% $ill "e in that $orld 'or
#% and 'or all "eing%. The%e a%%#mption% are not #ni)#e to B#ddhi%m
nor are they in any $ay eFtraordinary. ,oietie% and tradition%
thro#gho#t the age% ha!e ad!oated that $e 'ind a plae in o#r li'e 'or
the%e a%%#mption%. :ealiLe that de'ining "ad and good i% o'ten !ery
m#h a )#e%tion o' per%peti!e, "#t donIt 'all into the paralyLing trap o'
imagining that it i% #%ele%% to try any$ay. It i% "etter to try to do yo#r "e%t
and 'ail than not try at all.
Th#%, $e are a%%#ming that $hat $e thin&, %ay and do ha!e
on%e)#ene%. .hen #nderta&ing training in morality, $e are a%%#ming
that $e an ontrol $hat $e thin&, %ay and do, th#% reating
on%e)#ene% that are "ene'iial. :ather than aepting o#r #rrent
le!el o' intellet#al, emotional and p%yhologial de!elopment a% "eing
"eyond o#r po$er to hange, $e on%io#%ly and eFpliitly ta&e the
empo$ering !ie$ that $e an $or& $ith the%e a%pet% o' o#r li!e% and
hange them 'or the "etter. .e a%%#me that $e an hange o#r $orld
and o#r attit#de% to$ard% o#r $orld. .e ta&e re%pon%i"ility 'or o#r
ation% and their on%e)#ene%.
-#rther, a% a part o' o#r empo$erment, $e a%%#me that the more o'
o#r re%o#re% and a"ilitie% $e "ring to thi% training, the li&elier $e $ill
"e to %#eed. .e ha!e a "ody, $e ha!e rea%on, $e ha!e o#r int#ition,
$e ha!e o#r heart, and $e ha!e a"ility to learn and remem"er. .e ha!e
a omm#nity o' other% $ith $i%dom to %hare, $e ha!e "oo&% and other
media that ontain ad!ie 'or li!ing the good li'e, and $e ha!e o#r
'riend% and 'amily. .e an dra$ on all o' thi% and more to try to li!e a
good li'e, a li'e $here o#r tho#ght%, $ord% and deed% re'let a% lo%ely a%
po%%i"le the %tandard% $e ha!e on%io#%ly adopted and de'ined 'or
6
o#r%el!e%. The more on%io#%ly engaged $e are $ith o#r ta%&, the
more $e are li&ely to "e %#e%%'#l.
Cr#ial to the ontrol o' $hat happen% in o#r li!e% i% o#r intent.
Th#%, training in morality plae% a lot o' empha%i% on intent, $ith the
"a%i a%%#mption "eing that the more o#r intention% are &ind and
ompa%%ionate, the more $e are li&ely to "e a"le to mani'e%t &ind and
ompa%%ionate tho#ght%, $ord% and deed%.
-#rther, it i% help'#l to a%%#me that training in morality re)#ire% #%
to pay attention to $hat i% happening in o#r li!e%. .hen $e are not
paying attention to $hat $e are thin&ing, %aying and doing, $e $ill not
ea%ily "e a"le to ra't the%e in a $ay that 'it% $ith the a%%#mption% o' thi%
training. I' $e are not paying attention to $hat the on%e)#ene% o' o#r
tho#ght%, $ord% and deed% are, "oth in the %hort term and the long
term, $e are #nli&ely to "e a"le to gain eno#gh eFperiene to "e a"le to
g#ide o#r training in morality %#e%%'#lly.
It i% al%o help'#l to a%%#me that training in morality $ill help #% $hen
$e get to 'ormal meditation pratie% Cthe neFt t$o training% in
onentration and $i%domE, pro!iding a 'o#ndation o' good mental and
phy%ial ha"it% that an %#pport tho%e pratie%. Th#%, e!en i' $e ha!e
little intere%t in "eing moral "ea#%e o' the "ene'it% it an "ring, i' $e are
intere%ted in o"taining the re%#lt% o' the other t$o training%, $e %ho#ld
al%o engage in training in morality.
The%e a%%#mption% nat#rally lead to the %pei'i agenda% $e ha!e 'or
$hat happen% $hen #nderta&ing training in morality. .e on%io#%ly
a%pire to ha!e the ation% o' o#r "ody, %peeh and mind li!e in a $ay
that 'it% $ith the a%%#mption% o' thi% training. In %hort, $e ha!e %tandard%
'or o#r mental, emotional and phy%ial li!e% and $e try o#r "e%t to li!e
#p to tho%e %tandard%. .hen $e are $or&ing on training in morality, $e
on%io#%ly #lti!ate ation%, $ord% and tho#ght% that $e deem to "e
&ind and ompa%%ionate. By ;&ind,< I mean that $e $or& to promote
the happine%% and $el'are o' o#r%el!e% and other%. By ;ompa%%ionate,<
I mean that $e $or& to relie!e the %#''ering o' o#r%el!e% and other%.
Th#%, o#r agenda i% 'or o#r intention% to "e &ind and ompa%%ionate,
'or o#r mind% to "e a$are o' $hat $e are thin&ing, %aying, and doing,
and 'or o#r eFperiene to tell #% a% "e%t it an ho$ to ra't o#r li'e to
re'let o#r intention%.
7
Training in morality tend% to "e di%#%%ed in term% o' $hat one
%ho#ldnIt do and al%o $hat one %ho#ld do. The %tandard B#ddhi%t
%hort8li%t o' the 'i!e thing% that one %ho#ld try to a!oid, alled ;The -i!e
/reept%< are0 &illing, %tealing, lying, ta&ing mind altering %#"%tane% that
lead to heedle%%ne%%, and #%ing %eF#al energy in $ay% that are harm'#l.
The%e are o"!io#%ly not #ni)#e to B#ddhi%m, and %eem to "e part o'
the "a%i %et o' %tandard% 'or "eha!ior that %oietie% and #lt#re%
thro#gho#t the age% ha!e 'o#nd to "e help'#l and pratial. The
%tandard li%t o' thing% that one %ho#ld try to do inl#de% "eing &ind,
ompa%%ionate and appreiati!e o' the %#e%%e% o' other%.
.re%tling $ith the )#e%tion o' ho$ $e an meet thi% 'airly
rea%ona"le %tandard and yet honor $here $e are and $hat i% going on
aro#nd #% i% the pratie o' thi% 'ir%t training. .e $ill ma&e all &ind% o'
mi%ta&e% that an "e !ery ed#ational $hen trying to $or& on thi% 'ir%t
trainingR i' yo# me%% #p, remem"er to "e &ind to yo#r%el'K
There are many great tehni)#e% 'or #lti!ating a more deent $ay
o' "eing in the $orld, "#t there are no magi 'orm#lation%. Go# m#%t
'ig#re o#t ho$ to "e &ind to yo#r%el' and all "eing% in eah moment. A%
training in morality ta&e% into ao#nt all o' the ordinary $ay% in $hih
$e try to li!e a good and #%e'#l li'e, it i% %o !a%t a %#">et that I o#ldnIt
po%%i"ly gi!e anything re%em"ling a omprehen%i!e treatment o' it here.
(o$e!er, i' yo# $i%h 'or '#rther ela"oration on %ome o' the "a%i% o'
training in morality, I %#gge%t that yo# he& o#t %ome o' the 'ollo$ing
$or&%0
-or a -#t#re to "e /o%%i"le , "y Thih +hat (anh
A (eart a% .ide a% the .orld and 2o!ing&indne%%, the
:e!ol#tionary Art o' (appine%%, "oth "y ,haron ,alL"#rg
2ight on Enlightenment , "y Chri%topher Titm#%%
A /ath .ith (eart , "y Da& Jorn'ield
Training in morality at it% "e%t i% gro#nded in a theoretial or diret
appreiation o' one more a%%#mption, that o' interonnetedne%%.
Interonnetedne%% at thi% le!el mean% an appreiation o' the 'at that
$e are all in thi% together and that $e all %hare the $i%h to "e happy.
.hen $e ta&e into on%ideration o#r o$n need% and the need% o' tho%e
aro#nd #%, $e are more li&ely to "e nat#rally &ind and on%iderate o'
o#r%el!e% and other%. Th#%, $e try to ma&e it a ha"it to try to ta&e into
7
ao#nt the 'eeling%, opinion% and $el'are o' tho%e aro#nd #%. The
o"!io#% trap here i% to %im#ltaneo#%ly 'ail to ta&e into ao#nt o#r o$n
need%. .or& on "alaning "oth in a $ay that i% %#%taina"le and healthy.
There are o#ntle%% other pit'all% $e an r#n into $hen training in
morality, a% it i% %#h a !a%t area o' $or&. I $ill %pend a lot o' time in
/art II detailing %ome o' the more ommon %ide e''et% and %hado$
%ide% o' training in morality, "#t realiLe that it i% an endle%% %#">et.
(o$e!er, one pit'all that m#%t "e addre%%ed here, a% it i% %o
ommon, i% that o' g#ilt. .e ha!e gro$n #p in a #lt#re in $hih $e
an "e eFtremely hard on o#r%el!e%, a#%ing o#r%el!e% a%to#nding
amo#nt% o' pain to little good e''et. I' $e an learn to %#"%tit#te $i%e
remor%e, a remor%e that %imply %ay%, ;.ell, that didnIt $or&, and thi% i%
#n'ort#nate. I %ho#ld try my "e%t to 'ig#re o#t $hy and hope'#lly do
%omething "etter neFt time,< $e $ill "e m#h more a"le to train
%#e%%'#lly in li!ing a good and #%e'#l li'e.
,ome people #n'ort#nately %eem to thin& that the primary me%%age
o' training in morality i% that they %ho#ld ontin#o#%ly #lti!ate the
'eeling that they ha!e ta&en #p a hea!y yo&e o' re%pon%i"ility and %el'8
oppre%%ion. In 'at, %ome people %eem to re!el in that #n'ort#nate
'eeling. Tho%e more 'ort#nate $ill thin&, ;It i% %o m#h '#n to try to li!e
a good, healthy and #%e'#l li'eK .hat a >oy it i% to 'ind reati!e $ay% to
do thi%K< There are 'e$ thing% more help'#l on the %pirit#al path and li'e
in general than a po%iti!e attit#de.
Th#%, the related and all too ommon pit'all i% that people %top
ha!ing '#n and trying to "e %#e%%'#l in $orldly term%. There i%
a"%ol#tely no rea%on 'or thi%. I' yo# an ha!e '#n in healthy $ay%, ha!e
'#nK ItI% not >#%t 'or "rea&'a%t anymore. Al%o, %#e%% i% highly
reommended 'or o"!io#% rea%on%. /i& a 'leFi"le !i%ion o' %#e%% in
the ordinary %en%e 'or yo#r%el' and go 'or itK /lay to $in. Thi% i% yo#r
li'e, %o ma&e it a great one. There i% no rea%on not to try, %o long a% yo#
an do %o in a &ind and ompa%%ionate $ay.
*ne more great thing a"o#t the 'ir%t training i% that it really help%
$ith the neFt training0 onentration. ,o, hereO% a tip0 i' yo# are 'inding it
hard to onentrate "ea#%e yo#r mind i% 'illed $ith g#ilt, >#dgment,
en!y or %ome other hard and di''i#lt tho#ght pattern, al%o $or& on the
'ir%t training, &indne%%. It $ill "e time $ell %pent.
9
4.CONCENTRATION, THE SECOND TRAINING
*n to onentration, the a"ility to %teady the mind on $hate!er yo#
$i%h and attain #n#%#al and pro'o#nd altered %tate% o' on%io#%ne%%.
Training in onentration relate% to 'ormal meditation pratie. It i% al%o
alled training in ;%amadhi< Cmeaning depth% o' meditationE, or
%ometime% ;%amatha pratie.< Conentration pratie in!ol!e% $or&ing
at a le!el that might "e on%idered #n#%#al, parti#larly ontra%ted $ith
the ordinary le!el o' training in morality. Training in morality i%
%omething to $hih e!eryone an relate. Training in onentration i%
only ea%y to relate to i' yo# ha!e attained to #n#%#al %tate% o'
on%io#%ne%% or at lea%t ha!e 'aith that they an "e attained.
Training in onentration ha% had tho#%and% o' page% dediated to
it, and there are pro"a"ly tho#%and% o' onentration eFeri%e%. ,ome
!ery ommonly #%ed o">et% o' meditation are the "reath Cmy per%onal
'a!oriteE, oneI% po%t#re, a mantra or &oan, a andle 'lame, !ario#%
!i%#aliLation eFeri%e%, and e!en the eFperiene o' onentration it%el'.
The o">et yo# hoo%e %ho#ld "e one on $hih yo# $o#ld "e happy to
%teady yo#r mind.
The e%%ential point a"o#t meditation i% thi%0 to get any$here in
meditation yo# need to "e a"le to really %teady the mind and "e pre%ent.
ThatO% >#%t all there i% to it and it i% largely a )#e%tion o' >#%t doing it.
There i% an important %hi't that happen% in peopleO% pratie $hen they
really ma&e the ommitment to de!eloping onentration and 'ollo$
thro#gh $ith it. Antil one doe% thi%, not m#h i% li&ely to happen in
oneI% meditati!e pratieK I' yo# deide to do a onentration pratie,
%tay on that o">et li&e a ra"id dog #ntil yo# ha!e eno#gh %ta"ility and
%&ill to let the mind re%t on it nat#rally.
The 'ir%t 'ormal goal $hen training in onentration i% to attain
%omething alled ;ae%% onentration,< meaning the a"ility to %tay
on%i%tently $ith yo#r ho%en o">et $ith relati!e ea%e to the general
eFl#%ion o' di%tration%. Thi% i% the "a%i attainment that allo$% yo# to
ae%% the higher %tage% o' onentration and al%o to "egin the path o'
in%ight Cthe third trainingE, %o ma&e attaining ae%% onentration yo#r
'ir%t goal in yo#r meditati!e pratie. Go# $ill &no$ $hen yo# ha!e it.
,o, the e%%ential 'ormal onentration pratie in%tr#tion% are0 pi&
an o">et Cthe li%t a"o!e i% a great plae to "eginE, 'ind a plae to pratie
Conentration, The ,eond TrainingMorality, The -ir%t and 2a%t Training
$here yo# are a% 'ree 'rom di%tration% a% po%%i"le, pi& a %#%taina"le
po%t#re Cit doe%nIt really matter %o m#hE, 'o#% yo#r attention on the
o">et a% ompletely and on%i%tently a% po%%i"le 'or the d#ration o' that
pratie period, allo$ing a% 'e$ lap%e% in onentration a% po%%i"le, and
learn to %ta"iliLe all o' yo#r attention on that o">et. The more yo#
pratie and the "etter yo#r pratie, the "etter yo# $ill "eome. -ind
the "alane o' e''ort and %teadine%% that $or&% 'or yo#. /ratie again
and again #ntil yo# an attain ae%% onentration. .hile thi%
paragraph may %eem trite or %par%e, it ontain% the 'ormal in%tr#tion%
on ho$ to "egin training in onentration.
,ho#ld yo# need %omeone to tell yo# ho$ long to pratie, %tart $ith
10 min#te% a day and $or& #p to an ho#r or t$o eah day a% yo#r li'e
allo$%. I' yo# an learn to hold yo#r attention ompletely on yo#r
ho%en o">et 'or e!en one %olid min#te, yo# ha!e %ome %trong
onentration %&ill%. That %aid, yo# might ha!e 10 ho#r% a day to de!ote
to pratie. DonIt let me hold yo# "a&K (o$ long it $ill ta&e yo# to
de!elop ae%% onentration i% dependent #pon a n#m"er o' 'ator%
inl#ding pratie ondition%, yo#r nat#ral and #lti!ated onentration
a"ility, the %trength o' yo#r dri!e to %#eed, and ho$ m#h yo#
pratie.
,harpening yo#r onentration may help almo%t e!erything yo# do,
and an pro!ide a mental and emotional %ta"ility that an "e !ery #%e'#l.
Conentration an al%o lead to %ome !ery nie %tate% alled ;>hana%< and
other name%. The%e an "e eFtremely "li%%'#l and peae'#l. Being a"le
to ae%% the%e %tate% o' mind an "e ridi#lo#%ly en>oya"le and an
inrea%e %teadine%% and %ta"ility o' mind. The%e are o' !al#e in and o'
them%el!e% and al%o %er!e the important '#ntion in the B#ddhi%t
tradition o' pro!iding a di%po%a"le 'o#ndation 'or in%ight pratie%, i.e.
the third training.
I $ill lea!e o'' de%ri"ing the high onentration attainment% #ntil
/art III %o a% to &eep thi% %etion 'o#%ed on the e%%ential %&ill%
nee%%ary 'or meditation, a% one yo# gain ae%% onentration getting
into tho%e %tate% i% !ery ea%y. Antil yo# an get into ae%% onentration,
yo# ainIt got %)#at. Th#%, pi& an o">et, pratie $ell and o'ten, learn
to attain to ae%% onentration, 'ini%h reading thi% "oo&, and "y that
point e!erything %ho#ld "e !ery %traight'or$ard.
10
Conentration, The ,eond TrainingMorality, The -ir%t and 2a%t Training
+o$, it m#%t "e %aid that onentration pratie%, li&e all pratie%,
ha!e their %hado$ %ide%. -or in%tane, high and #n#%#al eFperiene% an
"eome additi!e and %ed#ti!e, a#%ing them to reei!e more attention
and 'o#% than they de%er!e. They an al%o lead to people "eoming
!ery other$orldly and #ngro#nded, !ery m#h the $ay that
hall#inogen% an. They an al%o "ring #p lot% o' o#r p%yhologial
;%t#''.< Thi% la%t limitation o#ld "e a "ene'it i' $e are in a mood to deal
$ith thi% %t#''. /erhap% the mo%t important limitation% o' onentration
pratie% i% that they do not lead diretly to the in%ight% and permanent
#nder%tanding% that ome 'rom training in $i%dom, a% m#h a% $e might
li&e them to. That "ring% #% to the third trainingP
11
3.WISDOM, THE THIRD TRAINING
The third training in the li%t i% $i%dom, in thi% a%e a !ery %peial
&ind o' $i%dom that I $ill o'ten all ;#ltimate< or ;'#ndamental<
$i%dom. Thi% may al%o "e rendered a% ;#nder%tanding< or ;in%ight.<
The $hole tri& to thi% training i% to #nder%tand the tr#th o' the
%en%ation% that ma&e #p o#r pre%ent eFperiene. The great my%ti% 'rom
all tradition% ha!e reported that there i% %omething remar&a"le and e!en
enlightening a"o#t o#r ordinary eFperiene% i' $e ta&e the time to loo&
into them !ery are'#lly. Tho%e that #nderta&e training in $i%dom ha!e
deided to do the eFperiment and %ee 'or them%el!e% i' thi% i% tr#e or i'
tho%e old dead d#de% $ere >#%t ma&ing it all #p.
*"!io#%ly, the 'ir%t a%%#mption that m#%t "e made i% that there i%
%ome #nder%tanding that i% ompletely "eyond any ordinary
#nder%tanding, e!en "eyond the altered %tate% o' on%io#%ne%% that an
"e attained i' $e train in onentration. The neFt a%%#mption i% that
there are %pei'i pratie% that an lead to that #nder%tanding i' $e
%imply do them. The third and perhap% mo%t !ital a%%#mption i% that $e
an do them and "e %#e%%'#l.
The a%%#mption that i% rarely %tated eFpliitly "#t o'ten implied i%
that $e m#%t "e $illing to %tay on a %en%ate le!el, at the le!el o' the
at#al %en%ation% that ma&e #p eFperiene%, i' $e $i%h to gain the
in%ight% that are promi%ed "y the my%ti%. The orollary o' thi%
a%%#mption i% that $e m#%t "e $illing to %et a%ide period% o' time d#ring
$hih $e a"andon the ordinary $ay o' $or&ing in the $orld that i%
alled training in morality and e!en the #n#%#al $ay o' $or&ing $ith
altered %tate% o' on%io#%ne%% that i% alled training in onentration.
.e a%%#me that the teahing% on $i%dom point to #ni!er%al tr#th%,
tr#th% that an "e perei!ed in all type% o' eFperiene $itho#t eFeption.
.e a%%#me that i' $e an %imply &no$ o#r %en%ate eFperiene learly
eno#gh, then $e $ill ome to #nder%tand 'or o#r%el!e%.
The primary agenda 'or doing in%ight pratie% i% to inrea%e o#r
perept#al a"ilitie% %o that the tr#th% mentioned "y the great my%ti%
"eome o"!io#% to #%. Th#%, rather than aring $hat $e thin&, %ay or
do, or aring a"o#t $hat altered %tate o' on%io#%ne%% $e are in, $hen
training in $i%dom $e ati!ely $or& to %imply inrea%e the %peed,
prei%ion, on%i%teny and inl#%i!ene%% o' o#r eFperiene o' all the
.i%dom, The Third Training
)#i& little %en%ation% that ma&e #p o#r eFperiene, $hate!er and
ho$e!er they may "e.
Th#%, the e%%ential 'ormal in%ight meditation in%tr#tion% are 0 'ind a
plae $here the di%tration% are tolera"le, pi& a %ta"le and %#%taina"le
po%t#re, and 'or a de'ined period o' time notie e!ery %ingle %en%ation
that ma&e% #p yo#r reality a% "e%t yo# an. D#%t a% $ith onentration
pratie%, more time and more diligent pratie pay% o''. The%e %imple
in%tr#tion% an ea%ily %eem o!er$helming, !ag#e or %trangely tri!ial to
many people, and %o I am going to %pend a lot o' time laying o#t a large
n#m"er o' empo$ering onept% and more %tr#t#red pratie% that
ha!e helped o#ntle%% pratitioner% o!er tho#%and% o' year% to 'ollo$
the%e "a%i in%tr#tion%.
.hile the Three Training% all ontain %ome %imilar element%, there
are %ome important ontra%t% that m#%t "e made "et$een them. The
gold %tandard 'or training in morality i% ho$ &ind and ompa%%ionate
o#r intention% are and ho$ $ell $e lead a #%e'#l and moral li'e. The
gold %tandard 'or training in onentration pratie% i% ho$ )#i&ly $e
an enter into highly altered %tate% o' on%io#%ne%%, ho$ long $e an
%tay in them, and ho$ re'ined, omplete and %ta"le $e an ma&e tho%e
%tate%. The gold %tandard 'or in%ight pratie% i% that $e an )#i&ly and
on%i%tently %ee the tr#e nat#re o' the n#mero#% )#i& %en%ation% that
ma&e #p o#r $hole reality, regardle%% o' $hat tho%e %en%ation% are,
allo$ing #% to #t to a le!el o' #nder%tanding that goe% #tterly "eyond
%pei'i ondition%.
It i% a"%ol#tely !ital that the di''erene% "et$een the%e gold %tandard%
"e #nder%tood. Con%idered thi% $ay, the%e gold %tandard% do not
o!erlap and may e!en %eem to ontradit one another. Thi% i% a !ery
pratial a%%#mption. A% the%e di''erene% %eem to "e eFtremely di''i#lt
to eFplain learly, I $ill ma&e thi% "a%i point again and again
thro#gho#t thi% "oo&.
,o, ha!ing gained eno#gh morality to "e temporarily 'ree o'
eFe%%i!e negati!e mind %tate% and eno#gh onentration to %teady the
mind %ome$hat, loo& into the "are tr#th o' the %en%ation% o' thi%
moment. Thi% i% alled in%ight meditation and other name%, and it i%
de%igned to prod#e $i%dom.
14
,o#nd% %imple, and $hile it i%, it al%o i%nOt. There are many type% o'
in%ight that $e may deri!e 'rom eFperiening the $orld. A%#ally, $e
might thin& o' training in $i%dom a% ha!ing to do $ith relati!e i%%#e% li&e
ho$ to li!e o#r li!e%. In thi% %en%e, one might >#%t try to "e $i%er.
/erhap% $e o#ld %&ill'#lly re'let on %omething that $ent "adly and %ee
i' perhap% in the '#t#re %ome $i%dom gained 'rom that eFperiene might
hange the $ay $e li!e o#r li'e. Thi% i% an ordinary 'orm o' $i%dom, and
%o the in%ight% $e deri!e 'rom %#h re'letion% and o"%er!ation% are
in%ight% into the ordinary $orld.
*n the other hand, the%e %ort% o' re'letion% an only ta&e #% %o 'ar,
and to really get $hat the B#ddha $a% tal&ing a"o#t, $e need to go 'ar
"eyond the%e on!entional de'inition% o' $i%dom and attain to #ltimate
in%ight% "y doing in%ight pratie%. Many people try to ma&e in%ight
pratie% into an eFeri%e that $ill prod#e "oth in%ight% into the
ordinary $orld and al%o #ltimate in%ight%. I ha!e ome to the onl#%ion
that $e %ho#ld not o#nt on #ltimate teahing% to ill#minate o#r relati!e
i%%#e% or !ie !er%a, and %o I 'eel that it i% eFtremely important to &eep
the relati!e and #ltimate $i%dom teahing% %eparate. -ail#re to do %o
a#%e% endle%% pro"lem% and ma&e% progre%% on either 'ront more
di''i#lt rather than ea%ier. Th#%, I $ill re!i%it thi% topi again and again
thro#gho#t thi% $or&, doing my "e%t to learly di''erentiate tho%e
pratie% that prod#e ordinary $i%dom 'rom tho%e pratie% that 'all
$ithin the third training and lead to #ltimate realiLation% that are
independent o' o#r relati!e in%ight%.
There are many $i%dom tradition% and many %tyle% o' in%ight
pratie%. I $ill lay o#t a n#m"er o' them eFpliitly and hint at many
other% in the hapter% that 'ollo$. .hen hoo%ing an in%ight tradition, I
$o#ld %#gge%t yo# loo& 'or a tradition that i% tried and tr#e, meaning
that i% either !ery old and $ell te%ted, or at lea%t an, in modern time%,
demon%trate that it on%i%tently lead% to #n%ha&a"le realiLation%. I an
!eri'y that the %pei'i pratie% I $ill pre%ent lead to the e''et% I
promi%e i' they are applied a% reommended. E!en "etter, yo# %ho#ld
!eri'y thi% 'or yo#r%el'.
A "rie' note o' a#tion here0 oa%ionally, $hen people "egin to
really get into %pirit#ality, they may get a "it 'a%inated $ith it and may
'orget %ome o' the #%e'#l relati!e $i%dom they ha!e learned 'rom
13
"e'ore. Ca#ght #p in ;#ltimate $i%dom< and their ;%pirit#al )#e%t,< they
an %ometime% a"andon on!entional $i%dom and other a%pet% o' their
;'ormer li'e< to a degree that may not "e !ery $i%e. They 'al%ely imagine
that "y training in in%ight they are al%o ma%tering or tran%ending the 'ir%t
training, that o' li!ing in the ordinary $orld. .e a$a&en to the at#al
tr#th o' o#r li'e in all o' it% on!entional a%pet% "y de'inition, %o ma&e
%#re that yo#r% i% a li'e yo# $ill $ant to $a&e #p to.
In %#mmary, "y %eeing deeply into the tr#th o' o#r o$n eFperiene,
pro'o#nd and "ene'iial tran%'ormation% o' on%io#%ne%% are de'initely
po%%i"le. Go# g#e%%ed it, $eIre tal&ing a"o#t enlightenment, The Big E,
a$a&ening, 'reedom, +ir!ana, the #nonditioned, and all o' that. The
ari%ing o' thi% #nder%tanding i% the primary 'o#% o' thi% "oo&. There
are at#ally lot% o' intere%ting in%ight% that typially o#r e!en "e'ore
a$a&ening. Again, there are no magi 'orm#lae 'or prod#ing #ltimate
in%ight%, eFept 'or the Three Charateri%ti%...
16
6.THE THREE CHARACTERISTICS
The Three Charateri%ti% are %o entral to the teahing% o' the
B#ddha that it i% almo%t inonei!a"le ho$ little attention the !a%t
ma>ority o' %o8alled in%ight meditator% pay to them. They are
impermane ne , #n %ati%'atori ne% %, and no8 %el' . I annot po%%i"ly
%tre%% eno#gh the #%e'#lne%% o' trying again and again to really
#nder%tand the%e three )#alitie% o' all eFperiene. They are the %t#''
'rom $hih #ltimate in%ight at all le!el% ome%, p#re and %imple. They
are the mar&% o' #ltimate reality. E!ery %ingle time I %ay, ;#nder%tand
the tr#e nat#re o' thing%,< $hat I mean i%, ;#nder%tand the Three
Charateri%ti%.< To really #nder%tand them i% to "e enlightened.
,omeho$ thi% eFeedingly important me%%age >#%t doe%nOt typially
%eem to get thro#gh to in%ight meditator%, and th#% they %pend %o m#h
time doing anything "#t loo&ing prei%ely moment to moment into the
Three Charateri%ti%. They may "e thin&ing a"o#t %omething, lo%t in
the %torie% and tape loop% o' the mind, trying to $or& on their %t#'',
philo%ophiLing, trying to )#iet the mind, or $ho &no$% $hat, and thi%
an go on 'or year a'ter year, retreat a'ter retreat, and o' o#r%e they
$onder $hy they donOt ha!e more in%ight yet. Thi% i% a tragedy o'
mon#mental proportion%, "#t yo# do not ha!e to "e part o' itK Go# an
"e one o' tho%e in%ight meditator% that &no$% $hat to do, doe% it, and
'inally ;get% it< in the grande%t %en%e.
The "ig me%%age here i%0 drop the %torie%, 'ind a phy%ial o">et li&e
the "reath or "ody or pain or plea%#re or $hate!er, and loo& into the
Three Charateri%ti% prei%ely and on%i%tentlyK Drop to the le!el o'
"are %en%ation%K Thi% i% !ipa%%ana, in%ight meditation, or $hate!er yo#
$ant to all it. It i% the $ay o' the B#ddha%. All the ;opening to it,< ;>#%t
"eing $ith it,< ;letting it go< and all o' that are )#ite important, a% $e $ill
%ee later, "#t in%ight meditator% m#%t, repeat, m#%t, loo& into the
'ollo$ing0
IM/E:MA+E+CE
All thing% are impermane nt . Thi% i% one o' the mo%t
'#ndamental teahing% o' the B#ddha and the %eond to la%t %entene he
#ttered "e'ore he died0 ;All phenomena are impermanentK .or& o#t
yo#r %al!ation $ith diligeneK< In hi% la%t $ord%, he %aid e!erything yo#
The Three Charateri%ti%
need to &no$ to do in%ight pratie%. Thing% ome and go. +othing la%t%
'or e!en an in%tantK A"%ol#te tran%iene i% tr#ly the '#ndamental nat#re
o' eFperiential reality.
.hat do I mean "y ;eFperiential reality=< I mean the #ni!er%e o'
%en%ation% that yo# at#ally eFperiene. There are many gold %tandard%
'or reality. (o$e!er, $hen doing in%ight pratie%, the only #%e'#l gold
%tandard 'or reality i% yo#r o$n %en%ate eFperiene. -rom the
on!entional point o' !ie$, thing% are #%#ally tho#ght to "e there e!en
$hen yo# an no longer eFperiene them, and are th#% a%%#med $ith
only ir#m%tantial e!idene to "e %ome$hat %ta"le entitie%.
/redita"ility i% #%ed to a%%#me ontin#ity o' eFi%tene. -or o#r day8to8
day li!e%, thi% a%%#mption i% ade)#ate and o'ten !ery #%e'#l.
-or eFample, yo# o#ld lo%e yo#r eye%, p#t do$n thi% "oo&, and
then pi& it #p again $here yo# le't it $itho#t opening yo#r eye%. -rom
a pragmati point o' !ie$, thi% "oo& $a% $here yo# le't it e!en $hen yo#
$ere not eFperiening it in any $ay. (o$e!er, $hen doing in%ight
pratie%, it >#%t happen% to "e m#h more #%e'#l to a%%#me that thing%
are only there $hen yo# eFperiene them and not there $hen yo#
donIt. Th#%, the gold %tandard 'or reality $hen doing in%ight pratie% i%
the %en%ation% that ma&e #p yo#r reality in that in%tant. ,en%ation% not
there at that time do not eFi%t, and th#% only the %en%ation% ari%ing in
that in%tant do eFi%t. In %hort, the !a%t ma>ority o' $hat yo# #%#ally thin&
o' a% ma&ing #p yo#r #ni!er%e doe%nIt eFi%t the !a%t ma>ority o' the time,
'rom a p#re %en%ate point o' !ie$. Thi% i% eFatly, prei%ely and
%pei'ially the point. Jno$ing thi% diretly lead% to 'reedom.
It i% $i%e to re'let on death and all o' that, 'or it i% #%e'#l and tr#e.
Thi% i% a re'letion on ordinary reality and th#% an a%pet o' training in
morality that i% ommonly #%ed to de!elop moti!ation to train in in%ight.
-ar "etter to %ee one %en%ation ari%e and pa%% a$ay. .hat do I mean "y
thi%= I mean that %en%ation% ari%e o#t o' nothing, do their thing, and
!ani%h #tterly. Bone. Atterly gone. Then the neFt %en%ation ari%e%, doe%
it% thing, and di%appear% ompletely. ;ThatO% the %t#'' o' modern
phy%i%,< one might %ay. ;.hat doe% that ha!e to do $ith pratie=<
It ha% e!erything to do $ith pratieK .e an eFperiene thi%,
"ea#%e the 'ir%t %et o' !i"ration% $e ha!e ae%% to i%nOt at#ally that 'a%t.
Hi"ration%. ThatO% right, !i"ration%. ThatO% $hat thi% 'ir%t harateri%ti
17
mean%0 that reality !i"rate%, p#l%e%, appear% a% di%rete partile%, i% li&e
TH %no$, the 'rame% o' a mo!ie, a %ho$er o' !ani%hing 'lo$er petal%, or
ho$e!er yo# $ant to %ay it. ,ome people an get all into ompleF $a!e
or partile model% here, "#t donOt. D#%t loo& into yo#r at#al eFperiene,
e%peially %omething nie and phy%ial li&e the motion and %en%ation% o'
the "reath in the a"domen, the %en%ation% o' the tip% o' the 'inger%, the
lip%, the "ridge o' the no%e, or $hate!er. In%tant "y in%tant try to &no$
$hen the at#al phy%ial %en%ation% are there and $hen they arenOt. It
t#rn% o#t they arenOt there a good "it o' the time, and e!en $hen they
are there, they are hanging on%tantly.
.e are typially )#ite %loppy a"o#t $hat are phy%ial %en%ation% and
$hat are mental %en%ation% Cmemorie%, mental image%, and mental
impre%%ion% o' other %en%ation%E. The%e t$o &ind% o' %en%ation% at#ally
o%illate "a& and 'orth, a "a& and 'orth interplay, one ari%ing and
pa%%ing and then the other ari%ing and pa%%ing, in a %ome$hat )#i& "#t
)#ite penetra"le 'a%hion. Being lear a"o#t eFatly $hen the phy%ial
%en%ation% are there $ill "egin to lari'y their %lippery o#nterpart that
help% reate the ill#%ion o' ontin#ity or %olidity0 'li&ering mental
impre%%ion%.
Coming diretly a'ter a phy%ial %en%ation ari%e% and pa%%e% i% a
%eparate p#l%e o' reality that i% the mental &no$ing o' that phy%ial
%en%ation, here re'erred to a% ;on%io#%ne%%< Ca% ontra%ted $ith
;a$arene%%< in /art IIIE. By phy%ial %en%ation% I mean the 'i!e %en%e% o'
to#h, ta%te, hearing, %eeing, and %melling. Thi% i% the $ay the mind
operate% on phenomena that are no longer there, e!en tho#ght%,
intention% and mental image%.
,ine I >#%t #%ed thi% dangero#% phra%e ;the mind,< I %ho#ld )#i&ly
mention that it annot "e 'o#nd. IIm ertainly not tal&ing a"o#t the
"rain, $hih $e ha!e ne!er eFperiened, a% the %tandard 'or in%ight
pratie% i% $hat $e an diretly eFperiene. A% an old Sen mon& one
%aid to #% in hi% eFtremely thi& Dapane%e aent, ;,ome people %ay
there i% mind. I %ay there i% no mind, "#t ne!er mind. (eh, heh, hehK<
(o$e!er, I $ill #%e thi% dangero#% phra%e ;the mind< o'ten, or e!en
$or%e ;o#r mind,< "#t thin& to yo#r%el' $hen yo# read it, ;(eI% >#%t
#%ing on!entional lang#age, "#t really there are >#%t #tterly tran%ient
mental %en%ation%. Tr#ly, there i% no %ta"le entity alled Mthe mindI
19
$hih an "e 'o#ndK By doing in%ight pratie%, I $ill '#lly #nder%tand
thi%K< I' yo# are a"le to do thi%, $eIll get along >#%t 'ine.
Thi% mental impre%%ion o' a pre!io#% %en%ation Co'ten alled
;on%io#%ne%%< in B#ddhi%t parlaneE i% li&e an eho, a re%onane. The
mind ta&e% a r#de impre%%ion o' the o">et, and that i% $hat $e an
thin& a"o#t, remem"er and proe%%. Then there may "e a tho#ght or an
image that ari%e% and pa%%e%, and then, i' the mind i% %ta"le, another
phy%ial p#l%e.
Eah one o' the%e ari%e% and !ani%he% ompletely "e'ore the other
"egin%, %o it i% eFtremely po%%i"le to %ort o#t $hih i% $hih $ith a %ta"le
mind dediated to on%i%tent prei%ion and to not "eing lo%t in %torie%.
Thi% mean% that the in%tant yo# ha!e eFperiened %omething, yo# &no$
that it i%nOt there any more, and $hate!er i% there i% a ne$ %en%ation that
$ill "e gone in an in%tant. There are typially many other impermanent
%en%ation% and impre%%ion% inter%per%ed $ith the%e, "#t, 'or the %a&e o'
pratie, thi% i% lo%e eno#gh to $hat i% happening to "e a good $or&ing
model.
Engage $ith the preeding paragraph%. They are the %t#'' #pon
$hih great in%ight pratie i% "a%ed. Bi!en that yo# &no$ %en%ation% are
!i"rating, p#l%ing in and o#t o' reality, and that, 'or the %a&e o' pratie,
e!ery %en%ation i% 'ollo$ed diretly "y a mental impre%%ion, yo# no$
&no$ eFatly $hat yo# are loo&ing 'or. Go# ha!e a lear %tandard. I' yo#
are not eFperiening it, then %ta"iliLe the mind '#rther, and "e learer
a"o#t eFatly $hen and $here there are phy%ial %en%ation%. ,pend time
$ith thi%, a% long a% it ta&e%. The $hole goal i% to eFperiene
impermanene diretly, i.e. thing% 'li&ering, and $hat tho%e thing% are
doe%nOt at#ally matter one "itK
(o$ 'reeingK Interpretation i% parti#larly #%ele%% in in%ight
meditation, %o yo# donOt ha!e to %pend time doing it $hen yo# are on
the #%hion. Thro#gho#t thi% "oo& I reommend re'leting on %pirit#al
teahing% and ho$ to "ring them to "ear on o#r li'e, "#t not on the
#%hion. Tho#ght%, e!en %#ppo%edly good one%, are >#%t too %lippery
and %ed#ti!e mo%t o' the time, e!en 'or ad!aned meditator%, tho#gh i'
yo# an a!oid getting lo%t in their ontent they are a% !alid a %tream o'
o">et% a% any other. Try to limit yo#r%el' to a 'e$ min#te% o' re'letion
15
per ho#r o' meditation. Thi% %ho#ld "e more than eno#gh. There are
%imply no %#"%tit#te% 'or thi% %ort o' moment#m in pratie.
(o$ 'a%t are thing% !i"rating= (o$ many %en%ation% ari%e and
!ani%h eah %eond= Thi% i% eFatly $hat yo# are trying to eFperiene,
"#t %ome !ery general g#ideline% an pro!ide 'aith that it an "e done
and perhap% point the $ay a% $ell. Begin "y a%%#ming that $e are tal&ing
a"o#t one to ten time% per %eond in the "eginning. Thi% i% not at#ally
that 'a%t. Try tapping 'i!e to ten time% per %eond on a ta"le or
%omething. It might ta&e t$o hand%, "#t itO% managea"le, i%nOt it= Go#
o#ld o"!io#%ly eFperiene that, o#ldnOt yo#= ThatO% the %piritK
There are 'a%ter and %lo$er !i"ration% that may %ho$ #p, %ome !ery
'a%t Cmay"e #p to 'orty time% per %eondE and %ome !ery %lo$ Cthat are
at#ally made #p o' 'a%ter !i"ration%E, "#t letO% >#%t %ay that one to ten
time% per %eond an %ometime% "e a #%e'#l g#ideline in the "eginning.
*ne yo# get the hang o' it, the 'a%ter and %lo$er !i"ration% are no "ig
deal. Alternately, depending on ho$ yo# pratie, onei!ing o' thi% a%
li&e a %ho$er o' raindrop%, a pointilli%t painting in motion, or 4D TH
%no$ might help. :eality i% o"!io#%ly )#ite rih and ompleF, and th#%
the 're)#enie% o' the p#l%e% o' reality an "e %ome$hat haoti, "#t
they at#ally tend to "e more reg#lar than yo# might eFpet. Al%o, there
are not really any ;magi 're)#enie%.< .hate!er 're)#eny or p#l%e or
$hate!er yo# are eFperiening at that moment i% the tr#th o' that
momentK (o$e!er, in the "eginning yo# %ho#ld go 'or 'a%ter !i"ration%
o!er %lo$er one% and then try 'or $ider one% o!er tho%e that are
narro$er.
DonOt $orry i' thing% loo& or 'eel %olid %ometime%. D#%t "e $ith the
%olidity learly and prei%ely, "#t not too tightly, and it an %tart to %ho$
it% impermanene. Be a$are o' eah eFat moment in $hih yo#
eFperiene %olidity and it% "eginning and ending. :emem"er that eah
eFperiene o' %olidity i% a %eparate, impermanent %en%ationK Many
people "egin pratiing and really $ant to %olidi'y %omething li&e the
"reath %o that they an at#ally pay attention to it. They "eome
'r#%trated $hen they ha!e a hard time 'inding the "reath or their "ody
or $hate!er. The rea%on they anIt 'ind it i% not "ea#%e they are a "ad
meditator "#t "ea#%e they are ha!ing diret in%ight into ho$ thing%
at#ally areK An'ort#nately, their theory o' $hat i% %#ppo%ed to happen
20
in!ol!e% really perei!ing %omething %olid and %ta"le, %o they get !ery
'r#%trated. Go# %ho#ld no$ "e a"le to a!oid a lot o' that 'r#%tration and
"egin to appreiate $hy &no$ing %ome theory i% important.
It i% al%o $orth noting here that the 're)#eny or rate o' the%e
!i"ration% may hange o'ten, either getting 'a%ter or %lo$er, and that it i%
really $orth trying to %ee learly the "eginning and ending o' eah
!i"ration or p#l%e o' reality. The%e are at#ally at lea%t t$o di''erent
%en%ation%K It i% al%o #%e'#l to he& o#t eFatly $hat happen% at the
"ottom, middle, and top o' the "reath i' yo# are #%ing the "reath a% an
o">et, and to eFamine i' the 're)#eny %tay% %ta"le or hange% in eah
pha%e o' the "reath. +e!er a%%#me that $hat yo# ha!e #nder%tood i% the
'inal an%$erK Be alertK EFplore are'#lly and prei%ely $ith openne%% and
aeptaneK Thi% i% the door to #nder%tanding.
*ne la%t thing a"o#t !i"ration%0 loo&ing into !i"ration% an "e a lot
li&e any other %port. It an "e tho#ght o' the $ay $e might thin& o'
%#r'ing or playing tenni%, and thi% %ort o' game8li&e attit#de an at#ally
help a lot. .eOre ;o#t to "#%t %ome !i"ration%K< a% a 'riend o' mine
enth#%ia%tially p#t it. Go# donOt &no$ )#ite $hat the neFt ret#rn or
$a!e i% going to "e li&e, %o pay attention, &eep the mind on the p#l%e o'
the %en%ation% o' yo#r $orld >#%t a% yo# $o#ld on the $a!e or "all, and
&eep playingK
I highly reommend thi% %ort o' %peed in pratie not only "ea#%e
that i% ho$ 'a%t $e ha!e to perei!e reality in order to a$a&en, "#t al%o
"ea#%e trying to eFperiene one to ten %en%ation% per %eond i%
hallenging and engaging. Bea#%e it i% hallenging and engaging, $e $ill
"e le%% prone to getting lo%t in tho#ght% rather than doing in%ight
pratie%. *#r mind% ha!e the po$er to perei!e thing% eFtremely
)#i&ly, and $e at#ally #%e thi% po$er all the time to do %#h thing% a%
read thi% "oo&. Go# an pro"a"ly read many $ord% per %eond. I' yo#
an do thi%, yo# an ertainly do in%ight pratie%.
I' yo# an perei!e one %en%ation per %eond, try 'or t$o. I' yo# an
perei!e t$o #ni)#e %en%ation% per %eond, try to perei!e 'o#r. Jeep
inrea%ing yo#r perept#al thre%hold in thi% $ay #ntil the ill#%ion o'
ontin#ity that "ind% yo# on the $heel o' %#''ering %hatter%. In %hort,
$hen doing in%ight pratie%, on%tantly $or& to perei!e %en%ation%
ari%e and pa%% a% )#i&ly and a#rately a% yo# po%%i"ly an. .ith the
21
%pirit o' a raear dri!er $ho i% on%tantly a$are o' ho$ 'a%t the ar an
go and %till %tay on the tra&, yo# are %trongly ad!i%ed to %tay on the
#tting edge o' yo#r a"ility to %ee the impermanene o' %en%ation%
)#i&ly and a#rately.
I $ill relate 'o#r o' the many little eFeri%e% that I %ometime% do that
I ha!e 'o#nd #%e'#l 'or >#mp8%tarting and de!eloping in%ight into
impermanene. They $ill demon%trate ho$ $e an "e reati!e in
eFploring o#r reality prei%ely "#t hope'#lly they $ill not "e tho#ght o'
in %ome %ort o' dogmati $ay. The%e o">et% and po%t#re% are not that
important, "#t #nder%tanding impermanene diretly i%.
In one o' the%e eFeri%e%, I %it )#ietly in a )#iet plae, lo%e my eye%,
p#t one hand on eah &nee, and onentrate >#%t on my t$o indeF
'inger%. Ba%i dharma theory tell% me that it i% de'initely not po%%i"le to
perei!e "oth 'inger% %im#ltaneo#%ly, %o $ith thi% &no$ledge I try to %ee
in eah in%tant $hih one o' the t$o 'ingerI% phy%ial %en%ation% are
"eing perei!ed. *ne the mind ha% %peeded #p a "it and yet "eome
more %ta"le, I try to perei!e the ari%ing and pa%%ing o' eah o' the%e
%en%ation%. I may do thi% 'or hal' an ho#r or an ho#r, >#%t %taying $ith
the %en%ation% in my t$o 'inger% and perei!ing $hen eah %en%ation i%
and i%nIt there. Thi% might %o#nd li&e a lot o' $or&, and it de'initely an
"e #ntil the mind %ettle% into it. It really re)#ire% the onentration o' a
'a%t %port li&e ta"le tenni%. Thi% i% %#h an engaging eFeri%e and
re)#ire% %#h prei%ion that it i% ea%y not to "e lo%t in tho#ght i' I am
really applying my%el'. I ha!e 'o#nd thi% to "e a !ery #%e'#l pratie 'or
de!eloping onentration and de"#n&ing the ill#%ion o' ontin#ity. Go#
an pi& any t$o a%pet% o' yo#r eFperiene 'or thi% eFeri%e, "e they
phy%ial or mental. I generally #%e my 'inger% only "ea#%e thro#gh
eFperimentation I ha!e 'o#nd that it i% ea%y 'or me to perei!e the
%en%ation% that ma&e them #p.
In another related eFeri%e, I do the %ame %ort o' thing, %itting
)#ietly in a )#iet plae $ith my eye% lo%ed, "#t in%tead I onentrate on
the %en%ation% o' the 'ront and "a& o' my head. .ith the &no$ledge
that the ill#%ion o' a %eparate perei!er i% partially %#pported "y one
impermanent %en%ation inorretly %eeming to perei!e another
impermanent %en%ation $hih it 'ollo$%, %#h a% the %en%ation% in the
"a& o' the head inorretly %eeming to perei!e the %en%ation% o' the
22
'ront o' the head $hih they 'ollo$, I try to "e really lear a"o#t the%e
%en%ation% and $hen they are and arenIt there. I try to "e lear i' the
%en%ation% in the head are 'rom the 'ront or the "a& o' the head in eah
in%tant, and then try to eFperiene learly the "eginning and ending o'
eah indi!id#al %en%ation.
Thi% pratie al%o re)#ire% a ta"le tenni%8li&e prei%ion. (al' an ho#r
to an ho#r o' thi% an "e )#ite a $or&o#t #ntil the mind %peed% #p and
"eome% more %ta"le, "#t thi% %ort o' e''ort pay% o''. .hen I am
engaged $ith thi% pratie, there i% little room to "e lo%t in tho#ght. I
ha!e al%o 'o#nd thi% a !ery #%e'#l pratie 'or de!eloping onentration
and de"#n&ing the ill#%ion o' ontin#ity and the ill#%ion o' a %eparate
%el' Cmore on that laterE.
In another eFeri%e, $hih i% )#ite ommon to many meditation
tradition%, I %it )#ietly in a )#iet plae, lo%e my eye%, and onentrate
on the "reath. More than >#%t onentrating on it, I &no$ that the
%en%ation% that ma&e #p the onept ;"reath< are eah impermanent,
la%ting only an in%tant. .ith thi% &no$ledge, I try to %ee ho$ many
indi!id#al time% in eah part o' the "reath I an perei!e the %en%ation%
that ma&e #p the "reath. D#ring the in8"reath I try to eFperiene it a%
many time% a% po%%i"le, and try to "e )#ite prei%e a"o#t eFatly $hen
the in8"reath "egin% and end%.
More than thi%, I try to perei!e eFatly and prei%ely $hen eah
%en%ation o' motion or phy%iality o' the "reath ari%e% and pa%%e%. I then
do the %ame 'or the o#t8"reath, paying parti#lar attention to the eFat
end o' the o#t8"reath and then the "eginning o' the ne$ in8"reath. I
donIt $orry a"o#t ho$ I am "reathing "ea#%e it i% not the )#ality o' the
"reath $hih I am onerned $ith or e!en $hat the %en%ation% are, "#t
the #ltimate nat#re o' the%e %en%ation%0 their impermanene, their
ari%ing and pa%%ing a$ay. .hen I am really engaged $ith "ending the
mind to thi% eFeri%e, there i% little room to "e lo%t in tho#ght. I ha!e
'o#nd thi% to "e a !ery #%e'#l pratie 'or de!eloping onentration and
penetrating the ill#%ion o' ontin#ity.
In the la%t eFeri%e, I ta&e on the tho#ght% diretly. I &no$ that the
%en%ation% that ma&e #p tho#ght% an re!eal the tr#th o' the Three
Charateri%ti% to me, %o I ha!e no 'ear o' themR in%tead I regard them
a% more glorio#% opport#nitie% 'or in%ight. Again, %itting )#ietly in a
24
)#iet plae $ith my eye% lo%ed, I t#rn the mind to the tho#ght %tream.
(o$e!er, rather than paying attention to the ontent li&e I #%#ally do, I
pay attention to the #ltimate nat#re o' the n#mero#% %en%ation% that
ma&e #p tho#ght%0 impermanene. I may e!en ma&e the tho#ght% in my
head more and more inten%e >#%t to get a good loo& at them.
It i% a"%ol#tely e%%ential to try to 'ig#re o#t ho$ yo# eFperiene
tho#ght%, other$i%e yo# $ill %imply 'lo#nder in ontent. .hat do
tho#ght% 'eel li&e= .here to they o#r= (o$ "ig are they= .hat do
they loo& li&e, %mell li&e, ta%te li&e, %o#nd li&e= (o$ long do they la%t=
.here are their edge%= *nly ta&e on thi% pratie i' yo# are $illing to
try to $or& on thi% le!el, the le!el that trie% to 'ig#re o#t $hat tho#ght%
at#ally are rather than $hat they mean or imply.
I' my tho#ght% are %ome$hat a#ditory, I "egin "y trying to perei!e
eah %ylla"le o' the #rrent tho#ght and then eah %ylla"leI% "eginning
and ending. I' they are %ome$hat !i%#al, I try to perei!e e!ery in%tant in
$hih a mental image pre%ent% it%el'. I' they %eem %ome$hat phy%ial,
%#h a% the memory o' a mo!ement or 'eeling, I try to perei!e eFatly
ho$ long eah little %en%ation o' thi% memory la%t%. Thi% %ort o'
in!e%tigation an at#ally "e 'airly ea%y to do and yet i% )#ite po$er'#l.
Thing% an al%o get a "it odd )#i&ly $hen doing thi% %ort o' pratie,
"#t I donIt $orry a"o#t that. ,ometime% tho#ght% an "egin to %o#nd
li&e the a#ditory %tro"ing %etion o' the %ong ;Crim%on and Clo!er,<
$here it %o#nd% li&e they are %tanding at a %pinning mirophone.
,ometime% the image% in o#r head an "egin to 'la%h and 'li&er.
,ometime% o#r !ery %en%e o' attention an "egin to %tro"e. Thi% i% the
pointK The %en%ation% that imply a mind and mental proe%%e% are
di%ontin#o#%, impermanent.
Again, thi% pratie re)#ire% %teadine%% and determination, a% $ell a%
prei%ion. .hen I am really engaged $ith thi%, there i% no time to "e
lo%t in the ontent o' the tho#ght%, a% I am trying too hard to "e lear
a"o#t the "eginning and ending o' eah little 'li&er, %)#a$& and p#l%e
$hih ma&e% #p tho#ght. Thi% an "e an e%peially '#n pratie $hen
di''i#lt tho#ght% are di%trating me 'rom a phy%ial %en%ation. I an t#rn
on them, "rea& them do$n into meaningle%% little "lip%, little !i"ration%
o' %#hne%%, and then they donIt ha!e the po$er to a#%e me any
tro#"le. They >#%t %atter li&e on'etti. They are %een a% they are0 %mall,
23
)#i& and harmle%%. They ha!e a me%%age to on!ey, "#t then they are
gone.
.hen I am done $ith thi% eFeri%e, I ret#rn to phy%ial o">et% and
their ari%ing and pa%%ing. (o$e!er, I ha!e 'o#nd ta&ing on the
%en%ation% that ma&e #p tho#ght% to "e another !ery #%e'#l eFeri%e 'or
de!eloping onentration and penetrating the ill#%ion o' ontin#ity. It
doe%nIt matter i' they are ;good tho#ght%< or ;"ad tho#ght%,< a% all
mental %en%ation% are al%o dripping $ith #ltimate tr#th that i% >#%t $aiting
to "e di%o!ered, and th#% I an proeed in my in!e%tigation $ith
on'idene regardle%% o' $hat ari%e%. .hether o#r ill#%ion% are
penetrated #%ing phy%ial %en%ation% or mental %en%ation% i% at#ally
ompletely irrele!ant.
(ope'#lly the%e eFeri%e% $ill gi!e yo# %ome idea a"o#t ho$ one
might pratie #nder%tanding impermanene. Impermanene i% a tr#e
mar& o' #ltimate reality, %o >#%t #nder%tanding thi% again and again an
"e %#''iient to dr#m it into o#r thi& head%, de"#n& the ill#%ion o'
ontin#ity, and one thi% i% dr#mmed into o#r thi& head% $e are 'ree.
Thi% an "e a %#"tle "#%ine%%, %o "e patient and per%e!ere. :emem"er
all three training%. -ollo$ing 'li&ering %en%ation% and #nder%tanding the
other t$o harateri%ti% o' %#''ering and no8%el' that they mani'e%t an
"e a po$er'#l and diret a#%e 'or deep in%ight% and a$a&ening%.
-or 'i!e year% o' my pratie I $a% "a%ially a *ne Tehni)#e -rea&,
and that tehni)#e $a% notiing ho$ %en%ation% 'li&er. I $o#ld do it a%
o'ten a% I o#ld, i.e. "a%ially $hene!er I didnIt ha!e to "e doing
%omething that re)#ired onentration on the %pei'i% o' my li'e. I
$o#ld "e riding an ele!ator, >#%t trying to %ee $hen I o#ld 'eel eah
'oot, or lying do$n to %leep and notiing ho$ many time% I o#ld
eFperiene the %en%ation% o' my "reath in eah %eond. I al%o tried to
notie thi% a%pet o' thing% 'or e!ery %ingle %en%ation that o#rred
d#ring my 'ormal pratie. I #%ed lot% o' o">et%, #%#ally tho%e that $ere
pre%enting %trongly at that time, and $o#ld #%e %ome !ariation% on the
a"o!e tehni)#e% a% $ell a% %ome other% that I $ill mention %hortly to
&eep me 'rom getting %t#&, "#t the a%pet o' my $orld that I tried to
notie, thing% 'li&ering, $a% al$ay% the %ame. I 'o#nd that "y ma&ing
thi% %ort o' ommitment to #nder%tanding one o' the mo%t "a%i
26
a%%#mption% o' in%ight pratie% I $a% a"le to ma&e 'a%t progre%% and
gain the #ltimate in%ight% I $a% loo&ing 'or.
,A--E:I+B
The neFt harateri%ti i% %#'' ering or #n %ati%'atori ne% %.
,o#nd% grim or pe%%imi%ti at 'ir%t, and perhap% de%er!edly %o in one
%en%e, "#t it i% al%o a po$er'#l %tatement that o#r moment8to8moment
eFperiene $ill not permanently %ati%'y e!er. It $ill ne!er happen. .hy=
Bea#%e e!erything i% impermanent, thatO% one rea%on $hyK I >#%t %aid
that nothing la%t%, meaning that yo# an at#ally eFperiene e!erything
that yo# normally thin& o' a% a %olid $orld ari%ing and pa%%ing in%tant to
in%tant. ,o $hat o#ld la%t 'or e!en the "lin& o' an eye to %ati%'y=
+othingK
The point i% not to "e a radial, pe%%imi%ti, nihili%ti yni. The
point i% that it i% not a thing that $ill help, "#t an #nder%tanding o'
%omething in the relation%hip to thing%. There i% no tho#ght, mind %tate
or $hate!er $hih $ill do it. Thi% i% not to %ay that on!entional day8to8
day $i%dom, %#h a% ta&ing are o' o#r%el!e% and other%, i%nOt al%o )#ite
important0 it !ery m#h i%. :emem"er that a$a&ening i% not a thing or a
mind %tate or a tho#ght, it i% an #nder%tanding o' per%peti!e $itho#t
%ome %eparate thing that perei!e%.
There i% a great relie!ing hone%ty in the tr#th o' %#''ering. It an "e
!ery !alidating o' the at#al eFperiene o' o#r li'e and al%o gi!e #% the
%trength to loo& into the a%pet% o' li'e that $e typially try to ignore and
r#n 'rom. E!en %ome deep and #%e'#l in%ight% an "e di%tintly
#nplea%ant, ontrary to pop#lar "elie'K
There i% more to thi% tr#th, and it relate% to the third harateri%ti,
no8%el'. .e are a#ght #p in thi% "iLarre ha"it o' a%%#ming that there i%
an ;I.< Get the de'inition o' thi% %eemingly permanent thing ha% to &eep
on%tantly hanging to &eep #p the ill#%ion in an impermanent $orld.
Thi% ta&e% #p a lot o' mental time and i% ontin#ally 'r#%trating to the
mind, a% it ta&e% %o m#h on%tant $or& and e''ort. Thi% proe%% i%
alled ignorane, i.e. the ill#%ion o' an ;I< and th#% that e!erything el%e
i% ;not I.<
Thi% i% the ill#%ion o' d#ality, and the ill#%ion o' d#ality i% inherently
pain'#l. There i% >#%t %omething di%onerting a"o#t the $ay the mind
m#%t hold it%el' and the in'ormation it m#%t $or& to ignore in order to
27
maintain the %en%e that there i% a permanent and ontin#o#% %el'.
Maintaining it i% pain'#l and it% on%e)#ene% 'or reati!e mind %tate%
are al%o pain'#l. It i% a %#"tle, hroni pain, li&e a !ag#e na#%ea. It i% a
di%tortion o' per%peti!e that $e ha!e gro$n %o #%ed to that $e hardly
notie it mo%t o' the time. The %#''ering a#%ed "y ontin#ally trying to
prop #p the ill#%ion o' d#ality i% '#ndamental %#''ering. Thi% de'inition
o' %#''ering i% the one that i% mo%t #%e'#l 'or in%ight pratie%.
To at#ally 'eel moment to moment thi% )#ality o' reality an "e
hard to do, not "ea#%e %#''ering i% %o hard to 'ind Cit ha% at#ally "een
%aid to "e the ea%ie%t o' the three to t#ne intoE, "#t "ea#%e it ta&e% a
ertain amo#nt o' "ra!ery. Get, it i% %o $ell $orth it. I' $e 'inally $a&e
#p to thi% )#ality o' %#''ering $e $ill e''ortle%%ly let it go, drop it li&e a
hot oal that $e ha!e 'inally realiLed $e $ere holding. It really $or&%
li&e that, and letting go in thi% $ay mean% "eing 'ree.
In!e%tigate yo#r eFperiene and %ee i' yo# an "e open to that
'#ndamental, non8%tory "a%ed a%pet o' yo#r "are eFperiene that i%
%omeho$ #n%ettling, #nplea%ant, or #n%ati%'atory. It an "e 'o#nd to
%ome degree in e!ery in%tant regardle%% o' $hether it i% plea%ant,
#nplea%ant or ne#tral. *ne yo# ha!e %ome mental %ta"ility, yo# an
e!en loo& into the "are eFperiene o' the %en%ation% that ma&e #p the
%torie% that %pin in yo#r mind and %ee ho$ #n%ati%'atory and #n%ettling
it i% to try to pretend they are a %el' or the property o' %ome imagined
%el'. I' $e ontin#e to ha"it#ate o#r%el!e% to thi% #nder%tanding moment
to moment $e may get it into o#r thi& head% and 'inally a$a&en.
My 'a!orite eFeri%e 'or eFamining %#''ering i% to %it in a )#ite plae
$ith my eye% lo%ed and eFamine the phy%ial %en%ation% that ma&e #p
any %ort o' de%ire, "e it de%ire to get %omething, get a$ay 'rom
%omething or >#%t t#ne o#t and go to %leep. At a rate o' one to ten time%
per %eond, I try to eFperiene eFatly ho$ I &no$ that I $i%h to do
%omething other than %imply 'ae my #rrent eFperiene a% it i%.
Moment to moment, I try to 'ind tho%e little #nom'orta"le #rge% and
ten%ion% that try to prod my mind into 'anta%iLing a"o#t pa%t or '#t#re or
%topping my meditation entirely.
-or that meditation period, they are my prey and no#ri%hment,
opport#nitie% to #nder%tand %omething eFtraordinary a"o#t reality, and
%o I do my !ery "e%t to let none o' them ari%e and pa%% $itho#t the "a%i
27
%en%e o' di%%ati%'ation in them "eing learly perei!ed a% it i%. I t#rn on
%en%ation% o' the de%ire to get re%#lt%, t#rn on the pain% and #n%ettling
%en%ation% that ma&e my mind ontrat, t#rn on the "oredom that i%
#%#ally a!er%ion to %#''ering in di%g#i%e, t#rn on the %en%ation% o'
re%tle%%ne%% that try to get me to %top meditating. Anything $ith 'ear or
>#dgment in it i% my "read and "#tter 'or that meditation period. Any
%en%ation that %ma&% o' grandio%ity or %el'8loathing i% $elomed a% a
%o#re o' $i%dom.
A hal' ho#r to an ho#r o' thi% %ort o' on%i%tent in!e%tigation o'
%#''ering i% al%o )#ite a $or&o#t, parti#larly a% $e %pend mo%t o' o#r
li!e% doing anything "#t loo&ing to the%e %ort% o' %en%ation% to gain
in%ight 'rom them. (o$e!er, I ha!e 'o#nd that thi% %ort o' in!e%tigation
pay% o'' in $ay% I o#ld ne!er ha!e imagined.
2oo&ing into #n%ati%'atorine%% may not %o#nd a% onrete a% the
thing a"o#t !i"ration%, "#t I a%%#re yo# it i%. E!en the mo%t plea%ant
%en%ation% ha!e a tinge o' #n%ati%'atorine%% to them, %o loo& 'or it at the
le!el o' "are eFperiene. /ain i% a gold mine 'or thi%. I am a"%ol#tely not
ad!oating #lti!ating pain, a% there i% already eno#gh there. D#%t
&no$ing in eah prei%e in%tant ho$ yo# at#ally &no$ that pain i%
#n%ati%'atory an "e pro'o#nd pratie. DonOt %ettle 'or >#%t the &nee
>er& an%$er that ;o' o#r%e pain i% #n%ati%'atory.< Jno$ eFatly ho$
yo# &no$ thi% in eah moment, "#t donOt get lo%t in %torie% a"o#t it. Thi%
i% "are reality, #ltimate reality $eOre tal&ing a"o#t. D#%t "e $ith it, engage
$ith it, and &no$ it a% it i% at a !ery %imple le!el.
+*8,E2-
The la%t and perhap% mo%t mi%#nder%tood o' the Three
Charateri%ti% i% no8 %el' , al%o rendered a% egol e%% ne% % or
emptine %% . Emptine%%, 'or all it% my%terio#% %o#nding onnotation%,
>#%t mean% that reality i% empty o' a permanent, %eparate %el'. The
empha%i% here a"%ol#tely m#%t "e on the $ord% ;permanent< and
;%eparate.< It doe%nOt mean that reality i% not there, or that all o' thi% i%
ill#%ionK ,olidity i% an ill#%ion, permanene i% an ill#%ion, that the
$ather i% a %eparate thing i% an ill#%ion, "#t all o' thi% i%nOt an ill#%ion.
,#re, all eFperiene i% #tterly tran%ient and ephemeral, "#t that i% not
)#ite the %ame a% e!erything "eing an ill#%ion. There i% a ha"it o'
reading >#%t a "it too m#h into thing% and oming o#t $ith the 'al%e
29
onl#%ion that all o' thi% mean% that there i% %ome %eparate, permanent
#%. :eality i% at#ally 'ine >#%t a% it i% and al$ay% ha% "een, "#t there i% a
deeper #nder%tanding o' it that i% alled 'or.
2etO% tal& a little "it a"o#t thi% onept and ho$ the ill#%ion o' a %el'
i% reated in the 'ir%t plae "e'ore $e tal& a"o#t ho$ to #%e thi% po$er'#l
and pro'o#nd onept o' no8%el' in %imple $ay% in pratie. ,ome
theory really an "e #%e'#l to the pratie, a% all o' it an "e #nder%tood
diretly one one ha% %ome %ta"ility o' mind and a "it o' in%ight into
$hat i% mind and $hat i% "ody, and $hen eah i% and i%nOt there.
.e ha!e thi% notion that there i% really a permanent ;I.< .e might
%ay, ;(ello, I am...< and "e )#ite on!ined that $e are tal&ing a"o#t a
permanent, %eparate thing that an "e 'o#nd. (o$e!er, i' $e are >#%t a
"it more %ophi%tiated $e might a%&, ;.hat i% thi% OIO $hih $e are %#re
i% #%=< .e ha!e gro$n %o a#%tomed to the 'at o' the de'inition
hanging all the time that $e hardly notie it, "#t the point o' in%ight
pratie i% to notie it, and to %ee >#%t $hat it i% that $e are alling ;I< in
eah moment.
.e may "egin $ith the o"!io#% a%%#mption0 $e are o#r "ody. Thi%
%o#nd% nie #ntil $e %ay %omething li&e ;my "ody.< .ell, i' it i% ;my
"ody,< that %eem% to imply that, at that moment, $hate!er it i% that o$n%
the "ody $a%nOt the "ody. ,#ppo%e %omeone point% to o#r toenail%.
They %#rely %eem to "e ;me,< #ntil $e lip them, and then they are ;not
me.< I% thi% really the %ame "ody a% $hen $e $ere "orn= It i%nOt e!en
made o' the %ame ell%, and yet it %eem% to "e a permanent thing. 2oo&
more lo%ely, at the %en%ate le!el, and yo# $ill %ee that moment to
moment it i%nOt. At the le!el o' at#al eFperiene, all that i% 'o#nd i%
'li&ering %t#''. ,o impermanene i% lo%ely related to no8%el', "#t there
i% more to no8%el' than that.
/erhap% tho#ght% are the ;I.< They may %eem more li&e the ;tr#e I<
than the "ody doe%. B#t they ome and go to, donOt they= Can $e really
ontrol the%e tho#ght%= Are they %omething %olid eno#gh to a%%#me that
they are an ;I<= 2oo& lo%ely and yo# $ill %ee that they are not. B#t
again, no8%el' i% more pro'o#nd than thi%.
There al%o %eem% to "e %omething that i% 're)#ently alled ;the
$ather,< that $hih %eem% to "e o"%er!ing all thi%, and perhap% thi% i%
really the ;I< in )#e%tion. ,trangely, the $ather annot "e 'o#nd, an
25
it= It %eem% to %ometime% "e o#r eye%, "#t %ometime% not, %ometime% it
%eem% to "e image% in o#r head and %ometime% %omething that i%
%eparate 'rom them and yet $athing the image% in o#r head.
,ometime% it %eem% to "e o#r "ody, "#t %ometime% it %eem% to "e
$athing o#r "ody. I%nIt it %trange ho$ $e are %o #%ed to thi% on%tant
rede'inition o' o#r%el!e% that $e ne!er %top to )#e%tion it= T#e%tion itK
Thi% odd %en%e o' an #n'inda"le $ather to $hih all o' thi% i%
happening yet $hih i% %eemingly %eparate 'rom all that i% happening,
$hih %ometime% %eem% in ontrol o' ;#%< and yet $hih %ometime%
%eem% at the mery o' reality0 $hat i% it really= .hat i% going on here=
*ne o' my teaher% one $i%ely %aid, ;I' yo# are o"%er!ing it, then it
i%nOt yo# "y de'initionK< +otie that the $hole o' reality %eem% to "e
o"%er!ed. The hint% donOt get any "etter than thi%. (ere are three more
point% o' theory that are !ery #%e'#l 'or in%ight pratie% and oneI%
attempt% to #nder%tand $hat i% meant "y no8%el'0
1. There are a"%ol#tely no %en%ation% that an o"%er!e other
%en%ation%K C+otie that reality i% made entirely o' %en%ation%.E
2. There are no %peial %en%ation% that are #ni)#ely in ontrol o' other
%en%ation%.
4. There are no %en%ation% that are '#ndamentally %plit o'' 'rom other
%en%ation% o#rring at that moment.
To "egin to #nra!el thi% my%tery i% to "egin to a$a&en. ,imply p#t,
reality $ith a %en%e o' a %eparate $ather i% del#%ion, and #nonditioned
reality, reality >#%t a% it i%, i% a$a&ening.
T#i& point here0 people an #%e the tr#th o' no8%el' to rationaliLe
all %ort% o' %trange "eha!ior% "ea#%e they mi%#nder%tand it a% nihili%m.
;ItO% all ill#%ion any$ay,< they might %ay. It a"%ol#tely i%nOt. All o' thi% an
only "e #nder%tood at the le!el that ma&e% the di''erene "y %imple,
lear, prei%e pratie, %o >#%t &eep at it.
*ne more related thing here that i% !ery important0 ego i% a proe%%
o' identi'iation, not a thing in and o' it%el'. It i% li&e a "ad ha"it, "#t it
doe%nOt eFi%t a% %omething that an "e 'o#nd. Thi% i% important, a% thi%
"ad ha"it an )#i&ly o8opt the lang#age o' egole%%ne%% and ome #p
$ith phra%e% a% a"%#rd a%0 ;I $ill de%troy my egoK< B#t, not "eing a
thing, it annot "e de%troyed, "#t "y #nder%tanding o#r "are eFperiene,
o#r mind%, the proe%% o' identi'iation an %top. Any tho#ght% $ith ;I,<
40
;me,< ;my< and ;mine< in them %ho#ld "e #nder%tood to "e >#%t
tho#ght% $hih ome and go. Thi% i% not %omething yo# an tal&
yo#r%el' o#t o'. Go# ha!e to perei!e thing% a% they are to %top thi%
proe%%.
A ommonly heard one i%, ;I am al$ay% identi'ying $ith thing%, I am
al$ay% attahed to thing%,< $ith the impliation that there i% at#ally
%omeone $ho i% ;"ad< 'or ;doing< thi%. Try to a!oid thi% %ort o' %tory
ma&ing, thi% %ort o' #nmind'#l mental %pinning, "#t "e &ind to yo#r%el'
i' it happen%. The %en%ation% that ma&e #p the%e tho#ght% are >#%t empty
in the "e%t o' $ay%.
,o $ho i% it that a$a&en%= It i% all o' thi% tran%iene $hih a$a&en%,
tho#gh 'or a more my%tial, thoro#gh and %eemingly ridi#lo#% an%$er
ta&e a loo& at +o8%el' !%. Tr#e ,el' in /art III.
.e donOt ha!e to %ort thi% all o#t at one. .e an "egin $ith %imple
%tep% and the re%t $ill 'all into plae i' $e are diligent and %&ill'#l.
,o, no$ that I ha!e made the po%%i"le %eem my%tial and a"%tr#%e,
hope'#lly I $ill ma&e it %eem !ery attaina"le. The "ig, pratial tri& to
#nder%tanding egole%%ne%% i% to t#ne into the 'at that %en%ation% ari%e on
their o$n in a nat#ral a#%al 'a%hion, e!en the intention% to do thing%.
Thi% i% a 'ormal pratie in%tr#tion.
Thi% may %o#nd hard #ntil yo# thin& a"o#t it and then perhap% it
may "eome %o o"!io#% it may %eem trite. B#t it i%nOt, and
#nder%tanding it again and again, moment to moment, an "ang the
tr#th into #%, and i' $e '#lly get it $e $ill "e 'ree. ,o, %tart and perhap%
remain $ith o"!io#% thing% li&e phy%ial %en%ation%. They >#%t %ho$ #p
and he& o#t o!er there, donOt they= T#ne into thi%. Allo$ thi% )#ality
o' thing% ari%ing and pa%%ing on their o$n to %ho$ it%el'. +otie that
$hate!er i% o"%er!ed i%nOt ;#%.< Do thi% again and again and again at a
rate o' one to ten time% per %eond a% "e'ore. That i% all there i% to it.
,ee, that $a%nOt %o hardK
Tho#ght%, the "reath, and all o' o#r eFperiene donOt )#ite %eem to
"e in o#r ontrol, do they= ThatO% itK Jno$ thi% moment to moment.
DonOt %tr#ggle too m#h $ith reality, eFept to "rea& the "ad ha"it% o'
"eing lo%t in %torie%, poor onentration, and a la& o' #nder%tanding o'
the Three Charateri%ti%. Allo$ !i"ration% to %ho$ them%el!e% and t#ne
into the %en%e that yo# donOt ha!e to %tr#ggle 'or them to ari%e. :eality
41
>#%t ontin#e% to hange on it% o$n. ThatO% really it. In!e%tigate thi% again
and again #ntil yo# get it. +otie that thi% applie% to eah and e!ery
%en%ation that yo# eFperiene.
,o, $hile $e an diret the mind to penetrate into phenomena $ith
great prei%ion and energy, $e an al%o %it )#ietly and allo$ reality to
>#%t %ho$ it%el' a% it i%. Both per%peti!e% are important and !al#a"le,
and "eing a"le to dra$ on eah along the $ay an "e !ery help'#l. ,aid
another $ay, $e an realiLe that reality i% already %ho$ing it%el', %ettle
)#ietly into thi% moment, and "e lear and prei%e a"o#t it.
*"!io#%ly there i% a "it o' a paradoF here relating to e''ort and
%#rrender. In many $ay% it i% at the heart o' the %pirit#al li'e. There i% a
lot o' ad!ie a!aila"le on thi% point, "#t in term% o' in%ight meditation
pratie I $o#ld %ay thi%0 I' $hen meditating yo# an perei!e the ari%ing
and pa%%ing o' phenomena learly and on%i%tently, that i% eno#gh
e''ort, %o allo$ thi% to %ho$ it%el' nat#rally and %#rrender to it. I' not, or
i' yo# are lo%t in %torie%, then there are %ome teahing% oming #p in the
other li%t% that may help.
-or day8to8day reality, the %pei'i% o' o#r eFperiene are ertainly
important, "#t 'or in%ight into the tr#th o' thing% in meditation they
largely arenOt. ,aid another $ay, it i% neither the o">et o' meditation, the
a#%e% o' the o">et o' meditation, nor the %igni'iane o' the o">et o'
meditation, "#t the tr#th o' the %en%ation% that ma&e #p that ;o">et<
$hih m#%t "e #nder%tood. *ne yo# an tell $hat i% mind and $hat i%
"ody, thatO% 'or the mo%t part eno#gh. ,o donOt ma&e %torie%, "#t &no$
thi%0 thing% ome and go, they donOt %ati%'y, and they ainOt yo#. That i%
the tr#th. It i% >#%t that %imple. I' yo# an >#%t not get to a#ght #p in the
ontent and &no$ the%e %imple, "a%i and o"!io#% tr#th% moment to
moment, %ome other $ordle%% and pro'o#nd #nder%tanding may ari%e
on it% o$n.
A #%e'#l teahing i% onept#aliLing reality a% %iF %en%e door%0 to#h,
ta%te, %eeing, hearing, %melling, and tho#ght. It may %eem odd to
on%ider tho#ght a% a %en%e door, "#t thi% i% at#ally m#h more
rea%ona"le than the a%%#mption that tho#ght% are an ;#%< or ;o#r%< or in
omplete ontrol. D#%t treat tho#ght% a% more %en%ation% oming in
$hih m#%t "e #nder%tood to "e impermanent, #n%ati%'atory and not
%el'. In thi% %trangely #%e'#l 'rame$or&, there are not e!en ear%, eye%,
42
%&in, a no%e, a tong#e, or a mind. There are >#%t %en%ation% $ith !ario#%
)#alitie%, %ome o' $hih may imply the%e thing% 'or an in%tant.
Bare eFperiene i% >#%t daning, 'li&ering olor, 'orm, energy and
%pae, "a%ially, and the &no$ledge o' the%e C$hih i% not a%
'#ndamentally di''erent 'rom them a% yo# might %#%petE. Try to %tay
lo%e to that le!el $hen yo# pratie, the le!el o' the %imple, diret,
o"!io#%, literal. B#t $hene!er yo# are lo%t in interpretation m#h
"eyond thi%, that ainOt in%ight meditation, a% m#h a% people $o#ld li&e
it to "e. (a!e I %aid thi% eno#gh= *&ay, then.
I realiLe that mo%t people go into meditation loo&ing 'or %ta"ility,
happine%%, and om'ort in the 'ae o' their o$n eFi%tene. I ha!e >#%t
%aid that I ha!e %pent many year% #lti!ating eFtreme eFperiential
in%ta"ility, are'#l a$arene%% o' the min#tia o' my %#''ering and the lear
pereption that I donIt e!en eFi%t a% a %eparate entity. .hy thi% $o#ld
"e a good idea i% a !ery ompleF topi that I $ill try to deal $ith later,
"#t I an hone%tly %ay that the%e pratie% are $itho#t do#"t the %ane%t
thing I ha!e e!er done in my li'e.
*ne more little arrot0 it i% rightly %aid that to deeply #nder%tand any
t$o o' the harateri%ti% %im#ltaneo#%ly i% to #nder%tand the third, and
thi% #nder%tanding i% %#''iient to a#%e immediate 'ir%t a$a&ening.
44
THE FIVE SPIRITUAL FACULTIES
The -i!e ,pirit#al -a#ltie% are %aid to "e li&e a art $ith 'o#r
$heel% and a dri!er. I' any o' the 'o#r $heel% i% too %mall or $o""ly or
not in "alane $ith the other%, then the going on the %pirit#al road $ill
"e ro#gh. I' the dri!er i% not paying attention then there $ill al%o "e
pro"lem%. The 'o#r $heel% %ym"oliLe 'aith , $i%dom , ener gy and
one ntratio n. The dri!er %ym"oliLe% mind'#l ne% %.
Thi% i% really a #%e'#l little teahing and )#ite a 'ine li%t. The tri& i%
that 'aith and $i%dom m#%t "oth "e made %trong and &ept in "alane, a%
m#%t energy and onentration. Mind'#lne%% may al$ay% "e inrea%ed,
%o 'or thi% one the %&y i% the limit, "#t donOt "e too o"%e%%i!e a"o#t it.
Thi% %o#nd% really %imple and perhap% o"!io#%, "#t there i% )#ite a
lot here, and on the %pirit#al path it i% $orth he&ing #p on o#r%el!e%
reg#larly and a%&ing i' the 'ir%t 'o#r are all %trong and in "alane and i'
$e might "e >#%t a "it more mind'#l.
-AIT( A+D .I,D*M
2etO% %tart $ith 'aith and $i%dom . -aith in de'iieny an lead to
ynii%m, gi!ing #p, hal'8hearted e''ort, and "itterne%%. -aith in eFe%%
an lead to "lind adherene to dogma, %etarian arrogane, "eing
di%appointed $hen yo# realiLe that yo#r teaher% are h#man, an
ina"ility to reali%tially eFamine and re!i%e yo#r approah to %pirit#ality
$hen nee%%ary, and many other pro"lem%. .i%dom in de'iieny an
lead to %t#pidity, "lindne%%, g#lli"ility, and 'ooli%h interpretation% o' the
teahing%. .i%dom in eFe%% an lead to harm'#l le!erne%%, !anity
a"o#t oneO% in%ight%, an o!erempha%i% on &no$ledge and %t#dy o!er
pratie and diret eFperiene, and de%perate attempt% to thin& yo#r%el'
to enlightenment. C+ote0 Sen &oan training i% %omething el%e entirely.E
Go# an %ee that an eFe%% o' $i%dom i% %imilar to a la& o' 'aith,
and an eFe%% o' 'aith i% %imilar to a la& o' $i%dom. .hen thi% "alane
i% right there i% a heart'elt %teadine%%, a )#ality o' "alaned and gen#ine
in)#iry, an a"ility to per%e!ere and yet a ertain h#mility. -aith at it% "e%t
prod#e% deep gratit#de 'or li'e in all it% rihne%%, 'or it% le%%on%,
di''i#ltie% and "le%%ing%, and 'or the hane to a$a&en. .i%dom at it%
"e%t ome% 'rom deep in!e%tigation o' li'e a% it i% and goe% 'ar "eyond
The -i!e ,pirit#al -a#ltie%
the reah o' rea%on and rational tho#ght, tran%ending the paradoFe%
that the%e ine!ita"ly reate. In the end, $i%dom and 'aith on!erge.
(o$ do $e apply thi%= Mo%t o' #% $ill %#''er 'rom im"alane% o'
$i%dom or 'aith $ith %ome reg#larity. ,o i' thing% are going a "it o'', >#%t
he& in $ith the -i!e ,pirit#al -a#ltie% and a%&, ;Co#ld I perhap%
$or& a "it on $i%dom, 'aith, or "ringing the%e into "alane=< Thi% i% a
po$er'#l )#e%tion and, i' $e are $illing to "e hone%t $ith o#r%el!e%, it
an orret a lot o' error% on the %pirit#al path. Another good $ay to
apply thi% i% to loo& at the li%t o' %ymptom% o' im"alane a"o!e and %ee
i' perhap% %ome o' the%e apply to #%. Thi% i% an ea%y $ay to %ee $hat
might need %ome attention.
E+E:BG A+D C*+CE+T:ATI*+
Energy and one ntratio n $or& >#%t the %ame $ay0 they m#%t
"oth "e %trong "#t m#%t al%o "e in "alane. .hen energy i% de'iient
there i% %loth, torpor, d#llne%%, and tiredne%%. .hen energy i% in eFe%%
the mind and "ody may "e re%tle%%, >#mpy, %trained, and irrita"le. It
may e!en "e #na"le to 'o#% at all "ea#%e %o m#h empha%i% i% "eing
plaed on e''ort it%el'. .hen onentration i% de'iient the mind $onOt
%tay $ith an o">et and tend% to get lo%t in tho#ght. .hen onentration
i% in eFe%% one an get lo%t in oneO% o">et% or "e 'o#%ed too narro$ly
and tightly 'or reality to ;"reathe.< Again, too m#h energy i% related to
a la& o' onentration and !ie !er%a.
.hen thi% "alane i% right, the po%t#re i% %traight and %teady "#t not
rigid, and the mind i% "right and 'o#%ed %teadily on o">et% and their
"a& and 'orth interplay. .hen energy and onentration "egin to
ome on line $itho#t mind'#lne%% "eing %trong yet, the mind may "e
prone to getting a#ght in o"%e%%i!e thin&ing '#eled "y the %trong energy
and onentration, %o $ath 'or thi% and %tay gro#nded in phy%ial
o">et%.
,o, %imply pay attention to ho$ yo#r pratie i% going and ad>#%t the
le!el% o' energy and onentration aordingly. -inding the "alane
ta&e% time, and may re)#ire reg#lar read>#%tment a% $e learn to #%e the
po$er o' o#r mind%. ,ometime% it i% help'#l to "e !ery gentle $ith o#r
attention, a% i' $e $ere trying to 'eel the $ind on o#r %&in 'rom the
'lapping o' a near"y "#tter'lyI% $ing%. ,ometime% it i% help'#l to #%e o#r
46
attention li&e a mahine g#n. *'ten $e do >#%t 'ine %ome$here in
"et$een.
A $illingne%% to play aro#nd $ith !ario#% om"ination% o' energy
and onentration prod#e% the nee%%ary per%onal eFperiene to 'ig#re
o#t $hat help% and $hat i% too m#h or too little. Many o' the pro"lem%
that meditator% ome to a%& meditation teaher% a"o#t $hen they are
doing their pratie relate diretly to >#%t "alaning energy and
onentration, %o engage $ith $hat that might mean and %ee i' yo# an
apply thi% little teahing to help yo# %ee learly.
MI+D-A2+E,,
Mind'#l ne% % i% in a ategory all "y it%el', a% it an "alane and
per'et all the other%. Thi% doe% not mean that one %ho#ldnOt "e
in'ormed "y the other t$o pair%, "#t that mind'#lne%% i% really, really
important. Mind'#lne%% mean% &no$ing $hat i% a% it i% right no$. It i%
the )#ality o' mind that &no$% thing% a% they are. I' yo# are trying to do
thi% yo# are "alaning energy and onentration, and al%o "alaning 'aith
and $i%dom. -rom energy the mind i% alert and attenti!e, 'rom
onentration it i% %ta"le. -aith here may al%o mean aeptane, and
$i%dom here i% lear omprehen%ion.
+otie that thi% ha% nothing do to $ith %ome %ort o' !ag#e %paing
o#t in $hih $e $i%h that reality $o#ld go a$ay and o#r tho#ght% $o#ld
ne!er ari%e again. I donOt &no$ $here people get the idea that !ag#e
a!er%ion to eFperiene and tho#ght i% related to in%ight pratie, "#t it
%eem% to "e a ommon one. Mind'#lne%% i% a"o#t "eing !ery lear a"o#t
o#r at#al reality a% it at#ally i%. It i% a"o#t "eing here no$. The
#ltimate tr#th i% 'o#nd in the ordinary %en%ation% that ma&e #p o#r
$orld. I' yo# are not mind'#l o' them or re>et them "ea#%e yo# are
loo&ing 'or ;depth< and ;tran%endene,< then yo# $ill "e #na"le to
appreiate $hat they ha!e to teah and "e #na"le to do in%ight pratie%.
,o, i' yo# &no$ thing% >#%t a% they are thi% i% eno#gh. .e >#%t &eep
oming "a& to that one, donOt $e, "#t 'rom lot% o' di''erent angle%.
Eah one o' the%e angle% might "e #%e'#l to yo# at di''erent time%, and
ha!ing a 'e$ little li%t% to loo& at a% $e $al& o#r path an "ring 're%h
per%peti!e% and &eep #% 'rom getting %t#&.
The -i!e ,pirit#al -a#ltie% ha!e al%o "een pre%ented in another
order that an "e #%e'#l0 'aith, energy, mind'#lne%%, onentration and
47
$i%dom. In thi% order, they apply to eah o' the Three Training%. .e
ha!e 'aith that training in morality i% a good idea and that $e an do it,
%o $e eFert energy to li!e #p to a %tandard o' lear and %&ill'#l li!ing.
.e realiLe that $e m#%t pay attention to o#r tho#ght%, $ord% and deed%
in order to do thi%, %o $e try to "e mind'#l o' them. .e realiLe that $e
o'ten 'ail to pay attention, %o $e try to inrea%e o#r a"ility to onentrate
on ho$ $e li!e o#r li'e. In thi% $ay, thro#gh eFperiene, $e "eome
$i%er in a relati!e %en%e, learning ho$ to li!e a good and #%e'#l li'e.
,eeing o#r %&ill impro!e and the "ene'it% it ha% 'or o#r li'e, $e generate
more 'aith, and %o on.
.e al%o may ha!e 'aith that $e might "e a"le to attain to high %tate%
o' on%io#%ne%%, %o $e %it do$n on a #%hion and energetially try to
%ta"iliLe o#r attention. .e realiLe that i' $e are not paying attention,
"eing mind'#l, then thi% i% impo%%i"le, %o $e $or& on mind'#lne%% o'
o#r o">et and o' the )#alitie% o' the %tate $e $i%h to attain. .e de!elop
%trong onentration on an o">et, %ta"iliLing more on%i%tently. .e
attain to high %tate% and th#% gain an #nder%tanding o' ho$ to na!igate in
that territory and the #%e% o' doing %o. *#r %#e%% reate% more 'aith,
and %o $e apply energy to '#rther de!elop o#r onentration a"ilitie%.
.e "egin to thin& it might "e po%%i"le to a$a&en, $e ha!e 'aith, %o
$e energetially eFplore the %en%ation% that ma&e #p o#r $orld $itho#t
eFeption. .ith an alert and energeti mind $e eFplore thi% heart, mind
and "ody >#%t a% it i% no$ $ith mind'#lne%%. :eality "eome% more and
more intere%ting, %o o#r onentration gro$%, and thi% om"ination o'
the 'ir%t 'o#r prod#e% '#ndamental $i%dom. .i%dom lead% to more
'aith, and the yle goe% aro#nd again.
The teahing o' the -i!e ,pirit#al -a#ltie% ha% al%o "een eFplored
at great length% in many "oo&%, and there really i% a lot to it. In it% %imple
'orm yo# an ea%ily apply it, and it an really help %ometime%. Balane
and %trengthen. ,trengthen and "alane. The%e are the yle% $e go
thro#gh $ith the%e 'a#ltie%, and there i% no limit to the le!el at $hih
they an "e ma%tered.
*ne other thing i% a#rately %aid o' the -i!e ,pirit#al -a#ltie% a%
they apply to in%ight training0 $hen they are "alaned and per'eted, thi%
i% %#''iient a#%e 'or a$a&ening.
47
7.THE SEVEN FACTORS OF ENLIGHTENMENT
The ,e!en -ator% o' Enlightenment are mind'#lne %% ,
in!e %tigat ion o ' the tr#th , energy , rapt#re , tran)#ility ,
one ntratio n and e)#animit y. ,o, $e ha!e three onept% 'rom the
-i!e ,pirit#al -a#ltie% and 'o#r that %eem ne$ "#t ha!e at#ally already
"een to#hed on to %ome degree. The order here i% at#ally lo%ely
related to the %tage% o' %omething alled ;The /rogre%% o' In%ight,<
$hih i% li&e a map o' %tandard %tage% thro#gh $hih diligent in%ight
meditator% pa%% in yle%. Thi% onnetion i% a 'airly ad!aned topi that
$ill "e eFplored later.
The ,e!en -ator% o' Enlightenment might "e regarded a% a
pyramid $ith mind'#lne%% a% the "a%e and eah 'ator %#pporting and
helping reate the other. (o$e!er, e!ery 'ator i% al%o important at
e!ery %tage a% $ell, %o $e $ill loo& into eah o' the%e and %ee $hat they
an tell #%.
MI+D-A2+E,,
Mind'#l ne% % ha% already "een o!ered a"o!e, "#t in term% o'
pratie I $ill %ay that mind'#lne%% an "e really #%e'#l in %orting o#t
$hat i% mind and $hat i% "ody, a% mentioned on the %etion on
impermanene in the Three Charateri%ti%. Go# might $ant to read
that one again, a% it i% really rele!ant to pratially applying the%e 'ir%t
t$o 'ator% o' enlightenment. Ba%ially, $e need to &no$ the "a%i
%en%ation% that ma&e #p o#r $orld. Thi% i% the r#ial 'o#ndation o'
in%ight pratie%. +ot %#rpri%ingly, the 'ir%t la%%i in%ight that lead% to the
other% i% alled ;Jno$ledge o' Mind and Body< and ari%e% $hen $e
learn to learly di%ting#i%h "et$een the t$o a% they o#r.
,o $ith mind'#lne%% $e %ort o#t $hat i% phy%ial, $hat i% !i%#al, $hat
i% mental, $hat i% plea%ant, $hat i% #nplea%ant, $hat i% ne#tral, and all o'
that. .e an &no$ $hat i% a mental %en%ation and $hat i% a related
phy%ial 'eeling. .e an &no$ $hat %pei'i %en%ation% ma&e #p o#r
emotion%. .e an &no$ eah thing and the mental impre%%ion o' it that
'ollo$% it. .e an &no$ the intention% that preede ation% and
tho#ght%. .e an &no$ $here %en%ation% are in relation to eah other.
.e an &no$ eFatly $hen they o#r and ho$ they hange d#ring
their !ery "rie' %tay. .e an and %ho#ld %ort the%e o#t a% "e%t $e an.
The ,e!en -ator% o' Enlightenment
Be patient and prei%e. Beome 'l#ent in the %en%ation% that ma&e #p
yo#r reality.
.hile I ha!e tried to a!oid ad!oating one %pei'i in%ight tradition
or tehni)#e o!er any other, there i% an eFeri%e that yo# might 'ind
help'#l $hen trying to do thi%. It i% ommonly alled ;+oting,< and it
ha% it% origin% in the /ali Canon in ,#tta U111, *ne "y *ne a% They
*#rred, o' The Middle 2ength Di%o#r%e% o' the B#ddha C!ery
$orth$hile readingE. It i% #%ed primarily in the Maha%i ,ayada$ in%ight
tradition 'rom B#rma, tho#gh related eFeri%e% are 'o#nd in !ario#% Sen
tradition%, nota"ly ,oto Sen and Jorean Chan, and pro"a"ly in Ti"etan
(inayana tradition% a% $ell.
+oting i% the pratie that got me the mo%t "rea&% and in%ight% in my
early pratie, parti#larly $hen o#pled $ith retreat%, and my
enth#%ia%m 'or it i% #nder%tanda"ly eFtreme. I %till on%ider it the
'o#ndation o' my pratie, the tehni)#e that I 'all "a& on $hen thing%
get di''i#lt or $hen I really $ant to p#%h deep into ne$ in%ight territory.
Th#%, o' all the tehni)#e% and empha%e% I mention in thi% "oo&, ta&e
thi% one the mo%t %erio#%ly and gi!e it the mo%t attention. It% %impliity
"elie% it% a%toni%hing po$er.
The pratie i% thi%0 ma&e a )#iet, mental one8$ord note o' $hate!er
yo# eFperiene in eah moment. Try to %tay $ith the %en%ation% o'
"reathing, noting the%e )#i&ly a% ;ri%ing< Ca% many time% a% the
%en%ation% o' the "reath ri%ing are eFperienedE and then ;'alling< in the
%ame $ay. Thi% o#ld al%o "e on%idered '#ndamental in%ight pratie
in%tr#tion%. .hen the mind $ander%, note% might inl#de ;thin&ing,<
;'eeling,< ;pre%%#re,< ;ten%ion,< ;$andering,< ;antiipating,< ;%eeing,<
;hearing,< ;old,< ;hot,< ;pain,< ;plea%#re,< et. +ote the%e %en%ation%
one "y one a% they o#r and then ret#rn to the %en%ation% o' "reathing.
(ere are %ome !al#a"le tip% 'or %#e%%'#l noting. DonIt get too
ne#roti a"o#t $hether or not yo# ha!e eFatly the orret $ord 'or
$hat ari%e%. The noting %ho#ld "e a% on%i%tent and ontin#o#% a%
po%%i"le, perhap% one to 'i!e time% per %eond. ,peed and an a"ility to
&eep noting no matter $hat ari%e% are !ery important. Anything that
derail% yo#r noting pratie de%er!e% aggre%%i!e and 'earle%% noting the
neFt time it ari%e%. +ote hone%tly and prei%ely. ,o long a% yo# note
$hate!er ari%e%, yo# &no$ that yo# $ere mind'#l o' it. +otiing eah
45
%en%ation and tho%e that 'ollo$, yo# $ill %ee their tr#e nat#re. ,eeing
their tr#e nat#re, yo# $ill gain pro'o#nd in%ight%.
.hat the %en%ation% are doe%nOt matter one "it 'rom the point o'
!ie$ o' noting pratie. .hat i% important i% that yo# &no$ $hat they
are. The di''erene "et$een the%e t$o per%peti!e% %ho#ld "e learly
#nder%tood. Thi% pratie i% diretly related to Joan pratie% %#h a%
;$hat i% it=< and i% loo%ely related to "reathing eFeri%e% $here yo#
o#nt "reath% 'rom 1 to 10.
*ne o' my !ery "e%t in%ight meditation teaher%, a mon& 'rom
,ingapore, $o#ld hold inter!ie$% e!ery t$o day% $hile I $a% on my third
retreat. It $a% a "ea#ti'#l enter in /enang, Malay%ia that $a% !ery
ond#i!e to pratie. I $o#ld ome in and de%ri"e all %ort% o'
eFperiene% that I $a% all eFited a"o#t, and he $o#ld %imply li%ten
almly to me go on and on and then 'inally a%&, ;Did yo# note it=<
That $a% almo%t all he e!er %aid. It $a% amaLing ho$ ea%y it $a% to
'orget that %imple in%tr#tion, and e)#ally amaLing ho$ eFtremely #%e'#l
it $a% $hen I remem"ered to 'ollo$ it. (e didnOt %eem to are a"o#t
anything other than that I get to &no$ my reality a% it $a% $ith great
prei%ion and on%i%teny. I &ne$ !ery little theory then, "#t d#ring
tho%e t$o $ee&% I pratied noting )#i&ly all day long and made the
'a%te%t progre%% I ha!e e!er made in my li'e, getting all the $ay to the
!ery "rin& o' 'ir%t a$a&ening in a mere 138day retreat. ,ine that time, I
ha!e "een a "ig 'an o' thi% parti#larly diret and do$n8to8earth method.
There are many tehni)#e% 'or $a&ing #p to the tr#th o' o#r
eFperiene, o' $hih noting i% >#%t one. I ha!e 'o#nd it to "e eFtremely
po$er'#l and 'a%t, "#t eah per%on m#%t 'ind $hat $or&% 'or them. The
tri& i% to get to &no$ oneO% reality a% it i%, and $hat tehni)#e% one #%e%
to do thi% do not matter m#h %o long a% they $or& and "ring re%#lt%.
.hat i% meant "y ;re%#lt%< $ill "e learly %pelled o#t in The /rogre%% o'
In%ight in /art III.
I+HE,TIBATI*+ *- T(E T:AT(
*ne $e %tart to &no$ $hat o#r o">et% are, $hat o#r at#al reality
i%, then $e an get do$n to the good %t#''0 &no$ing the tr#th o' the%e
thing%, alled appropriately in!e%ti gatio n o' the tr#th , al%o alled
in!e%tigation o' the dharma. Dharma >#%t mean% tr#th. ,o, one
mind'#lne%% ha% made thing% a "it learer $e an &no$ that thing% ome
30
and go, donOt %ati%'y and ainOt #%. (ey, the Three Charateri%ti% againK
They are the tr#th, the %ooner $e #nder%tand thi% the "etter, and
nothing help% #% #nder%tand them li&e %eeing them again and again.
-orgi!e thi% "rie' digre%%ion, "#t I am no 'an o' the pop#lar term
;mind'#lne%% meditation,< a% mind'#lne%% i% e%%ential 'or "oth
onentration pratie% C$hih lead to temporary "li%% %tate%E and in%ight
pratie% C$hih lead to '#ndamental 'reedomE. The r#ial di''erene
"et$een the%e meditation pratie% i% that in%ight pratie% al%o %tre%%
in!e%tigation o' the Three Charateri%ti%, $herea% onentration
pratie% empha%iLe %ta"iliLing in the ill#%ion o' %olidity and ontin#ity
$hile ignoring the 'at that the %en%ation% that ma&e #p thi% are all
impermanent, et. Th#%, I hope that one day the modern meditation
$orld drop% thi% on'#%ing term in 'a!or o' more prei%e lang#age.
In addition to the ategorie% o' %en%ation% mentioned a"o!e in
Mind'#lne%%, one o#ld al%o on%ider on%i%tent in!e%tigation o' all
%en%ation% that %eem to ha!e to do $ith the diretion and mo!ement o'
attention, a% $ell a% in!e%tigating all %en%ation% that ha!e to do $ith
)#e%tioning, $anting, the appliation o' energy and e!en the indi!id#al
%en%ation% that ma&e #p the proe%% o' in!e%tigation it%el'. The%e are
!ery intere%ting o">et%, a% are ;the hindrane%.<
Traditionally, "oo&% on meditation %pend a lot o' time di%#%%ing
the po%%i"le hindrane% to meditation. I $ill not. The hindrane% are an
important topi, "#t they an ea%ily "egin to %eem more omino#% than
they really are. (indrane% are >#%t anything o' $hih $e $ere not
mind'#l and o' $hih $e did not in!e%tigate the tr#th. +o$ that $e
&no$ to "e mind'#l and in!e%tigate the Three Charateri%ti% o' all
moment8to8moment eFperiene%, there $ill only "e hindrane% $hen $e
'orget to do thi%.
I' $e do not 'orget to do thi%, there $ill "e no hindrane%. +o
phenomena are inherently a hindrane #nle%% $e do not #nder%tand
them. I' $e did not #nder%tand at lea%t one o' the Three Charateri%ti%
o' eah o' the %en%ation% that ma&e #p a phenomenon, no matter $hat
it $a%, it $a% a hindrane. :emem"er that the ontent o' reality i% not
o#r onern in in%ight meditation, "#t the #ltimate tr#th o' the
%en%ation% that ma&e #p eFperiential reality i%. ,o $hate!er %eem% to "e
in the $ay o' yo#r pratie, remem"er that the eFperiene o' that
31
moment i% the pratie and ontain% all the tr#th yo# o#ld e!er needK
All phenomena are o' the nat#re o' #ltimate tr#th. .hen $e &no$
deeply that the%e are all o' the nat#re o' #ltimate tr#th, phenomena
ea%e to "e a '#ndamental pro"lem.
The B#ddha $a% a ma%ter o' teahing thro#gh analogie% that $ere
ea%ily ae%%i"le to tho%e li%tening to him. I am ertainly not in hi%
leag#e in thi% regard, and thi% $ill "e learly demon%trated "y the
analogy I am a"o#t to #%e 'or in!e%tigation. (o$e!er, it ha% it% point%,
and %o a'ter m#h on%ideration, I ha!e inl#ded it here.
The B#ddha ga!e hi% analogie% name%, and I ha!e named thi% one
;The Analogy o' ,hootinI Alien%.< Bear $ith me hereK D#%t a"o#t all o'
#% in thi% day and age ha!e at lea%t %een i' not played !ideo game%
in!ol!ing %hooting alien%. A% the game goe% on, the alien% ome in 'a%ter
and 'a%ter, %ome ta&ing m#ltiple hit% to &ill them. ,ome o' the%e game%
penaliLe #% 'or $a%ting amm#nition, a#%ing #% to really 'o#% on eFatly
$here and $hen the%e alien% are ari%ing, %o that $e may %hoot them
eFatly $hen they ari%e a% e''iiently a% po%%i"le "e'ore they %hoot #%.
A 'e$ o' yo# may already "e thin&ing, ;Bet that "loody and !iolent
analogy o#t o' thi% "oo& o' holy $i%domK< The B#ddha #%ed many
%imilar analogie%, one o' $hih ome% to mind i% ha% to do $ith a hor%e
trainer CteaherE $ho &ill% hor%e% that %imply $ill not "e "ro&en C%top%
teahing #nreaha"le %t#dent%E. Th#%, yo# pan%y riti% an all drop
dead.
Any$ay, in thi% analogy the alien% are all o' the little %en%ation% that
ma&e #p o#r eFperiene. ,hooting them i% paying attention to them and
%eeing their tr#e nat#re, perhap% $ith the aid o' noting pratie Cli&e a
g#n $ith la%er %ight on itE. The alien% %hooting #% i% $hat happen% $hen
$e do not %ee their tr#e nat#re, a% they "eome a hindrane, "inding #%
on the $heel o' %#''ering 'or the d#ration o' o#r ina"ility to %hoot them.
,ome may e!en ta&e #% o#t o' the game Ca#%e #% %top pratiing
entirelyE. The alien% that ta&e m#ltiple hit% to &ill are o#r "ig i%%#e%,
tho%e thing% that are di''i#lt 'or #% to "rea& into their ompo%ite
%en%ation%. Being penaliLed 'or %hooting $a%te'#lly i% $hat an happen i'
$e note %en%ation% that $e didnIt at#ally eFperiene "ea#%e $e 'ell
into repetiti!e, imprei%e, mantra8li&e noting ha"it%.
32
-#rther, the %peed, prei%ion and play'#l attit#de re)#ired 'or !ideo
game% i% eFatly li&e the 'eel o' $ell8done in%ight pratie%. I' yo# $ath
%ome &id playing a 'a%t alien8%hooting game, yo# $ill notie that they are
really going 'or it. They are %hooting !ery 'a%t and de'initely not thin&ing
a"o#t anything "#t doing that. Thi% i% eFatly the %ort o' dediation and
pa%%ion that help% $ith in%ight pratie%.
.hen o#r mind'#lne%% and in!e%tigation are on hair trigger, "eing
a$are o' e!ery little %en%ation that ari%e% and pa%%e%, $e are "o#nd to
$in %ooner or later. The motto, ;+ote 'ir%t, a%& )#e%tion% later,< i% >#%t
%o help'#l i' $e are to &eep pratiing prei%ely $itho#t getting lo%t in
the %torie%. Again, o'' the #%hion the %torie% an ha!e %ome !al#e i' not
ta&en too %erio#%ly. *n the #%hion, ta&e no pri%oner%0 ;+ote Mem all,
and let Bod %ort Mem o#tK< Thi% i% %eemingly eFtreme "#t at#ally !ery
po$er'#l and pro'o#nd ad!ie. Do not di%mi%% ea%ily The Analogy o'
,hootinI Alien%.
.here the Analogy o' ,hootinI Alien% "rea&% do$n i% that all the%e
alien% $ant i% attention and aeptane. They ome to #% %o that $e $ill
greet them learly and openly, "#t i' $e 'ail to do thi% they an get !ery
tro#"le%ome. Their little alien heart% are "eing "ro&en $hen $e donIt
get to &no$ them a% they are, %o $ho an "lame them $hen they get
mi%hie!o#% and try to tri& #% into paying more attention to them "y
a#%ing tro#"le. ,#re, itI% a "it hildi%h o' them, "#t $e donIt al$ay% get
to meet mat#re and $ell8ad>#%ted alien%.
Th#%, rather than &illing o#r alien% "y %hooting them, $e gi!e them
$hat they $ant "y notiing or noting them. .e donIt in!ite the pretty
one% to %tay $ith #% 'ore!er, nor do $e ignore the "oring alien%. .e
donIt &i& the #gly one% 'rom o#r door either. 2i&e a politiian on the
ampaign trail, $e eFtend a hand to all, %ay, ;(elloK< and then )#i&ly
do thi% 'or lot% o' other%. .hen $e meet them, greet them, get to &no$,
aept and e!en lo!e them, they go a$ay happy. I realiLe that II!e >#%t
gone 'rom "eing eFe%%i!ely !iolent to "eing eFe%%i!ely %entimental, "#t
%ome$here in there i% $hat in%ight pratie% are all a"o#t.
I ha!e already mentioned n#mero#% po%%i"le eFeri%e%, per%peti!e%
and empha%e% that may "e #%ed $hen eFploring o#r reality 'or the
p#rpo%e o' a$a&ening, and I $ill ontin#e to mention more a% $e go
along. (o$e!er, I reommend that the 'o#ndation o' yo#r pratie "e
34
in!e%tigation o' the Three Charateri%ti% o' the %en%ation% that ma&e #p
yo#r reality. I' yo# 'ind it too ompliated to try to in!e%tigate all Three
Charateri%ti% at one, then I reommend )#i& and prei%e
in!e%tigation o' impermanene. I' thi% %eem% too di''i#lt, I ha!e 'o#nd
the %imple pratie o' noting !ery )#i&ly to "e more than %#''iiently
po$er'#l 'or gaining lear and diret in%ight% into the tr#e nat#re o'
thing. ,ho#ld yo# 'ind that the n#mero#% in%tr#tion% and a!en#e% o'
in)#iry I pre%ent to "e too on'#%ing, remem"er thi% paragraph and
%ti& to the%e %imple "#t pro'o#nd pratie%. ;.hen in do#"t, note it
o#tK<
E+E:BG
,o, $e diligently in!e%tigate the #ltimate tr#th o' o#r eFperiene, and
thi% an at#ally "e really in!igorating one $e get into it. D#%t a% playing
!ideo game% an "e !ery eFiting, $e ha!e lot% o' %en%ation% oming in
all the time that are >#%t %reaming to "e #nder%tood. .hen $e ri%e to
thi% hallenge, thing% an really "egin to >#mp. *ne $e ha!e %orted o#t
$hat i% mind and $hat i% "ody and "eg#n to %ee a "it o' the Three
Charateri%ti%, thi% in it%el' an prod#e lot% o' ener gy , the third o' the
%e!en 'ator%. Thi% an "e >#%t a "it %ary at 'ir%t #ntil $e get #%ed to ho$
)#i& and po$er'#l o#r mind% an "e. A% mentioned in the -i!e
,pirit#al -a#ltie%, energy i% a !ery good thing, a% it o"!io#%ly energiLe%
o#r pratie. .e an almo%t al$ay% all #p >#%t a "it more energy $hen
$e need it, and thi% i% a good thing to realiLe. (o$e!er, "eing mind'#l
and in!e%tigating diligently an al%o lead to inrea%ed energy, %o no$ yo#
ha!e more than one $ay to go a"o#t thi%K Than& yo#, ,e!en -ator% o'
EnlightenmentK
:A/TA:E
.hen energy ome% on line $ith mind'#lne%% and in!e%tigation, thi%
an prod#e %omething alled rapt#re . :apt#re ha% t$o general
meaning%, the 'ir%t o' $hih relate% to deep >oy, plea%#re, and
enth#%ia%m. The%e are !al#a"le %pirit#al )#alitie%, and Ge o' Dar&
/#ritanial In&ling% ta&e heed o' thi%K It i% m#h ea%ier going on the
%pirit#al path i' $e are generally enth#%ia%ti a"o#t $hat $e are doing.
Thi% %ho#ld "e no %#rpri%e, "#t %omeho$ it i% o'ten o!erloo&ed. IOm
de'initely not ad!oating hedoni%ti Epi#reani%m here, "#t to $al& the
33
%pirit#al path $ith a %en%e o' >oy, a %en%e o' $onder, a "it o' a %mile and
e%peially a %en%e o' h#mor i% really good 'or yo# and e!eryone $ho ha%
to "e near yo#. ,#re, there $ill "e hard time% and di''i#ltie% that an
ha!e good le%%on% to teah #%, "#t "e open to $hat >oy and happine%%
li'e an "ring.
,pirit#al pratie an al%o prod#e all &ind% o' odd eFperiene%,
%ome o' $hih an "e !ery inten%e, "iLarre and 'ar o#t. Thi% i% the other
onnotation o' the $ord rapt#re, a% the%e are ommonly re'erred to a%
;rapt#re%.< ,ome o' the%e might "e really plea%ant, %ome may >#%t "e
$eird, and %ome might ompletely %#&. All the %trange phy%ial
%en%ation%, pain%, plea%#re%, mo!ement%, !i%ion%, light%, pereption
di%tortion%, et., $hih may or may not %ho$ #p a% a re%#lt o' %pirit#al
pratie are all >#%t rapt#re%. :epeat, >#%t rapt#re%. DonOt get h#ng #p on
them or ma&e %torie% o#t o' them, a% ompelling a% they an "e, and
donOt thin& that they are re)#ired either0 they arenOt. The %en%ation% that
ma&e them #p ome, go, ainOt yo#, and donOt %ati%'y. Mo%t are >#%t
"yprod#t% o' meditation and %trong onentration. Many prod#e no
$i%dom. ,ome, o' o#r%e, an pro!ide deep in%ight% into the tr#th o'
thing%, "#t donOt get %t#& on the%e. Many o' the%e le%%on% %ho$ #p one
and ne!er again.
,ome people an get %o %erio#% and 'iFated on %#''ering that they
'ight the plea%ant rapt#re% and e!en ling to the di''i#lt one%. DonOt do
thi%K The >oy and plea%#re that may ari%e in meditation ha% $onder'#l
healing a%pet% to it, and it an lead to deep tran)#ility, onentration
and e)#animity, $hih are all really good thing%. DonOt ling to plea%ant
%tate% either, a% yo# $ill >#%t get %t#& and "e 'r#%trated $hen they end,
$hih they al$ay% do. In general, i' yo# try to 'ight or ling to rapt#re%
yo# $ill get %t#&, and i' yo# an aept them a% they are thi% $ill "e o'
"ene'it. ,ee e)#animity at the end o' thi% li%t, a% $ell a% the eFpertly
$ritten Chapter 5 o' A /ath $ith (eart "y Da& Jorn'ield.
Thi% i% a good plae 'or me to mention the onept o' !edena,
$hih i% a /ali $ord that relate% to the degree o' plea%antne%%,
#nplea%antne%% or ne#trality o' a %en%ation. I' one pay% too m#h
eFl#%i!e attention to %en%ation% that are either plea%ant, #nplea%ant, or
ne#tral, $hile ignoring the other %en%ation% going on at that time, then
one i% li&ely to "e mi%%ing many opport#nitie% 'or in%ight. /reo#pation
36
$ith plea%ant %en%ation% an a#%e one to "eome a !apid "li%%8>#n&ie.
/reo#pation $ith #nplea%ant %en%ation% an a#%e one to "eome
dar& and depre%%ed. /reo#pation $ith ne#tral %en%ation% an a#%e
one to "eome d#ll and emotionally 'lat. CThan&% to the e%teemed
Chri%topher Titm#%% 'or the in%piration 'or thi% paragraphE. *#r
eFperiene tend% to "e a ompleF miFt#re o' many 'la!or% o' %en%ation%.
They are all )#ite $orthy o' in!e%tigation.
The ta&e8home me%%age here i% that rapt#re and rapt#re% are to "e
#nder%tood a% they are and related to $i%ely, aepting all %en%ation% that
ma&e them #p, "e they plea%ant, #nplea%ant, or ne#tral. 2earn $hen to
p#t the "rea&% on pratie i' the di''i#lt rapt#re% are teahing yo# their
important le%%on% a "it too 'a%t 'or yo# to &eep it together, and learn
ho$ to open to the $onder'#l >oy and "li%% $hih %pirit#al pratie may
%ometime% prod#e.
T:A+TAI2ITG
Doy, "li%% and rapt#re an prod#e tran)# ility . .e an a%%oiate
"eing peae'#l $ith tran)#ility. -o#%ing on tran)#ility and a more
%paio#% and %ilent per%peti!e in the 'ae o' di''i#lt rapt#re% an help
yo# ride them o#t, and >#%t %itting %ilently and o"%er!ing reality do it%
thing an "e !ery po$er'#l pratie. There are at#ally $hole %hool% o'
%pirit#al pratie dediated to thi%. Th#%, tran)#ility i% a really good
thing in meditation. .e may thin& o' great %pirit#al ma%ter% "eing
internally tran)#il, and $hile it may or may not "e tr#e, there are
rea%on% $hy $e a%%oiate tran)#ility $ith %pirit#ality. A mind that i% not
tran)#il $ill ha!e a harder time onentrating and "eing "alaned. It i%
>#%t a% %imple a% that. Being &ind and moral an help $ith tran)#ility, a%
thi% le%%en% the har%h tho#ght pattern% in o#r mind%.
Thi% doe% not mean that non8tran)#il moment% are not ;%pirit#al<
or that $e m#%t adopt %ome %ort o' re%trained and arti'iial 'latne%%.
:emem"er, all type% o' %en%ation%, mind %tate% and ation% are !alid
phenomena 'or in!e%tigation and real eFpre%%ion% o' $hat i% going on.
:eal tran)#ility ome% 'rom a deep #nder%tanding o' all o' thi%, "#t all
too o'ten thi% ideal "eome% %ome %ort o' deh#maniLing eFeri%e in
pa%%i!ity. :eal tran)#ility o'ten ome% nat#rally, tho#gh it may "e
%&ill'#lly #lti!ated a% $ell. C#lti!ating e)#animity o' the &ind
mentioned later i% help'#l 'or #lti!ating tran)#ility, a% i% deepening in
37
p#re onentration pratie%, the %eond %pirit#al training. Tran)#ility,
onentration and e)#animity are intimately related.
C*+CE+T:ATI*+
Co nentrati on $e ha!e %een t$ie "e'ore, and $e $ill %ee it again
in m#h more detail in /art III. *ne o' the hallenge% o' deep
tran)#ility i% &eeping the mind onentrated. Thi% may %eem li&e a
diret ontradition to $hat I ha!e >#%t %aid, "#t there may "e %tage% o'
pratie $here there an "e %o m#h tran)#ility that the mind an get
)#ite d#ll and hard to 'o#%. ,o, >#%t a% tran)#ility i% good 'or
onentration and aeptane, too m#h i% %imilar to not ha!ing eno#gh
energy. :emem"er, "alane and %trengthen, %trengthen and "alane.
A% the%e are the ,e!en -ator% o' Enlightenment, they apply diretly
to in%ight pratie%, training in $i%dom. Th#%, the onentration "eing
re'erred to here i% a !ery di''erent &ind o' onentration than that #%ed
'or attaining high onentration %tate%. It i% alled ;momentary
onentration.< In the onteFt o' in%ight, onentration really mean% that
$e are a"le to !ery on%i%tently in!e%tigate eah %en%ation that ari%e%, one
a'ter the other. In thi% $ay, $e ha!e %ta"ility o' o#r a"ility to in!e%tigate,
in that it an happen again and again $itho#t interr#ption, "#t $e are
not trying to attain %ta"le %tate% or anything el%e, a% $e are doing in%ight
pratie%.
ETAA+IMITG
A% mentioned "e'ore, onentration an prod#e great %ta"ility o'
mind, and thi% an lead to e)#a nimity . E)#animity i% that )#ality o'
mind that i% o&ay $ith thing%, or "alaned in the 'ae o' anything, e!en a
la& o' e)#animity. Thi% may %o#nd a "it %trange, "#t it i% $ell $orth
on%idering. E)#animity al%o relate% to a la& o' %tr#ggle e!en $hen
%tr#ggling, to e''ortle%%ne%% e!en in e''ort, to peae'#lne%% e!en $hen
there i% not tran)#ility. .hen e)#animity i% really $ell de!eloped, one
i% not 'rightened o' "eing a'raid, $orried "y "eing onerned, irritated
"y "eing irritated, pi%%ed o'' at "eing angry, et. The '#ndamental nat#re
o' the mind i% impert#r"a"le and a"%ol#tely e)#animo#%R phenomena
do not di%t#r" %pae or e!en '#ndamentally di%t#r" them%el!e% 'rom a
ertain point o' !ie$.
37
There are at#ally $hole %pirit#al tradition% that in!ol!e >#%t t#ning
into thi% "a%i tr#th. There an "e great !al#e in learning to %ee the
%pae aro#nd thing%, rather than >#%t "eing a#ght #p in the thing%
them%el!e%. A #%e'#l phra%e 'rom one o' the%e tradition% i% ;#lti!ating
%pae8li&e meditati!e e)#ipoi%e.< The more $e ha"it#ate thi% $ay o'
"eing, the more $e onnet $ith the tr#th o' o#r mind%.
There are al%o %ome really eFellent teahing%, e%peially 'rom Sen
and Daoi%m Cal%o %pelled Taoi%mE, that relate to thi%, %#h a% the
teahing% a"o#t no de'ilement%, no enlightenment Cor pratie i%
enlightenmentE, nothing to per'et, no $here to go, et., and he&ing in
$ith %ome o' the%e teahing% an "e !ery help'#l. Thi% i% the important
o#nter"alane to %pirit#al %tri!ing and g#ng8ho pratie that an get
!ery '#t#re8oriented i' done inorretly. In the end, e!en i' yo# ha!e all
&ind% o' in%ight%, i' yo# donOt ha!e e)#animity, yo# $ill "e "eating yo#r
head again%t a $all, and it at#ally might 'eel li&e that or $or%e.
*ne again $e are "a& to &no$ing thi% moment >#%t a% it i%. Thi%
;>#%t a% it i%< )#ality i% related to mind'#lne%% and al%o to e)#animity. In
the end, $e ha!e to >#%t aept the tr#th o' o#r li!e%, o' o#r mind%, o'
o#r ne#ro%e%, o' o#r de'ilement%, o' impermanene, o' %#''ering, and o'
egole%%ne%%. .e ha!e to aept thi%, and thi% i% $hat they are tal&ing
a"o#t $hen they %ay ;>#%t open to it,< ;>#%t "e $ith it,< ;>#%t let it "e,<
;>#%t let it go,< and all o' that.
-rom a p#re in%ight pratie point o' !ie$, yo# anIt e!er
'#ndamentally ;let go< o' anything, %o I %ometime% $i%h the pop#larity
o' thi% mi%leading and indi''erene8prod#ing admonition $o#ld
deline, or at lea%t "e properly eFplained. (o$e!er, i' yo# %imply
in!e%tigate the tr#th o' the Three Charateri%ti% o' the %en%ation% that
%eemed to "e a %olid thing, yo# $ill ome to the $ondro#% realiLation
that reality i% ontin#ally ;letting go< o' it%el'K Th#%, ;let it go< at it% "e%t
at#ally mean%, ;donIt gi!e a "#nh o' tran%ient %en%ation% an eFe%%i!e
%en%e o' %olidity.< It doe% not mean, ;%top 'eeling or aring,< nor doe% it
mean, ;pretend that the noi%e in yo#r mind i% not there.<
I' people %tart $ith ;>#%t open to it< and yet donOt de!elop %trong
mind'#lne%%, loo& into the Three Charateri%ti% and gain deep in%ight%,
then their pratie may "e le%% li&e meditation and a lot more li&e
p%yhotherapy, day dreaming, or e!en %el'8a"%or"ed, %pirit#ally8
39
rationaliLed, ne#roti ind#lgene in mind noi%e. It $a% notiing the high
pre!alene o' thi% ati!ity and the per!a%i!e and a"%#rd notion that there
$a% no point in trying to get enlightened that largely demoli%hed my
!i%ion o' "eing a happy meditation teaher in %ome main%tream
meditation enter %ome$here.
/%yhotherapy, on the other hand, an "e a 'ine #nderta&ing, "#t it
i% a ompletely di''erent endea!or 'rom meditation and 'all% %)#arely in
the domain o' the 'ir%t training. I do not, ho$e!er, ad!oate $allo$ing
in %el'8a"%or"ed mind noi%e, and anyone $ho ha% "een to a %mall gro#p
meeting on a meditation retreat &no$% $hat I am tal&ing a"o#t. Thi% i%
$hat happen% $hen people donIt gro#nd the mind in the o">et o'
meditation.
*n the other hand, e!en i' yo# gain all &ind% o' %trong
onentration, loo& deeply into impermanene, %#''ering and no8%el',
"#t anOt >#%t open to the%e thing%, anOt >#%t let them "e, anOt aept the
%ometime% a"%#rd and 'rightening tr#th% o' yo#r eFperiene, then yo#
$ill li&ely "e %t#& in hell #ntil yo# an, parti#larly in the higher %tage%
o' in%ight pratie%.
:e'let on the%e pre!io#% three paragraph% no$ and o'ten, a% many,
many error% on the %pirit#al path ome 'rom not #nder%tanding the
point% made therein. Too o'ten there i% an im"alane "et$een the 'ir%t
three Cmind'#lne%%, in!e%tigation, and energyE, and the la%t three
Ctran)#ility, onentration and e)#animityE. The !a%t ma>ority o'
a%piring in%ight meditator% are, to "e hone%t, $ay, $ay, $ay too %la&
a"o#t the 'ir%t three. D#%t %o, %ome g#ng8ho meditator% get into tro#"le
$hen they donOt #lti!ate eno#gh aeptane, "alane and peae, related
to the %eond three. .hen people 'o#% only on the middle 'ator,
rapt#re, they "eome !apid "li%%8>#n&ie%. In %hort, all %e!en 'ator% are
!ery important.
The order here i% important. ,tart $ith good tehni)#e,
mind'#lne%%, in!e%tigation, et., and $or& on the other% along the $ay.
In %#mmary, yo# m#%t ha!e "oth in%ight% and aeptane, and eah
per%peti!e an and %ho#ld help the other along the $ay. They are
at#ally one and the %ame.
*ne la%t thing a"o#t e)#animity0 it% near enemy, it% deadening
impo%ter, i% indi''erene. :eal e)#animity i% aepting o' the '#ll range
35
o' the heart and eFperiene, $herea% indi''erene i% dry, 'lat and
heartle%%. Thi% point i% 're)#ently mi%#nder%tood. (o$e!er, "eing
aepting o' the '#ll range o' the heart doe%nOt mean al$ay% ating on
$hate!er imp#l%e ome% #p. At only on the imp#l%e% o' the heart that
%eem %&ill'#l and &ind.
To "alane and per'et the ,e!en -ator% o' Enlightenment, yo#
g#e%%ed it, i% %#''iient a#%e 'or a$a&ening. Th#%, he&ing in 'rom
time to time $ith thi% little li%t and %eeing ho$ yo# are doing and $hat
might need %ome impro!ement i% a good idea, and >#%t ha!ing thi% li%t in
the "a& o' yo#r mind %ome$here an "e help'#l.
It i% important to note that only one 'ator, in!e%tigation o' the
Three Charateri%ti%, %eparate% training in onentration 'rom training
in '#ndamental in%ight. .hen p#rpo%e'#lly training in onentration, $e
deide to "e mind'#l o' a limited and %pei'i onentration o">et, %#h
a% the "reath or e!en a rari'ied %tate o' on%io#%ne%%. .e do not,
ho$e!er, in!e%tigate the indi!id#al %en%ation% that ma&e #p that %tate, a%
it $o#ld "rea& apart #nder that in!e%tigation and prod#e in%ight%. I' $e
are not loo&ing 'or #ltimate in%ight% at that point in time, then $e %ho#ld
a!oid in!e%tigating that %tate. (o$e!er, $e do apply energy to %ta"iliLe
o#r onentration, and thi% prod#e% rapt#re, a harateri%ti o' the
early onentration %tate%. .e al%o #lti!ate onentration !ery %trongly,
o"!io#%ly, and al%o tran)#ility and e)#animity, $hih help #% %ta"iliLe
early %tate% and attain to higher one%. Th#%, %iF o' the ,e!en -ator% o'
Enlightenment are #lti!ated "y training in onentration, and it i% o'ten
reommended a% a preliminary training "e'ore training in in%ight 'or thi%
and other rea%on%.
Training in morality al%o #lti!ate% %ome o' the ,e!en -ator% o'
Enlightenment, tho#gh in a le%% 'ormally meditati!e $ay. In order to
$or& $ell in the ordinary $orld, it i% !ery help'#l to "e mind'#l o' $hat
$e are doing, %aying and thin&ing and al%o $hat e''et% the%e prod#e in
the $orld %o that $e an on%io#%ly $or& to ra't the li'e $e $ant to
lead a% "e%t $e an. It i% help'#l to eFert energy a% $e ra't o#r li'e 'or
o"!io#% rea%on%. .e an al%o #lti!ate tran)#ility, the a"ility to not ta&e
li'e too %erio#%ly, to relaF, 'inding that "alane o' 'o#% and ea%e that
ma&e% 'or a good li'e. .e an learn to onentrate on %taying on tra&
$ith o#r ta%&%, goal% and a%piration%, tho#gh in thi% a%e onentration i%
60
more li&e a 'orm o' di%ipline than the onentration o' 'ormal
meditation, tho#gh di%ipline o' ation, %peeh and mind i% !ital 'or the
other t$o training%. -inally, $e an learn that $e annot get rid o' all o'
the "#mp% on o#r road, %o ha!ing the %ho& a"%or"er% o' e)#animity,
the a"ility to %tay %paio#% and aepting o' $hat happen%, i% al%o !ery
help'#l 'or ra'ting a good and healthy li'e.
61
7.THE THREE TRAININGS REVISITED
The Three Training% pro!ide a great 'rame$or& 'or thin&ing a"o#t
%pirit#al $or&, a 'rame$or& that an help #% maintain a lear and
empo$ering $ay o' thin&ing a"o#t $hat $e are doing. In thi% hapter, I
$ill di%#%% many important a%pet% o' the %pirit#al path and #%e the
Three Training%, at#ally the %ope o' eah o' the Three Training%, to
pro!ide an ea%y and po$er'#l $ay o' dealing $ith the%e ompleF topi%.
D#%t to re!ie$, the %ope o' the 'ir%t training, $hih I all morality, i%
the ordinary $orld, the on!entional $orld, the $orld that $e are all
'amiliar $ith "e'ore $e e!en on%ider more %peialiLed topi% %#h a%
meditation. The goal i% to at, %pea& and thin& in $ay% that are
ond#i!e to the $el'are o' yo#r%el' and other%. The %ope o' the
%eond training, onentration or depth% o' meditation, i% to 'o#% on
!ery %pei'i and limited o">et% o' meditation and th#% attain to %pei'i
altered %tate% o' on%io#%ne%%. The %ope o' the third training, that o'
in%ight or $i%dom, i% to %hi't to perei!ing reality at the le!el o'
indi!id#al %en%ation%, perei!e the Three Charateri%ti% o' them, and
th#% attain to pro'o#nd in%ight% into the nat#re o' reality and th#% realiLe
%tage% o' enlightenment.
-ir%t, I $ill on%ider happine%% in the onteFt o' %ope% o' the Three
Training%. A% training in morality i% %#h a !a%t %#">et, the $ay% $e an
'ind happine%% i% al%o a !a%t %#">et, and "eome% intere%ting primarily
in ompari%on to the other t$o trainingI% %ope%, tho%e o' onentration
and $i%dom. The ommon denominator o' the onentration
attainment% i% that $e learn to get o#r%el!e% into %tate% o' on%io#%ne%%
that are %ome miFt#re o' "li%%'#l and peae'#l, a% $ell a% inrea%ingly
%paio#% and remo!ed 'rom o#r ordinary eFperiene. The%e an "e a
%o#re o' happine%% that i% 'ar more inten%e and relia"le than the
happine%% 'o#nd in the ordinary $orld. Being a"le to ae%% a% m#h
happine%% and peae a% $e $i%h $hen $e $i%h red#e% o#r anger at the
$orld 'rom not pro!iding #% $ith the%e, ma&ing #% le%% needy and
greedy. There i% al%o the happine%% that ome% 'rom %eeing the tr#e
nat#re o' the %en%ation% that ma&e #p o#r $orld and th#% attaining to
%tage% o' realiLation or enlightenment.
There are three area% o' ren#niation that orre%pond to the %ope%
o' the Three Training%. .e an reno#ne a%pet% o' the ordinary $orld
The Three Training% :e!i%ited
"y %imply a"andoning the%e thing%. .e an )#it o#r >o", lea!e o#r
relation%hip, %top %mo&ing ra&, and %ha!e o#r head%. .e an try to "e
le%% angry or 'ear'#l. .e an $or& on o#r omm#niation %&ill%, trying
to a!oid lying and %lander. ,ome o' the%e may "e ea%ier than other%, and
%ome o' the%e may "e help'#l and %ome not, "#t the important point
here i% that the%e %ort% o' 'orm% o' ren#niation are, 'or "etter or 'or
$or%e, ren#niation o' a%pet% o' the ordinary $orld $ithin the onteFt
o' the 'ir%t trainingI% %ope. *r, $e an reno#ne reno#ning the%e
thing% and do them. :en#niation i% a !ery ar"itrary onept $hen
applied to the 'ir%t training.
There i% al%o the ren#niation that ome% 'rom "eing $illing and
a"le to attain the temporary onentration attainment%. .e are $illing
to %pend %ome time remo!ed 'rom the ordinary eFperiene o' the $orld
and enter into %tate% $here the ordinary $orld "eome% more and more
remo!ed 'rom #%. It i% #%#ally not that hard to on!ine people that
there may "e oa%ion% $hen ha!ing the a"ility to reno#ne the ordinary
$orld in thi% $ay 'or %ome period o' time o#ld "e ad!antageo#%. .e
an all imagine ta&ing a little "li%% "rea& and 'inding it help'#l in %ome
appropriate onteFt.
There i% al%o the type o' ren#niation a%%oiated $ith in%ight
pratie%, in $hih one i% $illing to "rea& 'rom the gro%% onept#al $ay
o' $or&ing that i% help'#l 'or the %ope o' the ordinary $orld, "rea&
'rom the more re%trited and re'ined onept#al $ay o' $or&ing that i%
nee%%ary to attain %ta"le altered %tate% o' on%io#%ne%%, and mo!e to
perei!ing %en%ation% indi!id#ally and diretly, %eeing the tr#e nat#re o'
them. Thi% i% a m#h more %#"tle and %ophi%tiated 'orm o'
ren#niation than the other t$o, and it i% not al$ay% ea%y to on!ine
people that ha!ing thi% option open to them i% a good idea.
.hile ;enlightenment< generally %o#nd% !ery appealing, it %#ddenly
%o#nd% %trange in the onteFt o' %eeing all %en%ation% a% "eing #tterly
tran%ient, a %o#re o' pain i' $e ma&e arti'iial d#alitie% o#t o' them, and
not %el'. /eople o'ten miF #p the three &ind% o' ren#niation, the mo%t
ommon error "eing that they imagine that they m#%t ;gi!e #p< a%pet%
o' the 'ir%t t$o training% Ca happy li'e and '#n onentration %tate%E in
order to reno#ne them in the in%ight $ay, in $hih they %ee the tr#e
nat#re o' the %en%ation% that ma&e #p the%e thing%. They imagine that
64
they m#%t gi!e #p their >o" or relation%hip in order to %ee it% tr#e nat#re,
or imagine that they m#%t not enter into high %tate% to %ee their tr#e
nat#re. Thi% "a%i onept#al error a#%e% many o' the pro"lem% that
people 'ind on the %pirit#al path. That "ring% me to the three 'orm% o'
%#''ering.
-ir%t, there i% the 'orm o' %#''ering that the B#ddha i% mo%t 'amo#%
'or tal&ing a"o#t, ordinary %#''ering, the %tandard li%t inl#ding %#h
thing% a% "irth, %i&ne%%, old age, death, lamentation, pain, grie' and
de%pair. The%e are ordinary 'orm% o' %#''ering that $e an try to mitigate
a% "e%t $e an "y ordinary method%, i.e. "y $or&ing $ithin the %ope o'
the 'ir%t training, i.e. the on!entional $orld. I am a "ig 'an o' trying to
'ind $orldly happine%% %o long a% $e do not neglet the importane o'
the other t$o training%. There i% al%o the 'orm o' %#''ering relating to the
%ope o' the %eond training that ome% 'rom "eing limited to o#r
ordinary %tate o' on%io#%ne%%, $ith o#r only $ay o#t oming 'rom
%leep or the #%e o' hemial %#"%tane%. .e yearn 'or "li%% that i% not %o
"o#nd #p in thing% li&e $hether or not $e get a good >o", 'or
eFperiene% li&e tho%e 'o#nd in the onentration %tate%. *#r mind%
ha!e thi% potential, and the 'ail#re to "e a"le to ae%% the%e %tate% at
time% $hen doing %o $o#ld "e help'#l and healthy i% a %o#re o'
"ondage. I am a "ig 'an o' "eing a"le to attain the%e $onder'#l %tate% %o
long a% $e do not neglet the other t$o training%.
There i% al%o the &ind o' %#''ering that ome% 'rom ma&ing arti'iial
d#alitie% o#t o' non8d#al %en%ation%, and all o' the #nnee%%ary reati!ity,
mi%pereption%, di%tortion% o' per%peti!e and proportion, and "a%i
"lind'#lne%% that aompanie% that proe%%. Thi% &ind o' %#''ering,
relating to the %ope o' training in $i%dom, i% not to#hed "y the 'ir%t
t$o training%, and th#% 'orm% a "a&gro#nd le!el o' %#''ering in o#r li'e
and al%o inrea%e% the potential 'or '#rther %#''ering in the other t$o
%ope%. Thi% 'orm o' %#''ering i% grad#ally relie!ed "y the %tage% o'
enlightenment, a% 'e$er and 'e$er a%pet% o' reality ha!e the apaity to
tri& the mind in thi% $ay. I am a "ig 'an o' a$a&ening and th#%
eliminating thi% per!a%i!e 'orm o' %#''ering, >#%t a% long a% $e do not
al%o neglet the other t$o training%.
The %#''ering o' the ordinary $orld an "e eFtremely #npredita"le,
and $or&ing to relie!e it i% a !ery ompleF "#%ine%%, the $or& o' a
63
li'etime and perhap% an eternity. The %#''ering related to "eing #na"le
to ae%% re'ined altered %tate% o' on%io#%ne%% i% mitigated "y %imply
ta&ing the time to learn the %&ill% nee%%ary and then re'ining them #ntil
they are ae%%i"le to #% $hen $e $i%h. There are limit% to the%e %tate%,
and %o the "a%i %tate% attaina"le "y training in onentration an "e !ery
thoro#ghly ma%tered $ithin a li'etime and e!en $ithin a 'e$ year% or
perhap% month% 'or tho%e $ith talent and diligene. The %tage% o'
enlightenment are permanent, and one they are attained, that a%pet o'
o#r %#''ering i% 'ore!er eliminated and ne!er ari%e% again. Thi% an "e
aompli%hed "y tho%e $ho ta&e the time to learn the %&ill% nee%%ary to
%ee indi!id#al %en%ation% learly and are $illing to $or& on that le!el.
The%e "a%i 'at% an "e #%ed to help #% plan o#r )#e%t 'or
happine%% and the elimination o' the !ario#% 'orm% o' %#''ering in o#r
li'e. .e an diret o#r %t#die%, o#r training, and $or& on %pei'i %&ill%
that lead to %pei'i e''et% and a"ilitie% in the order $e hoo%e, $ithin
the limit% o' o#r li'e ir#m%tane% and the re%o#re% a!aila"le to #%. -or
in%tane, it might ma&e %en%e to learn onentration %&ill% early in o#r
li'e, a% they #lti!ate %o many o' the %&ill% nee%%ary 'or the other t$o
training% and an pro!ide inrea%ed %en%e o' ea%e and $ell"eing. -or
eFample, rather than popping a old "eer at the end o' a hard day, $e
o#ld "athe o#r "ody and mind in a% m#h "li%% and peae a% $e an
%tand 'or a% long a% $e $i%h. I' $e ma%ter onentration pratie%, $e
ha!e the option to ma&e %#h hoie%.
It might al%o ma&e %en%e to $or& on in%ight pratie% early rather
than later %o a% to red#e the amo#nt o' time d#ring o#r li'e that $e li!e
$ith the '#ndamental %#''ering a#%ed "y the ill#%ion o' d#ality. There i%
only %o m#h $e an do to pre!ent ordinary %#''ering 'or o#r%el!e% and
other%, tho#gh it i% al$ay% good to do $hat $e an. Th#%, it i% al%o good
to realiLe that $e an al%o red#e and eliminate the other 'orm% o'
%#''ering thro#gh learning the t$o "a%i %tyle% o' meditation more ea%ily
than $e an eliminate m#h o' o#r on!entional %#''ering.
There are three $ay% in $hih $ord% %#h a% ;enlightenment< are
#%ed, and the%e may al%o relate to the %ope% o' the Three Training%.
(o$e!er, I 'eel that thi% i% a dangero#% ha"it, and I %trongly ad!oate
#%ing enlightenment and %imilar $ord% to re'er only to #ltimate in%ight%,
meaning the %tage% o' a$a&ening in the high and traditional %en%e.
66
.hile $e may hear people %pea& o' ommitting ;enlightened< ation%,
or o' thin&ing in ;enlightened< $ay%, I ha!e ome to the onl#%ion that
'or %pirit#al training $e either need to "e !ery are'#l to eFplain that
the%e are !ery on!entional and relati!e de'inition% o' enlightenment or
not #%e %#h lang#age at all.
,ome tradition% gi!e %ome o' the !ery high onentration %tate% an
#ltimate %tat#%. I al%o ad!oate %trongly again%t thi%, a% did the B#ddha.
The%e %tate% are %o ompelling and %ed#ti!e 'or %ome people that they
imagine they are enlightened in the non8d#al %en%e $hen they are
merely ha!ing temporary #niti!e or #n&no$ing eFperiene%
CeFperiene% $here reality did %omething that $a% %#''iiently la&ing in
%pei'i )#alitie% or inten%ity to "e learly &no$nE. Th#%, I %trongly
%#gge%t that %#h attainment% ne!er "e a%%oiated $ith the lang#age o'
enlightenment in any $ay.
Th#%, I de'ine enlightenment a% permanently eliminating the "a%i
pereption% that either d#ality or #nity i% the an%$er, and th#% attaining
to permanent non8d#al realiLation% that are #n%ha&a"le. It ha% nothing
$hat%oe!er to do $ith ho$ thing% mani'e%t and e!erything to do $ith
%ome "a%i #nder%tanding o' tho%e thing%. I de!ote an entire hapter to
eFplaining thi% more '#lly, "#t it i% important 'or the di%#%%ion in
"et$een here and there to ha!e "een introd#ed to the %trit and 'ormal
de'inition o' enlightenment that I $ill "e #%ing.
The%e 'rame$or&% an al%o "e #%e'#l 'or loo&ing at other ommon
i%%#e% %#h a% tho#ght% o' pa%t and '#t#re that people r#n into $hen
they get into meditation. Con'#%ion ari%e% $hen the%e piee% o' ad!ie
are applied o#t%ide o' the %ope 'or $hih they $ere meant.
.hen $or&ing on o#r ordinary li!e%, i.e. $ithin the %ope o' the 'ir%t
training, the ontent o' o#r tho#ght% on pa%t and '#t#re i% !ery help'#l,
in 'at a"%ol#tely nee%%ary. .ith eFperiene $e generate a "ody o'
memory o' $hat lead% to $hat in thi% $orld, and $ith o#r prediti!e
a"ility $e an #%e thi% to try to ra't a $ell8li!ed li'e, ho$e!er $e de'ine
that. (o$e!er, $hen $or&ing on training in onentration, %#h
tho#ght% are generally ignored or %#ppre%%ed "y deep onentration on
another o">et. .hen doing in%ight pratie%, it doe%nIt matter %o m#h
i' tho#ght% o' pa%t or '#t#re ari%e, %o long a% $e ignore their ontent,
notie that they o#r no$, and notie the tr#e nat#re o' the indi!id#al
67
%en%ation% that ma&e #p tho%e tho#ght%. It i% ommon to hear o' people
trying to apply one piee o' ad!ie to a %ope 'or $hih it $a% ne!er
intended, li&e trying to %top thin&ing $hen trying to deal $ith their daily
li'e. Thi% %ort o' pratie $o#ld %imply promote %t#pidity, and there i%
already more than eno#gh o' that. In %hort, $hen e!al#ating or applying
a piee o' %pirit#al ad!ie, ma&e %#re yo# #nder%tand the %pei'i
onteFt 'or $hih it $a% de%igned.
I tho#ght it $o#ld "e '#n to en!i%ion the Three Training% a%
harater% and ha!e them riti)#e eah other and then tal& $ith eah
other a"o#t $ay% that they o#ld rein'ore eah other. I $ill do thi% in
the 'orm o' a %hort play in one at. .hile I $ill eFaggerate and
dihotomiLe their i%%#e% $ith eah other 'or omi e''et, I do thin& that
eah o' the point% made ha% %ome !alidity. (ope'#lly, yo# $ill %ee
thro#gh the h#mor to the important point% "eing ill#%trated.
C#rtain open%. Morality, Conentration and In%ight are %itting in a
"ar ha!ing a di%#%%ion. A large %ta& o' empty %hot gla%%e% %it% in 'ront
o' eah harater.
Morality0 Go# na!el gaLing, %el'8a"%or"ed, good8'or8nothing 'rea&%K I
go o#t and $or& hard all day long to ma&e thi% $orld 'it to li!e in $hile
yo# t$o %it on tho%e %$eat o!ered #%hion% and #lti!ate "#tt8rotK I go
o#t and ma&e good money, &eep 'ood in o#r mo#th%, a roo' o!er o#r
head%, deal $ith o#r %t#'', and yo# go o#t and %pend o#r money #p at
that 'rea&8ho#%e yo# all a meditation enter $hen there i% important
$or& to "e doneK I $ant to $or& on my tanK
In%ight0 .ho are yo# alling ;%el'8a"%or"ed=< I anIt "e %el'
a"%or"ed "y de'initionK I' it $a%nIt 'or me, yo# $o#ld "e %o %t#& in
d#ali%ti ill#%ion that yo# $o#ldnIt &no$ yo#r a%% 'rom yo#r el"o$, yo#
onept#ally 'iFated, emotionally mired, "o#nd8#p8in8mani'e%tation8
loo&ing, t$el!e %and$ih eatingP
Conentration0 GeahK And "y the $ay, Mr. *h8%o8$orldly, yo#
%ho#ld learn to lighten #p %ometime%K .or& yo#r 'inger% to the "one,
$haddaya get= Bony 'inger%. ThatI% $hat. And that goe% 'or yo# too,
Mr. EnlightenmentK I' yo# didnIt ha!e my %&ill%, yo#Id "e %hit o#t o'
l#&, #na"le to 'o#%, and dead "oring to "ootK .ho "ring% #p the deep
>oy and $ondro#% mind %tate% aro#nd here= I do, thatI% $ho, %o yo# t$o
%ho#ld >#%t %h#t #pK
67
In%ight0 *h, yeah= .ell, Mr. 2a8la 2and, i' it $erenIt 'or me, $eId
"e %o a#ght #p in yo#r tran%ient high% that $e might >#%t get arre%ted.
,ome"ody all the la$K Go# t$o are %o ea%ily %#&ed into "lo$ing thing%
o#t o' proportion that $itho#t me yo# t$o $o#ld ha!e all the
per%peti!e o' a d#ng heapK
Morality0 D#ng heap= Go#Id "e l#&y to ha!e a d#ng heap i' it
$a%nIt 'or me, yo# emptine%%8'iFated, IIm8oh8%o8non8onept#al
!i"ration8>#n&ie. .hat good i% ha!ing per%peti!e i' yo# donIt go o#t
and #%e it=
Conentration0 GeahK And %pea&ing o' per%peti!e, I gi!e yo# g#y%
more per%peti!e than yo# ha!e any idea o'. +ot only do I pro!ide a
"ridge "et$een o#r re%ident ,a!e8the8$orld /o%ter Child and the Hoid8
'iFated -li&er8"oy, I help yo# t$o get yo#r t$ithy little mind% rightK I
help the Boy ,o#t here gain more and deeper in%ight% into hi% %re$ed
#p emotional $orld and ;%t#''< than he e!er o#ld ha!e on hi% o$n, and
i' it $a%nIt 'or me, Mr. Altimate $o#ld >#%t "e %pinning hi% $heel% in the
par&ing lotK And '#rther more, I am '#n, '#n, '#nK
In%ight0 Geah, may"e, "#t yo# donIt &no$ $hen to %top, yo#
other$orldly %pae8a%eK I' :elati!e Man and I hadnIt p#lled yo# o#t o'
the lo#d%, yo#Id %till "e lo%t in %ome 'ormle%% realm thin&ing yo# had
hal' a l#e. IIm the one $ith the l#eK There ainIt nothinI in the $orld
li&e $hat I &no$, and $itho#t it, yo# t$oI% $hole patheti little %en%e o'
identity $o#ld "e "o#nd #p in a $orld "eyond yo#r ontrol. I am yo#r
%al!ation, and yo# &no$ itK
Morality0 Beyond my ontrol my a%%K I ma&e thing% happen in thi%
$orld, great thing%K IIm the one that really get% #% %ome$hereK I ma&e a
di''ereneK .ho are% i' there i% no %el' $hen people are %tar!ing in
A'ria=
In%ight0 .ho are% i% eFatly my pointK There i% no %eparate,
permanent %el' that are%K
Morality0 ;I &no$ yo# are, "#t $hat am I=<
In%ight0 EFatlyK
Morality0 Der&K
Conentration0 ,ee= Go# g#y% gottaO hill o#t, get %ome "alane and
peae in yo#r li'e. Ta&e a 'e$ moment% and >#%t "reatheK 2ea!e yo#r
$orrie% and are% "ehind, and 'ly the 'riendly %&ie%K ItI% 'ree, legal, and
69
oh8%o8reommended. Go# an )#it $hene!er yo# li&eK All yo#r 'riend%
are doing itK Come on, >#%t relaFK
Morality0 All right, -ly B#y, $hen are $e going to deal $ith o#r
emotional i%%#e%, h#h= .hen are $e going to %a!e the $orld= .e anIt
>#%t go on !aation 'ore!er.
In%ight0 Go#r pro"lem i% that yo# anIt %ee the %en%ation% that ma&e
#p the%e ;i%%#e%< a% they really are, %o yo# ma&e %#h a "ig 'rigginI deal
o#t o' them. I mean, I %ee yo#r point, "#t yo# are %o reati!e and "lind
that yo# are hardly the one 'or the >o". Go# %olidi'y the%e thing% into
h#ge mon%ter%, 'orget yo# ha!e done thi%, and then 'rea& o#t $hen they
ome r#nning a'ter yo#. Go# need a l#e, yo# on'#%ed little %hre$K
Morality0 *h, yeahK DonIt thin& that >#%t "ea#%e yo# an %ee the
tr#e nat#re o' the i%%#e% that ma&e #p yo#r reality that yo# $onIt %till
ha!e %t#'' to deal $ithK +o$, thatI% del#%ionK
In%ight0 ItI% e!en more del#ded to thin& that yo# an really ha!e a
ompletely healthy per%peti!e on anything $itho#t me, yo# Mon%ter
Ma&erK
Conentration0 D#de, do yo# %ee tho%e angel% 'loating thro#gh the
$all=
Morality0 .here in the (ell did I 'ind yo# 'rea&%=
In%ight0 ,hort memory, eh= Go# 'o#nd #% $hen yo# realiLed yo#
o#ldnIt do it on yo#r o$n. Go# needed #% to really "e a"le to do the
>o" yo# $anted to do, to really ma&e a di''erene and "e a% happy and
e''eti!e a% yo# o#ld "e.
Morality0 Geah= And $hen an I get rid o' yo#=
Conentration and In%ight0 .hen yo# ha!e ma%tered #% ompletely.
DinF, one t$o, three, 'o#r, 'i!e, %iF, %e!en, eight, nine, tenK
Morality0 BartenderP
T(E E+D.
I' yo# 'ind that yo# ha!e gotten to the point $hen yo# annot la#gh
at yo#r o$n path, %top immediately and 'ig#re o#t $hy. I hope yo# ha!e
'o#nd thi% little, irre!erent dialog#e entertaining. .hile o"!io#%ly a "it
ridi#lo#%, the%e %ort% o' ten%ion% an ari%e #ntil $e really ha!e a %olid
gra%p o' eah training. .hen $e ha!e thi%, they $ill $or& together a%
they $ere meant to.
65
9.THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
The -o#r +o"le Tr#th%, %#' 'erin g, it% a# %e , it% end , and the
path that lead% to it% end , are '#ndamental to the teahing% o' the
B#ddha. (e $a% 'ond o' %#mmariLing hi% $hole teahing in term% o'
them. At#ally, $hen a%&ed to "e really oni%e, he $o#ld >#%t %ay the
'ir%t and third0 %#''ering and the end o' %#''ering. Thi% $a% $hat he
ta#ght. 2i&e the other little li%t% here, they ha!e great pro'#ndity on
many le!el% and are $orth eFploring in depth.
T:AT( +AMBE: *+E0 ,A--E:I+B
The 'ir%t tr#th i% the tr#th o' %#' 'erin g. (ey, didnOt $e >#%t %ee that
in the Three Charateri%ti%= Ge%K I%nOt that greatK .e al%o >#%t %a$ it in
The Three Training% :e!i%ited. There m#%t ha!e "een %omething
important a"o#t it 'or it to %tart o'' %omething alled the -o#r +o"le
Tr#th% that i% not immediately o"!io#%. .hy do $e pratie= ,#''ering,
thatO% $hyK It i% >#%t that %imple. .hy do $e do anything= ,#''eringK
/lenty o' people "al& at thi%, and %ay that they do lot% o' thing%
"ea#%e o' rea%on% other than %#''ering. I %#ppo%e that to "e really
orret I %ho#ld add in ignorane and ha"it, "#t the%e are intimately
onneted to %#''ering. Thi% i% $orth in!e%tigating in depth. /erhap%
there i% %omething more to thi% 'ir%t tr#th that they may ha!e mi%%ed on
'ir%t in%petion, a% it i% a deep and %#"tle teahing. At#ally, to
#nder%tand thi% 'ir%t tr#th i% to #nder%tand the $hole o' the %pirit#al
path, %o ta&e the time to in!e%tigate it.
The "a%i gi%t o' the tr#th 'rom a relati!e point o' !ie$ i% that $e
$ant thing% to "e other than they are, and thi% a#%e% pain. .e $ant
thing% that are nie to "e permanent, $e $ant to get $hat $e $ant and
a!oid $hat $e donOt $ant. .e $i%h "ad thing% $o#ld go 'a%ter than they
do, and the%e are all ontrary to reality. .e all die, get %i&, ha!e
on'lit%, and on%tantly %eem to "e r#nning aro#nd either trying to get
%omething CgreedE, get a$ay 'rom %omething ChatredE, or t#ne o#t 'rom
reality all together Cdel#%ionE. .e are ne!er per'etly happy $ith thing%
>#%t a% they are. The%e are the traditional, relati!e $ay% in $hih
%#''ering i% eFplained, "#t the%e de'inition% an only ta&e #% %o 'ar.
At the mo%t '#ndamental le!el, the le!el that i% the mo%t #%e'#l 'or
doing in%ight pratie%, $e $i%h de%perately that there $a% %ome
The -o#r +o"le Tr#th%
%eparate, permanent %el', and $e %pend h#ge amo#nt% o' time doing o#r
"e%t to prop #p thi% ill#%ion. In order to do thi%, $e ha"it#ally ignore
lot% o' #%e'#l in'ormation a"o#t o#r reality and gi!e o#r mental
impre%%ion% and %impli'iation% o' reality m#h more importane than
they are nee%%arily d#e. It i% thi% ill#%ion that add% a pro"lemati
element to the normal and #nder%tanda"le $ay% in $hih $e go a"o#t
trying to "e happy. .e on%tantly %tr#ggle $ith reality "ea#%e $e
mi%#nder%tand it, i.e. "ea#%e reality mi%#nder%tand% it%el'.
;,o $hatO% ne$=< one might %ay. Bood pointK It i%nOt ne$, i% it= Thi%
ha% "een the $hole o' o#r li'eK The "ig )#e%tion i% ;I% there %ome
#nder%tanding $hih ma&e% a di''erene=< Ge%, or $e $o#ldnOt "e
"othering $ith all o' thi% %pirit#ality %t#''. ,ome$here do$n in o#r "eing
there i% a little !oie that rie%, ;There i% another $ayK< .e an 'ind thi%
other $ay.
Conneting $ith the tr#th o' %#''ering an at#ally "e !ery moti!ating
'or %pirit#al pratie. Mo%t traditional tal&% on the B#ddhaO% teahing%
"egin $ith thi%. More than >#%t "eing moti!ating 'or %pirit#al pratie,
t#ning into %#''ering i% %pirit#al pratieK Many people %tart meditating
and then get 'r#%trated $ith ho$ m#h %#''ering and pain they
eFperiene, ne!er &no$ing that they are at#ally %tarting to #nder%tand
%omething. They ling to the ideal that in%ight pratie% $ill prod#e
peae and "li%% and yet m#h o' $hat they 'ind i% %#''ering. They donIt
realiLe that thing% on the #%hion tend to get $or%e "e'ore they get
"etter. Th#%, they re>et the !ery tr#th% they m#%t deeply #nder%tand to
o"tain the peae they $ere loo&ing 'or and th#% get no$here. They
re>et their o$n !alid in%ight% that they ha!e o"tained thro#gh !alid
pratie. I %#%pet that thi% i% one o' the greate%t and mo%t ommon
%t#m"ling "lo&% on the %pirit#al path.
There i% a 'lip %ide to %#''ering $hih an help, and that i%
ompa%%ion, the $i%h 'or there to not "e %#''ering. .here!er there i%
%#''ering there i% ompa%%ion, tho#gh mo%t o' the time %ome$hat
t$i%ted "y the on'#%ed logi o' the proe%% o' ego. More on thi% in a
"it, "#t it lead% diretly to the %eond +o"le Tr#th, the a#%e o'
%#''ering.
71
T:AT( +AMBE: T.*0 ;DE,I:E<
The ,eond +o"le Tr#th i% that the a#%e o' %#''e rin g i%
de%ire , al%o rendered a% ra!ing or attahment. .e $ant thing% to "e
other than they are "ea#%e $e perei!e the $orld thro#gh the odd logi
o' the proe%% o' ego, thro#gh the ill#%ion o' the %plit o' the perei!er
and the perei!ed. .e might %ay, ;*' o#r%e $e $ant thing% to "e great
and not #nplea%antK .hat do yo# eFpet=< The pro"lem i%nOt at#ally
)#ite in the de%ire 'or thing% to "e good and not "e "ad in the $ay that
$e might thin&R it i%, in 'at, >#%t a "it %#"tler than that.
Thi% i% a really %lippery "#%ine%%, and many people an get all into
ra!ing 'or non8ra!ing and de%iring non8attahment. Thi% an "e #%e'#l
i' it i% done $i%ely and it i% at#ally all $e ha!e to $or& $ith. I' ommon
%en%e i% ignored, ho$e!er, de%iring non8attahment may prod#e
ne#roti, %el'8righteo#%, repre%%ed a%eti% in%tead o' "alaned, &ind
meditator%. A to#r o' any mona%tery or %pirit#al omm#nity $ill li&ely
eFpo%e yo# to lear eFample% o' "oth %ide% o' thi% deliate "alane. ,o,
donOt ma&e too m#h o' a pro"lem o#t o' the 'at that it %eem% that one
m#%t de%ire %omething in order to %ee& it. Thi% paradoF $ill re%ol!e
it%el' i' $e are a"le to eFperiene reality in thi% moment learly.
;Cra!ing,< ;attahment,< and ;de%ire< are %ome o' the mo%t
dangero#% $ord% that an "e #%ed to de%ri"e %omething that i% at#ally
m#h more '#ndamental than the%e %eem to indiate. The B#ddha did
tal& a"o#t the%e on!entional 'orm% o' %#''ering, "#t he al%o tal&ed
a"o#t the '#ndamental %#''ering that ome% 'rom %ome deep longing 'or
a re'#ge that in!ol!e% a %eparate or permanent %el'. .e imagine that
%#h a %el' $ill "e a re'#ge, and %o $e de%ire %#h a %el', $e try to ma&e
ertain %en%ation% into %#h a %el', $e ling to the '#ndamental notion
that %#h a %el' an eFi%t a% a %ta"le entity and that thi% $ill %omeho$
help. The %ide e''et% o' thi% mani'e%t in all %ort% o' addition% to mind
%tate% and emotion% that are not help'#l, "#t the%e are %ide e''et% and
not the root that a#%e o' %#''ering that the B#ddha $a% pointing to.
A% %tated earlier, a help'#l onept here i% ompa%%ion, a heart
a%pet o' the pratie and reality related to &indne%%. Go# %ee, $here!er
there i% de%ire there i% %#''ering, and $here!er there i% %#''ering there i%
ompa%%ion, the de%ire 'or the end o' %#''ering. Go# an at#ally
eFperiene thi%. ,o o"!io#%ly there i% %ome really lo%e relation%hip
72
"et$een %#''ering, de%ire and ompa%%ion. Thi% i% hea!y "#t good %t#''
and $orth in!e%tigating.
.e might onei!e o' thi% a% ompa%%ion ha!ing gotten a#ght in a
loop, the loop o' the ill#%ion o' d#ality. Thi% i% %ort o' li&e a dogI% tail
ha%ing it%el'. /ain and plea%#re, %#''ering and %ati%'ation al$ay% %eem
to "e ;o!er there.< Th#%, $hen plea%ant %en%ation% ari%e, there i% a
on%tant, ompa%%ionate, del#ded attempt to get o!er there to the other
%ide o' the imagined %plit. Thi% i% '#ndamental attration. Go# $o#ld
thin& that $e $o#ld >#%t %top imagining there i% a %plit, "#t %omeho$ that
i% not $hat happen%. .e &eep perpet#ating the %en%e o' a %plit e!en a%
$e try to "ridge it, and %o $e %#''er. .hen #nplea%ant %en%ation% ari%e,
there i% an attempt to get a$ay 'rom o!er there, to $iden the imagined
%plit. Thi% $ill ne!er $or&, "ea#%e it doe%nIt at#ally eFi%t, "#t the $ay
$e hold o#r mind% a% $e try to get a$ay 'rom that %ide i% pain'#l. .hen
"oring or #nplea%ant %en%ation% ari%e, there i% the attempt to t#ne o#t all
together and 'orget the $hole thing, to try to pretend that the %en%ation%
on the other %ide o' the %plit are not there. Thi% i% '#ndamental
ignorane and it perpet#ate% the proe%%, a% it i% "y ignoring a%pet% o'
o#r %en%ate reality that the ill#%ion o' a %plit i% reated in the 'ir%t plae.
The%e %trit de'inition% o' '#ndamental attration, a!er%ion and
ignorane are !ery important, parti#larly 'or $hen I di%#%% the !ario#%
model% o' the %tage% o' enlightenment. Bi!en the ill#%ion, it %eem% that
%omeho$ the%e mental reation% $ill help in a $ay that $ill "e
permanent. :emem"er that the only thing that $ill '#ndamentally help
i% to #nder%tand the Three Charateri%ti% to the degree that ma&e% the
di''erene, and the Three Charateri%ti% are mani'e%ting right here.
:emem"er ho$ it $a% %tated a"o!e that %#''ering moti!ate%
e!erything $e do= .e o#ld al%o %ay that e!erything $e do i% moti!ated
"y ompa%%ion, $hih i% part o' the '#ndamentally empty nat#re o'
reality. That doe%nIt mean that e!erything $e do i% %&ill'#lR that i% a
$hole di''erent i%%#e.
Compa%%ion i% a !ery good thing, e%peially $hen it in!ol!e% oneO%
%el' and all "eing%. It i% %ort o' the 'lip %ide o' the ,eond +o"le Tr#th.
The $hole pro"lem i% that ;mi%direted< ompa%%ion, ompa%%ion that
i% 'iltered thro#gh the proe%% o' ego and it% related ha"it%, an prod#e
enormo#% %#''ering and o'ten doe%. It i% ea%y to thin& o' many eFample%
74
o' people %earhing 'or happine%% in the %trange%t o' plae% and "y doing
the %trange%t o' thing%. D#%t pi& #p any ne$%paper. The ta&e8home
me%%age i% to %earh 'or happine%% $here yo# are at#ally li&ely to 'ind
it.
.e might %ay that ompa%%ion i% the #ltimate a%pet o' de%ire, or
thin& o' ompa%%ion and de%ire on a ontin##m. The more $i%dom or
#nder%tanding o' interonnetedne%% there i% "ehind o#r intention% and
ation%, the more they re'let ompa%%ion and the more the re%#lt% $ill
t#rn o#t $ell. The more greed, hatred and del#%ion or la& o'
#nder%tanding o' interonnetedne%% there i% "ehind o#r intention% and
ation%, the more they re'let de%ire and the more %#''ering there $ill
li&ely "e.
Thi% i% %ometime% re'erred to a% the ;2a$ o' Jarma,< $here &arma
i% a $ord that ha% to do $ith o#r intention% and ation%. ,ome people
an get all a#ght #p in %pei'i% o' thi% that annot po%%i"ly "e &no$n,
li&e %pe#lating that i' $e &ill a "#g $e $ill ome "a& a% a "#g and "e
%)#i%hed. DonOt. Ca#%e and e''et, al%o alled interdependene, i% >#%t
too impondera"ly ompleF. D#%t #%e thi% general onept to loo&
hone%tly at $hat yo# $ant, $hy, and prei%ely ho$ yo# &no$ thi%.
EFamine $hat the on%e)#ene% o' $hat yo# do and thin& might "e 'or
yo#r%el' and e!eryone, and then ta&e re%pon%i"ility 'or tho%e
on%e)#ene%. ItO% a tall order and an important pratie to engage in,
"#t donOt get too o"%e%%i!e a"o#t it. :emem"er the %impliity o' the 'ir%t
training, training in &indne%%, genero%ity, hone%ty and larity, and gain
"alane and $i%dom 'rom the other t$o training% a% yo# go.
,ometime% loo&ing into %#''ering and de%ire an "e o!er$helming.
2i'e an %ometime% "e eFtremely hard. In the%e moment%, try loo&ing
into the heart %ide o' the e)#ation, ompa%%ion and &indne%%. Connet
$ith the part o' yo#r heart that >#%t $i%he% the %#''ering $o#ld end and
'eel that deeply, e%peially a% it mani'e%t% in the "ody. D#%t thi% an "e
pro'o#nd pratie. There are al%o lot% o' other good tehni)#e% 'or
#lti!ating a %paio#%ne%% o' heart that an "ear anything, %#h a% 'ormal
lo!ing8&indne%% pratie% C%ee ,haron ,alL"#rgI% eFellent 2o!ing8
&indne%%, The :e!ol#tionary Art o' (appine%%E. -inding them and
pratiing them an ma&e the %pirit#al path m#h more "eara"le and
plea%ant, and thi% an ma&e it more li&ely that $e $ill "e a"le to
73
per%e!ere, gain deep in%ight%, "e a"le to integrate them into o#r li!e%,
and #%e them to "ene'it other%.
The ta&e8home me%%age i% to ta&e the de%ire to "e happy and 'ree o'
%#''ering and #%e it% energy to do %&ill'#l thing% that an at#ally ma&e
thi% happen, rather than getting a#ght in old #neFamined pattern% o'
%earhing 'or happine%% $here yo# &no$ yo# $ill not 'ind it. The Three
Training% are %&ill'#l and an in'orm the $hole o' o#r li'e. By 'ollo$ing
them $e may ome to the end o' many 'orm% o' %#''ering and "e in a
m#h "etter po%ition to help other% do the %ame.
T:AT( +AMBE: T(:EE0 T(E E+D *- ,A--E:I+B
Thi% "ring% #% niely to the Third +o"le Tr#th, the end o'
%#' 'erin g. +o$, a% noted "e'ore, there are three type% o' %#''ering
pertaining to the %ope o' eah o' the three training%. Traditionally, the
B#ddha tal&ed a"o#t the end o' %#''ering a% relating to ma%tering the
third training and th#% "eoming highly enlightened. The 'ir%t point i%
that it an "e done and i% done today "y meditator% li&e yo# 'rom many
%pirit#al tradition%. Ge%, there are enlightened people $al&ing aro#nd,
and not >#%t a rare 'e$ that ha!e %pent 20 year% in a a!e in Ti"et. Thi%
i% really important to #nder%tand and ha!e 'aith in. The other point i%
that $ith the end o' '#ndamental de%ire, $hih $e $ill render here a%
the end o' ompa%%ion and reality "eing 'iltered thro#gh the odd logi
o' the proe%% o' ego, there i% the end o' '#ndamental %#''ering. ThatO%
it. Done i% $hat ha% to "e done. Bone, gone, gone "eyond, and all o'
that. All "eing% an do it, and there i%, to ma&e "it o' a my%tial >o&e, no
time li&e the pre%ent.
+o$, it m#%t "e %aid that the B#ddha al%o prai%ed tho%e $ho had
ma%tered the other t$o training% and th#% eliminated $hat %#''ering
o#ld "e eliminated "y tho%e method%. E!en !ery enlightened "eing%
an "ene'it 'rom ma%tering the onentration %tate%. (o$e!er, there are
%ome ompleF and di''i#lt i%%#e% related to eliminating all o' the
ordinary %#''ering in the $orld and th#% related to ma%tering the 'ir%t
training, $hih i% an endle%% #nderta&ing. It i% "ea#%e o' thi% parti#lar
i%%#e that %#h teahing% a% the Bodhi%att!a Ho$ aro%e, and I $ill deal
$ith the%e ompleFitie% to$ard% the end o' thi% "oo&.
76
T:AT( +AMBE: -*A:0 T(E /AT(
The -o#rth +o"le Tr#th i% the +o"le Eight'old /ath t hat
lead% to %#''eringO % 'inal end . Another li%tK (ope'#lly yo# ha!e
ome to li&e the%e little li%t% "y no$, and %o one more $ill hope'#lly "e
%een a% another managea"le little g#ide on ho$ to 'ind the end o'
%#''ering. 2#&ily, $e ha!e already %een the $hole o' the +o"le
Eight'old /ath in other part% o' %ome o' the other li%t%, and it i%
%#mmariLed in the Three Training% o' morality, onentration and
$i%dom.
The morality %etion i% >#%t "ro&en do$n into three %pei'i%0 %&ill'#l
ation, %&ill'#l %peeh and %&ill'#l li!elihood. ,&ill'#l mean% ond#i!e
to the end o' %#''ering 'or #% and 'or all other li!ing "eing%. Be &ind,
hone%t, lear and ompa%%ionate in yo#r $hole li'e, in yo#r ation%,
%peeh and $or&. +otie that nothing i% eFl#ded here. The more o'
o#r li!e% $e integrate $ith the %pirit#al path, the "etter. ,imple to
remem"er and al%o a po$er'#l g#ide.
The onentration %etion ontain% three thing% $e %a$ in the -i!e
,pirit#al -a#ltie% and the ,e!en -ator% o' Enlightenment0 %&ill'#l
energy, %&ill'#l onentration, and %&ill'#l mind'#lne%%.
The $i%dom %etion ha% the t$o la%t part% o' the path0 %&ill'#l
tho#ght or intention and %&ill'#l #nder%tanding or $i%dom. The%e t$o
are o'ten rendered in di''erent $ay%, "#t the meaning i% the %ame0
#nder%tand the tr#th o' yo#r eFperiene and a%pire to &indne%% and
$i%dom in yo#r tho#ght% and deed%. Again, %imple "#t po$er'#l.
77
5.PRACTICAL MEDITATION CONSIDERATIONS
.(E+, .(E:E A+D -*: (*. 2*+B=
The "e%t time to meditate i% $hen yo# an, a% in ;get it $hile yo#
anK< The "e%t plae to meditate i% $here yo# an, and the "e%t d#ration
i% 'or a% long a% i% a!aila"le or nee%%ary 'or yo# to get $hat yo# $i%h o#t
o' it. Thi% may %eem li&e an o"!io#% an%$er, "#t people an %ometime%
get it into their head% that ertain time% are "etter than other% and th#%
not meditate $hen that %eemingly %ared time period i% #na!aila"le or
interr#pted. They may 'eel that ertain plae% or %peial ir#m%tane%
C%peial #%hion%, noi%e le!el%, et.E are oh8%o8nee%%ary, and i' the%e are
not a!aila"le then they may 'eel 'r#%trated and #na"le to pratie. They
may 'eel that a ertain minimal d#ration o' meditation time i% nee%%ary,
and th#% 'ind them%el!e% #na"le to ma&e #%e o' $hat time they may
ha!e.
I' yo# ha!e t$o ho#r% eah day 'or meditation, greatK I' yo# ha!e
t$o >o"%, %iF &id%, and >#%t anIt 'ind more than ten min#te% eah day 'or
meditation, ma&e good #%e o' $hat yo#I!e got. There ha!e "een time%
in my li'e $hen I $a% !ery grate'#l that I had t$enty ho#r% a day to
pratie. *n the other hand, $hen I ha!e only had ten min#te% a day, I
ha!e "een grate'#l 'or the %en%e o' ho$ preio#% tho%e ten min#te%
$ere. ,&ill'#l #rgeny and $ell8de!eloped gratit#de 'or a hane to
pratie at all an allo$ #% to really #%e limited piee% o' time to their
'#lle%t.
I' yo# an ta&e o'' a month eah year 'or inten%i!e retreat%,
$onder'#l. I' a $ee&end retreat one a year i% all yo# an do, go 'or it.
In %hort, honor $here yo# are and $hat yo# an reali%tially aompli%h
gi!en yo#r #rrent ir#m%tane%. I' they are not entirely to yo#r li&ing,
and yo# $ant to ta&e more time 'or pratie, $or& on rearranging thing%
a "it in a $ay that lea!e% yo# $ith a li'e that yo# %till 'ind '#l'illing %ho#ld
yo# later deide to pratie a "it le%%.
2#&ily, meditation i% an eFtremely porta"le endea!or. Go# donIt
ha!e to l#g aro#nd %peial e)#ipment, ha!e other people aro#nd, or
%hed#le an appointment. There are no 'ee%, $aiting li%t%, or red tape.
:eality happen%. ,en%ation% ari%e. I' yo#Ire payinI are'#l attention to
them, really 'eeling eFatly $hat it i% li&e to "e here no$, yo#Ire doinI itK
ItI% >#%t that %imple.
/ratial Meditation Con%ideration%
.hile I ha!e de'initely ome to appreiate ;ideal< meditation
ondition% and their o"!io#% "ene'it%, I ha!e al%o had pro'o#nd in%ight%
and eFtraordinary eFperiene% in plae% that $o#ld hardly "e on%idered
ideal Ce.g. in the "rea& room at $or&, $hile "r#%hing my teethE. .hile I
de'initely appreiate the additional depth o' long period% o'
#ninterr#pted pratie, I am ertain that "eing a"le to ma&e #%e o' little
"it% o' time here and there ha% done m#h to mo!e thing% along.
I %ometime% meditate $hen relining "e'ore %leep, $hen relining in
the morning "e'ore I ha!e to get #p, $hen I $a&e #p in the middle o'
the night, "e'ore atnap% on the o#h, d#ring "oring let#re% and
meeting%, and in the lo#nge o' the %hool I attended "e'ore a'ternoon
la%%e%. I ha!e ome to the onl#%ion that 'i!e min#te% o' really
engaged, lear and 'o#%ed pratie in poor ir#m%tane% an o'ten
prod#e more "ene'it% 'or me than an ho#r o' poor, !ag#e and
di%trated pratie in ;optimal ondition%.<
I ha!e al%o ome to appreiate the !al#e o' timed %it%, $here I !o$
to %it and pay attention 'or a de'ined period o' time. I ta&e a little tra!el
alarm lo& or &ithen timer and !o$ to %it 'or a predetermined %pae
o' time, #%#ally %ome$here 'rom 40 min#te% to 1.6 ho#r%. I ha!e 'o#nd
that, d#ring #ntimed %it%, I tend to get #p $hen I r#n into di''i#lt
territory, mild pain 'rom %itting, or other thing% that I donIt $ant to
a&no$ledge and in!e%tigate learly. A timed %it ma&e% it m#h more
li&ely that I $ill "e a"le to %it in the 'ae o' the%e thing%, th#% de!eloping
more on'idene and di%ipline, a% $ell a% the in%ight% that ome 'rom
per%i%tent in!e%tigation.
DAI2G 2I-E A+D :ET:EAT,
A !ery related i%%#e here i% that o' the $orld o' retreat% and
mona%tii%m and ho$ it ontra%t% $ith the $orld o' ;daily li'e< or the li'e
o' a ;ho#%eholder.< Eah ha% it% o$n %et o' i%%#e%, "#t many o' them
o!erlap and the di''erene% may "e more )#e%tion o' degree than o'
dihotomy.
+o$, it i% tr#e that the "attle i% not al$ay% to the %trong, nor the rae
to the %$i't, "#t thatI% the $ay to "et. In other $ord%, tho%e $ho do lot%
o' pratie in daily li'e, go on more and longer retreat%, are more
on%i%tently a"le to onentrate and in!e%tigate )#i&ly and prei%ely,
pay attention more o'ten d#ring their daily ati!itie%, and ha!e their
79
morality trip more together are, on a!erage, m#h more li&ely to ma&e
progre%%.
.hen on retreat, people ha!e the opport#nity to pratie nearly all
day in %etting% that are #%#ally de%igned to "e !ery ond#i!e to lear,
prei%e in)#iry and depth% o' meditation. C.hy %o 'e$ people at#ally
ta&e ad!antage o' the%e ir#m%tane% $hen they go on retreat i% "eyond
me, and I $ill %pend %ome time ranting a"o#t that later.E The point i%
that going on retreat% an gi!e opport#nitie% 'or m#h 'a%ter and deeper
pratie to tho%e $ho hoo%e to really pratie. ,aid another $ay, i' yo#
go on retreat, ma&e good #%e o' that time.
There i% a h#ge di''erene "et$een the eFperiene% o' people $ho
do retreat% hal'$ay and people $ho really 'ollo$ the in%tr#tion% all day
long. In my eFperiene, there i% no ompari%on "et$een retreat% I ha!e
done $hen I really po$ered the in!e%tigation 'rom the time I a$o&e
#ntil I $ent to %leep at night, a#%ing 'a%t and pro'o#nd progre%%, and
$hen I too& "rea&% here and there to thin& a"o#t thing% %#h a% my
i%%#e% and meditation theory, generally a#%ing moderate to %lo$
progre%%. .hile many people thin& that retreat% are 'or more ad!aned
pratitioner%, I thin& that a 'e$ retreat% early in oneI% pratie an really
>#mp %tart thing%, allo$ing one to then ma&e m#h "etter #%e o'
meditation time o'' retreat.
I o'ten thin& o' the moment#m that retreat% generate in term% o'
rolling a "o#lder o!er a hill. I' yo# get a long r#nning %tart, p#%hing hard
the $hole $ay, yo# are more li&ely to "e a"le to get the "o#lder rolling
'a%t eno#gh %o that it roll% o!er the hill in one %traight %hot. I' yo# p#%h
intermittently or hal'8heartedly, the "o#lder i% li&ely to roll "a& $hen
yo# get to the %teep part o' the hill, "#t yo# ha!e $orn the hill do$n a
little "it, and yo# may al%o "e a "it %tronger 'or the eFeri%e. Th#%, it i%
po%%i"le to $ear do$n the hill gi!en eno#gh time, "#t it i% m#h 'a%ter to
%imply po$er o!er it the 'ir%t time and mo!e on to the neFt hill. I &no$
o' no o"!io#% "ene'it% 'rom %lo$ pratie that 'ail% to gain %ome
'oothold% in the territory o' onentration or in%ight.
Tho%e $ho ta&e the $ear do$n the hill approah may e!ent#ally
lo%e 'aith and intere%t, ha!ing done lot% o' $or& to little e''et. Tho%e
$ho really apply them%el!e% and ro%% a 'e$ hill% early on thro#gh
'o#%ed and on%i%tent e''ort, %#h a% retreat% or really %olid daily li'e
75
pratie, $ill ha!e more o' a %en%e o' aompli%hment and
empo$erment, and may ha!e e!en p#t in le%% total time and e''ort than
tho%e $ho tried to $ear do$n the hill. Thi% irony %ho#ld not "e lo%t on
tho%e $ho $ant to "e %mart a"o#t de!eloping their meditati!e %&ill%.
-or eFample, let% %ay that yo# o#ld alloate 476 ho#r% o#t o' one
year to 'ormal meditation pratie. Bi!en a hoie, I $o#ld "e more
inlined to ta&e hal' o' tho%e ho#r%, a"o#t 192, and do a 10 day retreat
pratiing hard and on%i%tently 19 ho#r% a day $ith minimal "rea&% at
the "eginning o' the year, and then %pend hal' an ho#r meditating eah
o' the other day%. I $o#ld "e m#h more li&ely to ro%% into %ome
intere%ting territory early on and o!erome %ome o' the initial h#rdle%
than i' I %pent one ho#r eah day 'or that year pratiing $ell. The
amo#nt o' time and e''ort i% the %ame, "#t the e''et i% li&ely to "e )#ite
di''erent.
A 'e$ odd% and end% a"o#t retreat%. -ir%t, retreat% tend to ha!e a
%emi8predita"le rhythm to them. :ealiLing thi% allo$% #%, i' $e ha!e the
time and re%o#re% to %pae, to hoo%e ho$ long a retreat $e $ant to
meet o#r meditati!e goal%. E!en i' $e are pratiing $ell, the 'ir%t 'e$
day% o' a retreat tend to "e mo%tly a"o#t ad>#%ting to the plae, the
po%t#re, the ro#tine, the people, the loal #%tom%, the %hed#le, et.
,imilarly, the la%t day or t$o o' a retreat tend% to "ring #p tho#ght% o'
$hat $e are going to do neFt. Th#%, to gi!e yo#r%el' %ome time in the
middle $hen yo# are not dealing $ith the%e thing% a% m#h, I
reommend greater than 68day retreat% $hen po%%i"le. It i% not that
"ene'it anIt "e deri!ed 'rom %horter retreat%, "#t there i% %omething
a"o#t tho%e middle day% that tend% to ma&e %trong onentration and
good pratie ea%ier to attain.
,eond, e!ery retreat enter and tradition ha% it% ne#roti %hado$
a%pet% and do$n%ide%. Thi% i% ine!ita"le, "#t "y identi'ying them and
realiLing that there are $ay% to ha!e them not %lo$ o#r in!e%tigation
do$n i% help'#l. *ne enter $here I ha!e %pent a "it o' time i% prone to
attrating !ery %erio#%, %o$ling people $ho tr#dge aro#nd in their
$al&ing pratie li&e the %lighte%t %o#nd or glane 'rom anyone aro#nd
them might %et them o'' li&e a "om". I ha!e "een to another enter
$here %ometime% I ha!e "een the only meditator there, re)#iring me to
ha!e more %el' moti!ation and di%ipline. Another mona%ti enter I
70
ha!e "een to ha% the $hole male hierarhy thing going $hih an a#%e
all %ort% o' reation% 'rom retreatant% "oth 'emale and male.
Then there are "a%ially al$ay% ne#roti thing% aro#nd 'ood Ch#ge
topi, o' $hih !egetarian !%. non8!egetarian i% >#%t the tip o' the
ie"ergE, "athroom%, )#arter%, %ho$er%, hot $ater, $a%hing lothe% and
di%he%, leaning d#tie%, heating and ooling Cone plae I ha!e "een to
ha% antan&ero#% $ood %to!e% in %ome "#ilding% 'or heat, another in a
tropial %etting ha% open $indo$% that let the mo%)#itoe% %$arm inE,
lothing Ce.g. %ome enter% ha!e people $ear $hite, other% $onIt tolerate
%&impy or re!ealing o#t'it%, %ome donIt areE, 'ragrane%, hemial
%en%iti!itie%, inen%e, morning $a&e8#p "ell% Ctoo )#iet, too lo#d,
%omeone 'orget% to ring it at allE, %hed#le%, roommate% Cparti#larly
tho%e that %nore, %mell, are noi%y or me%%y, et.E, %tritne%% o' %ilene,
eye ontat or the la& thereo', eti)#ette aro#nd teaher% Ce.g. to "o$ or
not, to a%& hallenging )#e%tion% or not, limit% on the time $e ha!e
ae%% to them, their per%onalitie% and ne#roti %t#'', $hether or not
they %pea& the lang#age $e %pea&, et.E, eti)#ette o' entering room% $ith
ion% Ce.g. $hether to "o$ three time% or notE, the pre%ene o' ion% or
not Cand $hih ion%E, and i%%#e% o' the orthodoFy o' rit#al, dogma,
po%t#re, hand po%ition, eating rit#al%, hanting, !o$%, et.
Thi% li%t doe%nIt inl#de i%%#e% o' orr#ption, romane%, #lt% o'
per%onality, a''air%, r#%he%, mi%omm#niation%, !endetta%, %andal%,
dr#g #%e, money i%%#e%, and all the other thing% that an %ometime%
%ho$ #p any$here there are people. In %hort, $hate!er yo# imagine that
yo# or other people might ha!e i%%#e% aro#nd, the%e are "o#nd to %ho$
#p %ooner or later i' yo# %pend eno#gh time in %pirit#al irle% or retreat
enter%. .hile %olo pratie i% an option, that doe%nIt get yo# a$ay 'rom
all o' the%e i%%#e% and ha% it% o$n %et o' do$n%ide%.
The r#ial thing i% to realiLe that great pratie an o#r in
ondition% 'ar 'rom per'et, parti#larly i' $e realiLe that all the
%en%ation% that ma&e #p the%e inp#t% and o#r reation% to them are all
$orthy o' in!e%tigation and th#% a% m#h a %o#re o' #ltimate and o'ten
relati!e $i%dom a% any other %en%ation%. I ha!e rarely had $hat I
on%idered per'et pratie ondition%, "#t I ha!e done $ell and yo#
an al%o. That %aid, %ome enter%, parti#lar retreat%, and teaher% are
"etter than other%, and it i% $orth eFploring and a%&ing aro#nd. All the%e
71
thing% an "e parti#larly di%trating and di%tre%%ing 'or a 'ir%t time
retreatant, a% o'ten there are %ome naN!e hope%, ho$e!er
#na&no$ledged, o' $al&ing into the Barden o' Eden, %itting $ith the
B#ddha, and hanging o#t $ith the mo%t e!ol!ed 'ello$ retreatant% one
o#ld imagine.
.hen o'' retreat, progre%% i% %till po%%i"le, parti#larly i' one ha%
#%ed retreat% to get pa%t %ome o' the initial h#rdle% Chill%E and get a 'e$
ta%te% o' $hat i% po%%i"le. Do not #ndere%timate the !al#e o' are'#l and
hone%t a$arene%% o' $hat one i% going d#ring oneI% li'e o'' the #%hion.
*n the other hand, i' yo# $ant to %igni'iantly inrea%e yo#r hane% o'
ta%ting the 'r#it% o' the path, do yo#r "e%t to ma&e time 'or retreat% in a
$ay that honor% yo#r %pirit#al goal% a% $ell a% yo#r other ommitment%.
*ne o' the rea%on% 'or mona%tii%m i% that yo#r ommitment% "eome
yo#r pratie, "#t there are plenty o' people $ho ha!e 'ig#red o#t ho$
to li!e in the $orld and #%e retreat% and %trong daily pratie to ahie!e
the %ame e''et%. In 'at, in thi% #n#%#al time in hi%tory, there are plenty
o' plae% to %it 'or !ery little money and get great %#pport 'or pratie
$itho#t ha!ing to deal $ith all the rit#al, dogma and other ha%%le% that
are in!oled in ordination.
,ome o' my 'a!orite plae% to go on retreat are0 The In%ight
Meditation ,oiety CIM,E in Barre, MA, Bha!ana ,oiety in (igh!ie$,
.e%t Hirginia, The Malay%ian B#ddhi%t Meditation Centre CMBMCE in
/enang, Malay%ia, and Baia (o#%e near Totne%, England. Al%o $orth
mentioning are the Maha%i enter% in B#rma CMyanmarE, %#h a%
/anditarama in Gangon C'ormerly &no$n a% :angoonE. All o' the%e are
ea%y to 'ind on the Internet. -or tho%e $ho are really into Maha%i
,ayada$ %tyle pratie a% I am, the Three Month :etreat at IM, Ca"o#t
V4000E, or a 'e$ $ee&% to month% at MBMC Ca"o#t V1000 to 'ly there
and then a 'e$ "#&% a day pl#% donation% to %tayE are highly
reommended. Both ha!e eFellent 'ood and are !ery ond#i!e to
great pratie. It i% amaLing the thing% $e %pend o#r time and money
doing. A% a good 'riend one %aid, ;I' yo# had to 'lip "#rger% 'or 14
year% to get #p the money to do the three month at IM,, it $o#ld "e
$ell $orth it.< I pre'er MBMC 'or #lt#ral rea%on%, "#t "oth are great.
B#rma i% a great plae to go 'or the real deal, "#t there are %ome i%%#e%
aro#nd dealing $ith the go!ernment, the oily 'ood, the #lt#re, the
72
$ater, the heat, the para%ite%, and the malaria8arrying mo%)#itoe% that
need to "e %trongly on%idered.
/*,TA:E,
The 'o#r po%t#re% 'or meditation that are mentioned in traditional
B#ddhi%t pratie are tho%e o' %itting, $al&ing, %tanding and relining.
Eah ha% it% o$n %et o' "ene'it% and dra$"a&%, and eah may "e #%e'#l
at one time or another. 2oo&ed at another $ay, thi% mean% that $e an
meditate in >#%t a"o#t any po%ition $e 'ind o#r%el!e%. .e an "e a$are
o' $here $e are, $hat $e are doing, and $hat o#r eFperiene 'eel% li&e
all day long. .hih po%t#re $e hoo%e doe%nIt really matter 'rom a
p#re in%ight point o' !ie$, "#t there are %ome pratial rea%on% $hy $e
might hoo%e one or the other 'or 'ormal pratie. /o%t#re hoie i%
mo%tly a"o#t 'inding one that $or&% in o#r #rrent ir#m%tane% and
$hih mathe% o#r #rrent energy le!el.
:elining pratie ha% the ad!antage% o' "eing eFtremely %#%taina"le,
not re)#iring attention to maintaining a po%t#re, generally "eing
relati!ely 'ree 'rom pain, and o' really allo$ing the attention to t#rn to
%#"tle %en%ation%. It ha% the di%tint di%ad!antage o' )#i&ly p#tting
many people to %leep, and th#% mo%t people pre'er %itting. A 'e$
people, %#h a% my%el', are %o nat#rally $ired that they an meditate
learly $hen relining mo%t o' the time and may %ometime% 'ind %itting
>#%t a "it too inten%e and edgy. (o$ one $ill reat to the energeti
)#ality o' a po%t#re !arie% $ith the indi!id#al, the pha%e o' pratie and
pratial on%ideration% %#h a% ho$ m#h %leep $e got the night
"e'ore. It #%#ally doe%nIt ta&e m#h eFperimentation to let #% &no$ i'
relining $ill $or& 'or #% or not.
,itting i% the la%%i meditation po%e, "#t it i% not %o %peial a% %ome
$o#ld ma&e it o#t to "e. I $ill #%e the phra%e ;on the #%hion< o'ten in
thi% "oo&, "#t I do %o "ea#%e I 'ind it athy and not "ea#%e there i%
%omething magial a"o#t the %itting po%t#re. .hen I $rite ;on the
#%hion,< I am really re'erring to 'ormal meditation in any o' the%e 'o#r
po%t#re%.
,itting ha% the )#ality o' "eing more energy8prod#ing than relining
and le%% energy8prod#ing than $al&ing and %tanding. It an al%o "e !ery
%ta"le one $e learn to %it $ell. (o$e!er, many people 'ind that
learning to %it $ell i% a $hole endea!or in and o' it%el'. There are lot% o'
74
po%t#re% e!en $ithin the ategory o' %itting, e.g. in a hair $ith o#r "a&
o'' the "a&re%t or $ith o#r "a& on the "a& re%t, in lot#% po%ition, in
hal'8lot#% po%ition, %itting ;Indian ,tyle< $ith o#r leg% ro%%ed, in the
;B#rme%e< or ;'riendly< po%ition $hih i% li&e the ro%%8legged po%ition
eFept that o#r 'eet are "oth on the 'loor one in 'ront o' the other, in a
&eeling po%ition $ith or $itho#t a "enh, et.
Many tradition% ma&e a "ig deal a"o#t eFatly ho$ yo# %ho#ld %it,
$ith %ome getting parti#larly maho or pi&y a"o#t %#h thing%, "#t in
the end it doe%nIt matter %o m#h. The thing% that %eem to matter mo%t
are that yo# an %#%tain the po%t#re, that yo#r "a& "e 'airly %traight %o
that yo# an "reathe $ell, and that yo# are not permanently h#rting
yo#r%el'. Ahe% and pain% are ommon in meditation, "#t i' they per%i%t
'or a long time a'ter yo# get #p 'rom %itting, parti#larly in yo#r &nee%,
%erio#%ly on%ider modi'ying yo#r %itting po%t#re.
,tanding i% an e!en more energy8prod#ing po%t#re than %itting, $ith
the o"!io#% ad!antage "eing that i% it e!en harder to 'all a%leep $hen
%tanding than $hen %itting. It %eem% to #p the inten%ity o' a meditation
%e%%ion e!en more and an "e #%e'#l $hen the energy i% really lo$. I
reommend %tanding $ith the eye% %lightly open to a!oid 'alling o!er,
tho#gh %ome people an do >#%t 'ine $ith their eye% lo%ed. I' yo# are
%itting and 'inding that yo# %imply annot %tay 'o#%ed and a$a&e, try
%tanding.
.al&ing i% the mo%t energetially ati!e o' the 'o#r po%t#re% and
al%o pro!ide% a nie %treth 'or the >oint% and "a& a'ter $e ha!e "een
doing a lot o' %itting. It% %trength% are it% $ea&ne%%e%, in that the 'at that
one i% mo!ing aro#nd an ma&e it ea%ier to %tay pre%ent and al%o lead to
a la& o' %ta"le onentration. ,ome people on%ider $al&ing pratie to
"e !ery %eondary to %itting, "#t I ha!e learned 'rom eFperiene that
$al&ing meditation %ho#ld "e gi!en >#%t a% m#h re%pet a% %itting
meditation. .hether $e $al& 'a%t or %lo$ i% really not %o important, "#t
that $hile $al&ing $e in!e%tigate all the little %en%ation% that go into
$al&ing i%. Thi% i% a great time to he& o#t intention% and their
relation%hip to ation%, a% $al&ing in!ol!e% a ompleF and intere%ting
interplay "et$een the%e. I' yo# are ha!ing pro"lem% %taying gro#nded
$hen $al&ing, I reommend %taying primarily $ith the phy%ial
73
%en%ation% in the 'eet and leg%, parti#larly the %en%ation% o' ontat
"et$een the 'eet and the gro#nd or 'loor.
*BDECT, -*: I+,IB(T /:ACTICE,
A% mentioned "e'ore, there are lot% o' in%ight tradition% and they
eah ha!e their 'a!orite o">et%. .herea% 'rom the point o' !ie$ o' p#re
in%ight the o">et o' meditation doe%nIt matter, a% $ith po%t#re% there
are %ome other pratial on%ideration% related to o#r parti#lar a"ilitie%
and the #rrent pha%e o' o#r pratie that are $orth ta&ing into ao#nt.
It %ho#ld "e noted here that no o">et% are inherently o">et% 'or in%ight
pratie !er%#% onentration pratie. The di''erene i% $hether or not
$e in!e%tigate the Three Charateri%ti% o' tho%e o">et% or ignore the
'at that the o">et i% made #p o' indi!id#al %en%ation% and th#%
arti'iially %olidi'y it. Th#%, yo# o#ld #%e any o' the o">et% mentioned
"elo$ Ca% $ell a% many other%E 'or either type o' pratie.
The 'ir%t )#e%tion i% $hether or not one ha% a parti#lar agenda 'or
$hat &ind o' %en%ation% or 'o#% one $i%he% to inl#de in the pratie,
i.e. $hether one $ant% to do ;hoiele%% a$arene%%< pratie or a more
%tr#t#red pratie. Choiele%% a$arene%% pratie, in $hih one
in!e%tigate% $hate!er ari%e% $itho#t a more %pei'i 'o#%, ha% the
ad!antage o' "eing !ery inl#%i!e and ;nat#ral,< and yet "y the %ame
to&en %ome people an ea%ily get di%trated and #ngro#nded $hen they
donIt ta&e a more %tr#t#red approah.
-or tho%e ta&ing a more %tr#t#red approah, the aFe% one an
mo!e on are the degree to $hih one inl#de% phy%ial or mental
%en%ation% in meditation, $hether or not one 'o#%e% narro$ly or #%e% a
more open 'ield o' attention, and $hether or not one mo!e% the
attention aro#nd or &eep% it in a"o#t the %ame plae.
The primary ad!antage o' trying to 'o#% primarily on phy%ial
%en%ation%, %#h a% the "reath, the %en%ation% o' $al&ing, the point% o'
ontat $ith the 'loor, or the %en%ation% o' o#r phy%ial "ody in general,
i% that they are m#h le%% %ed#ti!e than mental %en%ation%. Mental
%en%ation% tend to trap #% in the ontent and %torie%, a% anyone $ho ha%
e!er tried to meditate &no$% all to $ell. The more mental %en%ation% $e
inl#de in o#r pratie, the more o' o#r emotional and p%yhologial
%t#'' $e $ill eno#nter. Thi% an "e a miFed "le%%ing. I' o#r pratie i%
!ery %trong, $e an enter %#h territory and yet %till %ee the tr#e nat#re
76
o' all o' the %en%ation% that ma&e it #p. I' o#r pratie i% not !ery %trong,
$e $ill %imply "e %$amped, lo%t in the ha"it#al pattern% o' thin&ing
a%%oiated $ith o#r ;%t#''.<
Th#%, phy%ial %en%ation% help #% gro#nd o#r%el!e%, and mental
%en%ation% open #% #p to pl#nging into the depth% o' mental li'e or
getting lo%t in it. -rom a p#re in%ight point o' !ie$, neither one i% more
holy or more o' a %o#re o' tr#th. (o$e!er, $hen $e do the eFperiment
$e $ill )#i&ly realiLe $hat $or&% 'or #%R ;$or&%< in thi% a%e meaning
that $e an &eep %eeing the tr#e nat#re o' the n#mero#% )#i&
%en%ation% that ma&e #p o#r reality.
There are n#mero#% other type% o' phy%ial o">et% that may "e
in!e%tigated, inl#ding %o#nd%, %ight%, and e!en %mell% and ta%te%. ,ome
people ha!e a nat#ral proli!ity 'or in!e%tigating the %en%ation% o' a
parti#lar %en%e door. There i% a mon& in B#rma that reommend% hi%
%t#dent% #%e the high8pithed tone% in o#r ear a% an o">et, and
%ometime% I ha!e 'o#nd them !ery #%e'#l and intere%ting. :ather than
%eeming to "e a ontin#o#% tone, $e an hear eah little indi!id#al
%en%ation o' ringing a% a di%ontin#o#% entity. .e may al%o ta&e %ight% a%
o">et, %#h a% the olor% on the "a& o' o#r eyelid% or, i' o#r eye% are
open, $hate!er !i%#al %en%ation% pre%ent them%el!e%. The%e are al%o
impermanent, and i' $e are good at thi% $e may e!en %ee o#r !i%#al
$orld pre%enting it%el' li&e the 'rame% o' a mo!ie.
Another on%ideration i% $hether to #%e a narro$ or "road 'o#% o'
attention. The ad!antage o' a more narro$ 'o#% o' attention i% that it
may eFl#de many di%tration%. .e may get !ery good at %eeing ertain
%eleted type% o' o">et%, %#h a% the %en%ation% o' "reathing in the
a"domen or at the tip o' the no%e, and thi% i% >#%t 'ine and e!en a !ery
good idea. ,#h one pointed pratie i% ro#tinely reommended, and
%ome people, %#h a% my%el', ha!e a nat#ral inlination to$ard% thi%
%tyle.
*ther% 'ind that thi% ma&e% them too tight and irrita"le. (o$e!er,
they 'ind that they do m#h "etter $ith a $ider and more inl#%i!e 'ield
o' attention. The%e thing% !ary $ith the per%on and the %it#ation, and i'
$e are hone%t $ith o#r%el!e% $e $ill "e a"le to &no$ $hat i% $or&ing 'or
#% and $hat i% not. The ad!antage o' a $ide 'ield o' attention i% that $e
need to p#t le%% e''ort into %taying 'o#%ed and an "e more pre%ent to
77
$hate!er ari%e% nat#rally. The do$n%ide i% that $e may "eome !ery
laLy meditator% and get lo%t in tho#ght. The%e tradeo''% m#%t "e $eighed
again%t eah other.
There are pratie%, %#h a% "ody %$eeping, that &eep the attention
mo!ing all the time. Thi% an "e !ery help'#l, a% it &eep% #% engaged
$ith ne$ and intere%ting %en%ation% and may &eep #% 'rom getting into
r#t% o' thin&ing that $e are %taying $ith ne$ %en%ation% $hen really $e
are >#%t remem"ering old pattern%. (o$e!er, the%e pratie% ha!e the
do$n%ide that they an %ometime% la& the real prei%ion o' hone%t
attention that ome% 'rom %taying $ith more re%trited area% o' 'o#%.
.e an end #p gi!ing more attention to &eeping o#r attention mo!ing
than to learly in!e%tigating $hat o#r attention re!eal%. Again, %ome
people do $ell $ith mo!ing attention pratie% and %ome %eem to thri!e
on &eeping the attention in one plae.
It %ho#ld "e noted that $e may not al$ay% &no$ eFatly $hat i% "e%t
'or #%. .e may pi& pratie% that 'eel good to #% prei%ely "ea#%e they
donIt hit too lo%ely, donIt allo$ #% to learly in!e%tigate the
di%onerting tr#th% o' impermanene and %#''ering, donIt hit at o#r
%en%e o' identity in a $ay that really #t% to the "one. .e might al%o
pi& tradition% that are gr#eling and !ery pain'#l 'or #% "ea#%e $e
imagine that thi% i% $hat i% important, e!en i' %#h tradition% do not
'ailitate lear in!e%tigation% o' the tr#th o' o#r at#al eFperiene. Th#%,
$or&ing $ith good teaher% $ho an ad!i%e #% and help #% &eep 'rom
re%ting in o#r del#%ion% i% reommended. That %aid, %ome teaher% only
teah one pratie, #%#ally the parti#lar one that $or&ed 'or them. I'
that i% al%o a tehni)#e that gen#inely $or&% 'or #%, then $e are %et. I'
not, $e may $i%h to in!e%tigate other tradition% and tehni)#e%.
*n a related note, I ha!e ad!oated 'ig#ring o#t $hat $or&% 'or yo#,
on%idering ho$ yo# are "#ilt and $here yo# are. I do, ho$e!er,
reommend moderation in thi%. -or in%tane, i' yo# %it do$n to
meditate and then deide that yo# are >#%t a "it %leepy, %o yo# %tand #p,
and then yo# %ettle do$n a "it, %o a 'e$ min#te% later yo# %it do$n
again. Then a min#te later yo# deide yo# really donIt li&e that little
pain in yo#r &nee and %o yo# lie do$n, and %o it goe%. ,#h pratie i%
li&ely to "e o' little "ene'it to yo#, %o try to pi& a po%t#re and %ti& $ith
it $ithin rea%on. The %ame applie% to o">et% o' meditation, parti#larly
77
$hen yo# are %tarting o#t. There i% a lot to "e %aid 'or #lti!ating thi%
"a%i le!el o' %el'8ontrol and di%ipline. .itho#t it, $e an end #p
%hi'ting o#r pratie ha"it% e!ery time o#r in!e%tigation "egin% to hit
lo%e to home.
:E,*2HE
That "ring% me to the topi o' re%ol!e. I %trongly reommend
de!eloping the 'reedom to hoo%e $hat happen% in yo#r li'e that ome%
'rom di%ipline. .hile people o'ten thin& o' di%ipline a% "eing ontrary
to 'reedom, I e)#ate the t$o in many $ay%. Di%ipline and re%ol!e allo$
one to ma&e hoie% a"o#t $hat $e do and %tay %trong in the 'ae o'
di''i#ltie%. Th#%, I reommend that $hen yo# %et a%ide a period o' time
'or a parti#lar training, yo# re%ol!e that 'or that period yo# $ill $or& on
the %pei'i training yo# ha!e %et o#t to $or& on, and that yo# $ill $or&
on it $hole8heartedly.
.itho#t di%ipline, $itho#t 'ormal re%ol!e, yo# may ea%ily 'ind
yo#r%el' in %omething re%em"ling the 'ollo$ing %it#ation. Go# %it do$n
on the #%hion $ith the !ag#e intention to do %ome in%ight pratie%,
and "egin trying to in!e%tigate, "#t %oon yo# 'ind yo#r%el' thin&ing a"o#t
ho$ yo# really %ho#ld "e paying yo#r "ill%. Then yo#r &nee "egin% to
h#rt, %o yo# t#ne into the lo$8le!el >hani "li%% that yo# ha!e managed
to #lti!ate the a"ility to 'ind, and then yo# 'eel h#ngry, %o yo# get #p
and 'iF yo#r%el' a %and$ih. Go# then thin& to yo#r%el', ;(ey, $hat am I
doing here eating thi% %and$ih= .a%nIt I doing in%ight pratie=<
Go# are not 'ree. In%tead, yo# are 'lo#ndering. .itho#t di%ipline,
$itho#t re%ol!e, yo# are #nli&ely to "e a"le to get pa%t %ome o' the
di''i#lt h#rdle% that %tand "et$een yo# and %#e%% in any o' the%e
training%.
I ha!e 'o#nd it eFtremely !al#a"le, parti#larly $hen %itting do$n to
do 'ormal meditation, to %tate to my%el' at the "eginning o' the %e%%ion
eFatly $hat I am doing, $hat I hope to attain "y it, and $hy attaining
that i% a good idea. I do thi% 'ormally and learly, either o#t lo#d or
%ilently to my%el'. (a!ing done pratie $ith and $itho#t them, I ha!e
ome to the de'inite onl#%ion that 'ormal re%ol#tion% an ma&e a h#ge
di''erene in my pratie. *ne o' my 'a!orite re%ol#tion% goe%
%omething li&e, ;I re%ol!e that 'or thi% ho#r I $ill on%i%tently in!e%tigate
79
the %en%ation% that ma&e #p reality %o a% to attain to li"erating in%ight%
'or the "ene'it o' my%el' and all "eing%.<
:e%ol#tion% %#h a% thi% one add a great deal o' 'o#% and
on%io#%ne%% to my pratie. They gal!aniLe my energy, ma&e plain my
intention%, and al%o %eem to $or& at %ome more %#"liminal or
%#"on%io#% le!el to help &eep me on tra&. I ha!e al%o 'o#nd that I
an #%e re%ol#tion% in my daily li'e to good e''et. -or in%tane, $hen
%t#dying 'or a medial %hool eFam, I might re%ol!e, ;-or thi% ho#r, I
$ill %t#dy thi% hematology %ylla"#% %o that I $ill inrea%e my &no$ledge
and %&ill a% an a%piring dotor and th#% "e le%% li&ely to &ill patient% and
more li&ely to help them.<
,#h re%ol#tion% might %eem o!erly 'ormal or perhap% e!en goo'y,
and they %ometime% %eem thi% $ay to me, "#t I ha!e ome to appreiate
them any$ay. I' I ma&e re%ol#tion% that do not ring tr#e, I an 'eel it
$hen I %ay them, and thi% help% me #nder%tand my o$n path and heart.
I' I am lo%t and $ondering $hy I am doing $hat I am doing, the%e %ort%
o' re%ol#tion% help me to on%io#%ly reonnet $ith $hat i% important
in li'e. I %#gge%t that yo# try ma&ing the%e %ort% o' re%ol#tion% in yo#r
o$n li'e, at lea%t %o that yo# an %ee i' they are #%e'#l 'or yo#. I am a "ig
'an o' 'ormal re%ol#tion%, "#t yo# %ho#ld %ee 'or yo#r%el'.
TEAC(E:,
There are many type% o' teaher% o#t there 'rom many tradition%.
,ome are !ery ordinary and %ome %eem to radiate %pirit#ality 'rom e!ery
pore. ,ome are nie, %ome are indi''erent, and %ome may %eem li&e
%ergeant% in "oot amp. ,ome %tre%% reliane on oneI% o$n e''ort%,
other% %tre%% reliane on the grae o' the g#r#. ,ome are !ery a!aila"le
and ae%%i"le, and %ome may li!e 'ar a$ay, grant 'e$ inter!ie$%, or ha!e
%o many %t#dent% !ying 'or their time that yo# may rarely get a hane to
tal& $ith them. ,ome %eem to em"ody the highe%t ideal% o' the
per'eted %pirit#al li'e in their e!ery $a&ing moment, $hile other% may
ha!e many notiea"le )#ir&%, 'a#lt% and 'ailing%. ,ome li!e "y rigid
moral ode%, $hile other% may p#%h the "o#ndarie% o' %oial
on!ention% and more%. ,ome may "e !ery old, and %ome may "e !ery
yo#ng. ,ome may re)#ire %trit ommitment% and o"ediene, $hile
other% may hardly %eem to are $hat $e do at all. ,ome may ad!oate
!ery %pei'i pratie%, %tating that their $ay i% the only $ay or the "e%t
75
$ay, $hile other% may dra$ 'rom many tradition% or "e open to yo#r
doing %o. ,ome may point o#t o#r %#e%%e%, $hile other% may d$ell on
o#r 'ail#re%.
,ome may %tre%% ren#niation or e!en ordination into a mona%ti
order, $hile other% %eem relentle%%ly engaged $ith ;the $orld.< ,ome
harge a "#ndle 'or their teahing%, $hile other% gi!e their% 'reely. ,ome
li&e %holar%hip and the lingo o' meditation, $hile other% may ne!er #%e
or e!en openly de%pi%e the%e 'ormal term% and onept#al 'rame$or&%.
,ome teaher% may "e more li&e 'riend% or e)#al% that >#%t $ant to help
#% learn %omething they happened to "e good at, $hile other% may "e all
into the hierarhy, %tat#% and role o' "eing a teaher. ,ome teaher% $ill
%pea& openly a"o#t attainment%, and %ome may not. ,ome teaher% are
remar&a"ly predita"le in their manner and teahing %tyle, $hile other%
%$ing $ide in %trange and #npredita"le $ay%. ,ome may %eem !ery
tran)#il and mild mannered, $hile other% may %eem o#trageo#% or
ram"#ntio#%. ,ome may %eem eFtremely h#m"le and #nimpo%ing,
$hile other% may %eem parti#larly arrogant and pre%#mpt#o#%. ,ome
are hari%mati, $hile other% may "e di%tintly la&ing in %oial %&ill%.
,ome may readily gi!e #% eFten%i!e ad!ie, and %ome >#%t li%ten and
nod. ,ome %eem the li!ing em"odiment o' lo!e, and other% may pi%% #%
o'' on a reg#lar "a%i%. ,ome teaher% may in%tantly li& $ith #%, $hile
other% >#%t lea!e #% old. ,ome teaher% may "e $illing to teah #%, and
%ome may not.
,o 'ar a% I an tell, none o' the%e are related in any $ay to their
meditation a"ility or the depth% o' their #nder%tanding. That i%, donIt
>#dge a meditation teaher "y their o!er. .hat i% important i% that their
%tyle and per%onality in%pire #% to pratie $ell, to li!e the li'e $e $ant to
li!e, to 'ind $hat it i% $e $i%h to 'ind, to #nder%tand $hat $e $i%h to
#nder%tand. ,ome o' #% may $ander 'or a long time "e'ore $e 'ind a
good 'it. ,ome o' #% $ill t#rn to "oo&% 'or g#idane, reading and
pratiing $itho#t the ad!antage% or ha%%le% o' teaher%. ,ome o' #% may
%eem to li& $ith a pratie or teaher, try to 'ollo$ it 'or year% and yet
get no$here. *ther% %eem to 'ly regardle%%. *ne o' the mo%t intere%ting
thing% a"o#t reality i% that $e get to te%t it o#t. *ne $ay or another, $e
$ill get to %ee $hat $or&% 'or #% and $hat doe%nIt, $hat happen% $hen
90
$e do ertain pratie% or 'ollo$ the ad!ie o' ertain teaher%, a% $ell a%
$hat happen% $hen $e donIt.
Another thing a"o#t teaher% i% that they only &no$ $hat they &no$.
I' $e #%e the %ope% o' the Three Training% to eFamine thi%, $e may
'ind that %ome teaher% may ha!e a good gra%p o' %ome o' the%e %ope%
and not ha!e a good gra%p o' the other%. In 'at, ma%tery in any area
g#arantee% nothing a"o#t ma%tery o' the other%. It i% $orth "eing
reali%ti a"o#t thi% 'at, and %o I $ill go on and on a"o#t thi% later.
Al%o, $hen $e interat $ith teaher%, $e may $i%h to al%o on%ider
$hih o' their "odie% o' &no$ledge $e $i%h to dra$ on, i.e. $hih o' the
Three Training% $e $ant help $ith. In 'at, I thin& that it i% !ery
important to "e lear a"o#t thi% eFpliitly, %o that $hen $e go in to tal&
$ith a teaher, $e an a%& )#e%tion% 'rom the orret onept#al
'rame$or& and al%o 'it their ad!ie "a& into the orret 'rame$or&. I'
$e a%& a teaher a"o#t ho$ to attain to %ome high %tate and they
mention t#ning into "o#ndle%% >oy, and $e then try to do thi% $hen
dri!ing to $or& and ra%h into the rear end o' the ar o' %ome poor
omm#ter, $e ha!e not 'ollo$ed their ad!ie properly.
,imilarly, $e may $i%h to eFpliitly a%& o#r teaher% i' they are
%&illed in the a%pet o' the %pei'i training $e are intere%ted in
ma%tering and al%o to $hat le!el. .hile yo# annot al$ay% tr#%t them to
tell the tr#th, either thro#gh their o$n %el'8deeption or the de%ire to
'ool yo#, i' they do %ay %omething li&e, ;+o, I donIt &no$ eno#gh to
%pea& on that le!el, a% my o$n a"ilitie% are not that %trong yet,< then at
lea%t yo# &no$ to %ee& ad!ie el%e$here. I ha!e m#h more re%pet 'or
a teaher $ho one told me that he didnIt 'eel )#ali'ied to teah me
than 'or the n#mero#% teaher% $ho $ere not )#ali'ied to teah me $ho
either didnIt realiLe thi% or tried to pretend other$i%e.
Al%o, I $o#ld reommend ma&ing yo#r goal% 'or yo#r li'e and
pratie %pei'i. -or in%tane, yo# may $i%h to get a >o" a% a di%h$a%her
%o that yo# an ontin#e to 'eed yo#r%el'. Go# go to the meditation
teaher and %ay, ;I $ant to get a >o" a% a di%h$a%her. Do yo# &no$ ho$
to do thi%=<
They may %ay, ;Ge%.<
To $hih yo# o#ld reply, ;(o$ do yo# &no$ thi%=<
91
They o#ld >#%t a% ea%ily ha!e %aid, ;I ha!e no idea, a% I am a
meditation teaher, not a areer o#n%elor or re%ta#rant manager.<
The %ame "a%i on!er%ational pattern o#ld "e repeated >#%t a%
ea%ily 'or the other t$o training%. -or in%tane, yo# o#ld a%& a
meditation teaher, ;I $i%h to learn ho$ to get into the early
onentration %tate%. Do yo# &no$ ho$ to do thi%=<
Go# o#ld al%o a%&, ;I $i%h to attain to the 'ir%t %tage o'
enlightenment. Do yo# &no$ ho$ to do thi%=<
I' they %ay, ;Ge%,< the neFt )#e%tion $o#ld "e, ;.hat are the
%pei'i %tep% that $ill li&ely prod#e that re%#lt=<
Thi% %ort o' %traight'or$ard approah to %pirit#ality i% eFtremely
pragmati and empo$ering. -#rther, it ma&e% interation% $ith teaher%
more 'r#it'#l.
Thi% "ring% me to another point0 teaher% an generally tell i' yo#
are %erio#% and i' yo# ha!e learly tho#ght thro#gh $hat yo# $ant. -or
in%tane, it ta&e% a"o#t t$o %eond% o' %omeone a%&ing a meditation
teaher 'or ad!ie on their emotional %t#'' 'or the teaher to realiLe that
thi% per%on i% intere%ted on $or&ing on on!entional happine%% and i%
not intere%ted in learning in%ight pratie%. ,imilarly, it ta&e% 'e$
on!er%ation% $ith a %t#dent to 'ig#re o#t i' they are 'ollo$ing yo#r
ad!ie or not, %o donIt try to 'ool them. I' yo# donIt li&e their ad!ie,
"etter to tell them that and al%o $hy %o that they an addre%% thi%, either
"y modi'ying their ad!ie or "y '#rther eFplaining $hy they 'eel their
ad!ie might "e help'#l.
-#rther, i' yo# 'ollo$ %ome o' their ad!ie "#t hange part%, or
%elet part% and add on other thing%, and then 'ind that thi% $ay o'
$or&ing ha% not prod#ed the de%ired re%#lt%, "e are'#l a"o#t
ritiiLing the teaher or the method, a% yo# ha!e not done the
eFperiment they reommended. -or in%tane, i' %omeone told yo# to
%ta"iliLe yo#r attention on the indi!id#al %en%ation% that ma&e #p the
eFperiene o' "reathing %o learly that yo# an %ee the "eginning and
ending o' e!ery %ingle %en%ation on%i%tently 'or an ho#r, and in%tead
yo# do %omething el%e or %top the pratie "e'ore yo# an do thi%, donIt
"lame them i' yo# do not get the re%#lt% they promi%ed. Barring
in%#rmo#nta"le eFternal ir#m%tane%, the hoie not to do the $or&
$a% learly yo#r%, and th#% yo# %ho#ld aept per%onal re%pon%i"ility 'or
92
yo#r o$n 'ail#re. I am not trying to "e har%h "#t %imply reali%ti. I am
o"!io#%ly a 'irm "elie!er that people %ho#ld ta&e re%pon%i"ility 'or $hat
happen% in their li!e% and pratie%. +ot doing %o i% tantamo#nt to
di%empo$ering yo#r%el'.
.hile all o' thi% ad!ie on pratie% and teaher% may %eem a "it
o!er$helming, reonneting $ith the "a%i%, the %imple tr#th% o' the
%pirit#al li'e, i% highly reommended. To that endP
94
10.SUMMARY
The more $e pratie "eing &ind and ompa%%ionate, the more $e
onnet $ith the '#ndamental nat#re o' o#r heart% and the "etter o#r
on!entional li!e% $ill "e.
The more $e pratie "eing lear and e)#animo#%, the more $e
onnet $ith the tr#e nat#re o' o#r mind and the healthier o#r mind%
$ill "e.
The more $e pratie #nder%tanding the Three Charateri%ti% o' all
the little %en%ation% that ma&e #p o#r reality, the more $e penetrate into
the '#ndamental nat#re o' reality and the lo%er $e are to a$a&ening
and to 'reedom 'rom '#ndamental %#''ering.
93
11.CONCLUSION TO PART I
/eople ha!e notied a derea%e in the importane o' poetry to o#r
%oiety. It ha% "een %aid that o#r de%ire 'or more in'ormation, 'a%ter
image% and )#i& %o#nd "ite% i% inrea%ing. .e are %earhing 'a%ter and
'a%ter, perhap% at the eFpen%e o' loo&ing more deeply.
:ather than %itting $ith a ,ha&e%peare %onnet 'or a 'e$ min#te%, >#%t
pondering the "ea#ty and meaning o' it, $e might read ten o' them
)#i&ly and then 'eel a "it "e'#ddled. ,imilarly, one might read tho#gh
a den%e little $or& li&e thi% one $itho#t %topping to ponder eah
paragraph along the $ay and th#% perhap% get little o#t o' it. D#%t %o, $e
may "e on%tantly trying to 'ind the neFt teaher, "oo&, %pirit#al %ene,
tehni)#e, inen%e, mantra, o%t#me, or dotrine that $ill get #% the Big
E. T#i& re%#lt% are at#ally po%%i"le, tho#gh there are no promi%e%
a"o#t the %peed o' progre%% that an "e gi!en. :eal progre%% $ill only
ome $hen $e %ettle into the "a%i%, into thi% moment, and go deep.
The%e li%t% are good %o#re% o' the "a%i teahing% that are %#''iient
to do the tri&. Bo deeply into them, or 'ind them in another 'orm,
perhap% in another tradition, and go deeply into them. ,lo$ do$n.
,ettle into the%e %imple tr#th%, re'let, and then pratie $ith diligeneK
Bood teaher% an helpR they are nearly a nee%%ity and %o are highly
reommended, "#t yo# m#%t do the $or& yo#r%el'. Go# m#%t
#nder%tand, and then yo# $ill ha!e to do thi% again and again. Bet #%ed
to it, a% it an "e )#ite an ad!ent#re.
It i% %ometime% hard 'or people to "elie!e that right there in their
eFperiene i% $hat they are loo&ing 'or. It i% right here, right no$, in
yo#r o$n eFperiene, in yo#r o$n heart, mind and "ody. It i% the%e
%en%ation% right no$ that are >#%t %oa&ed $ith the tr#th.
-orgi!e me, "#t one more time #p on my %oap"oF. There i% %o
m#h ompletely #%ele%% and harm'#l %etariani%m in the %pirit#al
$orld, $ithin B#ddhi%m and "et$een B#ddhi%m and the other %pirit#al
tradition%. /eople an get %o into their parti#lar trip and get all do$n
on the other per'etly good %pirit#al trip%. Thi% i% 'aith o#t o' "alane
a#%ing rigid adherene to dogma, i%nOt it= Thi% i% a la& o'
#nder%tanding o' $hat the "a%i% are and $hat are >#%t the ine!ita"le
#lt#ral trapping% and indi!id#al empha%e% o' eah tradition.
96
Conl#%ion to /art I
The%e are the "a%i%. .here!er yo# 'ind a tradition $ith the
omponent% o' e!en one o' the%e li%t%, regardle%% o' $hat they are alled
or ho$ they are 'orm#lated, yo# 'ind a tradition $ith the potential to
a$a&en. ,#re, there i% a lot o' >#n& %pirit#ality o#t there, "#t there i% al%o
a lot o' really good %t#''.
Again, eah tradition ha% it% %trength% and $ea&ne%%e%, and %ome
may ha!e #lt#ral trapping% and ornamentation that yo# li&e or donOt
li&e, "#t donIt ma&e a "ig deal a"o#t thi%.
In%tead, &eep the "a%i% in the 'ront o' yo#r mind. Eah !alid
tradition an help #% gain '#rther in%ight into the tr#th, and perhap% $e
$ill re%onate $ith one teahing or tradition at one time and another
%ome time later. Alternately, $e an pi& one tradition, not "e %etarian
a"o#t it, and go deep into it, into the %impliity and larity o' it% "a%i%,
#%ing it% eFtrapolation%, ela"oration% and interpretation% to go "a&
more deeply into the %imple tr#th%. .e an engage $ith the ordinary
$orld, $ith the tr#th o' thi% moment, and thi% $ill empo$er #% and may
a$a&en #%.
May thi% $riting "e o' "ene'it to yo# and all "eing%, and may yo#
and all "eing% realiLe the %imple tr#th o' thing% in thi% li'etime.
97
/A:T II0 2IB(T A+D ,(AD*.,
97
12.INTRODUCTION TO PARTS II & III
,ome hapter% in /art% II and III ha!e a di%tintly #tting tone. Thi%
i% intentional, tho#gh no harm i% meant "y it. There are a lot o' %hado$
%ide% to B#ddhi%m and my%tial tradition% in general, %ome o' $hih $ill
"e di%#%%ed here. /erhap% a more #tting tone $ill help to ill#minate
point% that tend to "e #nmentioned or poorly addre%%ed. /erhap% it $ill
al%o %er!e to %par& %&ill'#l de"ate and in)#iry, rather than a#%ing
needle%% ontration into 'ear and dogma. (o$e!er, I %ho#ld $arn yo#
no$, %ome o' the neFt three hapter% ha!e )#ite a "ite to them. There i%
no in'ormation in tho%e hapter% that i% e%%ential to any o' the "a%i
pratie%. I' yo# are not in the mood 'or %ome really hea!y and %athing
%oial ommentary on .e%tern B#ddhi%m, plea%e, %&ip to the hapter
alled A Clear Boal no$K
The pratial rea%on 'or inl#ding /art II at all i% that $hat o'ten
happen% "et$een trying to apply the "a%i% o' tehnial meditation
di%#%%ed in /art I and the %#e%%'#l entry into real meditation territory
di%#%%ed in /art III i% that $e r#n into the main%tream #lt#re o'
.e%tern B#ddhi%m and the omm#nitie% that de!elop aro#nd it. .e
need %#pport, 'riend% $ho are into $hat $e are into, good teaher% and
plae% to pratie. .e $i%h to "e in the ompany o' 'ello$ ad!ent#rer%
rather than lone $anderer% in %trange land%. An'ort#nately, m#h o'
$hat $e 'ind i% not parti#larly ond#i!e to ad!ent#re and deep
eFploration at all.
Th#%, a% one %mall di%%enting !oie again%t the tide, I ha!e inl#ded
/art II to help tho%e $ho $ant to go m#h deeper than mo%t o' tho%e
aro#nd them and a!oid the n#mero#% #lt#ral %idetra&% and
di%empo$ering !oie% that $ill &eep them 'rom their goal%. It i% a% m#h
a la#ndry li%t o' my pet pee!e% a% it i% anything el%e, "#t I am happy to
o$n my ne#ro%e% and ma&e them o!ert. .hile I may "e 'ooling my%el',
I thin& thi% %etion, $hile a "it har%h and pro"a"ly di%re%pet'#l, i% li&ely
to "e help'#l to %omeone $ho al%o $i%he% to go again%t the grain and
"eome an at#al meditation ma%ter.
The real danger% that ome 'rom #%ing a #tting tone are that it $ill
alienate "oth reader% 'or $hom %#h a tone i% %imply not help'#l and
tho%e $ho o#ld really "ene'it 'rom %#h a tone "#t do not $ant to
admit thi%. .or%e, it may a#%e other% to agree too %trongly, thin&ing,
Introd#tion to /art% II ? III
;*h, ye%, e!en tho#gh that Daniel 'ello$ %ometime% $rite% li&e a ra!ing
l#nati, he and I are really on the %ame %ide. .e &no$ $hat i% going on.
Tho%e o!er there are the one% $ho really need to hear thi%.<
.e all need to hear the point% made in thi% "oo&, my%el' inl#ded,
tho#gh not nee%%arily in the %tyle pre%ented here. The ideal% and
%tandard% pre%ented in thi% "oo& are !ery high %o that they $ill "e a"le
to "e applied #ni!er%ally. -#rther, the n#mero#% trap% and pit'all%
pre%ented in thi% "oo& are al%o %o ommon that all o' #% need to "e
$ary, re'leting reg#larly and hone%tly on ho$ $e ha!e 'allen into them
one more.
There are )#ite a n#m"er o' !ery reada"le, help'#l and 'riendly
dharma "oo&% o#t there, e.g. Da& Jorn'ieldI% enylopedi ma%ter$or&,
A /ath $ith (eart, many o' $hih are loaded $ith "rilliant %tatement%
that %ho#ld "a%ially %ho& and on'o#nd the reader, hitting at the !ery
ore o' their %en%e o' identity $ith the deadly a#ray o' a Ma%ter o'
Sen Arhery. (o$e!er, a% they ha!e "een $ritten in a %tyle that i% %o
ompletely ae%%i"le, the%e %tatement% ha!e nearly the oppo%ite e''et,
reating a m#%hy om'ort in the reader $ith %tatement% that %ho#ld ha!e
%topped them in their pro!er"ial tra&% and pro!o&ed deep in)#iry.
I ha!e gro$n tired o' people ro#tinely )#oting pro'o#nd dharma
%tatement% 'rom %#h $or&% a% i' thi% repre%ent% their #nder%tanding
$hen they ha!e no idea $hat they mean. They %eem to deri!e %ome
'al%e om'ort 'rom "eing a"le to parrot the ma%ter%. .hile I an
#nder%tand the appeal o' "eha!ing in %#h $ay%, a% I ha!e done %o
my%el' on n#mero#% oa%ion%, I $ill do my "e%t to &eep the %eond t$o
part% o' thi% "oo& 'rom ontri"#ting to thi% phenomena. Th#%, I ha!e
intentionally $ritten %ome %etion% o' /art% II and III in a %tyle that i%
de%igned to %o#nd om"ati!e and a"ra%i!e. Al%o, I m#%t admit that it
$a% '#n to $rite that $ay.
It %ho#ld "e noted that i' yo# got thro#gh /art I C$hih I tried to
ma&e !ery ;ae%%i"le<E $itho#t "eing %t#nned at the %taggering
pro'#ndity o' the %tatement% made on nearly e!ery page, then yo# either
ha!e no need to read thi% "oo& or yo# 'ell into the trap I >#%t mentioned
a"o!e. I thin& that mo%t %pirit#al pratitioner% o#ld and %ho#ld "eome
!ery m#h more om'orta"le admitting $hat they donIt &no$ and
95
%ee&ing lari'iation. The time% $hen I my%el' ha!e 'ailed to do %o ha!e
"een m#h to my detriment.
In the%e neFt t$o part%, I $ill o'ten mention !ery %pei'i high %tate%
and attainment% 'or the p#rpo%e o' attempting in %ome %mall $ay to
re'o#% B#ddhi%m on tho%e thing% that go 'ar "eyond philo%ophy,
p%yhology, and dogmati religion. It i% '#ll enlightenment that 'inally
ma&e% the di''erene and $a%, aording to the B#ddha him%el', the
$hole rea%on 'or all o' thi%. An'ort#nately, e!en 'airly rational ad#lt% an
%#ddenly lo%e the a"ility to %tay in to#h $ith ordinary reality $hen %#h
lang#age i% #%ed, and I $ill do my "e%t to try to o#nterat thi% and "ring
thing% "a& do$n to Earth $hene!er po%%i"le.
It ha% "eome almo%t ta"oo to mention at#al attainment or ma%tery
o' thi% %t#'' among many meditation omm#nitie%, and thi% i% gro%%ly
#n'ort#nate, $hih i% to %ay it i% ompletely ridi#lo#% and 'righteningly
ironi. ,ome rea%on% 'or thi% $ill "e to#hed on oa%ionally, a% $ell a%
%ome o' $hat might "e a"le to "e done a"o#t thi%. (o$e!er, i' $e are to
ha!e a lear %tandard 'or $hether or not the%e tehni)#e% and teahing%
are $or&ing 'or #%, it i% !ital that $e ha!e a thoro#gh &no$ledge o' $hat
i% po%%i"le and e!en eFpeted o' tho%e $ho really pratie $ell. That i%
the primary rea%on 'or /art III. :emem"er, yo# are reading a "oo&
alled Ma%tering the Core Teahing% o' the B#ddha. It ha% "een $ritten
on the a%%#mption that it% reader% at#ally $ant to do thi%.
That %aid, there $ill pro"a"ly "e reader% $ho $ill thin& that mo%t o'
$hat i% $ritten in /art III, $hih detail% the %tage% o' enlightenment, the
high onentration attainment%, and e!en more #n#%#al territory, i% p#re
'anta%y, myth, dogma and non%en%e. I ha!e little to %ay to the%e reader%
eFept that thi% "oo& i% o"!io#%ly not $ritten 'or them.
I hope that yo# $ill realiLe the di''i#ltie% inherent in lang#age,
onept%, dotrine%, and map% o' %pirit#al terrain. They are parti#larly
l#m%y tool% e!en $hen #%ed to their '#lle%t potential, and thi% i%
#nli&ely to ha!e happened here. De%pite the 'at that I $ill o'ten #%e a
tone implying ertainty, it %ho#ld "e %aid that nothing $hat%oe!er that I
ha!e $ritten here i% a"%ol#tely tr#e. 2ang#age at it% "e%t i% a #%e'#l tool,
tho#gh "y it% !ery nat#re it arti'iially di!ide%, red#e% and o!er8
%impli'ie%. (ope'#lly, one $ill onern one%el' $ith $hat i% pragmati
rather than $hat i% a"%ol#tely orret 'rom %ome ar"itrary point o' !ie$.
50
The r#ial thing i% pratie and diret eFperiene 'or oneI% %el'. *ne
yo# #nder%tand 'or yo#r%el', yo# $ill "e a"le to la#gh &no$ingly at my
e''ort%.
51
14.BUDDHISM VS. THE BUDDHA *
*ne o' my teaher% one ommented, ;B#ddhi%m and the
teahing% o' the B#ddha ha!e "een at odd% 'or 2,600 year%K< The%e are
ynial "#t appropriate $ord%. .hat the B#ddha ta#ght $a% really
eFtremely %imple and, a% a pratie, parti#larly #nglamoro#% and
generally )#ite di''i#lt tho#gh managea"le. I' one ha% a hane to read
the original teFt%, one %ee% again and again that $hat the B#ddha ta#ght
$a% generally pratial and a% non8dogmati a% o#ld "e eFpeted. (e
"a%ially %aid, ;Do the%e !ery %pei'i thing%, and the%e %pei'i re%#lt%
$ill happen.< (e had little #%e 'or rit#al, eremony or philo%ophy that
$a% not 'or %ome pratial p#rpo%e.
+o$, it i% tr#e that thing% did get a "it more ompleF and religio#% in
the later year% o' hi% teahing a% The Hinaya, or ode o' ond#t 'or
mon&%, $a% e%ta"li%hed. The B#ddha %aid that the added r#le% and
reg#lation% $ere a re%pon%e to the inrea%ed )#antity o' lo$8)#ality
%t#dent% $ith $hom he had to $or& in the later year% o' hi% li'e and the
pro"lem% inherent in r#nning a large organiLation. A'ter the B#ddha
died, ho$e!er, the proe%% o' t#rning the teahing% o' the B#ddha 'rom
a pratial path 'or a$a&ening into a n#m"er o' rit#ali%ti religion%
reahed ne$ eFtreme% o' dogma and di!i%ion. It i% al%o tr#e, ho$e!er,
that many $orth$hile and pratial !ariation% on the '#ndamental
teahing% and tehni)#e% ha!e "een added that ha!e pro!ided great
"ene'it to many o' tho%e $ho at#ally 'ollo$ed them rather than >#%t
tal&ed a"o#t them.
In general, a% my%tial teahing% "eome religion%, all %ort% o' thing%
get added on to them depending on the pre!ailing #lt#ral norm%, the
#rrent go!ernmentI% attit#de to$ard% the teahing%, ho$ $ell or poorly
the teahing% are #nder%tood "y tho%e teahing them, and eonomi
pre%%#re%. Chri%tianity a% a dogma Crather than a% a my%tial tradition or
%et o' %pirit#al pratie%, e.g. %itting in the de%ert 'or 30 day%, 'aing oneI%
demon%, and 'inding BodE i% a >#%t one %ary eFample o' thi%, "#t
perhap% no %arier than the religion% o' B#ddhi%m. D#%t a% Chri%tianity
o'ten %eem% to ha!e little to do $ith $hat De%#% $a% tal&ing a"o#t Cand
pratially nothing to do $ith doing the pratie% he did or li!ing the
&ind o' li'e he didE >#%t %o B#ddhi%m o'ten %eem% to ha!e largely
'orgotten a"o#t the ore teahing% o' the B#ddha. A% B#ddhi%m enter%
B#ddhi%m !%. The B#ddha
Ameria, a $hole ne$ layer o' #lt#ral d#%t i% "eing added to it, mo%t o'
$hih i% related to the %hado$ %ide% o' .e%tern p%yhology and tho%e o'
the +e$ Age mo!ement. (o$e!er, there are al%o %ign% that 're%h ne$
li'e and health i% "eing "reathed into a%pet% o' B#ddhi%m that had
"eome %ome$hat moldy and ali'ied in their o#ntrie% o' origin.
The eFtra trapping% are not nee%%arily all harm'#l in and o'
them%el!e%, "#t they may dil#te the amo#nt o' pratial in'ormation
a"o#t ho$ to a$a&en $ith all %ort% o' other in'ormation that may ha!e
little to do $ith a$a&ening and may e!en "e an impediment to it. Thi%
may then lead to le%% than omplete empha%i% on the three '#ndamental
training% in morality, onentration and $i%dom, $hih are )#ite a
hand'#l and a great #nderta&ing e!en in their mo%t %imple 'orm%. I $a%
eFtremely l#&y, in that I learned %ome great B#ddhi%t meditation
tehnology long "e'ore I really got to &no$ the #lt#re o' main%tream
.e%tern B#ddhi%m. I ha!e m#h #%e 'or the 'ormer, and a% 'or the
latter, $ell, read on.
It i% tr#e that B#ddhi%t training an ta&e on many !alid 'orm%, and
thi% i% a 'ine and "ea#ti'#l thing, a% di''erent training method% may "e
appropriate 'or di''erent meditator% at di''erent time%. The added
;padding< o' tradition and religion an "e a om'ort and a %#pport, a%
mo%t people %eem to really li&e ha!ing %ome &ind o' dogmati, mythial
or #lt#ral 'o#ndation 'rom $hih to $or&.
Tradition% and %tandardiLed onept#al 'rame$or&% an al%o
pro!ide the mean% "y $hih people an tal& to eah other a"o#t
eFperiene% and tehni)#e% that might other$i%e "e !ery hard to eFplain
learly. I ha!e a 'riend 'rom another my%tial tradition $ho &no$% m#h
that I 'ind #%e'#l and intere%ting, "#t it too& #% month% to e!en "egin to
line #p o#r terminology %o that $e o#ld "ene'it 'rom eah otherI%
#nder%tanding.
(o$e!er, the%e onept#al 'rame$or&% and trapping% may al%o
prod#e the h#ge amo#nt o' #%ele%%, harm'#l and di!i%i!e %etariani%m
that eFi%t% $ithin B#ddhi%m and "et$een the !ario#% meditati!e or
my%tial tradition%, a% $ell a% all %ort% o' e''ort going into thing% that
prod#e no 'reedom and may a#%e other 'orm% o' %#''ering.
E!ery time I lea!e my %heltered little aademi li'e and enter the
ro#gh and t#m"le $orld o' endle%%ly petty, %etarian dharma %ene%, I
54
am again a%to#nded at ho$ 'iFated people an "e on the min#te
di''erene% "et$een their tradition and tradition% that are %o %imilar to
their% they an only "e di''erentiated "y the lothe% people $ear and the
name% they all thing%. I anIt tell yo# ho$ tiring it i%. ,ometime% I
$onder ho$ the%e other$i%e &ind and rea%ona"le people an %tand
them%el!e% or eah other $hen they are li&e that. .e all $ant to "e
%peial, "#t I "eg yo#, 'ind a $ay to "e %peial that allo$% other% to "e
%peial al%o. It i% $hat i% ommon to the great my%tial path% that ma&e%
them %peial. The di''erene% are 100W g#aranteed to "e '#ndamentally
irrele!ant. +o$, that %aid, I am going to t#rn aro#nd and "#%t on
#lt#ral a%pet% o' tradition% that are not into a$a&ening and ma%tering
$hat the B#ddha $a% tal&ing a"o#t. Thi% i% B#ddhi%m, a'ter all, and %o
it %eem% only nat#ral that I %ho#ld "e into $hat the old "oy $a% into.
I ha!e heard $ay too many on!er%ation% "et$een mem"er% o'
di''ering my%tial tradition% that o#ld "e %#mmariLed, ;My dogma and
ideal% are "etter than yo#r dogma and ideal%.< E!en $or%e are the rare
and a%toni%hing on!er%ation% that might "e %#mmariLed, ;My dogma
and ideal% are "etter than yo#r at#al realiLation% and pro'o#nd
in%ight%.< -rightening.
There i% a mo!ement in the .e%t, remini%ent o' the original
o">eti!e% o' the B#ddha in the early day% o' hi% teahing, to di!ore
B#ddhi%mI% ore meditation tehnology and "a%i training% 'rom
religion and rit#al entirely. I am a great 'an o' thi% mo!ement, %o long it
doe% not a#%e people to thro$ o#t too many o' the original B#ddhi%t
onept#al 'rame$or&% that are help'#l a% tool% 'or ma%tering the%e
pratie%. There i% al%o a mo!ement in the .e%t to ta&e the meditati!e
tehnology o' B#ddhi%m and integrate it into e!erything 'rom
Catholii%m to p%yhiatry to the 'rea&i%h 'ringe o' the +e$ Age. I donIt
ha!e a pro"lem $ith thi% trend parti#larly, >#%t a% long a% people realiLe
that yo# o#ld >#%t a% ea%ily di!ore the%e tehnologie% 'rom tho%e
tradition% and ha!e %omething that i% %till !ery #%e'#l and po$er'#l.
There i% another related mo!ement in the .e%t, and that i% to ma&e
B#ddhi%m into %omething 'or e!eryone. An'ort#nately, $hat i%
happening i% that B#ddhi%m i% "eoming $atered do$n in order to
ma&e it ha!e "road appeal. The re%#lt i% %omething !ery %imilar to $hat
happen% in plae% li&e Thailand, $here mo%t people ;pratie
53
B#ddhi%m< in a $ay that i% largely de!otional and dogmati. In the
.e%t, thi% tran%late% to people ;pratiing B#ddhi%m< "y "eoming
ne#roti a"o#t "eing B#ddhi%t, a#m#lating lot% o' pretty "oo&% and
eFpen%i!e prop%, learning >#%t eno#gh o' %ome ne$ lang#age to "e
pretentio#%, and "y %itting on a #%hion engaged in 'ree8'orm
p%yhologial $hatnot $hile doing nothing re%em"ling meditati!e
pratie%. They may a%pire to no le!el o' ma%tery o' anything and may
ne!er e!en ha!e "een told $hat the%e pratie% $ere at#ally de%igned to
ahie!e.
Th#%, their meditation i% largely a de!otional meditation, %omething
that eFternally loo&% li&e meditation "#t ahie!e% little. In %hort, it i% >#%t
one more %pirit#al trapping, tho#gh one that may ha!e %ome %oial
"ene'it%. Many %eem to ha!e %#"%tit#ted the pain o' the pe$ 'or the pain
o' the La'# $ith the re%#lt% and moti!ation% "eing largely the %ame. It i%
an imitation o' meditation done "ea#%e meditation %eem% li&e a good
and no"le thing to do. (o$e!er, it i% a meditation that ha% "een
de%igned "y tho%e ;teaher%< $ho $ant e!eryone to "e a"le to 'eel good
that they are doing %omething ;%pirit#al<. .hile it i% good 'or a per%on
to %lo$ do$n to ta&e time o#t 'or %ilene, I $ill laim that "eyond the%e
and a 'e$ ardio!a%#lar "ene'it% there i% o'ten not a $hole lot o' any
great $orth that ome% 'rom thi% %ort o' pratie. Tr#e, they are not o#t
%mo&ing ra&, "#t $hy get %o lo%e to the real thing and then not do
tho%e pratie% that ma&e a real di''erene=
Many $ill on%ider my de!al#ation o' lo$8grade %itting pratie
radial and o#nterprod#ti!e. /erhap% it i%, "#t I laim that many $ho
$o#ld ha!e a%pired to m#h more are "eing %hort8hanged "y not "eing
in!ited to really %tep #p to the plate and play "all, to di%o!er the
pro'o#nd apa"ilitie% hidden $ithin their o$n mind%. Thi% "oo& i%
de%igned to "e >#%t %#h an in!itation, an in!itation to %tep 'ar "eyond
the inrea%ingly rit#aliLed, "a%tardiLed, and g#tle%% mo&8#p o'
B#ddhi%m that i% rearing it% 'l#''y head in the modern .e%t and ha% a
%trangle hold on many a pratie gro#p and e!en %ome o' the "ig
meditation enter%.
To "e 'air, it i% tr#e that %pirit#al trapping% and #lt#ral add8on%
may, at their "e%t, "e ;%&ill'#l mean%,< $ay% o' ma&ing di''i#lt teahing%
more ae%%i"le and $ay% o' getting more people to pratie orretly
56
and in a $ay that $ill 'inally "ring realiLation. A 'any hat or a good
rit#al an really in%pire %ome people. That %aid, it i% l#&y that one o'
the '#ndamental ;de'ilement%< that drop% a$ay at 'ir%t a$a&ening i%
attahment to rite% and rit#al%, i.e. B#ddhi%m, eremony, %pei'i
tehni)#e%, and religio#% and #lt#ral trapping% in general.
An'ort#nately, the #lt#ral inertia o' the religion% o' B#ddhi%m i% hard
to entirely ir#m!ent.
It need not "e, i' the trapping% an %er!e a% ;%&ill'#l mean%,< "#t I
a%%ert that many more people o#ld "e m#h more are'#l a"o#t $hat
are '#ndamentally help'#l teahing% and $hat a#%e% di!i%ion, on'#%ion,
and %etarian arrogane. Tho%e $ho arenIt are'#l a"o#t thi% are at lea%t
demon%trating in a ro#nda"o#t $ay that they donIt &no$ $hat the
'#ndamental teahing% are 'or them%el!e% and ha!e attained little
$i%dom.
57
13.CONTENT AND ULTIMATE REALITY *
There i% too m#h ontent8entered B#ddhi%m and ontent8
entered %pirit#ality in general. It i% not that ontent i%nIt important, "#t
it i% only hal' o' the pit#re, and the hal' $e are already )#ite 'amiliar
$ith and typially %t#& in. By ontent, I mean e!erything eFept
determined e''ort to realiLe the '#ll tr#th o' the Three Charateri%ti% o'
impermanene, %#''ering, and no8%el', i.e. to realiLe #ltimate reality.
/erhap% t$o ill#%tration% $ill help.
The 'ir%t odd phenomenon I ha!e notied i% that $hen %t#dent% o'
meditation gather together to di%#%% B#ddhi%m, they almo%t ne!er tal&
a"o#t at#al meditation pratie% in depth and detail. They almo%t ne!er
tal& a"o#t their diligent attempt% to really #nder%tand the%e teahing% in
eah moment. It i% almo%t an #na&no$ledged ta"oo that nearly any
politially orret topi #nder the ,#n i% aepta"le a% long a% it doe%nIt
ha!e to do $ith trying to ma%ter meditation tehni)#e%. .hile there are
%poradi moment% o' ;dharma om"at< or heated di%#%%ion 'or the
p#rpo%e o' learning and %haring the dharma, e!en the%e tend to "e
mo%tly on the philo%ophy o' all o' thi%.
The %eond odd phenomenon I ha!e notied ha% o#rred in
%it#ation% $hen one might %#%pet that there $o#ld not "e thi% pro"lem.
I ha!e "een to a 'air n#m"er o' retreat% in the .e%t, and the%e tend to
ha!e %mall gro#p meeting%. The dharma teaher% ha!e in!aria"ly "een
gi!ing in%tr#tion% that empha%iLe 'ollo$ing the motion o' the "reath or
the %en%ation% o' the 'eet, de!eloping onentration on the%e o">et%, not
"eing lo%t in tho#ght, and gi!ing prei%e attention to "are reality >#%t a% it
i%. They tend to #%e the phra%e ;moment to moment< o'ten, $hih in
my "oo& mean%, ;-a%tK< Thi% i% all a% it %ho#ld "e.
They tend to mention thing% li&e impermanene, %#''ering, and no8
%el', and tend to ad!oate trying to #nder%tand the%e )#alitie% o' all
eFperiene diretly $itho#t the ela"oration o' tho#ght. They mention
time and time again that one %ho#ld not "e lo%t in the %torie% and tape
loop% o' the mind. They may ha!e tra!eled tho#%and% o' mile% at great
eFpen%e to help people #nder%tand the%e teahing% that they them%el!e%
may ha!e %pent many year% learning. -or the h#ndred% o' dollar% in
retreat 'ee%, donation%, and %pent !aation time, the %t#dent% $ill
perhap% get three meeting% $ith the teaher d#ring a 108day retreat and
Content and Altimate :eality
perhap% get 'i'teen to t$enty preio#% min#te% o' time to tal& to a real
meditation ma%ter, a%%#ming they are l#&y eno#gh to at#ally "e %itting
$ith one.
(o$e!er, $hen %ome eight to ten %t#dent% 'inally get a hane to
meet $ith the teaher in a %mall gro#p meeting, a "rie' hane to really
learn $hat thi% teaher ha% to teah, $hat happen%= Do they tal& a"o#t
their $hole8hearted attempt% at 'ollo$ing the are'#l and %&ill'#l
in%tr#tion% o' the teaher= ,trangely, thi% only %eem% to happen on rare
oa%ion%.
I $a% at one o' the%e %mall gro#p meeting% $here e!eryone $a%
tal&ing a"o#t their ne#roti %t#''. In a moment o' 'eeling li&e I might "e
a"le to at#ally add %omething #%e'#l, I %aid in a lo#d and eFa%perated
!oie, ;The "reathK I% anyone trying to notie the "reath=< They >#%t
loo&ed at me li&e I $a% o#t o' my mind and $ent "a& to $hining a"o#t
their p%yhologial rap. (ere $a% a room'#l o' other$i%e aompli%hed
ad#lt% $ho %omeho$ had "een tran%'ormed into needy and patheti
hildren $itho#t any o"!io#% a"ility to deal $ith their li!e% or 'ollo$ !ery
"a%i in%tr#tion%. Be$are o' meditation #lt#re% that on%i%tently
eno#rage thi% in people. It i% a mar& o' %omething gone horri"ly $rong.
,tranger e!en than thi%, $hen %t#dent% at#ally do tal& a"o#t trying
to 'ollo$ the are'#l in%tr#tion% o' their meditation teaher%, it an
oa%ionally %eem to "e %#h a %ho& to teaher%, %#h a !iolation o' the
#n$ritten ta"oo%, and perhap% e!en %#h a threat to the hierarhy that
they %ometime% hardly %eem to &no$ ho$ to handle it. In my more
ynial moment%, I ha!e %ometime% %#%peted that the )#i&e%t $ay to
get $orried loo&% 'rom many modern .e%tern meditation teaher% i% to
tal& a"o#t pratie in a $ay that implie% the attempt to at#ally ma%ter
anything.
Mo%t o' the time %t#dent% tend to $hine a"o#t their relation%hip%,
their hildhood, their ne#roti tho#ght%, their %re$ed #p li!e%, in %hort,
ontent. I m#%t %ay that I ha!e great %ympathy 'or the%e people. I really
do. Bod &no$% $e all ha!e thi% %ort o' %t#'' to $hine a"o#tR and, in the
right onteFt, $hining a"o#t o#r %t#'' might "e a !ery good idea. B#t t$o
thing% are 'airly lear0 the%e people ha!e %pent too little time in therapy
Cor perhap% too m#h time in "ad therapyE, and %omeho$ ha!e not
59
heard one $ord o' $hat the teaher ha% "een tal&ing a"o#t a% regard%
in%ight pratie.
+o$, it i% a"%ol#tely tr#e that $e all ha!e o#r i%%#e%, pain%, tra#ma%,
%ar% and )#ir&%. .e ha!e to learn to deal $ith the%e %omeho$ i' $e
$ant to "e happy and li!e the good li'e $e all $ant to li!e. .e ha!e to
'ind $ay% to deal $ith the ontent, to heal, to gro$, to mat#re, and all o'
that, "#t $e m#%t al%o learn $hen to %hi't to %eeing thing% on a
ompletely di''erent le!el. There i% a time and a plae 'or e!erything.
Imagine i' yo# $ere an alge"ra teaher and yo# told yo#r %t#dent% to
%ol!e the home$or& in the "a& o' hapter one. In%tead, yo#r %t#dent%
t#rn in long, ram"ling e%%ay% a"o#t the tra#ma% o' their hildhood. (o$
$o#ld yo# 'eel= An'ort#nately, yo# $o#ld 'eel li&e many meditation
teaher%. +o$, it i% tr#e that many dharma teaher% ha!e a great time
helping people deal $ith their %t#'', and %ome o' the%e are e!en )#ite
good at it. There are other% that p#t #p $ith ha!ing to play thi% role, "#t
they $o#ld pre'er to "e teahing in%ight pratie%. ,ome teaher% >#%t
anIt %tand it $hen they %pend lot% o' time gi!ing are'#l in%tr#tion%
only to ha!e !ery 'e$ people 'ollo$ them, parti#larly $hen they &no$
$hat an amaLing opport#nity 'or e!en deeper healing, inrea%ed $ell8
"eing and larity i% "eing %)#andered "y their %t#dent% $hen they 'ail to
really pratie.
,ometime% people ha!e at#ally heard >#%t a "it o' the teahing% on
impermanene, %#''ering and emptine%%, "#t then proeed to tal& a"o#t
thi% in highly ontent8entered term%. They may %ay thing% li&e, ;*h,
ye%, I am impermanent and $ill die one day. Thi% i% a$'#l and thi%
tho#ght a#%e% me %#''ering. Tr#ly, I 'eel empty in%ide.<
Thi% i% maro%opi, a"o#t grand yet r#de onept% and idea%, and
%o i% %till %)#arely in the territory o' philo%ophy and eFi%tentiali%m. Thi%
meditator not only need% to learn $hat in%ight pratie at#ally i%, "#t
might al%o "ene'it 'rom a "it more %#n%hine and eFeri%e or perhap%
e!en %ome o' tho%e ne$ anti8depre%%ant%. A !ery %mall amo#nt o' %#h
re'letion an "e o' %ome limited "ene'it i' the energy o' the 'r#%tration
i% direted into pratie. There are other type% o' re'letion that might
"e m#h more %&ill'#l, "#t tho%e are largely a topi 'or another day C%ee
Da& Jorn'ieldI% A /ath $ith (eart or Chri%topher Titm#%%I 2ight on
EnlightenmentE.
55
I' meditator% $o#ld at#ally >#%t go miro%opi and try to %ee the
Three Charateri%ti% o' eah and e!ery indi!id#al little %en%ation that
ma&e% #p their eFperiene, then they might "egin to at#ally #nder%tand
reality at the le!el that ma&e% the di''erene. E''eti!ely eno#raging
%t#dent% to %hi't their attention 'rom 'iFation on ontent and the
maro%opi to al%o inl#ding the miro%opi and #ni!er%al i% pro"a"ly
the harde%t >o" o' the meditation teaher. I %ometime% $onder ho$
many o' them ha!e largely gi!en #p trying to do thi%.
.hen meditator% on retreat 'o#% on ontent in%tead o' gro#nding
the mind in the o">et% o' meditation C$hih >#%t might prod#e the
deep in%ight% that $ill ma&e the "ig di''erene that they are loo&ing 'orE,
they "a%ially let their mind% go, and go they do. A'ter a day or t$o o'
%ilene and a nearly omplete la& o' di%tration%, the %pinning o' their
mind% on ne#roti ontent may ha!e aelerated li&e the t#r"ine o' a >et
engine on '#ll throttle. I' they $ere a me%% "e'ore, no$ thi% ha% "een
m#ltiplied "y a 'ator o' 10 to 100. They then hit the %mall gro#p
meeting li&e a r#na$ay 'reight train o' eFaer"ated mind noi%e, and all
pre%ent get to "e "athed in the pro'o#nd la& o' larity that they ha!e
%pent %o m#h hard #%hion time #lti!ating.
Gear% go "y, and their pratie deepen%, not into in%ight territory,
"#t into epoFy8li&e 'aith and '#rther 'iFation on ontent. They learn ho$
to ;tal& B#ddhi%t.< They learn the ;#lt#re< o' B#ddhi%m in >#%t the
%ame $ay that they learned the #lt#re o' tran%per%onal therapy,
tran%ational analy%i% or -renh eFi%tentiali%m. They "eome 'a%inated
$ith their gro$ing &no$ledge o' /ali, their 'any "ra%% "ell 'rom +epal,
or their &no$ledge o' Tantri ionography. They ha!e ta&en
Bodhi%att!a !o$% 109 time%.
They may "eome ne#roti a"o#t ;right %peeh< and %el'8righteo#%
a"o#t ;+o"le ,ilene.< They may "egin to adopt the gently
onde%ending and o!erly deli"erate %peeh pattern% and manneri%m%
that )#ietly %ream, ;I am %ooooo %pirit#al and a$areK< They may
"eome 'iFated on ompleF, ar"itrary, re%triti!e and e!en
di%empo$ering model% o' $hat i% ;proper B#ddhi%t "eha!ior,< trying to
"e a ;good B#ddhi%t,< $hate!er that i%. In %hort, they "eome !ery
religio#%. At $or%t, they "eome ga#dy and di%torted ariat#re% o' the
%pirit#al li'e. ,#h people are generally !ery tiring to "e aro#nd.
100
They may e!en get %#&ed into the all too ommon trap o' praying
'or a ;"etter re"irth< and ;ma&ing merit< rather than at#ally trying to
ma%ter the art o' meditation and $i%e li!ing here and no$. In %hort, the
trapping%, dogma and %ene "eome e!erything, and penetrating the
ill#%ion% that "ind them on the $heel o' %#''ering i% lo%t in the %h#''le.
At it% $or%t, they an go on li&e thi% 'or eno#gh time %o that they
de!elop )#ite a retreat re%#me "#t little or no in%ight, and then get
a#ght "y thi%. They ha!e "een to India, %at $ith thi% teaher and that
teaher, had Tantri initiation%, or "een %itting 'or t$enty year%. They
"egin to "eome 'a%inated "y all o' thi% and %omeho$ they "egin to 'eel
;$i%e< de%pite the 'at that they may ha!e no in%ight $hat%oe!er into the
#ni!er%al tr#th o' thing% "ea#%e they ne!er at#ally learned in%ight
pratie. They #%e the $ord ;emptine%%< in a%#al on!er%ation $hen
they donIt ha!e Cl#e *ne $hat it mean%. B#t they 'eel they do, a% they
ha!e %pent %o m#h time hearing it, ;meditating< on it, and "eing
%pirit#al. They tal& a"o#t ;letting go< and ;mind'#lne%%< a% i' they are
the eFpert%.
They may e!en "egin to teah, and to do %o they 'ind them%el!e%
ha!ing to %#"tly or o!ertly rationaliLe that they ompletely #nder%tand
$hat they are teahing. A'ter all, they $ant to eno#rage 'aith in their
"ea#ti'#l tradition, and %o try to appear lear and #non'#%ed. They get
%t#& here, %t#& in the m#& o' their rationaliLation%, the mi%applied
lingo, the %#garoated dogma, the role o' teaher, and the #lt#ral
trapping% that they ha!e "eome eFpert% in. -rom thi% point it an
"eome nearly impo%%i"le 'or them to at#ally learn anything, a% they
are no$ trapped in the !ery teahing% that $ere originally de%igned to
'ree them 'rom >#%t %#h a %it#ation.
101
16.WHAT WENT WRONG? *
(o$ did thi% happen= (o$ did they %#"%tit#te &no$ledge o'
#lt#re, ontent and dogma 'or '#ndamental in%ight= A large n#m"er o'
%#h people are )#ite intelligent. Many ha!e %#e%%'#l areer% or
grad#ate degree%. Mo%t o' the "ig name teaher% they %at $ith pro"a"ly
had %ome in%ight and may ha!e "een highly enlightened. ,o $hat
happened= I an only %pe#late, "#t perhap% %omething good $ill ome
o' %#h %pe#lation.
It o#ld >#%t "e that they are into %pirit#al %ene%, trapping%, and the
li&e. That i% $hat they $ent loo&ing 'or, and they 'o#nd it in diLLying
a"#ndane. It o#ld "e that they had no idea $hat they $ere getting into
or $hat they $anted, and %o they ended #p "eoming 'a%inated $ith
the%e thing% %imply o#t o' #lt#ral inertia, a% many aro#nd them $ill
li&ely ha!e done %o.
An old 'riend and 'ormer meditation teaher o' mine and I $ere
ranting in o#r typially pa%%ionate %tyle a"o#t thi% !ery topi one day,
and $e ame #p $ith the ;M#%hroom Theory.< M#%hroom% are 'ed
man#re and &ept in the dar&, and $e %pe#lated that part o' the
pro"lem $a% that %ome meditation teaher% $ere #%ing the ;m#%hroom
method< o' teahing, th#% rai%ing a rop o' ;m#%hroom meditator%,< all
%o't and pale. Thi% i% at#ally a "it o' an eFtreme $ay to de%ri"e the
%it#ation, and i% not meant to imply that the teaher% $ere "eing
maliio#%. (o$e!er, there i% thi% #lt#ral 'ator in .e%tern B#ddhi%m
that real in%ight, in%ight into the '#ndamental nat#re o' reality or the
Three Charateri%ti%, i% almo%t ne!er tal&ed a"o#t diretly, #nli&e in
B#rma or %ome other %etting%. My 'riend and I alled thi% #lt#ral 'ator
the ;M#%hroom -ator.<
Th#%, mo%t teaher% $onIt %ay %omething a% "latant a%, ;.ell, $hen
I $a% meditating, I %pent %ome period o' time lo%t in the %torie% and tape
loop% o' my mind. Thi% $a% terri"le and I got no$here "#t n#tty.
(o$e!er, one day a %enior teaher %traightened me o#t and %omeho$
on!ined me to gro#nd my mind in the %pei'i %en%ation% that ma&e
#p the o">et% o' meditation and eFamine impermanene. A'ter %ome
day% o' on%i%tent and diligent pratie #%ing good tehni)#e, I "egan to
diretly penetrate the three ill#%ion% o' permanene, %ati%'atorine%% and
%el', and my $orld "egan to "e "ro&en do$n into the mind moment%
.hat .ent .rong=
and !i"ration% that I al$ay% tho#ght $ere >#%t tal&. By paying are'#l
attention to "are phenomena ari%ing and pa%%ing )#i& moment a'ter
)#i& moment, I progre%%i!ely mo!ed thro#gh the %tage% o' in%ight and
got my 'ir%t ta%te o' enlightenment. Th#%, i' yo# %pin in ontent and
donIt penetrate the three ill#%ion%, yo# are $a%ting yo#r time and mine.
Thi% i% >#%t the $ay it i%. I' yo# de!elop %trong onentration on the
primary o">et and in!e%tigate the Three Charateri%ti% on%i%tently,
thi% $ill almo%t ertainly prod#e in%ight. Thi% i% >#%t the $ay it i%. Any
)#e%tion%=<
Mo%t meditation teaher% $onIt %ay thi%, and there are %ome rea%on%
$hy. -ir%t, they may not $i%h to alienate their %t#dent "a%e. *ne rea%on
'or thi% may ome 'rom the teaher hoping that i' %t#dent% are led into
thi% gently and $ith great tolerane 'or their gro%% mi%interpretation% o'
the pratie and teahing% then they may "e a"le to per%e!ere. Another
po%%i"le rea%on may ha!e to do $ith the 'at that ma&ing a li!ing a% a
dharma teaher an "e to#gh, and more %t#dent% mean% more
donation%. In %hort, the reality o' $hat pratie really i% and entail%
doe%nIt tend to %ell $ell de%pite the potential 'or eFtraordinary "ene'it%,
a% %t#dent% tend to li&e their del#%ion% and 'a%ination% more than they
realiLe.
Teaher% may al%o $ant to hold "a& the detail% o' $hat real in%ight
i% li&e %o that they an more a#rately e!al#ate %t#dent%I pratie
$itho#t ha!ing to $orry a"o#t %t#dent% rationaliLing that they are
eFperiening $hate!er it i% the teaher i% tal&ing a"o#t. Di%lo%#re o' the
detail% o' $hat in%ight i% at#ally li&e an re%#lt in %t#dent% gi!ing
%p#rio#% report% in inter!ie$% either o#t o' their o$n on'#%ion or a
gen#ine de%ire to 'ool the teaher and ma&e them%el!e% loo& good.
The%e %it#ation% de'initely happen, "#t pro"a"ly not nearly a% o'ten
a% people ompletely mi%%ing the "oat on $hat i% in%ight pratie and
$hat i% >#%t $allo$ing in the m#& o' their mind and perhap% "eoming
e!en more ne#roti a"o#t it. Th#%, my 'riend and I deided that $e
$o#ld tal& a"o#t in%ight, o#r pratie, and thi% %ort o' thing $hen $e
ta#ght. It t#rn% o#t that doing thi% i% harder than it $o#ld %eem. ,ome
hint% a"o#t $hy $e generally 'ailed to ompletely li!e #p to o#r o$n
ideal% $ill "e gi!en later in the hapter alled More on the ;M#%hroom
104
.hat .ent .rong=
-ator<. (o$e!er, $e ha!e "oth done o#r "e%t to 'ight the trend and
tal& a"o#t the %tage% o' in%ight and $hat i% po%%i"le on the %pirit#al path.
Another po%%i"le rea%on $hy people donIt learn to at#ally pratie
orretly i% that many people are not on retreat or in the meditation
la%% to learn $hat the teaher% ha!e to teah. Thi% may "e 'or a !ariety
o' rea%on%. /erhap% they are >#%t there to 'ind %omething el%e, %#h a%
time a$ay 'rom %ome %it#ation, "#t are not there to 'ind $hat the
teaher% are teahing. ,ome %t#dent% may ha!e %o m#h in!e%ted in
their le!el o' ed#ation and high po%ition that they >#%t anIt hear $hat
the teaher% are tal&ing a"o#t, or they hear it and thin&, ;*h, ye%, I
my%el' ha!e read many "oo&% and '#lly #nder%tand that tri!ial little point
a"o#t impermanene, "#t $hen do $e get to enlightenment=< Gi&e%K
,ome %t#dent% may "e there to '#rther their p%yhotherapy, $hih
an "e a 'ine and $orthy goal. (o$e!er, they may a%%#me that the
meditation teaher i% pro"a"ly the "e%t p%yhotherapi%t they o#ld ha!e.
They may thin&, ;A'ter all, they are enlightened, arenIt they= They m#%t
"e ompletely %ane and "alaned. They m#%t &no$ a"o#t ho$ to ha!e
the per'et relation%hip, ho$ to 'ind the pre'et >o", ho$ to in!e%t in the
%to& mar&et, ho$ to tal& to their mother, ho$ to end $orld h#nger,
ho$ to re"#ild a ar"#retor, and all other %#h detail% o' $i%e li!ing on
thi% Earth. A'ter all, i%nIt enlightenment a"o#t #nder%tanding
e!erything=< BadLoo&%K
A )#i& digre%%ion here0 enlightenment i% a"o#t #nder%tanding the
'#ndamental nat#re o' all thing%, and $hat they happen to "e i%
#ltimately ompletely and #tterly irrele!ant to enlightenment. Th#%, !ery
enlightened "eing% #nder%tand %omething '#ndamental a"o#t $hate!er
ari%e% or ho$e!er their li!e% mani'e%t, i.e. it% impermanene,
#n%ati%'atorine%%, and emptine%%, a% $ell a% all o' the %t#'' a"o#t the
Tr#e ,el', $hih i% the %ame thing and $ill "e di%#%%ed later. (o$e!er,
they ha!e no more &no$ledge a"o#t the %pei'i% o' the $orld, i.e.
ontent or %#">et matter, than they ha!e a)#ired in >#%t the $ay that
anyone el%e a)#ire% &no$ledge a"o#t the %pei'i% o' thi% $orld. They
an e!en ha!e all %ort% o' p%yhologial "aggage to deal $ith, and thi% i%
pro"a"ly the norm.
Enlightened "eing% $ill &no$ a lot a"o#t the territory o' in%ight,
ha!ing had to na!igate it to get enlightened, "#t thi% i% a %trangely
103
.hat .ent .rong=
%peialiLed %&ill and a 'airly e%oteri "ody o' &no$ledge that i% only
really #%e'#l in helping other% na!igate it. Tr#e, "eing enlightened doe%
pro!ide "y degree% deeper le!el% o' eFtreme larity into the $or&ing% o'
the mind, and thi% an "e help'#l. By #nder%tanding their o$n mind,
they $ill ha!e %ome le!el o' in%ight into the "a%i% o' the mind% o'
other%.
(o$e!er, #nle%% the meditation teaher i% a trained p%yhotherapi%t,
they are not a p%yhotherapi%t and pro"a"ly %ho#ldnIt pretend to "e
one, tho#gh thi% #n'ort#nately happen% 'ar too o'ten in my h#m"le
opinion. D#%t %o, a trained p%yhotherapi%t i% not enlightened #nle%% they
get enlightened and %ho#ldnIt pretend to #nder%tand in%ight pratie i'
they donIt. Thi% al%o happen% 'ar too o'ten i' yo# a%& me, and the dar&
irony i% that they tend to harge m#h more than real, )#ali'ied dharma
teaher%. C+ote0 the B#ddha $a% )#ite adamant a"o#t no one harging
'or the teahing%, $hih are on%idered priele%%. Thi% %y%tem o' non8
o"ligatory donation and m#t#al %#pport ha% $or&ed )#ite $ell 'or 2,600
year%, and it $o#ld "e a tragi mi%ta&e to a%%#me that it annot '#ntion
in the .e%t.E
A%ing retreat% or meditation p#rely a% a 'orm o' ontin#ing
p%yhotherapy may ha!e other pro"lem% a%%oiated $ith it. *ne may
not "e in the g#idane o' a trained therapi%t and may not "e #%ed to the
mind noi%e ampli'iation 'ator that %ilene and a la& o' di%tration%
tend to reate in an a"%ene o' gro#nding the mind in a meditation
o">et. -#rther, one may not gain the "ene'it% o' the only thing that doe%
ma&e a permanent di''erene in ending '#ndamental %#''ering and
"ringing the )#iet >oy o' #nder%tanding0 ma%tering in%ight pratie and
getting enlightened.
Another )#i& digre%%ion here0 there i% thi% odd idea that %omeho$
a la& o' e''ort i% a good thing, or that it i% "ad to $ant to get
enlightened. Thi% i% ompletely a"%#rd and ha% paralyLed the pratie o'
'ar too many. I "elie!e thi% ha% ome 'rom an eFtremely on'#%ed
mi%#nder%tanding o' Sen or the Bodhi%att!a Ho$. +o one e!er got
enlightened $itho#t e''ort. Thi% ne!er happened and ne!er $ill happen.
Anyone $ho ha% really gotten into Sen or Mahayana teahing% $ill
&no$ 'ir%thand that they "oth re)#ire a tremendo#% amo#nt o' e''ort
>#%t li&e e!ery other %pirit#al path. A% one o' my teaherI% teaher% p#t
106
.hat .ent .rong=
it, ;In the end, yo# m#%t gi!e #p e!en the de%ire 'or enlightenment, "#t
not too %oonK< ,#tta U141 in The Middle 2ength Di%o#r%e% o' the
B#ddha i% alled ;*ne -ort#nate Attahment,< and in it the B#ddha
learly %tate% that ma&ing e''ort to realiLe the tr#th o' yo#r eFperiene i%
an eFtremely good idea. (e al%o goe% on and on a"o#t the Three
Charateri%ti%R '#nny that.
Another rea%on that %t#dent% o'ten 'ail to ma&e progre%% i% that they
on'#%e ontent and in%ight. I %#%pet that they are on'#%ed "ea#%e
they ha!e %pent their $hole li!e% thin&ing a"o#t ontent, learning a"o#t
ontent, and dealing $ith ontent in a onteFt $here ontent matter%,
i.e. $hen one i% not doing in%ight pratie. Go# anIt ta&e a %pelling te%t
in 'ir%t grade and %ay that all that i% important i% that $ord% ome and go,
donIt %ati%'y and arenIt yo#. Thi% >#%t $onIt 'ly and $o#ldnIt "e
appropriate. D#%t %o, $hen pratiing morality, the 'ir%t and mo%t
'#ndamental training in %pirit#ality, ontent i% e!erything, or at lea%t a%
'ar a% training in morality an ta&e yo#. Go# anIt "e a ma%% m#rderer
and rationaliLe thi% "y thin&ing, ;.ell, they $ere all impermanent,
#n%ati%'atory and empty, %o $hy not &ill Iem=< Thi% >#%t $onIt 'ly
either, and %o ontent and %pirit#ality get )#ite onneted. Thi% i% good
to a point0 %ee the hapter alled :ight Tho#ght and The Aegean
,ta"le%.
-iFation on ontent e!en $or&% $ell $hen pratiing the %eond
training, training in onentration. .hen meditation %t#dent% are
learning to onentrate, they are told to onentrate on %pei'i thing%,
li&e the "reath, a Breen Tara Ca tantri ;deity<E, or %ome other %#h
thing. Thi% i% ontent. There i% no %#h thing a% the "reath or a Breen
Tara 'rom the point o' !ie$ o' in%ight pratie%, a% the%e are >#%t 're%h
%tream% o' impermanent and a"%ol#tely tran%itory %en%ation% that are
r#dely la"eled ;"reath< or ;Breen Tara.< B#t 'or the p#rpo%e o'
de!eloping the %eond training, onentration, thi% i% ignored and the%e
impermanent %en%ation% are r#dely la"eled ;"reath< or ;Breen Tara.<
Th#%, e!en 'or p#re onentration pratie, $hat yo# are onentrating
on, i.e. ontent, matter%. Th#%, the idea that ontent i% e!erything i%
rein'ored.
(o$e!er, $hen it ome% to in%ight pratie, ontent $ill get yo#
no$here 'a%t. In in%ight pratie, e!erything the %t#dent ha% learned
107
.hat .ent .rong=
a"o#t "eing lo%t in the name% o' thing% and tho#ght% a"o#t them, i.e.
ontent, $ill "e ompletely #%ele%% and an impediment. (ere the
in)#iry m#%t t#rn to impermanene, %#''ering and no8%el'. The%e
harateri%ti% m#%t "e #nder%tood learly and diretly in $hate!er
%en%ation% ari%e, "e they "ea#ti'#l, #gly, help'#l, not help'#l, %&ill'#l, not
%&ill'#l, holy, pro'ane, d#ll, or other$i%e. Anything other than thi% i% >#%t
not in%ight pratie, ne!er $a% and ne!er $ill "e.
It doe%nIt matter $hat the )#ality o' yo#r mind i%, or $hat the
%en%ation% o' yo#r "ody are, i' yo# diretly #nder%tand the momentary
%en%ation% that ma&e the%e #p to "e impermanent, #n%ati%'atory and
not %el', then yo# are on the right path, the path o' li"erating in%ight.
(o$e!er, a% mentioned "e'ore, o'' the #%hion the )#ality o' yo#r
mind, yo#r reation%, yo#r $ord% and deed% all matter. The%e are not in
on'lit. In%ight pratie i% a"o#t #ltimate reality, the #ltimate nat#re o'
reality, and th#% the %pei'i% donIt matter. Morality and onentration
are a"o#t relati!e reality, and th#% the %pei'i% are e!erything. 2earning
to "e a ma%ter o' "oth the #ltimate and the relati!e i% $hat thi% i% all
a"o#t.
Another rea%on that people donIt ma&e progre%% i% that they may "e
"eing ta#ght "y people $ho ha!e no or little in%ight, and %o are ta#ght "y
tho%e $ho are them%el!e% 'a%inated "y ontent and #n%&illed in going
"eyond thi% into in%ight pratie%. The %ary tr#th i% that there are 'ar
more people teahing in%ight meditation that donIt &no$ $hat in%ight i%
than tho%e that do, tho#gh thi% tend% to "e le%% tr#e in "ig, e%ta"li%hed
retreat enter%. Th#%, e!en i' the %t#dent% learn $hat they are ta#ght, i'
tho%e $ho do not &no$ are teahing them, then $hat they learn i%
#nli&ely to "e orret or help'#l. .hile the teaher may ha!e learned to
parrot the lang#age o' #ltimate reality, thi% i% a"%ol#tely no %#"%tit#te 'or
diret &no$ledge o' it. In the tradition I ome 'rom, they on%ider the
%eond %tage o' enlightenment C,eond /ath, %ee /art IIIE to generally
"e the minim#m le!el o' #nder%tanding 'or a teaher. Thi% i% a !ery
rea%ona"le %tandard.
Another po%%i"le rea%on that people get lo%t and donIt 'ollo$ the
lear and "a%i in%tr#tion% o' in%ight pratie% i% that they >#%t anIt
"elie!e that doing %omething a% ompletely %imple a% loo&ing into the
impermanene, #n%ati%'atorine%%, and emptine%% o' the m#ndane
107
.hat .ent .rong=
%en%ation% that ma&e #p their ordinary $orld o#ld prod#e a$a&ening.
It >#%t %o#nd% ridi#lo#% to them, and th#% they imagine that there are
%eret teahing% %ome$here that are the real $ay to enlightenment.
Th#%, they may not try at all, may pratie in their ;o$n $ay,< or
may &eep trying to read more into the teahing% than i% there and ome
#p $ith their o$n %peial non%en%e. The%e #nhelp'#l $ay% o' %pe#lating
an "eome !ery engaging, "#t they $onIt prod#e in%ight. The%e
%pe#lation% an al%o lead to people trying to do !ery ad!aned pratie%
that $ere originally de%igned 'or meditator% that had already ma%tered
onentration and in%ight pratie% to a prono#ned degree C%#h a%
inten%i!e Tantri retreat%E, and th#% not deri!ing the '#ll "ene'it 'rom
them or r#nning into other pro"lem%.
(o$ do I &no$ that %olely ontent8"a%ed pratie $onIt prod#e
in%ight= Bea#%e there are only Three Door% to #ltimate reality, thatI%
$hy, and they are #tterly #nrelated to ontent, tho#gh they an "e 'o#nd
in all ontent i' the ontent a%pet i% ignored. CAt#ally, there i% %ort o' a
'o#rth door that i% ae%%i"le to !ery realiLed "eing%, %ee the AppendiF.E
;*nly Three Door%= B#t there are tho#%and% o' pratie%, many
tradition%K (o$ an yo# %ay there are only Three Door%=<
There are only Three Door%, thatI% ho$. I donIt are $hat tradition
yo# %#"%ri"e to, $hat pratie yo# do, or $ho yo# are, there are only
three "a%i $ay% to enter into the attainment o' #ltimate reality,
emptine%%, +ir!ana, or $hate!er yo# $ant to all it. The%e door% relate
diretly to pro'o#nd and diret #nder%tanding% o' the Three
Charateri%ti% o' impermanene, %#''ering and no8%el', and yo# ha!e to
#nder%tand the he& o#t o' the%e to enter into the ran&% o' the +o"le
*ne%.
;B#t there are many !alid tradition% that do not tal& a"o#t the Three
Charateri%ti%K< It may appear %o, "#t i' the tradition i% a !alid tradition
yo# $ill 'ind the%e teahing% in there %omeho$, in %ome other lang#age
or 'orm#lation, a% the%e are the only $ay. Go# $ill 'ind them in the
$or&% o' :#mi, Ja"ir and Jri%hnam#rti. Go# $ill 'ind them in the
Bi"le and Joran. Go# $ill 'ind them in the $riting% o' ,t. Dohn o' the
Cro%% and many other Chri%tian my%ti%. Go# $ill 'ind them in all o' the
"ranhe% o' B#ddhi%m. Go# $ill 'ind them in the Apani%had%. Go# $ill
'ind them in the $riting% o' Carlo% Ca%taneda. Go# $ill 'ind them
109
.hat .ent .rong=
$here!er yo# 'ind a tr#e %pirit#al path, and that i% >#%t all there i% to it. It
an help to on%ider that to ompletely #nder%tand ompa%%ion i% to
#nder%tand %#''ering and !ie !er%a, a% the%e are really t$o %ide% o' the
%ame oin. Al%o, to #nder%tand Tr#e ,el' pratie% i% the %ame a%
#nder%tanding no8%el' pratie%, a% the%e are al%o t$o %ide% o' the %ame
oin.
;B#t $e are tantri pratitioner%, and the Three Charateri%ti% are
merely a lo$8"ro$ (inayana teahing.< Tantra primarily #lti!ate% the
emptine%% door, that o' no8%el', $hih i% one o' the Three
Charateri%ti%. It an al%o "e #%e'#l 'or tran%m#ting energy into more
%&ill'#l 'orm%, a "it o' $hih $ill "e di%#%%ed later. (o$e!er, tho%e $ho
on%ider them%el!e% to "e mahayani%t% or !a>rayanai%t% %ho#ld read the
'ine print. Go# $ill 'ind that all Three Charateri%ti% are there, and in
'at that yo# are highly eno#raged to ma%ter the ;(inayana< pratie%
"e'ore mo!ing on to the Mahayana or Ha>rayana pratie% any$ay. I
%trongly %#gge%t he&ing o#t 2ama Ge%heI% Introd#tion to Tantra.
-#rther, the (inayana i% o'ten on'#%ed $ith the Thera!ada, and $hile
there are %imilaritie%, the Thera!ada i% m#h more eFten%i!e than the
Ti"etan di!i%ion o' the (inayana and ontain% eFten%i!e teahing% on
ompa%%ion and emptine%% a% $ell a% helping other%, "#t thi% i% a topi
'or another time.
In %hort, %ho#ld yo# enter #ltimate reality or emptine%%, it $ill "e
thro#gh one o' the Three Door%. Thi% i% >#%t the $ay it i%. It i% not
negotia"le. The nat#re o' the mind and reality are >#%t the nat#re o' the
mind and reality. Go# annot hange thi%, "#t yo# an #nder%tand it.
;B#t $e are Sen %t#dent%. .e realiLe B#ddha +at#reK .e donIt
need the Three Charateri%ti%, a% $e %it LaLenK< :ead any good "oo&
on Sen, %#h a% tho%e "y Dogen, Chi8n#l, or the eFellent Sen Mind,
BeginnerI% Mind, "y ,h#nry# ,#L#&i. The Three Charateri%ti% are in
there in a"#ndane, and tho%e $ho thin& they an enter #ltimate reality
in %ome other $ay are 'ooling them%el!e%. /aying diret attention to
"are reality $ith larity and prei%ion $ill re%#lt in diretly o"%er!ing the
Three Charateri%ti% regardle%% o' $hether or not yo# $i%h to all them
that, a% they are a"%ol#tely the tr#th o' all onditioned thing% in all time%
and in all "eing%.
105
.hat .ent .rong=
Th#%, the pratie, tradition, and all o' that, i.e. ontent, are
irrele!ant in the end. (o$e!er, yo# need them right #p #ntil the la%t
moment, %o donIt thin& that I am ad!oating not 'ollo$ing a tradition. I
am >#%t ad!oating at#ally 'ollo$ing the tradition orretly and th#%
learly penetrating into the nat#re o' yo#r at#al eFperiene >#%t a% it i%.
+othing help% in the end "#t #nder%tanding the '#ndamental nat#re o'
reality, i.e. the Three Charateri%ti%.
It may o'ten "e tr#e that people %imply are not in a po%ition $here
in%ight pratie% are appropriate 'or them. In%ight pratie% are not 'or
e!eryone. *ne o' the lear mar&% o' $hether or not they are
appropriate 'or %omeone i% their a"ility to e!en do them in the 'ir%t
plae. I' de%pite lear in%tr#tion% and appropriate %#pport a $o#ld8"e
in%ight meditator i% %imply #na"le to do anything "#t %pin in ontent and
'iFation, they %ho#ld try %omething el%e #ntil %#h time a% they an hear,
#nder%tand and then 'ollo$ the eFtremely "a%i "#t %pei'i in%tr#tion%
o' in%ight pratie%.
The la%t and perhap% mo%t perniio#% o' the rea%on% that %t#dent%
donIt really apply them%el!e% i% that they donIt at#ally "elie!e it an "e
done, that they o#ld at#ally get enlightened or that anyone el%e eFept
a rare 'e$ get enlightened. -#rther, i' they do &no$ o' an potentially
enlightened per%on, %#h a% a lineaged teaher, that per%on typially
"eome% tho#ght o' a% "eing ;other,< an a"erration, one o' ;tho%e o!er
there,< one o' the ho%en one%, and %omeho$ %#rreal, li&e an imagined
demi8god.
Thi% ha% "een a terri"le pro"lem %ine the !ery "eginning o' all
my%tial tradition%, and i% #n'ort#nately #nli&ely to go a$ay any time
%oon. /art o' thi% i% d#e to the ;M#%hroom -ator,< "#t there are many
other ompleF rea%on% 'or it. ,#''ie to %ay, it an "e done and i% done
today "y %t#dent% #%ing the%e %imple pratie%. -ind %omeone
enlightened $ho i% $illing to tal& more a"o#t thi% i' yo# $ant %pei'i
eFample%, and %ee the hapter alled More on the ;M#%hroom -ator.<
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17.A CLEAR GOAL
Many o' the po%%i"le rea%on% 'or $hy people an get %o into
;B#ddhi%m< in e!ery $ay eFept lear, $ell8de'ined, 'o#%ed and
prei%e pratie are diretly related to a la& o' a lear goal. I' yo# ha!e
no lear idea o' $hat yo# $ant or $hy yo# are doing %omething, then
the re%#lt% are li&ely to "e >#%t a% m#r&y, !ag#e, and 'ragmented. .hy
are yo# doing all o' thi%= Thi% i% a !ery important )#e%tion.
/eople may $i%h to go on a retreat and ha!e the $hole thing "e
relaFing and "li%%'#l. Thi% an at#ally "e attained temporarily i' they
then gain %ome ma%tery o' onentration pratie%, tho#gh their larity
$ill almo%t ertainly %hatter the in%tant they lea!e the retreat, a%
onentration pratie% prod#e no long8term %ta"ility on their o$n.
(o$e!er, they may thin& that they $i%h to get enlightened "y doing
in%ight pratie%. In%ight pratie% in!ol!e hard $or& and lear, non8
ane%thetiLed eFamination o' %#''ering, among other thing%. Th#%, the%e
t$o goal% o' maintaining "li%% and de!eloping in%ight %im#ltaneo#%ly are
in diret on'lit, and the %t#dentI% pratie $ill %#rely "e on'lited.
Thi% i% >#%t one o' many po%%i"le eFample%.
(a!ing a lear goal i% a"%ol#tely '#ndamental to the pratie in more
$ay% than may "e initially o"!io#%. In 'at, i' yo# #nder%tood yo#r at#al
reality right no$ learly eno#gh to get to the root o' $hy yo# $ere doing
all o' thi% and $here all thi% motion o' mind ome% 'rom, yo# $o#ld "e
highly realiLed. Go# $o#ld penetrate to the heart o' ompa%%ion and
%#''ering, o' ignorane and emptine%%, and "e 'inally 'ree.
I do not $rite thi% lightly. It i% ompletely !ital that yo#r moti!ation
"e a% learly #nder%tood a% po%%i"le a% it at#ally i% and that all o' it%
energy "e hanneled into realiLing yo# goal%. .i%hy8$a%hy pratie
"ring% $i%hy8$a%hy re%#lt%, and determined, $ell8g#ided, "ra!e, and
$holehearted pratie may "ring the de%ired re%#lt%.
Jno$ing $hat i% po%%i"le help%, i.e. $hat eah o' the training% an
and annot aompli%h. I $ill %pell o#t the detail% o' %#h thing% in /art
III. The %pei'i% o' o#r goal may hange $ith time a% $e "eome more
'amiliar $ith the realitie% o' the%e, "#t the ore moti!ation 'or all o' thi%
ne!er hange%. That i% )#ite a %tatement, gi!en that all thing% are
impermanent, and a"o#t a% "ig a hint a% an "e gi!en. .hate!er
A Clear Boal
#ltimate tr#th yo# $ant on the %pirit#al path i% to "e 'o#nd in the
%en%ation% o' the $anting it%el'.
Th#%, donIt loo& o#t there eFept to 'ind $i%e g#idane a"o#t ho$
to loo& in$ard, 'or $hat yo# are loo&ing 'or i% ;nearer than near.< It i%
in the loo&ing. It i% in the moti!ation. It i% in the %#''ering, $hih i% $hy
thi% $a% the -ir%t +o"le Tr#th that the B#ddha ta#ght. (e $ent right 'or
the heart o' the thing. It i% in the )#e%tion it%el', $hih i% $hy &oan
training an $or&. The eFperiene o' the )#e%tion ontain% the an%$er
to the ontent o' the )#e%tion. It i% in the #ndying lo!e that dri!e% o#r
e!ery $i%h 'or happine%%.
,trangely, the proe%% o' reating the ill#%ory %en%e o' a %el' ari%e%
o#t o' ompa%%ion, "#t on'#%ed ompa%%ion, $hih i% de%ire. Thi% may
%o#nd odd, "#t it i% a% i' there $a% an eddy in reality that "e'#ddled
empty and ompa%%ionate a$arene%%, $hih i% not a thing nor %eparate
'rom thing%. Th#%, %omeho$ it %eem% that there i% %omething to de'end,
%ome %eparate %el' that m#%t "e proteted. Th#%, o#t o' on'#%ed
ompa%%ion, "arrier% and de'en%e mehani%m% ontin#e to "e ereted to
de'end thi% territory, thi% ill#%ion o' a %eparate %el'. ,pirit#al pratie%
are de%igned to %y%tematially de"#n& thi% ill#%ion and penetrate the%e
"arrier% "y pro!iding larity, $herea% all o' the tradition% an ea%ily
"eome part o' the%e "arrier%, #lt#re% to de'end, &no$ledge to a%%#me
i% %el' or o$ned "y %el', and that %ort o' thing.
It i% a% i' reality got a#ght in an #n'ort#nate loop, and thi% i% $hat
$e ha!e to $or& $ith, a% thi% loop o' ill#%ory d#ality thin&% it i% #%. The
nat#ral tendeny, gi!en ;o#r< la& o' larity, i% to ontin#e to de'end thi%
;%el'< o#t o' ompa%%ion and a la& o' #nder%tanding that there ne!er
$a% %#h a thing. Thi% de'en%e and identi'iation i% the proe%% o' ego.
Intere%tingly eno#gh, all o' the phenomena that ma&e #p thi% proe%%,
i.e. all o' the ;de'ilement%,< are them%el!e% empty, intrin%ially l#mino#%
and non8d#al, tho#gh they %eem other$i%e "y their o$n ontri!ane.
Teahing% %#h a% ;yo# are already enlightened, "#t yo# ha!e yet to
realiLe it< point to thi% C%ee Moon in a De$drop, The .riting% o' Sen
Ma%ter Dogen, edited "y JaL#a&i Tanaha%hi, 'or a parti#larly
pro'o#nd di%#%%ion o' the #%e% o' thi% dangero#% point o' !ie$E. Th#%,
realiLation i% not %omething reated "#t in%tead i% di%o!ered a% "eing an
intrin%i a%pet o' phenomena.
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A Clear Boal
Th#%, $ith eno#gh %ta"ility and larity Conentration and $i%domE,
thi% nat#ral, ompa%%ionate proe%% o' mani'e%tation an "egin to
'#ntion more %&ill'#lly, a% it ha% "etter in'ormation to go on, and an
"egin to %ee that reating the ill#%ion o' a %eparate, permanent %el' $a%
not at all help'#l Ctho#gh it %eemed to "eE. At thi% point, ;it< $ill then let
go o' the ill#%ion it ha% "een perpet#ating and ret#rn to #nder%tanding
it% nat#ral %tate, $hih i% 'reedom and non8d#ality.
Thi% i% %omething that a"%ol#tely annot "e aompli%hed "y an at
o' $ill. It only ari%e% $hen the le!el o' larity i% high eno#gh and the
heart aepting eno#gh o' thing% a% they are. *ne might %ay that Brae
'a!or% the $ell8trained mind. The prono#ned tenaio#%ne%% o' thi%
proe%% o' de'ending an ill#%ory and ar"itrary ;%el'< demon%trate%
learly >#%t ho$ m#h ompa%%ion and ho$ m#h on'#%ion there i% in
thi%. .or& to %ee learly %o that the &not may "egin to #ntie it%el'.
I inl#de all o' thi% in the %etion alled ;A Clear Boal< "ea#%e the
!ery %en%e o' a dri!e to 'ind %omething i% at#ally the thing it i% %ee&ing.
The moti!ation i% loo&ing 'or it%el'. In tho%e %en%ation% them%el!e% i%
%omething !ery po$er'#l and amaLing. (o$e!er, in order to %ee thi%, a
%hi't ha% to happen in $hih the dri!e "eome% dri!en to #nder%tand the
%en%ation% o' that dri!e it%el' rather than loo&ing to '#t#re %en%ation% 'or
%ati%'ation. Thi% i% a ompletely #nint#iti!e thing to do, and thi% i% one
rea%on $hy meditation pratie% an %eem %o a$&$ard %ometime%.
(o$e!er, the 'at that the dri!e or the goal ontain% it% o$n %ol#tion i%
the rea%on $hy there i% %#h relentle%% empha%i% on "eing pre%ent to
$hat i% happening no$. I' $e an get thi% dri!e to >#%t hill on it% '#t#re
'iFation and %imply #nder%tand it%el', in%ight i% lo%e at hand.
I' yo# 'eel 'r#%trated that yo#r pratie ha% not "een a% energiLed or
a% lear a% yo# $i%h it to "e, 'ir%t %it $ith the '#llne%% o' that $i%h, $ith
the '#llne%% o' that 'r#%tration, $ith the '#llne%% o' yo#r 'ear%, $ith the
'#llne%% o' yo#r hope%, $ith the '#llne%% o' that %#''ering and
ompa%%ion, a% learly and "ra!ely a% yo# po%%i"ly an #ntil yo#
#nder%tand them to their !ery depth% a% they at#ally are. Channel all o'
thi% energy into lear, prei%e, &ind and 'o#%ed li!ing and pratie.
,ine thi% $hole "oo& i% learly goal8oriented, I tho#ght that it $o#ld
"e appropriate to add a 'e$ g#ideline% a"o#t 'orm#lating %pei'i goal%
and $or&ing to$ard% ma%tery that an help red#e the pro"lem% that
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A Clear Boal
poorly onei!ed goal% an a#%e. Boal% tend to in!ol!e a hea!y '#t#re
omponent. The tri& i% to add a omponent that relate% to the (ere
and +o$ a% $ell.
-or in%tane, one o#ld $i%h to "eome enlightened. Thi% i% a
p#rely '#t#re8oriented goal. *ne o#ld al%o $i%h to #nder%tand the tr#e
nat#re o' the %en%ation% that ma&e #p oneI% $orld %o learly that one
"eome% enlightened. Thi% add% a pre%ent omponent and th#% ma&e%
the $hole thing m#h more rea%ona"le and $or&a"le. *ne o#ld
%imply $i%h to deeply #nder%tand the tr#e nat#re o' the %en%ation% that
ma&e #p oneI% $orld a% they ari%e in that pratie %e%%ion or d#ring that
day. Thi% i% a !ery immediate and pre%ent8oriented goal, and a !ery 'ine
one indeed. It i% al%o method8oriented rather than re%#lt8oriented. Thi%
i% the mar& o' a good goal.
,imilarly, one o#ld try to "e &ind, hone%t or genero#% that day, try
to appreiate interdependene that day, or try to %tay really onentrated
on %ome o">et 'or that pratie %e%%ion. The%e pre%ent and method8
oriented goal% are the 'o#ndation #pon $hih great pratie i% "a%ed.
/#rely '#t#re8oriented goal% are at "e%t mo%tly $orthle%% and at $or%t
!ery dangero#%.
.i%hing to "eome enlightened or more enlightened i% only help'#l
i' it help% one li!e in the pre%ent a% it i%. The %ame goe% 'or training in
morality and onentration, a% arti#lated in /art I. A good 'riend o'
mine one 'orgot the%e "a%i r#le% o' goal8oriented pratie and %tri!ed
$ith great energy 'or month% to attain a goal that had nothing to do $ith
the reality that he $a% eFperiening at that time. The re%#lt% $ere
di%a%tro#% and the dar& on%e)#ene% o' hi% error ring on to thi% day.
DonIt get "#rned "y the %hado$ %ide o' goal8oriented pratie. A!oid
ompetition and omparing yo#r pratie to other%. ,tay pre%ent8
oriented $hene!er po%%i"le, and al$ay% a!oid p#rely '#t#re8oriented or
re%#lt%8oriented goal%K Al%o, "e are'#l $hat yo# a%& 'or. Go# >#%t might
get it "#t $ith a prie yo# o#ld ne!er ha!e imagined.
It %ho#ld "e noted that tho#ght% o' the pa%t and '#t#re o#r no$.
The%e %en%ation% are $orthy o' in!e%tigation. ;-#t#re mind< i% only a
pro"lem i' the %en%ation% that ma&e it #p are not #nder%tood a% they
are. A '#n pratie to try i% on%io#%ly thin&ing tho#ght% $ho%e ontent
i% pa%t8 or '#t#re8oriented and notiing that they o#r no$. There i%
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A Clear Boal
%omething parti#larly pro'o#nd a"o#t thi% that might "e mi%%ed on 'ir%t
in%petion.
.hile I am on the %#">et o' goal8oriented pratie, I %ho#ld %ay a
'e$ $ord% a"o#t ho$ to a!oid o!erdoing it. -ir%t, i' tho%e aro#nd yo#,
parti#larly tho%e $ith a lot o' eFperiene in meditation and the %pirit#al
li'e, are telling yo# that yo# %ho#ld hill o#t a "it, they are pro"a"ly
%aying it 'or good rea%on. A%& them $hy they thin& that and ta&e their
opinion% into on%ideration. +o$, it i% tr#e that %ometime% people $ill
tell yo# to hill o#t on yo#r pratie a "it >#%t "ea#%e o' their o$n en!y
o' yo#r determination and diligene, "#t I ha!enIt 'o#nd thi% to "e a
ommon o#rrene.
.hen on inten%i!e retreat%, there are a 'e$ "a%i $ay% to %ail a "it
too 'ar o#t there too 'a%t. The 'ir%t i% to %top eating. It i% tr#e that there i%
a long and glorio#% tradition o' people 'a%ting $hen doing %pirit#al
pratie, "#t generally they do %o "ea#%e they $ant to "ring on %e!erely
altered %tate% o' on%io#%ne%%. -a%ting $hen meditating i% an e''eti!e
tehni)#e 'or doing thi%. ,ho#ld yo# "e doing in%ight pratie%, altered
%tate% are not yo#r intended 'o#%, and %o the%e are more li&ely to "e
di%trating than help'#l. -#rther, %e!erely altered %tate% o' on%io#%ne%%
an %ometime% "e !ery di%r#pti!e and hard to proe%%, leading to $hat
might "e on%idered "y %ome to "e temporary in%anity. I' yo# are the
%ort o' per%on $ho $o#ld drop 2,D $hen o#t in p#"li, then the
altered %tate% that 'a%ting might "ring on $o#ld pro"a"ly not "e a
pro"lem 'or yo#. *n the other hand, i' yo# are on retreat $ith other
people, on%ideration 'or the 'at that they may not $ant to deal $ith the
potential %ide e''et% o' yo#r !i%ion8)#e%t i% $arranted.
Another $ay to go $ay o#t on the edge i% to %top %leeping. ,leep
depri!ation an e!ent#ally lead to !ery altered %tate% o' on%io#%ne%%
and !i%ionary eFperiene%. The eFat %ame on%ideration% that ome
into play $ith not eating apply. .hile it may "e tr#e that $hen doing
inten%i!e pratie the need 'or %leep may go do$n to perhap% 387 ho#r%
or %ometime% le%%, try to get at lea%t %ome %leep e!ery night.
There are tho%e that are %#h maho meditator% that they $ill try to
%it 'or !ery long period% o' time, %ay 10 to 23 ho#r%. .hile thi% might
%eem li&e a really "ra!e thing to do, a real tri"#te to oneI%
determination, I donIt %ee the point. I ha!e managed to ma&e !ery rapid
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A Clear Boal
progre%% $hen on inten%i!e retreat% $here the longe%t %it I did $a% 3
ho#r% and mo%t $ere le%% than 1.6 ho#r%. (o$e!er, i' one %it% long
eno#gh and really p#%he% the in!e%tigation $ith heroi e''ort, one an
get into %tate% o' on%io#%ne%% that are )#ite !olatile. It an "e !ery
di''i#lt to gro#nd "a& do$n and integrate $hat ome% o#t o' that %ort
o' eFtreme pratie. Again, o#t o' on%ideration 'or yo#r mind and
"ody, a% $ell a% 'or tho%e aro#nd yo# on retreat $ho may not $ant to
deal $ith yo#r potential ina"ility to integrate and ontrol the energy that
an "e generated 'rom that %ort o' pratie, on%ider moderation in
%itting.
2a%tly, there are %ome $ho $ill try to miF mind8altering %#"%tane%
and meditation. Thi% an %eem li&e an ea%y and 'a%t path. In 'at, there
are o#ntle%% tradition% that #%e the%e a% an integral part o' their path.
(o$e!er, there are n#mero#% %trong $arning% again%t doing thi% at all or
again%t doing thi% $itho#t the g#idane o' tho%e that really &no$ $hat
they are doing and $hen not in the proper %etting Ce.g. 'ar o#t in the
de%ert $ith no one aro#nd eFept a 'riend to &eep yo# %a'e and no "ig
li''% or $eapon% near"yE. I ha!e 'o#nd that %imply doing really
on%i%tent in%ight or onentration pratie% $ell an )#i&ly prod#e
altered %tate% and %trange eFperiene% that ha!e ta&en me to the !ery
"rin& o' $hat I o#ld handle %&ill'#lly and %ometime% "eyond, many o'
$hih I $ill di%#%% in /art III, %o I donIt %ee the need 'or #%ing mind
altering %#"%tane%. -#rther, there are rea%on% to learn to %ee thing%
'rom di''erent point% o' !ie$ on o#r o$n po$er %o that the%e thing% may
"eome a part o' $ho and $hat $e are rather than %ome tran%ient %ide
e''et "ro#ght on "y tin&ering $ith o#r ne#rohemi%try.
In %hort, tho%e on the path o' heroi e''ort an ea%ily get %ide
tra&ed into rit#ali%ti di%play% that %eem li&e heroi e''ort, "#t they are
not. (eroi e''ort on the in%ight path mean% heroi in!e%tigation o' the
Three Charateri%ti% o' the %en%ation% that ma&e #p o#r eFperiene,
$hate!er they may "e. Th#%, my ad!ie $hen on an in%ight meditation
retreat i% to really po$er the in!e%tigation all day long, $hether yo# are
%itting, $al&ing, relining, %tanding, eating, $a%hing, et. Bet eno#gh
%leep. Eat $ell to &eep #p yo#r health. Ta&e are o' yo#r "ody,
parti#larly yo#r &nee% and "a&.
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A Clear Boal
,ho#ld tho%e $ith more eFperiene than yo# in the%e matter%
on%i%tently tell yo# to "a& o'' on the e''ort >#%t a "it, gi!e it a try. I ha!e
oa%ionally done other$i%e and regretted it. .illiam Bla&e $rote that
$e do not &no$ $hat i% eno#gh #nle%% $e &no$ $hat i% more than
eno#gh. An'ort#nately, mo%t in%ight meditator% $ill not p#t 'orth
eno#gh e''ort to &no$ either. (o$e!er, %ho#ld yo# 'ind that yo# are
%imply oo&ing yo#r%el' thro#gh too m#h e''ort, learn 'rom yo#r
mi%ta&e% and 'ollo$ the middle path.
The la%t point a"o#t ha!ing a lear goal I ma&e rel#tantly, a% I am
a'raid that I $ill >#%ti'y the !ery thing I $i%h to %pea& o#t again%t. (ere
goe%P
I heard %omeone %pe#lating that Sen might ha!e de!eloped a%
"eing !ery a#%tere and dra" "ea#%e o' ho$ olor'#l and #n%ta"le Dapan
$a% d#ring it% de!elopment, and li&e$i%e the Ti"etan tradition $a% !ery
olor'#l and ompleF "ea#%e Ti"et $a% %o "lea&. B#rme%e B#ddhi%m
might "e %o eFtremely tehnial, goal8oriented, e''iient and e''eti!e
"ea#%e their o#ntry i% %#h a haoti me%%. /erhap% in >#%t thi% $ay, $e
ha!e the mo%t goal8oriented #lt#re in the $orld and yet tend to$ard%
the lea%t goal8oriented, lea%t pratial and lea%t e''eti!e ta&e on
B#ddhi%m I ha!e 'o#nd any$here.
It i% an #n'ort#nate %hado$ %ide o' o#r #lt#re that many o' #% an
"arely tolerate one more goal to attain, one more hoop to >#mp
thro#gh, one more eFam to pa%%, one more erti'iation or degree to
o"tain, one more ,AH to "#y. /erhap% $e are ra'ting a B#ddhi%m in
$hih yo# donIt ha!e to really e!er aompli%h anything %o a% to 'ind a
re'#ge 'rom o#r eFtremely ne#roti 'iFation on ahie!ement. Thi% might
eFplain $hy $e o'ten 'iFate on teahing% %#h a% ;E''ortle%% e''ort<,
;There i% nothing to attain,< and po%tponing enlightenment thro#gh the
Bodhi%att!a Ho$. Belie!e me, a% %omeone $ho ha% t$o grad#ate
degree% and ati!ely in!ol!ed in a 'ield that re)#ire% on%tant reading,
reerti'iation, and training, I am o'ten %i& o' the $hole ahie!ement
trip a% $ell.
*n the other hand, I ha!e 'o#nd that goal8oriented pratie
om"ined $ith good in%tr#tion and a 'e$ good onept#al 'rame$or&%
i% largely #n%toppa"le "arring eFtreme ir#m%tane%. Th#%, i' yo# are
%i& o' goal% to the point that yo# anIt ma&e any room 'or tho%e that
117
A Clear Boal
$ill %oon 'ollo$, %trip do$n yo#r daily li'e do$n %o a% to ma&e room 'or
the dri!e to ma%ter the %tate% and %tage% o' the path. Ta&e more
!aation%, "a& o'' on the areer8ladder lim"ing a little, and ma&e time
to really "#%t o#t %ome %erio#% meditati!e aompli%hment%. The
B#ddha $a% &no$n 'or %aying that there $a% nothing %o !al#a"le in thi%
$orld a% ma%tering the dharma. I o#ldnIt agree more.
119
17.HARNESSING THE ENERGY OF THE DEFILEMENTS
I am a%to#nded at ho$ many people are ompletely paralyLed in
their pratie "ea#%e they 'eel "ad a"o#t %o many o' the type% o'
emotional %en%ation% that ari%e. Anreali%ti ideal% o' the emotional
per'etion that meditation might "ring o'ten reate an ina"ility to 'ae
oneI% at#al h#manity or to ontin#e pratiing. The energy in
;#nde%ira"le< emotion% an at#ally "e #%ed to '#el oneI% pratie,
$hih i% good, a% thi% i% m#h o' $hat $e ha!e to $or& $ith.
Thi% paraly%i% happen% "ea#%e people tend to 'eel that ;"ad<
emotion% %ho#ld not ari%e and are $orthle%% and em"arra%%ing. .hile
there i% a lot to "e %aid 'or repre%%ing the ;de'ilement%,< there i% al%o a
lot to "e %aid 'or #%ing their tremendo#% energy in $ay% that are %&ill'#l.
Ba%ially, #ntil $e are !ery enlightened, %ome odd miFt#re o'
ompa%%ion and on'#%ion moti!ate% e!erything $e do, a% mentioned
el%e$here, and %o $e ha!e to learn to $or& $ith thi%. -#rther, the%e
potentially #%e'#l emotional energie% $ill ontin#e to ari%e li&e the
$eather, e!en in !ery enlightened "eing% Contrary to pop#lar "elie'E, %o
$e m#%t learn ho$ to deal $ith them and #%e them $ell.
:emem"er that the%e pratie% and teahing% are not a"o#t
"eoming %ome &ind o' emotionally de!oid, non8eFi%tent entity, "#t
a"o#t learly #nder%tanding the tr#th o' o#r h#manity and li'e.
Beoming 'l#ent in the tr#e nat#re o' all ategorie% o' %en%ation%,
inl#ding the %en%ation% that ma&e #p all ategorie% o' emotion%, i% a
parti#larly good idea and highly reommended. Thi% might e!en "e
#nderta&en a% a %y%temati pratie "y tho%e $ho are dediated to
thoro#gh #nder%tanding. Th#%, tho%e doing noting pratie, $hih I
highly reommend, an note $hih emotion% they are 'eeling, %#h a%
'ear, "oredom, anger, on'idene, re%tle%%ne%%, >oy, >ealo#%y, et.
-#rther, i' the po$er'#l energy o' the emotional li'e an "e
harne%%ed to energiLe o#r pratie, thi% an "e eFtremely help'#l. ,ome
le!el o' %&ill and moderation i% re)#ired here, a middle $ay "et$een
de'ilement re%traint and energy tran%m#tation. Either eFtreme an "e
harm'#l or help'#l depending on ho$ m#h $i%dom the %t#dent ha%,
ho$ good their teaher% are, and ho$ $ell the %t#dent li%ten% to their
teaher%.
(arne%%ing the Energy o' the ;De'ilement%<
It %ho#ld "e noted that tho%e $ho are pa%%ionate a"o#t pratie and
learning to at#ally pratie orretly are m#h more li&ely to ma&e
progre%% than tho%e $ho are not. Tho%e $ho are a"le to hannel all their
rage, 'r#%tration, l#%t, greed, de%pair, on'#%ion and ang#i%h into trying
to 'ind a "etter $ay are the only one% $ho are li&ely to ha!e $hat it ta&e%
to 'inally attain 'reedom. Tho%e $ho are at#ally a"le to %it $ith the
%pei'i %en%ation% that ma&e #p rage, l#%t, anger, on'#%ion and all the
re%t $ith larity, prei%ion, aeptane o' their h#manity, and e)#animity
are e!en more li&ely to get enlightened. Thi% paragraph de%er!e% to "e
read more than one.
It i% ommon 'or "e people to 'eel "ad a"o#t their la& o' progre%%.
Thi% an a#%e them to 'eel eFtremely 'r#%trated, and prod#e all %ort%
o' %el'8>#dgment, >ealo#%y, eFtreme% o' "lind 'aith, and rigid adherene
to dogma. It an paralyLe a %t#dentI% pratie i' they get a#ght in the%e
or in thin&ing that de%ire 'or enlightenment i% a pro"lem $hen in 'at it
i% the mo%t ompa%%ionate $i%h that %omeone o#ld ha!e 'or them%el!e%
or other%. The $hole tri& i% to hannel thi% energy into at#al pratie
#%ing good tehni)#e rather than ompari%on or tho#ght% a"o#t
progre%%. ,imply eFamine the %en%ation% that ma&e #p all o' thi%
'r#%tration and ompari%on, i.e. donIt %top in!e%tigating $hen ertain
ategorie% o' %en%ation% ari%e.
Try thi% little eFeri%e the neFt time %ome &ind o' %trong and
%eemingly #%ele%% or #n%&ill'#l emotion ari%e%. -ir%t, %ta"iliLe prei%ely
on the %en%ation% that ma&e it #p and perhap% e!en allo$ the%e to
"eome %tronger i' thi% help% yo# to eFamine them more learly. -ind
$here the%e are in the "ody, and %ee a% learly a% po%%i"le $hat %ort% o'
image% and %tory line% are a%%oiated $ith the%e phy%ial %en%ation%. Be
a"%ol#tely lear a"o#t the '#ll magnit#de o' the %#''ering in the%e, ho$
long eah la%t%, that the%e %en%ation% are o"%er!ed and not parti#larly in
oneI% ontrol.
+o$, 'ind the ompa%%ion in it. Ta&e a min#te or t$o Cno moreE to
re'let on $hy thi% parti#lar pattern o' %en%ation% %eem% to "e o' %ome
#%e e!en tho#gh it may not %eem ompletely #%e'#l in it% #rrent 'orm.
I% there a $i%h 'or yo#r%el' or other% to "e happy in the%e %en%ation%= I%
there a $i%h 'or the $orld to "e a "etter plae= I% there a $i%h 'or
%omeone to #nder%tand %omething important= I% there a $i%h 'or thing%
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to "e "etter than they are= I% there a $i%h to 'ind plea%#re, tran)#ility, or
the end o' %#''ering= ,it $ith the%e )#e%tion%, $ith the %en%ation% that
ma&e them #p, allo$ing them to "e %trong eno#gh 'or to %ee $hat i%
going on "#t not %o %trong that yo# "eome ompletely o!er$helmed "y
them.
+otie that 'ear ha% in it the de%ire to protet #% or tho%e a"o#t
$hom $e are. Anger $ant% the $orld to "e happy and $or& $ell or 'or
>#%tie to "e done. -r#%tration ome% 'rom the aring %en%ation% o'
anger "eing th$arted. De%ire i% rooted in the $i%h to "e happy.
D#dgment ome% 'rom the $i%h 'or thing% to on'orm to high %tandard%.
,adne%% ome% 'rom the %en%e o' ho$ good thing% o#ld "e. I o#ld go
on li&e thi% 'or a $hole "oo&.
Ati!ely re'leting along the%e line%, %it $ith thi% ompa%%ionate $i%h,
a&no$ledge it, and 'eel the ompa%%ionate a%pet o' it. Allo$ the at#al
%en%ation% that %eem to "e '#ndamental to $anting to "e diretly
#nder%tood a% and $here they are. :emem"er that thi% %ame )#ality o'
ompa%%ion i% in all "eing%, in all their #n%&ill'#l and on'#%ed attempt%
to 'ind happine%% and the end o' %#''ering. ,it 'or a "it $ith thi%
re'letion a% it relate% diretly to yo#r eFperiene.
Then, eFamine the mental %en%ation% related to the o">et that yo#
either $i%h 'or CattrationE, $i%h to get a$ay 'rom Ca!er%ionE, or $i%h
$o#ld >#%t "e a"le to "e ignored CignoraneE. EFamine reali%tially i' thi%
$ill '#ndamentally help yo#r%el' and other% and i' the%e hange% are
$ithin yo#r po$er to "ring a"o#t. I' %o, then plan and at $ith a% m#h
ompa%%ion and &indne%% a% po%%i"le.
:emem"er then that all the re%t o' the %#''ering o' that emotional
pattern i% reated "y yo#r mind and it% on'#%ion, and !o$ to hannel
it% 'ore into de!eloping morality, onentration, and $i%dom.
:e'letion on the 'at that the emotion% ha!e #n%&ill'#l omponent% a%
$ell a% %&ill'#l one% an gi!e #% a more reali%ti relation%hip to o#r
heart%, mind% and "odie%, and allo$ #% to gro$ in $i%dom and &indne%%
$itho#t "lindly %h#tting o#r%el!e% do$n or haining o#r%el!e% to a $all.
-rom a ertain point o' !ie$, $e are all doing o#r "e%t all the time, and
the pro"lem i% >#%t that $e do not %ee learly eno#gh.
There i% a Ti"etan teahing 'rom Tantra alled ;The -i!e B#ddha
-amilie%< or ;-i!e ,&y Daner%< that doe% a good >o" o' dealing $ith the
121
$ide $orld o' emotion% and their help'#l and le%% than help'#l a%pet%.
There i% al%o a Ti"etan teahing alled ;The ,iF :ealm%< that an help
a% $ell. Both o' the%e teahing% are too rih and deep to do them >#%tie
here. I' yo# are intere%ted in the%e 'ine teahing%, yo# might he& o#t
Do#rney .itho#t Boal, C#tting Thro#gh ,pirit#al Materiali%m and
Tran%ending Madne%%, all "y Chogyam Tr#ngpa.
It %ho#ld "e noted that the '#ndamental r#le $hen applying
emotion8deri!ed e''ort in pratie i% to at#ally p#t it into pratie rather
than tho#ght% a"o#t pratie, tho#ght% a"o#t %ome goal that %eem% 'ar
o'', tho#ght% a"o#t %#e%% or 'ail#re, tho#ght% a"o#t oneI% %trength% or
$ea&ne%%e%, or e!en tho#ght% a"o#t p#tting e''ort into pratie. The%e
trap% are all too ommon, "lindly $a%te the !a%t po$er inherent in o#r
emotional li'e, and a#%e rather than red#e di''i#ltie%. ,ome o' #% $ill
ha!e to learn the hard $ay.
I remem"er %ome time ago I $hen I realiLed that %omething I
tho#ght that I had #nder%tood )#ite thoro#ghly $a% at#ally only
partially #nder%tood. I $a% !ery m#h le%% than happy $ith thi%, and
deided to p#t the '#llne%% o' thi% ompa%%ionate rage into relentle%%,
'o#%ed in!e%tigation o' the Three Charateri%ti% d#ring $hate!er
period% o' time I o#ld 'ind d#ring my day 'or doing %o. It $a% only t$o
month% later that I ame to #nder%tand $hat I $i%hed to, and I $a%
grate'#l 'or the po$er o' the emotional li'e and $hat it an lend to
pratie. :emem"er, there i% lo!e and $i%dom miFed into e!en o#r
;$or%t< emotion%. I' that i% $hat $e ha!e to $or& $ith, letI% #%e it $i%elyK
,ome may then %ay, ;That i% not right moti!ationK Go# annot
proeed $itho#t right moti!ationK< .ell, a%ide 'rom the 'at that thi%
%imply i%nIt tr#e, %#h people trap them%el!e% in a Cath 22. To attain
thi% ;!ery p#re< moti!ation, to #%e dangero#% lang#age, one m#%t
#nder%tand $hat it i% that one $ant% to #%e thi% ;p#re moti!ation< to
#nder%tand. Th#%, $ere $e #na"le to proeed "a%ed #pon o#r
%ome$hat del#ded moti!ation%, a$a&ening $o#ld "e impo%%i"le "y
de'inition.
2#&ily, a$a&ening i% po%%i"le, and the only tool $e ha!e i% pratie
"a%ed #pon %emi8del#ded moti!ation%. I am eFtremely grate'#l that thi%
%eem% to "e %#''iient i' $e are $illing to #%e $hat $e ha!e rather than
'anta%iLing a"o#t %ome per'et #% that doe%nIt eFi%t. .itho#t greed,
122
rage, grandio%ity, 'r#%tration, in%e#rity, 'ear and a ho%t o' other %emi8
del#ded 'ore%, $e $o#ld hardly "#dge. .e $o#ldnIt pi& #p dharma
"oo&%, $e $o#ldnIt go on retreat%, $e $o#ldnIt deal $ith o#r %t#'', and
$e $o#ldnIt are at all. B#t $e do are, and %o $e 'orge on. Than& the
Metaphorial Bod 'or the po$er o' o#r emotion% and the pain the dar&
one% a#%e. They are the ga%oline that dri!e% #% on the road to
#nder%tanding.
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19.RIGHT THOUGHT AND THE AEGEAN STABLES
There i% a lot o' empha%i% on ;right tho#ght< and %#ppre%%ing the
mental ;de'ilement%< in B#ddhi%m, a% $ell a% training in morality, ;right
%peeh< and that %ort o' thing. A% the%e are agenda% 'or $hat happen% in
o#r ordinary reality, they are a%pet% o' training in morality. Thi%
empha%i% on ontrolling o#r tho#ght% an "e help'#l "#t it ha% it limit%
and o'ten a#%e% pro"lem% $hen mi%#nder%tood. .hen thi% "eome%
the predominant thr#%t o' oneI% pratie and in!ol!e% image% o' %el'8
per'etion that deny the "a%i realitie% o' h#man eFi%tene and the
ine!ita"le dar& %ide% o' li'e, tro#"le i% "a%ially g#aranteed.
The B#ddha did go on and on a"o#t re%training tho#ght,
tran%'orming tho#ght, and that %ort o' thing. (e $a% ma&ing a !ery
important point, "#t he didnIt %top there. (e al%o ad!oated that people
go on to #lti!ate onentration and then in%ight, %o a% to temporarily
)#iet and then o!erome 'ore!er the '#ndamental del#%ion% that dri!e
o#r noi%y mind%. Thi% %ame point $o#ld apply to p%yhotherapy0 it an
"e #%e'#l, "#t to 'ind the end o' %#''ering $e m#%t go m#h deeper.
,#tra U20 in The Middle 2ength Di%o#r%e% o' the B#ddha Cgreat
"oo&, "y the $ayE i% alled ;The :emo!al o' Di%trating Tho#ght%.< In
it, B#ddha admoni%hed hi% 'ollo$er% to deal $ith #n%&ill'#l, e!il,
#n$hole%ome or #%ele%% tho#ght% in the 'ollo$ing $ay%. -ir%t, i' the
%t#dent i% paying attention to %omething that i% a#%ing the%e #n%&ill'#l
tho#ght%, then they %ho#ld pay attention to %omething $hole%ome that
doe% not prod#e #n%&ill'#l tho#ght%. I' thi% 'ail%, then they %ho#ld
re'let on the danger in tho%e tho#ght% and th#% try to ondition
them%el!e% to not thin& %#h tho#ght% in thi% $ay. I' thi% 'ail%, then they
%ho#ld try to 'orget tho%e tho#ght% and not gi!e any attention to them. I'
thi% 'ail%, then they %ho#ld gi!e attention to )#ieting the mind and to
%tilling the%e tho#ght%. I' thi% 'ail%, then the %t#dent %ho#ld "ear do$n
$ith their '#ll $ill and ;r#%h mind $ith mind,< 'oring the tho#ght% to
%top $ith #nremitting and #nre%trained e''ort. (e al%o reommended
the 'ormal onentration pratie% o' lo!ing8&indne%%, ompa%%ion,
%ympatheti >oy, and e)#animity C%ee 2o!ing&indne%%, The
:e!ol#tionary Art o' (appine%%, "y ,haron ,alL"erg, or Training the
Mind, "y Chogyam Tr#ngpaE.
:ight Tho#ght and the Aegean ,ta"le%
Tho%e 'amiliar $ith ogniti!e re%tr#t#ring $ill notie great
%imilaritie% "et$een thi% 2,6008year8old approah and more modern
tehni)#e%. The%e an help de!elop morality and al%o %#ppre%% the
hindrane% that a#%e di%tration and poor onentration, a% $ell a%
"egin to reate "etter mental and per%onal ha"it%. (o$e!er, thi% an
ha!e it% pro"lem% i' not #nder%tood in a reali%ti and lear $ay.
A %#"tle "#t inorret modi'iation o' the%e tehni)#e% an reate a
large amo#nt o' internal on'lit, a% an 'ailing to #nder%tand the
limitation% o' %#h tehni)#e%. The %#"tle modi'iation that i% de'initely
not reommended "#t all too ommon i% the 'ollo$ing0 the %t#dent
%#"%tit#te% 'eeling% o' %el'8>#dgment or %el'8loathing 'or the tho#ght% they
'eel are #n%&ill'#l. Thi% re%#lt% 'rom only %eeing the ignorane %ide and
not the ompa%%ion %ide o' intention% and tho#ght%. It an prod#e
%ome eFtremely detrimental re%#lt%, a% $ell a% highly ne#roti and
repre%%ed indi!id#al% $ho are in "a%i denial o' their at#al h#manity
and heart. It an prod#e %t#dent% $ho are )#ite "itter, tight,
>#dgmental, /#ritanial, and generally #nplea%ant to "e aro#nd. Thi% i%
one eFtreme.
The other eFtreme tend% to ome $hen people only 'o#% on the
ompa%%ion %ide o' their emotion% and not the on'#%ion and %#''ering
that an "e miFed in $ith them. A%pet% o' late 1570% ome to mind.
Thi% error an lead to eFtreme mi%#nder%tanding% o' Tantra, #nhealthy
Epi#reani%m, addition%, and general de"a#hery that are %imply
de%tr#ti!e. .hile thi% may %eem '#n and ;li"erating< 'or a $hile, the
on%e)#ene% tend to "e a% "ad a% $o#ld "e eFpeted. Th#%, a
%ophi%tiated eFamination o' o#r heart%, de%ire%, a!er%ion% and
on'#%ion% an help %ort o#t $hat a%pet% o' the%e are %&ill'#l and $orth
#lti!ating and $hat a%pet% are #nhelp'#l and $orth a"andoning "y the
!ario#% method% a!aila"le.
The la%t pro"lem ome% 'rom not #nder%tanding that the only $ay
to really "ring %ome permanent relie' 'rom the%e per%i%tent and
%ome$hat #nontrolla"le tho#ght% i% to get )#ite enlightened. Antil thi%
happen%, e!en in the early %tage% o' a$a&ening, the ;de'ilement%< o' the
mind $ill ontin#e to a#%e the reation o' all &ind% o' #nhelp'#l
tho#ght% and mind noi%e that are ea%y to get a#ght in and 'ooled "y.
Th#%, $hile training in tho#ght re%traint an "e !ery help'#l and i% highly
126
:ight Tho#ght and the Aegean ,ta"le%
reommended, it %ho#ld not "e !ie$ed a% "eing more po$er'#l than it
i%. :emem"er that training in morality and onentration doe% not
prod#e a$a&ening $itho#t training in in%ight. Thi% point i% mentioned
again and again, "#t %omeho$ ontin#e% to "e o!erloo&ed.
A #%e'#l analogy i% that o' the Aegean ,ta"le%. The %tory goe% that
one o' (er#le%I ta%&% $a% to lean the Aegean ,ta"le%. The%e ho#%ed a
!ery large n#m"er o' hor%e% that ontin#ally prod#ed great mo#nd% o'
eFrement. (e tried again and again $ith %#perh#man %trength to lean
them, "#t there $ere too many hor%e% prod#ing too m#h eFrement
too 'a%t 'or him. A% %oon a% he had leaned one area, the other area%
$ere '#ll o' man#re, and %o he de%paired. (o$e!er, $hen he di!erted a
great ri!er thro#gh the %ta"le%, thi% $a% a"le to $a%h the $hole o' the
%ta"le% lean at one, and hi% ta%& $a% aompli%hed. .hile the
%en%ation% that ma&e #p o#r reality are %till mi%#nder%tood, $e an 'eel a
"it li&e (er#le% "e'ore he di!erted the ri!er. Thi% i% par 'or the o#r%e
and normal.
Enlightenment i% a %#dden thing, "#t the #lti!ation o' that initial
a$a&ening i% a grad#al thing and proeed% in 'airly predita"le %tage%
Cdetailed in /art IIIE. -or more in'ormation on thi% topi, I reommend
the eFellent $or&% o' Chi +#l, pre%ented in Traing Ba& the :adiane
a% tran%lated "y :o"ert B#%$ell. At eah progre%%i!e %tage, ertain
#nhelp'#l pattern% o' identi'iation $ith eFperiene are 'ore!er
eliminated or o!erome, %ort o' li&e hanneling a ri!er thro#gh one part
o' the %ta"le%, "#t many more remain #ntil 'inal and omplete
a$a&ening. Th#%, the mind "eome% progre%%i!ely learer, more
%paio#% and )#ieter, and tho%e #n%&ill'#l tho#ght% regarding
identi'iation that do ari%e are more li&ely to "e a#ght "e'ore they an
do damage.
Th#%, tho%e $ho $i%h 'or the end o' %#''ering %ho#ld %tri!e to "e
&ind, %ta"iliLe the mind, and are'#lly and prei%ely #nder%tand the
at#al tr#th o' their eFperiene in eah moment in a $ay that goe%
"eyond ontent.
127
15.FROM CONTENT TO INSIGHT
In the pre!io#% hapter, I eFplained a method o' ogniti!e
re%tr#t#ring that $a% de%igned to help #% %top thin&ing di%trating or
#nhelp'#l tho#ght%. A% tho%e tehni)#e% ha!e an agenda 'or $hat
happen%, rather than an agenda 'or perei!ing %omething '#ndamental
a"o#t $hate!er happen%, they are an a%pet o' training in morality or
onentration. (o$e!er, i' $e are $illing to realiLe that $e an al%o ta&e
an in%ight8oriented per%peti!e on di''i#lt or di%trating tho#ght%, either
on the #%hion or $hen $al&ing aro#nd, then $e an "egin to ma&e the
tran%ition 'rom ontent to in%ight.
A% yo# $o#ld eFpet, thi% method i% gro#nded %)#arely in the
Three Charateri%ti%, a% $ell a% the other "a%i a%%#mption% o' in%ight
pratie%, %#h a% oneI% #rrent %en%ate eFperiene "eing the gold
%tandard 'or reality. Thi% method i% pro"a"ly "e%t %ho$n "y $ay o'
eFample%, in thi% a%e o' a 'e$ people $ith a Big I%%#e $ho are on an
in%ight meditation retreat and reporting their eFperiene% to their
teaher.
The 'ir%t eFample i% o' %omeone $ho i% ompletely "#ying into the
ontent. ;,o, in my pratie I ha!e "een $or&ing thro#gh my Big I%%#e,
yo# &no$, really trying to deal $ith it. It >#%t %eem% to ome "a& again
and again. E!ery time I %it on the #%hion, I 'ind my%el' thin&ing a"o#t
my Big I%%#e again. Thi% Big I%%#e i% %#h a "ig part o' my li'e, %#h a
h#ge i%%#e. I am a'raid that i' I loo& too lo%ely at my Big I%%#e it $ill
o!er$helm me. I $i%h my Big I%%#e $o#ld >#%t go a$ay. I ha!e "een
doing %o m#h pratie, and yet I %till ha!e to deal $ith thi% darned Big
I%%#e.< +otie that the per%on a%%#me% ontin#ity o' the eFi%tene o' the
Big I%%#e. They al%o a%%#me that all tho#ght% a"o#t the Big I%%#e are
either %el', the property o' %el', or %eparate 'rom %el'. -#rther, they are
not $or&ing at a %en%ate le!el, trying to %ee the tr#e nat#re o' the
tho#ght% and phy%ial %en%ation% that ma&e #p the Big I%%#e and the re%t
o' their reality. In %hort, the ;pratie< they mention i% %ome %ort o'
pratie other than in%ight pratie. 2etI% try that again.
;I %at do$n on the #%hion, and I had "arely "eg#n to pratie
notiing my "reath $hen a tho#ght a"o#t my Big I%%#e aro%e. I tried to
ignore it, "#t then more tho#ght% a"o#t Big I%%#e aro%e, and my
%tomah "egan to 'eel )#ea%y. I tried to 'o#% on the "reath again, "#t
-rom Content to In%ight
then I 'o#nd my%el' thin&ing a"o#t the Big I%%#e again, tho#ght a'ter
tho#ght, mo%tly the %ame old tho#ght% repeating again and again.<
Thi% per%on i% already ma&ing progre%% to$ard% #%ing the%e tho#ght%
and phy%ial %en%ation% a% a "a%i% 'or in%ight%. They are "eginning to try
to apply the a%%#mption% o' in%ight pratie% to their eFperiene. They
are trying to 'o#% on a phy%ial o">et, trying to notie the indi!id#al
%en%ation% that ma&e #p their tho#ght% and phy%ial %en%ation%.
(o$e!er, they ha!e poor onentration and ha!e not learned to %ee the
tr#e nat#re o' the %en%ation% that ma&e the%e #p.
;I %at do$n on the #%hion, and I tried to %ee eah o' the %en%ation%
that ma&e #p the "reath. Inter%per%ed $ith the%e phy%ial %en%ation%
$ere mental image% o' the "reath. Inter%per%ed $ith all o' the%e
%en%ation% $ere al%o tho#ght% a"o#t the Big I%%#e. They $ere )#i& and
%eemed to al%o in!ol!e %ome mildly pain'#l or di%onerting phy%ial
%en%ation% in the region o' my %tomah. I o#ld %ee the%e ome and go
and that they $ere o"%er!ed. I o#ld 'eel a% they aro%e that there $a%
%omething irritating a"o#t the%e )#i& %en%ation%.
;I notied that mo%t o' my eFperiene $a% made o' %en%ation% that
didnIt %eem to relate to that Big I%%#e. ,ometime% I notied the three
harateri%ti% o' the %en%ation% that %eem to "e related to the old Big
I%%#e pattern o' %en%ation%, and %ometime% I $a% a"le to %tay $ith the
%en%ation% o' "reathing. (o$e!er, regardle%% o' $hih %en%ation% aro%e,
I $a% generally a"le to %ee %ome a%pet o' the tr#e nat#re o' them. Th#%,
I 'ind that I am a"le to &eep pratiing and not get lo%t in old, ir#lar
tho#ght% a"o#t that Big I%%#e that do me little good and ha!e a#%ed me
m#h pain.<
The%e are the %ort% o' de%ription% that really light #p a meditation
teaherI% eye%. They an %ee that thi% i% a per%on $ho really i% getting a
%en%e o' $hat i% in%ight pratie and ho$ it an "e #%e'#l. The meditator
not only #nder%tand% the 'o#% and a%%#mption% o' in%ight pratie% "#t
are al%o a"le to at#ally do 'airly on%i%tent and %trong pratie. E!en
"eing a"le to do thi% $hen $e are $al&ing aro#nd and dealing $ith o#r
%t#'' an "e help'#l. ,hi'ting to the %en%ate le!el re!eal% thing% a"o#t o#r
%t#'' that an "e !ery help'#l 'or &eeping it in per%peti!e and not getting
o!er$helmed "y it. It al%o de!elop% ha"it% that ma&e it ea%ier 'or #% to
%hi't to a %en%ate le!el $hen $e do 'ormal in%ight pratie.
129
Th#%, i' yo# ha!e an i%%#e that &eep% "#gging yo#, try ta&ing the
time to %ee the Three Charateri%ti% o' the %en%ation% that ma&e it #p a%
yo# go a"o#t yo#r day, thin&ing, ;The pattern o' %en%ation% that ma&e
#p the Big I%%#e are )#i&, tran%ient, and o"%er!ed. I $ill do my "e%t to
notie thi% a% tho%e %en%ation% o#r. .hen %pea&ing o' the Big I%%#e to
other% and to my%el', I $ill try to &eep my de%ription% at an in%ight8
oriented le!el. By %eeing thi% Big I%%#e a% o">eti!e and tran%ient
phenomena, I $ill not "e lo%t in my negati!e and pain'#l tho#ght% a"o#t
my Big I%%#e. I $ill "e a"le to "ring more larity and %paio#%ne%% to the
Big I%%#e, a"le to "ring more intelligene to the Big I%%#e, a"le to "ring
more ommon %en%e and "alane to the Big I%%#e. I' I an do thi%, it
$ill "e o' great "ene'it to me. I' I ontin#e to $allo$ in my ir#lar
tho#ght% a"o#t my Big I%%#e that get me no$here, I $ill %imply
eFperiene #nnee%%ary pain to little good e''et. Thi% i% my plan and
my re%ol!e. Tho#gh I may 'ail again and again to "e a"le to do thi%,
e!ent#ally I $ill "rea& the ha"it o' not "eing a"le to %ee the tr#e nat#re
o' the Big I%%#e and th#% $ill gro$ in $i%dom and happine%%K< ThatI%
the $ay the game i% played.
D#%t 'or '#n, I $ill gi!e t$o more eFample% 'rom e!en more
ad!aned pratitioner% and ho$ they might de%ri"e their pratie. ;I %at
do$n on the #%hion and "egan notiing the three harateri%ti% o' the
%en%ation% that ma&e #p eFperiential reality %ho$ing them%el!e%. There
$ere phy%ial and mental %en%ation%, all ari%ing and !ani%hing )#i&ly
and e''ortle%%ly. I o#ld %ee perhap% 6816 %en%ation% per %eond,
primarily in the a"dominal region, "#t there $ere many other little
%en%ation% oming in 'rom all o!er, olor% on the "a& o' my eyelid%,
%o#nd% 'rom other meditator% "reathing. *a%ionally, there $ere %ome
)#i& %en%ation% inter%per%ed $ith the%e a"o#t that Big I%%#e, li&e little
phantom% !ani%hing in a %ea o' 'li&ering olor and 'orm. They a#%ed
no interr#ption% in my in!e%tigation%, "eing >#%t more %en%ation% 'or
in!e%tigation.<
Thi% i% o"!io#%ly a %trong pratitioner $ith %olid in%ight %&ill%. They
&no$ eFatly $hat they are loo&ing 'or and do %o. They are $illing to
ma&e time 'or "are %en%ate in!e%tigation. .e annot in%tantly ma&e the
tran%ition to thi% %ort o' pratie, "#t I am a 'irm "elie!er that ma&ing
lear eFatly $hat $e are loo&ing 'or an ma&e it m#h ea%ier to at#ally
125
ma&e the tran%ition 'rom ontent to in%ight. By o"%er!ing $hat $e are
a"le to do and ta&ing a loo& at $hat %omeone at the neFt higher %&ill8
le!el an do, $e $ill "e a"le to proeed $ith more on'idene that $e
are on the right tra&.
Thi% la%t eFample i% a de%ription o' pratie 'rom a parti#larly
%trong and ad!aned pratitioner. ;I %at do$n on the #%hion and the
yle% o' in%ight pre%ented them%el!e% e''ortle%%ly. There $a% a %hi't, and
!ery 'ine, 'a%t !i"ration% aro%e in%tantly, dropping do$n )#i&ly, and
then they %hi'ted o#t, getting !ag#e 'or a 'e$ %eond%. Conentration
re%ta"iliLed and re!ealed the )#i& ending o' %en%ation% one a'ter the
other, perhap% 6810 per %eond, and then thing% "egan thi&ening
%ome$hat, getting %ome$hat irritating, "#t !i"ration% remained the
predominant eFperiene. It $a% >#%t that their #n%ati%'atory a%pet
"eame more predominant, and there $ere a 'e$ %en%ation% relating to
the Big I%%#e.
;I may ha!e notied a 'e$ hint% o' $hat d#ali%ti per%peti!e% remain
and the "a%i pain and on'#%ion they a#%e. There $a% a %hi't, and a
more panorami and ea%y per%peti!e aro%e, aompanied "y more
oherent and %ynhroniLed !i"ration% inl#ding mo%t o' %en%ate reality,
inl#ding m#h o' %pae, at perhap% 6816 per %eond. There $a% a %hort
period o' "arely notiea"le "#t mat#re e)#animity in the 'ae o' the%e a%
the !i"ration% "eame more inl#%i!e. Any %en%e o' pratiing dropped
a$ay entirely.
;A min#te later, t$o o' the Three Charateri%ti% pre%ented
ompletely in )#i& %#e%%ion, inl#ding the $hole "a&gro#nd o'
%pae, re!ealing %omething inomprehen%i"le in the nat#re o' %#">et
and o">et, and reality !ani%hed. :eality reappeared )#iet, lear,
"ea#ti'#l and ea%y. I %olidi'ied %pae in that a'terglo$ %o a% to en>oy the
'ormle%% realm% 'or a 'e$ min#te%, ri%ing #p thro#gh them and "a&
do$n to "o#ndle%% %pae. A !i%ion relating to the Big I%%#e aro%e.
;I %ta"iliLed on the !i%ion, notiing the 'eeling o' it, and "e'ore I
&ne$ it I $a% o#t o' "ody, tra!eling in a %trange realm, ha!ing
interation% that replayed the i%%#e o' the Big I%%#e in %ym"oli or
mythi 'orm. I %a$ %omething a"o#t thi% i%%#e that I ne!er had "e'ore,
ho$ an old, #neFamined and 'ititio#% train o' a%%oiation% lead to my
ina"ility to ome to %ome more "alaned #nder%tanding o' thi% i%%#e.
140
Thi% epiphany "ro&e my onentration, and I ret#rned to my "ody. I
then dropped o#t o' the 'ormle%% realm%, allo$ing a ne$ in%ight yle to
"egin again. .hen I got #p o'' the #%hion, I notied that the
p%yhologial in%ight% that aro%e in the other realm ga!e me an inrea%ed
%en%e o' h#mor and a more ompa%%ionate per%peti!e to$ard% tho%e
in!ol!ed in thi% i%%#e. They $ere >#%t trying to "e happy, >#%t a% $e all
are. It $ill "e intere%ting to %ee ho$ thi% play% o#t.<
They ha!e talent and a $ide range o' %&ill%. They are not only an
ad!aned in%ight pratitioner, "#t they al%o ha!e %trong onentration
%&ill% and an e!en hane into %ome o' the more #n#%#al onentration
attainment%. -#rther, they e!en %eem to "e a"le to #%e their a"ility to
tra!el o#t o' "ody to gain relati!e in%ight% into the ontent o' their %t#''.
2a%t, they are on the loo& o#t 'or the %#"tle %ign% o' the limit% o' their
in%ight%. They are not only %&illed, "#t they realiLe $hat they do not yet
&no$. They are $ell on their $ay to ma%tering the ore teahing% o' the
B#ddha.
141
/A:T III0 MA,TE:G
142
20.CONCENTRATION VS. INSIGHT
There i% a lot o' on'#%ion on the di''erene% "et$een onentration
pratie% and in%ight pratie%. Thi% may "e a#%ed in part "y the
;M#%hroom -ator,< or may "e d#e in part to other 'ator%, %#h a%
onentration pratie "eing ea%ier than in%ight pratie% and di%tintly
more plea%ant mo%t o' the time. Conentration pratie% C%amatha or
%amadhi pratie%E are meditation on a onept, an aggregate o' many
tran%ient %en%ation%, $herea% in%ight pratie i% meditation on the many
tran%ient %en%ation% >#%t a% they are. .hen doing onentration
pratie%, one p#rpo%e'#lly trie% to 'iF or 'reeLe the mind in a %pei'i
%tate, alled an ;a"%orption,< ;>hana< or ;dyana.< .hile reality annot
"e 'roLen in thi% $ay, the ill#%ion o' %olidity and %ta"ility ertainly an "e
#lti!ated, and thi% i% onentration pratie.
In%ight pratie% are de%igned to penetrate the Three Ill#%ion% o'
permane ne , %ati %'atorine% % and %eparate %el' %o a% to attain
'reedom. C+.B., the ill#%ion o' %ati%'atorine%% ha% to do $ith the 'al%e
%en%e that ontin#ing to mentally reate the ill#%ion o' a %eparate,
permanent %el' $ill "e %ati%'atory or help'#l, and i% not re'erring to
%ome oppre%%i!e and '#n8denying ang%t tripE. In%ight pratie% C!ario#%
type% o' !ipa%%ana, dLoghen, LaLen, et.E lead to the progre%%i!e %tage%
o' the progre%% o' in%ight. In%ight pratie% tend to "e di''i#lt and
%ome$hat di%onerting, a% they are de%igned to deon%tr#t o#r
del#ded and m#h heri%hed !ie$% o' the $orld and o#r%el!e%, tho#gh
they an %ometime% "e o#trageo#%ly "li%%'#l 'or 'r#%tratingly %hort
period%.
Conentration %tate% are "a%ially al$ay% %ome perm#tation o' great
'#n, eFtremely 'a%inating, %ed#ti!e, %paio#%, "li%%'#l, peae'#l,
%peta#lar, et. There i% "a%ially no limit to ho$ intere%ting
onentration pratie% an "e. In%ight pratie %tage% and re!elation%
an al%o "e !ery intere%ting, "#t are not potentially additi!e the $ay
onentration %tate% and %ide e''et% an "e. In%ight pratie% tend to "e
hard $or& mo%t o' the time e!en i' that $or& i% >#%t %#rrendering to
thing% a% they are.
*ne o' the 'ator% that at#ally add% to the on'#%ion i% that the
onentration %tate terminology C>hana%E i% #%ed in the original teFt% to
de%ri"e "oth the progre%%i!ely more %ophi%tiated onentration %tate%
Conentration !%. In%ight
and al%o the progre%% o' in%ight, $ith little delineation o' $hih $a%
$hih. Thi% $a% %ol!ed to %ome degree a 'e$ h#ndred year% later $hen
the %tage% o' the progre%% o' in%ight $ere arti#lated in the anonial
ommentarie%, "#t the original pro"lem $a% not mentioned. It $a% only
in the %eond hal' o' the 20
th
Cent#ry that the pro"lem $a% %orted o#t to
%ome degree "y the B#rme%e, and I $ill delineate the !ipa%%ana >hana%
later.
To try to &eep thi% lear in a $ay that the old teFt% %imply donIt,
$hene!er I re'er to >hana $itho#t mentioning $hether I mean %amatha
or !ipa%%ana >hana, I al$ay% mean %amatha >hana, a %ta"le %tate prod#ed
"y onentration pratie%. .hen I re'er to tho%e >hana% prod#ed "y
in%ight pratie%, I $ill al$ay% all them !ipa%%ana >hana%.
Conentration pratie% de!elop onentration "#t they donIt
de!elop $i%dom. The pro"lem i% that onentration %tate% an ea%ily
'ool people into thin&ing that they are the end goal o' the %pirit#al path
"ea#%e the%e %tate% an "eome %o "li%%'#l, %paio#%, and e!en
'ormle%%, and th#% an lo%ely math %ome imprei%e de%ription% or
eFpetation% o' $hat a$a&ening might "e li&e.
(o$e!er, onentration pratie% an "e !ery help'#l and are !ery
important. .itho#t at lea%t %ome %&ill in onentration pratie%, in%ight
meditation i% !irt#ally impo%%i"le. There i% an e%oteri de"ate in the
anient ommentarie% a"o#t %ome %t#dent% $ho got enlightened $itho#t
e!en attaining the lo$e%t o' the onentration %tate% Cthe 'ir%t >hana,
eFplained laterE, pratitioner% alled ;dry in%ight $or&er%,< "#t I
$o#ldnIt "an& on thi% "eing a ommon o#rrene. 2#&ily, in%ight
pratie% them%el!e% an %im#ltaneo#%ly de!elop onentration and
in%ight, tho#gh the danger% o' "eing %ed#ed "y onentration %tate% an
lie in $ait there a% $ell. In %hort, yo# m#%t ma%ter the 'ir%t >hana a% a
minim#m "a%i% 'or "eginning the progre%% o' in%ight, "#t thi% i% all that i%
re)#ired 'or enlightenment.
,o long a% one i% !ery lear a"o#t $hat i% onentration pratie and
$hat i% in%ight pratie, $hih may not "e a% ea%y an #nder%tanding to
ome "y a% %ome might thin&, onentration pratie "eyond the 'ir%t
>hana an "e help'#l to the in%ight pratitioner. All o' the onentration
%tate% %ta"iliLe the mind, o"!io#%ly, and thi% ha% 'o#r primary "ene'it%.
-ir%t, >#%t a mo!ie amera that i% %ha&ing $ildly $ill not "e li&ely to
143
prod#e a lear or intelligi"le mo!ie, %o a mind that $onIt %tay %ettled on
an o">et $ill not learly perei!e the #ltimate tr#th o' it. ,eond, a%
onentration %tate% #lti!ate deep larity and %ta"ility on ontent, they
are !ery #%e'#l 'or promoting deep and healing p%yhologial in%ight%.
/#t another $ay, i' yo# $ant to "ring #p yo#r %t#'', do onentration
pratie%.
Third, onentration %tate% an "e a $elome and !alid !aation
'rom %tre%%, pro!iding period% o' !ery deep relaFation and peae that
an "e an eFtremely important part o' a %ane, ompa%%ionate and
healthy li'e%tyle. The B#ddha highly prai%ed tho%e $ho had ma%tery o'
the onentration %tate%, and thi% %ho#ld %er!e a% a reminder to tho%e
$ho #ndere%timate their great !al#e or erroneo#%ly 'eel that not
en>oying oneI% li'e i% %omeho$ ;%pirit#al.< -o#rth, onentration
pratie% an help the in%ight pratitioner %tay %ome$hat more mentally
%ta"le and "alaned a% their old onept% o' their eFi%tene are rent
a%#nder "y in%ight pratie. (o$e!er, i' the%e %tate% end #p "lo&ing thi%
proe%% "y %olidi'ying a %en%e o' %el' a% "eing anything or reating
a!er%ion to learly eFperiening %#''ering then they "eome a hindrane.
Thi% i% a !ery tri&y "alane. I' a %t#dent ling% to %ta"ility or 'l#idity
they $ill %#rely not ma&e progre%% in in%ight. (o$e!er, i' they pl#nge
into the 'a%t and har%h !i"ratory eFperiene% o' in%ight pratie $itho#t
the %oothing e''et% o' onentration pratie to help them %tay
%ome$hat gro#nded, the %t#dent an "e a "it li&e %omeone $ho ha%
ta&en a %mall do%e Cor a "ig do%e in the $or%t a%e%E o' 2,D or dr#n&
$ay too m#h o''ee. I %pent the 'ir%t 'i!e year% o' my pratie gi!ing
only a moderate amo#nt o' attention to the %amatha >hana% and I no$
realiLe that thi% $a% pro"a"ly an error.
,ometime% %pirit#al opening% an "e eFtreme and dramati, and
"eing a"le to %lo$ thing% do$n and alm do$n an %ometime% "e !ery
#%e'#l and %&ill'#l i' $e ha!e to deal $ith the $orld and deal $ith the%e
opening% at the %ame time. In %hort, i' yo# $ant to g#n& #p yo#r in%ight
pratie "ea#%e yo# %imply need to %lo$ do$n %o a% to "e a"le to get
on $ith yo#r li'e or not ompletely 'lip o#t, %#h a% to %t#dy 'or medial
%hool "oard%, et., one $ay to do thi% i% to ind#lge in onentration
%tate%. Co#pling thi% $ith 'ormal re%ol#tion% to not ma&e progre%% in
in%ight an "e !ery e''eti!e.
146
There are many onentration %tate%, and they "eome progre%%i!ely
more re'ined a% one ma%ter% them. A "rie' de%ription o' the
onentration %tate% 'ollo$%. It i% "a%ially %traight o#t o' the %tandard
teFt% and !ery a#rate. :egardle%% o' the tradition yo# are 'ollo$ing,
$hen yo# "egin to get %ome ma%tery o' it% onentration pratie% yo#
$ill go thro#gh the%e %tate% in thi% order #p to the le!el o' yo#r #rrent
a"ility, tho#gh %ome people an ma%ter %&ipping o!er >hana%.
The %pei'i o">et o' meditation may limit the le!el o' >hana that
an "e attained, a% $ell a% olor the eFperiene o' the%e %tate%. ,#h
detail% are %pelled o#t in !ario#% anonial teFt%, %#h a% The
Hi%#ddhimagga and the more reada"le "#t harder to 'ind Him#ttimagga .
Bhante B#naratanaI% The Dhana%, inl#ded in hi% more omplete $or&
The /ath o' ,erenity and In%ight, i% a %holarly $or& on the %#">et, a% i%
+yanatilo&aI% /ath to Deli!erane Cp#"li%hed "y the B#ddhi%t
/#"liation ,oiety o#t o' ,ri 2an&aE.
,ome o' the%e teFt% Cparti#larly the 'ir%t t$oE go into long and
%ophi%tiated di%#%%ion% a"o#t $hih po%t#re and $hih o">et might
"e "e%t %#ited to the indi!id#al proli!itie% o' !ario#% type% o' people. It
i% #n'ort#nate that thi% %ort o' in'ormation i% not in ommon #%e today.
I %#ppo%e that a %#it o'' the ra& $ill $or& 'or mo%t oa%ion%, "#t there
i% %omething a"o#t one that ha% "een tailor made. I am told that there
are %till a 'e$ mona%terie% that pro!ide thi% %ort o' traditional training.
An'ort#nately, thi% topi i% $ay too ompleF to treat properly here, "#t
tho%e o' yo# $ho are that %erio#% a"o#t the%e %#">et% are highly ad!i%ed
to he& o#t the original %o#re%. They ontain an a%to#nding amo#nt
o' po$er'#l in'ormation "#t #n'ort#nately ma&e 'or 'airly tedio#%
reading.
Many tradition% #%e the "reath a% the primary o">et initially and
then %hi't to the )#alitie% o' the %tate% them%el!e% a% the o">et o'
meditation $hen they ari%e and the onentration i% %trong. The )#ality
o' a >hana an either "e ;%o't< or ;hard< depending on ho$ %olidly one
i% in the %tate. In %o't >hana, the )#alitie% o' that parti#lar %tate are
de'initely reogniLa"le in a $ay that i% di''erent 'rom the ordinary
eFperiene o' tho%e )#alitie% to the degree that $e are on'ident $e are
in the altered %tate de'ined "y tho%e )#alitie%.
147
In really hard >hana, it 'eel% a% i' o#r mind ha% "een '#%ed to tho%e
)#alitie% and the o">et $ith %#per gl#e, a% i' $e $ere nothing "#t a %olid
"lo& or 'ield o' tho%e )#alitie% or that o">et, a% i' they and the o">et
$ere the $hole $orld $ith nothing el%e remaining. Betting into really
;hard< >hana %tate% dramatially inrea%e% the "ene'iial e''et% o' the
pratie, tho#gh it ta&e% greater %trength o' onentration and #%#ally
re)#ire% more 'a!ora"le pratie ondition% to do %o. Ta&ing the
"ene'iial 'ator% o' the >hana %olely a% the o">et o' onentration i%
help'#l 'or thi%, a% an "e #%ing an ea%ily identi'ied eFternal o">et %#h
a% a andle 'lame or olored di%&.
-or detailed in%tr#tion% in pratie% that #%e an eFternal o">et,
alled ;&a%ina< pratie%, the $or&% li%ted a"o!e, parti#larly Bhante
B#naratanaI% The /ath o' ,erenity and In%ight, pro!ide %#h a good
treatment o' them that yo# %ho#ld %imply o"tain and read tho%e
%o#re%. (o$e!er, the "a%i in%tr#tion% are the%e0 %ta"iliLe yo#r
onentration on an eFternal o">et C&a%inaE #ntil yo# an %ee the o">et
$ith yo#r eye% lo%ed or $hen yo# are not loo&ing at the o">et. Ta&e
that !i%ion a% the ne$ o">et and %ta"iliLe yo#r attention on it #ntil yo#r
onentration i% li&e a ro&. -rom thi% 'o#ndation, yo# %ho#ld "e a"le
to ea%ily attain any o' the %tate% I am a"o#t to de%ri"e.
The "a%i pattern one goe% thro#gh $ith the%e %tate% i% a% 'ollo$%.
-ir%t, one de!elop% eno#gh onentration to attain the >hana. Then the
mind %ee%Q'eel% the >hana, mo!e% to$ard% and into it, $ith almo%t all
%#h %tate %hi't% o#rring "et$een the end o' the o#t "reath and the
"eginning o' the ne$ in "reath, %ometime% aompanied "y the eyelid%
'li&ering. Then there i% the honeymoon period, $here the >hana i%
're%h "#t #n%teady. Then there i% the mat#ration period, $hen the >hana
really ome% into it% o$n more %olidly and %ho$% it% tr#e glory. Then the
'a#lt% o' the >hana tend to "eome notiea"le, a% $ell a% the proFimity o'
the %tate to the %tate "elo$ it and the ea%e o' 'alling into that lo$er %tate.
+eFt, the onentration deepen%, and %ome %ort o' e)#animity a"o#t
the good and "ad a%pet% o' the >hana %et% in. .hen the onentration
gro$% %trong eno#gh and the #rrent >hana i% no longer de%ira"le, the
mind $ill nat#rally %hi't to the neFt higher >hana and the yle goe%
aro#nd again $ithin the limit% o' the h#manly attaina"le %tate% and yo#r
#rrent %&ill le!el.
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149
Ma%tering the Core Teahing% o' the B#ddha
21.THE CONCENTRATION STATES (SAMATHA JHANAS
T(E -I:,T D(A+A
The 'ir%t >hana ari%e% a'ter the %t#dent ha% gained the a"ility to
at#ally %teady the mind on %ome o">et %#h a% the "reath, i.e. a'ter a
%tate alled ;ae%% onentration,< meaning the le!el o' onentration
needed to ae%% the 'ir%t >hana or in%ight pratie. +otie that i' $e are
%pinning lo%t in tho#ght thi% i% "a%ially impo%%i"le. I' yo# $i%h to attain
thi%, I $o#ld try to %tay a% ompletely a% po%%i"le $ith an o">et 'or
perhap% 1 min#te. .hen yo# an do thi%, try 'or 10 min#te%. .hen yo#
an do thi%, try 'or an ho#r. -or in%tane, i' yo# $ere #%ing the "reath a%
an o">et, try to "e a$are o' e!ery %ingle "reath at lea%t in part 'or a '#ll
ten min#te%, and then 'or an ho#r. Thi% i% de'initely po%%i"le, and a
rea%ona"le goal. Try not paying too m#h attention to the indi!id#al
%en%ation% them%el!e%, "#t onept#aliLe the "reath a% a oherent and
ontin#o#% entity, $ith many di''erent type% o' %en%ation% all "eing
tho#ght o' a% "eing the "reath. It i% important to &no$ that really getting
into a %en%e o' the "reath a% a ontin#o#% entity 'or 10 %eond% $ill do
yo# more good than "eing generally $ith the "reath on and o'' 'or an
ho#r.
T#ne into the ill#%ory %moothne%% o' thing% "y p#rpo%e'#lly and
almly $or&ing $ith ill#%ion% o' %olidity or 'l#idity. There i% a ertain
;into it< )#ality $hih help%, %ort o' li&e really getting into a %lo$ groo!e
$hen playing an in%tr#ment, ha!ing %eF, playing a %port, or >#%t %in&ing
into a $ell8de%er!ed and $arm "#""le "ath. Being in a %ilent and %a'e
plae i% !ery help'#l, a% i% gi!ing yo#r%el' permi%%ion to relaF, p#t the
are% o' the $orld "ehind yo#, and en>oy.
I' yo# are #%ing the "reath a% an o">et, yo# might try p#rpo%e'#lly
!i%#aliLing it a% %$eet, %mooth $a!e% or irle% that are peae'#l and
$elome. Try "reathing a% i' yo# $ere in a garden o' 'ragrant ro%e% and
yo# $i%h to eFperiene the '#llne%% o' their 'ragrane. /erhap% the%e tip%
$ill help ill#%trate the &ind o' non8re%i%tant and peae'#l pre%ene that
an help one attain the%e %tate%. T#ne into %en%ation% in and aro#nd the
primary o">et that 'eel good. (ar"or no g#ilt, anFiety or 'ear related to
the depth% o' plea%#re, ea%e and $ell8"eing. The %pirit#al li'e need not
The Conentration ,tate% C,amatha Dhana%E
"e %ome %ort o' relentle%%, a#%tere grind, parti#larly $hen doing
onentration pratie%.
A% onentration impro!e%, it i% a% tho#gh the mind ;%ee%< the 'ir%t
>hana and gra"% on to it. (a!ing an idea o' $hat yo# are loo&ing 'or, i.e.
%omething en>oya"le and %teady, an "e help'#l 'or thi%. It ha% the 'i!e
primary 'ator% o' applied and %#%tained e''ort or attention, rapt#re,
happine%% and onentration. Th#%, it i% great '#n, 'eel% good, "#t ta&e%
on%i%tent e''ort to %#%tain. The attention i% 'o#%ed narro$ly, a% tho#gh
one $ere loo&ing at a %mall area o' thi% page. Thi% %tate an "e )#ite a
relie' 'rom the pain and di%om'ort o' %itting meditation and an
temporarily )#iet the mind %ome$hat. A% $ith all the onentration
%tate%, it i% generally )#ite ea%y to onentrate on %omething that i% !ery
en>oya"le. Th#%, oneI% onentration %&ill% may impro!e rapidly and
ea%ily a'ter attaining the 'ir%t >hana and tend to "a%ially 'lo#nder #ntil
one ha% attained the 'ir%t >hana. Th#%, attaining the 'ir%t >hana i% really,
really important.
/eople tend to really li&e thi% %tate, and may ling to it 'or the re%t o'
the retreat i' on retreat, or #lti!ate it again and again in their %itting
pratie at home. It i% a !al#a"le attainment, a% it %er!e% a% the minim#m
'o#ndation 'or "oth in%ight and onentration pratie%. -rom the 'ir%t
>hana there are "a%ially three thing% a meditator an do. They an
either get %t#& there CI &no$ %omeone $ho %pent %ome t$enty year%
#lti!ating the 'ir%t >hana in their daily pratie and thin&ing thi% $a%
in%ight pratieE, they an progre%% to the %eond >hana, or they an
in!e%tigate the 'ir%t >hana and th#% "egin the progre%% o' in%ight.
By ;in!e%tigate< the %tate, I mean that they an diret their attention
to "rea&ing the ill#%ion o' the %olidity o' that %tate into it% omponent
indi!id#al %en%ation% %o that one an #nder%tand their tr#e nat#re, i.e.
the Three Charateri%ti%, a% i% done in in%ight pratie $ith all o">et%.
,peial attention m#%t "e paid to trying to eFperiene the prei%e ari%ing
and pa%%ing o' e!ery indi!id#al %en%ation that ma&e% #p the %tate,
parti#larly the primary "ene'iial 'ator% o' the %tate li%ted a"o!e.
.hile it i% not at#ally po%%i"le to perei!e the ari%ing and pa%%ing o'
e!ery %ingle %en%ation or to e!en "e mind'#l o' e!ery %en%ation, it i%
de'initely po%%i"le to "e lear a"o#t eno#gh o' them to get enlightened,
and that i% $hat matter%. It i% %ome$hat ommon 'or people to do thi%
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hal'8heartedly and not pay parti#lar attention to the myriad %en%ation%
that ma&e #p rapt#re and happine%%, a% they %eretly $i%h them to "e
permanent, %ati%'y and "e %el' or the property o' %el'. ,tagnation i%
"a%ially g#aranteed in in%ight pratie i' yo# ling to plea%ant %en%ation%
in thi% $ay, or anything el%e 'or that matter. /#t another $ay, i' yo# 'ail
to %ee the impermanene o' o">et%, yo# $ill ha!e arti'iially %olidi'ied
them C;l#ng to< themE and $ill not gain in%ight 'rom them.
The near enemy o' the 'ir%t %amatha >hana i% ae%% onentration,
and $hen the applied and %#%tained e''ort or attention 'lag %ome$hat,
ae%% onentration %et% in. A% the teFt% rightly %ay, the applied and
%#%tained e''ort, i.e. the 'at that yo# ha!e to ma&e e''ort to get into and
%tay in thi% %tate, are al%o %ome$hat annoying. Thi% "eome% more and
more apparent, and lear a$arene%% o' >#%t thi% %imple 'at $hile %taying
in the >hana a#%e% the mind to e!ent#ally "ail o#t o' the 'ir%t >hana and
into the %eond >hana.
T(E ,EC*+D D(A+A
The %eond >hana i% li&e the 'ir%t, i.e. a %eemingly %olidi'ied mind
%tate. .ith the dropping o' almo%t all o' applied and %#%tained e''ort the
rapt#re and happine%% 'ator% reated "y onentration an really
predominate. Th#%, $herea% the 'ir%t >hana 'eel% li&e %omething yo#
need to pay attention to, the %eond >hana ha% the )#ality o' %ho$ing
it%el' to yo#. The 'o#% o' attention $iden% o#t %ome$hat, %ort o' li&e
loo&ing %traight ahead $itho#t 'o#%ing the eye% on anything %pei'i.
.herea% mind8generated o">et% in the 'ir%t >hana are %ta"le, they $ill
mo!e Ce.g. %pin, p#l%e, re%onate, et.E in the %eond >hana in $ay% that
orrelate $ith the pha%e o' the "reath, mo!ing %lo$ly to$ard% the top
and "ottom o' the "reath and more )#i&ly in the middle.
The %ilene o' the mind i% notiea"ly inrea%ed, and the plea%#re o'
thi% %tate may inrea%e greatly a% $ell, parti#larly i' plea%#re i% the 'o#%
o' attention. .hen thi% %tate i% really #lti!ated, the inten%ity o' the
plea%#re o' thi% %tate an "eome pretty m#h a% %trong yo# an %tand it.
Again, thi% %tate i% a 'ine attainment "#t an "e )#ite apti!ating. ,ome
may get %t#& #lti!ating thi% again and again 'or %ome period o' time
ranging 'rom day% to year%. Again, the meditator al%o ha% the option to
try to go on to the third >hana or to in!e%tigate thi% %tate and "egin the
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progre%% o' in%ight, paying are'#l attention to ompletely deon%tr#ting
the %tate into it% moment8to8moment omponent%.
T(E T(I:D D(A+A
I' the meditator deide% to go on to the third >hana, then >#%t
#lti!ating the %eond %tate more deeply and notiing that the rapt#re or
emotional ;$o$ 'ator< o' that %tate e!ent#ally "eome% annoying an
a#%e the mind to e!ent#ally a"andon thi% %tate and %hi't into the third
>hana.
In thi% %tate, the rapt#re drop% a$ay, and $hat i% le't i% more ool
;"odily< "li%% and e)#animity $ith a lot o' mind'#lne%% o' $hat i% going
on. CIt m#%t "e noted that it i% po%%i"le to "e %o deeply into any >hana,
e!en the 'ir%t >hana, that the %en%e o' the "ody i% )#ite !ag#e, di%torted
or e!en entirely a"%ent, %o thi% m#%t "e &ept in mind $hen reading the%e
de%ription%.E
The attention i% no$ in $ide 'o#%, %ort o' li&e re%ting in the hal' o'
%pae that i% in 'ront o' oneI% %el'. The third >hana i% li&e the
o#nterpoint to the 'o#% o' attention o' the %eond >hana. In the %eond
>hana, $here!er $e loo& $e %ee learly, $herea% in the third >hana the
$ide periphery o' o#r attention i% lear and the enter o' o#r attention i%
m#r&y. Thi% an "e eFtremely on'#%ing #ntil one get% #%ed to it, and
trying to %tay $ith one o">et in the enter in the third >hana $ill a#%e
the meditator to mi%% $hat thi% %tate ha% to o''er and teah. Mo!ing 'rom
the %eond to the third >hana i% li&e going 'rom 'o#%ing on the don#t
hole to 'o#%ing on the o#ter edge o' the don#t, eFept that no$ yo# are
%itting in the enter o' the don#t. :emem"er thi% $hen yo# get to
de%ription% o' the Dar& +ight in the %etion on the %tage% o' in%ight, a%
the Dar& +ight ha% a% it% 'o#ndation the third >hana "#t add% the Three
Charateri%ti%. -o#%ing on the $ide periphery i% a more inl#%i!e,
"roader, more %ophi%tiated and ompleF &ind o' onentration than
the 'ir%t t$o >hana%, li&e going 'rom li%tening to El!i% to li%tening to !ery
ompleF, di%%onant DaLL.
In it% p#re and %imple %paio#%ne%%, pro'o#nd larity, "alane and
ontentment, the third >hana i% e!en "etter than the %eond >hana. It i%
no $onder that people an ea%ily mi%ta&e the%e %tate% 'or enlightenment,
a% they an %eem to 'it the de%ription% o' $hat enlightenment might "e
li&e. :emem"er that enlightenment i% not a mind %tate, nor i% it
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dependent on any ondition o' reality. It doe% not ome and go a% the%e
%tate% do.
Again, 'rom thi% %tate, the meditator ha% a 'e$ option%. They an get
%t#&, $hih de'initely happen%, they an mo!e on to the 'o#rth >hana,
or they an in!e%tigate thi% %tate and "egin the progre%% o' in%ight. Thi%
$o#ld re)#ire eFtra %peial attention to ma&e %#re that all o' the %pei'i
%en%ation% that ma&e #p peae, e)#animity, "li%% and %paio#%ne%% are
learly o"%er!ed to ari%e and pa%%, not %ati%'y, and not "e %el' or the
property o' %el'.
The%e )#alitie% are not ea%y to let go o', and %o thi% an "e di''i#lt.
(o$e!er, #pon lea!ing %#h a %tate, the mind $ill %till ha!e a mea%#re o'
the good )#alitie% o' the %tate. Thi% an "e #%e'#l to in%ight pratie i'
one i% $illing to not ling to %#h thing%. Thi% applie% to the other %tate%
a% $ell, and thi% i% $hy many teaher% ha!e their %t#dent% ma%ter
onentration %tate% "e'ore they mo!e on to in%ight pratie. *n the
other hand, %#h %tate% an "e %o intoFiating and %#h a %tagnant dead
end 'or tho%e that "eome 'ooled "y them that %ome teaher% ha!e their
%t#dent% a!oid them li&e the plag#e #ntil they ha!e %ome !ery deep
in%ight% into the tr#th o' thing%.
T(E -*A:T( D(A+A
A% "e'ore, i' the %t#dent $i%he% to go on to the 'o#rth >hana, then
they >#%t #lti!ate the third >hana and "egin to pay attention to the 'at
that e!en the "odily "li%% i% %ome$hat irritating or noi%y. E!ent#ally, the
mind $ill a"andon the third >hana and %hi't into the 'o#rth >hana, $hih
i% the height o' e)#animity. Thi% %tate i% remar&a"le in it% %imple
%paio#%ne%% and aeptane. The eFtreme le!el o' impert#r"a"ility
$o#ld "e a%to#nding i' there $a% not %#h prono#ned impert#r"a"ility.
Thi% i% "y 'ar the mo%t re%t'#l o' the 'ir%t 'o#r >hana%.
The 'o#% o' attention i% no$ largely panorami and th#% e!en
%aying ;'o#%< here i% a "it pro"lemati. In the 'ir%t >hana the o">et $a%
'inally lear "#t %tati and %olid that $e an %tay $ith. In the %eond
>hana the o">et "egin% %ho$ing it%el' and %ome %imple motion i%
allo$ed. In the third >hana $e go 'rom a %pot o' attention to a $ide
irle o' attention and the motion get% more ompleF, %o $e no$ ha!e
t$o %patial dimen%ion% and time. In the 'o#rth >hana thing% get three8
dimen%ional and mind8made o">et% %#h a% !i%#aliLation% ta&e on a li'e
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o' their o$n, "eoming li!ing, l#mino#% and tran%parent. The 'o#rth
>hana inl#de% %pae and a$arene%% in a $ay that the pre!io#% three do
not. Mind'#lne%% i% on%idered to "e per'eted d#e to e)#animity,
tho#gh thi% 'ator doe% not %tand o#t a% in the third >hana. .hen $e are
really in thi% %tate, the "a%i %en%e $e ha!e o' $here o#r "ody i% and
$hat it loo&% li&e an get !ery !ag#e or e!en !ani%h entirely, tho#gh thi%
i% le%% tr#e i' $e are in thi% %tate $ith o#r eye% open.
Thi% i% )#ite a high attainment, and an ea%ily "e on'#%ed $ith the
goal o' the %pirit#al li'e, tho#gh it !ery m#h i%nIt. -rom thi% %tate the
%t#dent ha% )#ite a n#m"er o' option%. They an get %t#&, they an
mo!e on to the 'ormle%% realm%, they an #lti!ate $hat are de%ri"ed a%
;p%yhi po$er%,< or they an in!e%tigate thi% %tate and "egin the
progre%% o' in%ight. .hen in!e%tigating thi% %tate, %peial attention m#%t
a"%ol#tely "e gi!en to the 'at that the myriad %en%ation% that ma&e #p
e)#animity and %paio#%ne%% ome and go moment to moment, do not
%ati%'y or pro!ide a permanent re%ting plae, and are not %el'.
Again, it i% ea%y to get attahed to the %en%ation% that ma&e #p the%e
high %tate%, and %o great prei%ion and attention Ca% $ell a% hone%tyE m#%t
"e gi!en to thi% i' the %t#dent hoo%e% thi% option. Another alternati!e i%
to lea!e thi% %tate and then "egin in%ight pratie, a% the )#alitie% that thi%
%tate $rite% on the mind linger 'or a %hort time, and thi% an "e help'#l i'
the %t#dent doe% not ling to the%e "ene'it%.
T(E ;/,GC(IC /*.E:,<
A% to the ;p%yhi po$er%< C;%iddhi%< in /aliE, the teFt% li%t all &ind%
o' %peial a"ilitie% that may "e #lti!ated #%ing the 'o#rth >hana Cor
perhap% lo$er or higher >hana%E a% a "a%e, and the%e are attained today.
The%e may inl#de all &ind% o' %trange eFperiene%, inl#ding '#ll "lo$n
and eFtremely reali%ti eFperiene% o' other realm% that an %eem )#ite
magial and 'all )#ite in line $ith $hat one might thin& o' $hen one
thin&% o' !ario#% ;p%yhi po$er%.<
.hether or not the%e are ;real< i% a )#e%tion that I am happy to
a!oid, tho#gh the%e eFperiene% an "e %o eFtremely !i!id that they an
%eem more ;real< than the ;real $orld.< M#h more intere%ting than
the )#e%tion o' $hat i% real i% the )#e%tion o' $hat i% a#%al, i.e. $hat
lead% to $hat. -or eFample, $e might deide that o#r dream% are not
;real<, "#t $e m#%t admit that there are real $orld on%e)#ene% o'
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ha!ing dream%. All thi% an "e a %lippery "#%ine%%, and the ;p%yhi
po$er%< generally donIt t#rn o#t to "e )#ite $hat they %eem. A% one o'
my 'riend% one %aid, ;Geah, I an 'ly, "#t >#%t not in thi% realmK< B#yer
"e$are, or proeed $ith are.
*n the other hand, it doe% %eem to "e po%%i"le thro#gh po$er'#l
intent, %trong onentration a"ility, appreiation o' interdependene and
are'#l eFperimentation to manip#late $hat $e might all ;thi% $orld<,
a% $ell a% tho%e in it, in !ery #n#%#al and pro'o#nd $ay%. Ge%, I am
re'erring to %#h thing% a% tele&ine%i%, mind ontrol, reading other
people% tho#ght%, pyromany, and all o' that. The more yo# get yo#r
onentration and in%ight trip% together and the more yo# loo& into the
magial a%pet o' thing%, the more yo# $ill learn a"o#t $hat I $ill all
the magial la$% o' the #ni!er%e and ho$ to #%e yo#r $ill to manip#late
it.
(o$e!er, i' yo# donIt ha!e yo#r morality trip really together, and
perhap% e!en i' yo# do, I $o#ld "e )#ite a#tio#% a"o#t 'ormally and
on%io#%ly tapping into that %ort o' po$er. It i% a"%ol#tely !ital to
remem"er that yo# $ill reap $hat yo# %o$ and that li&e lead% to li&e
$hen on%idering the 'ormal #%e o' %#h po$er. Jind intention i%
a"%ol#tely e%%ential, "#t e!en thi% i% o'ten not eno#gh to &eep #% 'rom
%re$ing #p $hen $e gi!e into the temptation to 'ormally manip#late
the $orld in #n#%#al $ay%. /o$er orr#pt%, a% the old adage goe%.
,pirit#al tradition% aro%% the "oard ha!e a lear lo!eQhate
relation%hip to the po$er%, and i' yo# "egin playing aro#nd $ith them
yo# $ill ome to #nder%tand $hy. The %torie% o' the B#ddha
demon%trate learly that he and tho%e aro#nd him %im#ltaneo#%ly 'o#nd
them eFtremely 'a%inating, oa%ionally #%e'#l, and o'ten pro'o#nd.
They al%o 'o#nd them dangero#%, a %idetra& and a"horrent. D#%t a%
$ith any po$er'#l energy, %#h a% %eF#al energy, the po$er% tend to
re!eal o#r tr#e olor%, a% it $ere.
.hen playing aro#nd $ith the po$er%, I reommend are'#l
attention to ho$ $e de'ine ;real< and the pratial impliation% o' o#r
per%onal de'inition o' ;real< 'or o#r daily li'e. -or in%tane, yo# might
ha!e >#%t ome "a& 'rom a retreat $here yo# $ere playing aro#nd $ith
!i%#aliLation a"ilitie%, and a 'e$ day% later %ee a troop o' radiant angel%
136
'loating thro#gh the $all% and into yo#r li!ing room $here yo# are
entertaining g#e%t%. Thi% $a% yo#r at#al eFperiene.
.hether yo# hoo%e to ignore them, gi!e them lot% o' attention,
mention them to yo#r g#e%t%, get do$n on yo#r &nee% and "egin
praying, or r#n %reaming o#t the door $ill ha!e di''erent impliation%
'or yo#r at#al li'e. The%e impliation% %ho#ld "e are'#lly on%idered
$hen ond#ting yo#r%el' in the 'ae o' %#h eFperiene%. *n a %ide
note, i' yo# ha!e learned to %ee angel%, yo# $ill pro"a"ly r#n into de!il%
%oon eno#gh.
A% to the more manip#lati!e po$er%, yo# might "egin to get the
%en%e that yo# an read the tho#ght% and emotion% o' other%. Do yo#
$ant to tell them thi%, or e!en at on the%e int#iti!e 'eeling% on the
a%%#mption that they are orret= Go# might get the %en%e that yo# an
manip#late the emotion% or energeti %tate% o' other% in $ay% that $o#ld
"e on%idered magial. I% thi% a good idea= There are no ea%y an%$er%
to %ome o' the ethial and pratial )#e%tion% that an ari%e 'rom the
po$er%, "#t I $o#ld ad!i%e a high le!el o' a#tion and re%traint. :e%pet
otherI% right% and remem"er that ation% done 'or other than
ompa%%ionate rea%on% are li&ely to a#%e an #gly "a&la%h.
The eFperiene% o' the ;p%yhi po$er%< an "e in'initely
'a%inating, a% anything yo# an imagine eFperiening i% po%%i"le. The
po$er% an al%o lead to people getting really, really $eird. I' yo# $ant to
get to &no$ a"o#t yo#r %hado$ %ide, thi% i% one $ay to ha!e a ra%h
o#r%e. -or in%tane, it might "e !ery ed#ational to ha!e yo#r
relation%hip i%%#e% $ith yo#r parent% mani'e%t a% t$o large, %lo""ering
demon% $ho h#rl 'laming %t#''ed animal% at yo# $hile yo# are tra!eling
o#t o' yo#r "ody to the Brand Canyon, "#t it an o'ten ta&e lot% o' time
and re'letion to 'ig#re o#t ho$ the%e %ort% o' eFperiene% ma&e a
pratial di''erene in o#r li!e%.
A% one B#rme%e man one %aid to a 'riend o' mine, ;My "rother
doe% onentration pratie. Go# &no$, %ometime% they go a little
madK< (e $a% tal&ing a"o#t $hat an %ometime% happen $hen people
get into ;p%yhi po$er%.< :emem"er, mo%t o' the%e eFperiene% are
%#''iient gro#nd% 'or a diagno%i% o' mental illne%% in the on!entional
medial $orld, parti#larly i' they "egin to inter'ere $ith lo!e and $or&,
%o %ee& the g#idane o' tho%e $ho %im#ltaneo#%ly appear to "e )#ite
137
%ane and '#ntional $ho al%o &no$ ho$ to na!igate %&ill'#lly in thi%
territory. -inding the%e %ort% o' people i% di''i#lt "#t $ell $orth the
e''ort.
Al%o, playing aro#nd $ith !i%ion% and other eFtra%en%ory
eFperiene%, %#h a% tra!eling o#t o' "ody, "iloation, et., an
%ometime% a#%e one to 'eel #ngro#nded, di%onneted, other$orldly
and %attered 'or ho#r% or e!en day% a'ter$ard%, %omething I all a ;
%iddhi hango!er.< EFeri%e and 'o#%ing on anything phy%ial an help,
a% an hea!y 'ood%, orga%m% and %imply not pratiing 'or a $hile.
Hery %trong in%ight pratie% $ith a 'o#% on impermanene an al%o
help to "rea& #p the%e eFperiene% "#t are not parti#larly gro#nding in
and o' them%el!e% and may o'ten "e other$i%e. ,trongly %tated
re%ol#tion% to not eFperiene or #%e the po$er% an al%o "e !ery help'#l,
%#h a% %imply %aying o#t lo#d, ;I 'ormally re%ol!e that I $ill not
eFperiene or #%e the%e po$er% Cname them hereE #ntil I 'ormally
re%ol!e other$i%e.<
I $o#ld %#gge%t are and a#tion in dealing $ith all the !i%ion% and
other %#pernormal or paranormal eFperiene% $hih might ari%e in
pratie. The primary danger i% ta&ing them too %erio#%ly and th#%
a%%#ming that they are more important than they really are. It may "e a
good idea to lea!e them #ntil !ery late in oneI% pratie #nle%% one ha%
%omeone aro#nd to g#ide them thro#gh their %&ill'#l #%e or #nle%% one
i% 'airly "alaned and ha% a good %en%e o' h#mor a"o#t them. I' not,
they an !ery ea%ily "eome '#rther tool% o' o#r de'ilement%, long
p%yhedeli and manip#lati!e t#nnel% to no$here or de%tr#tion.
I remem"er a letter I reei!ed 'rom a 'riend $ho $a% %#ppo%ed to
"e on an inten%i!e in%ight meditation retreat "#t had %lipped into playing
$ith the%e %ort% o' eFperiene%. (e $a% no$ 'a%inated "y hi% a"ility to
%ee %pirit animal% and other %#pernormal "eing% and $a% ha!ing reg#lar
on!er%ation% $ith %ome %ort o' lo$8le!el god that &ept telling him that
he $a% ma&ing eFellent progre%% in hi% in%ight pratie, i.e. eFatly $hat
he $anted to hear. (o$e!er, the 'at that he $a% ha!ing %ta"le !i%ionary
eFperiene% and $a% "#ying into their ontent made it a"#ndantly lear
that he $a%nIt doing in%ight pratie% at all, "#t $a% lo%t in and "eing
'ooled "y the%e %iddhi%. Go# get the pit#re. +o$, donIt get me $rong.
I' one i% loo&ing 'or another $ay to addre%% oneI% ontent and %t#'',
137
!i%ion% o' thing% li&e %pirit animal% an "e !ery help'#l. The tri& i% not
to miF #p ontent and '#ndamental in%ight.
;/%yhi po$er%< an "e #%ed %&ill'#lly a% $ell, and there are $hole
tradition% that #%e them a% their primary path. They an %igni'iantly
"roaden oneI% horiLon% and are %o intere%ting that great depth% o'
pro'o#ndly %teady onentration an ea%ily "e de!eloped. They an
inrea%e the inten%ity o' o#r ;mental< proe%%e% to %#h a high le!el that
they "eome !ery ea%y to %ee a% they are, %ho#ld $e hoo%e to do %o.
They an al%o "egin to "l#r the line "et$een the ;mental< and the
;phy%ial< in $ay% that an "e "oth di%orienting and pro'o#nd.
.hen $e %tart playing aro#nd $ith intention%, eFtended %en%ate
realitie% and energeti phenomena, it an %eem a% i' there are t$o $orld%
or 'ield% o' eFperiene that interpenetrate eah other, the ordinary one
C;the real $orld<E and the magial one C;%eond attention,< ;a%tral
plane,< ;%pirit $orld,< et.E. Integrating the%e t$o per%peti!e% into one
a#%al 'ield $itho#t arti'iial d#alitie% or "o#ndarie% i% )#ite a pro>et,
one $ith the potential to lead to !ery high le!el% o' realiLation or to
madne%%. It i% the high8%ta&e% $ay to play the game, "#t #n'ort#nately
%eem% to "e largely #na!oida"le pa%t a ertain point.
The eFperiene% o' the po$er% an help people li!e in the $orld in a
$ay that i% at one appreiati!e o' it% rihne%% and yet not o!erly %erio#%
a"o#t it or 'iFated on it. At their "e%t, they an %er!e a% a "a%i% 'or a !ery
deep eFploration o' %ide% o' o#r%el!e% that $e rarely %ee $ith %#h
larity, parti#larly the territory detailed "y the li&e% o' D#ng and the
,hamani tradition%. *a%ionally, %#h eFperiene% an "ring pro'o#nd
epiphanie%, time% $hen $e %ee o#r i%%#e% and %hado$ %ide% %o learly
that o#r li!e% are de'initely tran%'ormed 'or the "etter.
.hile thi% neFt point might %o#nd a "it radial, there are good
rea%on% to a%%#me that $e are all ating at $hat might "e on%idered a
magial le!el all the time and >#%t doing it $ith little a$arene%% o' that
'at. The "e%t arg#ment I &no$ o' 'or learning ho$ to $or& at the le!el
o' the po$er% i% to "ring on%io#%ne%% and ompa%%ion to a proe%%
that i% happening already. ,aid another $ay, a% $e are already a%ting
%pell% all the time, at#ally any time there i% a$arene%% and intent, $e
might a% $ell learn to do it $ell.
139
*n the other hand, playing aro#nd $ith %iddhi% an "ring #p really
%re$ed #p %t#'' 'rom o#r %#"on%io#% that $e are >#%t not ready or
a"le handle %&ill'#lly, a#%ing ;%iddhi "leedthro#gh< into o#r li!e% that i%
%imply #nhelp'#l and !ery hard to integrate. At#ally, $hen playing
aro#nd $ith any meditati!e tehnology, there i% no 'ree l#nh. Go#
al$ay% end #p "eing 'ored to 'ae %ome '#rther hallenge ha!ing to do
$ith per%onal or %pirit#al gro$th, either then or %hortly therea'ter.
There doe%nIt %eem to "e any getting aro#nd thi%.
I' yo# $ant to #lti!ate the %iddhi%, one m#%t generally attain !ery
;hard< >hanai %tate% $ith the %pei'ially intention to attain the%e
eFperiene%, tho#gh they an and o'ten do ari%e %pontaneo#%ly a% $ell.
The Hi%#ddhimagga and The Him#ttimagga Cle%% enylopedi and
harder to 'ind "#t m#h more reada"leE "oth %pell o#t ho$ to attain
;p%yhi po$er%< in great depth and detail. Go# o#ld al%o he& o#t
Bhante B#naratanaI% eFellent $or&, The /ath o' ,erenity and In%ight.
,imply 'ollo$ the diretion% and eFplore, a% they are a% a#rate it get%.
*ne %ho#ld al%o %ee ,#tta U2, The -r#it% o' the (omele%% 2i'e, in The
2ong Di%o#r%e% o' the B#ddha, 'or more in'ormation on all o' the
onentration %tate% and p%yhi po$er%.
.hile magial or mythial thin&ing i% generally !ery #nhelp'#l on
the %pirit#al path, it m#%t "e admitted that it i% the only &ind o' thin&ing
that an ma&e m#h %en%e o' the%e %ort% o' eFperiene%. (o$e!er, &no$
$hen to t#rn it on and $hen to %h#t it o''. I' yo# are doing D#ngian
p%yhotherapy, %hamani path$or&ing, $or&ing #p the Tree o' 2i'e or
thro#gh the Tarot, or %imilar $or&, thin& a% magially and mythially a%
yo# $i%h. It might at#ally "e !ery help'#l. I' yo# are trying to do mo%t
other thing%, donItK
.hile Thera!ada B#ddhi%m learly %tate% ho$ to o"tain the
;p%yhi po$er%,< it doe% not %ay m#h a"o#t ho$ to #%e them, the
"ene'it% o' them, or their danger%. Tantra and many other tradition%
C%#h a% %ome o' the %hamani tradition%E do a m#h "etter >o" o'
dealing $ith the%e. *ne might al%o he& o#t the later $riting% o' Carlo%
Ca%tanada $hen he $a% not %o 'a%inated $ith hall#inogen% C%#h a%
The Art o' DreamingE, go to an a%hram that 'o#%e% on the%e a%pet% o'
%pirit#al training, or he& o#t tradition% %#h a% Ceremonial Magi&,
.ia, Thelema, the Bolden Da$n, and the A.I.A.I..
135
+ote, I $ill #%e the $ord magi& $ith a ;&< at time% d#e to "eing
in'l#ened "y thi% and related tradition%, a% they ad!oate ma&ing a
di%tintion "et$een %ho$ magi Cill#%ion% "a%ed on mehani%m% and
%light o' handE and the territory o' the po$er% or real magi&. Donald
Mihael JraigI% Modern Magi& i% a la%%i on the %#">et, a% are the
$or&% o' Alei%ter Cro$ley. *pinion% on Cro$ley !ary $idely, "#t "#ried
in hi% 'r#%trating $or&% i% gold that i% hard to 'ind el%e$here. De%pite all
hi% )#ir&% and 'ailing%, I ha!e a deep appreiation 'or many %ynhreti
a%pet% o' hi% $or& and the depth% o' hi% dediation to ma&ing
meditation and magi& ae%%i"le.
It i% al%o po%%i"le to #%e the eFperiene% o' the p%yhi po$er%,
parti#larly the !i%ion% and tra!eling o#t o' "ody, a% a "a%i% 'or in%ight
pratie "y the %tandard method o' "are %en%ate in!e%tigation $ith a
'o#% on the Three Charateri%ti% o' tho%e %en%ation%, a% they ari%e o#t
o' eFtremely high le!el% o' larity and onentration. The%e eFperiene%
an al%o "e %o other$orldly in ontent that o#r normal 'iFation% and
preo#pation% may "e le't "ehind. EFperiene% o' in%ight in the%e
realm% an "e %taggering and a$e%ome. They are not %oon 'orgotten.
Tantri !i%#aliLation pratie% at their "e%t ma&e po$er'#l #%e o' thi%
'at. By de'inition, i' yo# ha!e !i%#aliLed a 4D intelligent entity that i%
doing it% o$n thing, yo# are in %trong onentration in the 'o#rth >hana
and it i% >#%t a )#e%tion o' %eeing the Three Charateri%ti% o' that to get
%ome %erio#% in%ight.
;/%yhi po$er%< an al%o ari%e %pontaneo#%ly 'rom in%ight pratie,
parti#larly at %tage 3. The Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay and %ometime% at
%tage 11. E)#animity C%ee The /rogre%% o' In%ight laterE. .hile the
'o#rth >hana i% traditionally %aid to "e the "a%i% 'or the p%yhi po$er%,
%imply getting %o %trongly into the 'ir%t >hana that yo# an no longer
perei!e a "ody o#pled $ith the pre!io#% intention to ha!e the%e
eFperiene% an %ometime% "e a %#''iient to ma&e them o#r. Bet
really into the >hana, lea!e it, re%ol!e to ha!e the%e eFperiene%, and %ee
$hat happen%. :epeat a% nee%%ary. I' that doe%nIt $or&, learn to
!i%#aliLe the olor% $hite, "l#e, red and yello$ learly a% %ta"le
eFperiene% and then repeat the a"o!e in%tr#tion. I' that doe%nIt $or&,
'ind the rare teaher $ho $ill at#ally g#ide yo# into thi% e%oteri
territory. Better, 'ind a good teaher "e'ore getting into thi% territoryK
160
I' all o' that i% not eno#gh, here i% my "e%t ad!ie 'or $or&ing $ith
the po$er% 'ormally. *ne yo# ha!e eno#gh onentration to get into
hard 'o#rth >hana $ith a range o' o">et% and olor%, hereI% traditional
B#ddhi%t Magi& 101 $ith %ome pratial point% thro$n in0
1. Ma&e the "a%e% lean, meaning "athe )#ietly and p#t on lean
lothe%. Thi% in%tr#tion help% "#t i% not nee%%ary.
2. -ind a %#ita"le plae to $or&, meaning a plae that i% )#iet and
'ree o' di%tration%. I' yo# anIt 'ind %#h a plae or yo# 'eel
ompelled to do magi& in le%% than optimal ir#m%tane%
C%#h a% in p#"li on the 'lyE, o"!io#%ly %&ip thi% %tep.
4. Thin& the $hole thing thro#gh "e'ore yo# proeed. +e!er, e!er
%&ip thi% %tep i' yo# an po%%i"ly help it. Thi% %tep not only help%
to &eep yo# 'rom %erio#%ly %re$ing #p, it i% at#ally part o' the
%pell and a !ery important part o' the %et8#p. E%%ential thing% to
inl#de are0
a. $hat yo# are a%&ing 'or,
". ho$ to phra%e it or intend it, "eing a% %pei'i a% yo#
po%%i"ly an,
. $hy yo# are a%&ing 'or that, parti#larly i' there i% %ome
more '#ndamental de%ire yo# hope to '#l'ill that yo#
%ho#ld 'o#% on $hile letting the le%% important %pei'i%
happen a% they may,
d. eFatly $ho or $hat i% in!ol!ed,
e. and e!ery %ingle po%%i"le good and "ad rami'iation o'
$hat yo# are a"o#t to do that yo# an po%%i"ly thin& o'.
:eally ta&e yo#r time $ith thi% one, !i%#aliLing the $hole
thing o#t in time and %pae a% 'ar a% it o#ld po%%i"ly go.
'. +ote0 i' the ethi% o' $hat yo# are going to do 'eel at all
%trange in any part o' yo#r "eing, parti#larly yo#r heart
or g#t, yo# pro"a"ly need to go "a& #p to the top and
rethin& the $hole thing $hile loo&ing at the pro"lem
'rom other point% o' !ie$.
3. :i%e 'rom the 'ir%t to the 'o#rth >hana. B#ild eah one #p
are'#lly and '#lly along the $ay %o that yo# ha!e a good
'o#ndation 'rom $hih to $or&. Tho%e $ho an ae%% the
'ormle%% realm% Cdi%#%%ed %hortlyE might ri%e all the $ay
161
thro#gh them a% $ell. Then lea!e the 'o#rth Cor eighthE >hana
and 'ormally intend to ma&e $hate!er yo# $ant to o#r
happen, $hih i% to %ay let the '#ll energy o' yo#r intention 'ly
$itho#t he%itation or re%traint. I' yo# are going to do thi%, ma&e
%#re yo# ommit to it, $hih i% $hy the third %tep i% %o
important.
6. 2et it go and %ee $hat happen%.
*ne la%t $arning on the po$er%0 doing the%e thing% in the pri!ate i%
one thing, doing magi&al thing% in p#"li that in!ol!e other people i%
%omething el%e entirely. I' yo# do o!ert p#"li magi& or di%rete p#"li
magi&, yo# are "o#nd to r#n into %omeone el%eI% paradigm%, !al#e%,
and %et% o' "elie'% a"o#t ho$ the $orld i% and $hat i% po%%i"le that are
not in alignment $ith yo#r o$n. The potential 'or "ad reation% 'rom
other% i% !ery real 'or a large n#m"er o' rea%on%. Con%ider the long,
%trange relation%hip "et$een the .e%tern main%tream point o' !ie$ and
e!erything 'rom $ithra't to rime %ol!ing p%yhi%. In %hort, i' yo# do
'ormal magi& and anyone el%e 'ind% o#t a"o#t it or thin&% they $ere
a''eted "y it, "e ready 'or the po%%i"ility o' %erio#% "a&la%h and 'allo#t.
The 'ormle%% realm% are the la%t option one an 'ollo$ 'rom the
'o#rth >hana, and they an de'initely "e !ery #%e'#l 'or p#tting thing%
into per%peti!e and %orting o#t a 'e$ detail% a"o#t ;a$arene%%< Ca% $ill
"e mentioned "elo$E. Be'ore I go into the 'ormle%% realm%, I $ill digre%%
'or >#%t a moment to a "rie' and "elated di%#%%ion o'...
162
22.NO!SELF VS. TRUE SELF
Thi% i% one o' tho%e )#e%tion% that tend% to ari%e $hen (ind#i%m or
Chri%tianity ome in ontat $ith B#ddhi%m. (o$e!er, perhap% it
%ho#ld ari%e more $hen B#ddhi%m i% thin&ing a"o#t it%el'. I inl#de thi%
di%#%%ion here "ea#%e it addre%%e% %ome point% that are #%e'#l 'or later
and pre!io#% di%#%%ion%. Tr#e ,el' and no8%el' are at#ally tal&ing
a"o#t the %ame thing, >#%t 'rom di''erent per%peti!e%. Eah an "e
#%e'#l, "#t eah i% an eFtreme. Tr#ly, the tr#th i% a Middle .ay
"et$een the%e and i% inde%ri"a"le, "#t I $ill try to eFplain it any$ay in
the hope that it may %#pport at#al pratie. It may %eem odd to p#t a
hapter that deal% $ith the 'r#it% o' in%ight pratie% in the middle o'
de%ription% o' the %amatha >hana%, "#t hope'#lly $hen yo# read the
neFt hapter yo# $ill #nder%tand $hy it 'all% $here it doe%.
-or all yo# intellet#al% o#t there, the $ay in $hih thi% hapter i%
mo%t li&ely to %#pport pratie i% to "e ompletely inomprehen%i"le
and th#% #%ele%%. Ironially, I ha!e tried to ma&e thi% hapter !ery lear,
and in doing %o ha!e ra'ted a me%% o' paradoFe%. In one o' hi% play%,
,ha&e%peare p#t% philo%opher% on par $ith la$yer%. In term% o' in%ight
pratie, a la$yer $ho i% terri"le at in%ight pratie% "#t trie% to do them
any$ay i% !a%tly %#perior to a $orld8la%% philo%opher $ho i% merely an
intellet#al ma%ter o' thi% theory "#t pratie% not at all.
:emem"er that the %pirit#al li'e i% %omething yo# do and hope'#lly
#nder%tand "#t not %ome dotrine to "elie!e. Tho%e o' yo# $ho are
intere%ted in the 'ormal B#ddhi%t dogmati anti8dogma %ho#ld he&
o#t the parti#larly pro'o#nd %#tta%, U1, The :oot o' All Thing%, in The
Middle 2ength Di%o#r%e% o' the B#ddha, a% $ell a% %#tta U1, The
,#preme +et C.hat the Teahing i% +otE, in The 2ong Di%o#r%e% o'
the B#ddha.
Again, realiLe that all o' thi% lang#age i% "a%ially #%ele%% in the end
and prone to not ma&ing m#h %en%e. *nly eFamination o' o#r reality
$ill help #% to at#ally diretly #nder%tand thi%, "#t it $ill not "e in a $ay
ae%%i"le to the rational mind. +othing in the ontent o' o#r tho#ght%
an really eFplain the eFperiene o' the #nder%tanding I am a"o#t to
point to, tho#gh there i% %omething in the diret eFperiene o' tho%e
tho#ght% that might re!eal it. E!erything that I am a"o#t to try to eFplain
+o8%el' !%. Tr#e ,el'
here an "eome a great entangling net o' #%ele%% !ie$% $itho#t diret
in%ight.
Many o' the >#!enile and tedio#% di%p#te% "et$een the !ario#%
in%ight tradition% re%#lt 'rom 'iFation on the%e onept% and
inappropriate adherene to only one %ide o' the%e apparent paradoFe%.
+ot %#rpri%ingly, the%e di%p#te% "et$een in%ight tradition% generally ari%e
'rom tho%e $ith little or no in%ight. *ne lear mar& o' the de!elopment
o' tr#e in%ight i% that the%e paradoFe% lo%e their po$er to on'#%e and
o"%#re. They "eome tool% 'or "alaned in)#iry and in%tr#tion,
"ea#ti'#l poetry, intimation% o' the heart o' the %pirit#al li'e and o' oneI%
o$n diret and non8onept#al eFperiene o' it.
+o8%el' teahing% diretly o#nter the %en%e that there i% a %eparate
$ather, and that thi% $ather i% an ;I< that i% in ontrol, o"%er!ing
reality or %#">et to the tri"#lation% o' the $orld. Tr#ly, thi% i% a #%e'#l
ill#%ion to o#nter. (o$e!er, i' mi%#nder%tood, thi% teahing an
prod#e a %hado$ %ide that ree&% o' nihili%m, di%engagement $ith li'e
and denial. /eople an get all 'iFated on eliminating a ;%el',< $hen the
empha%i% i% %#ppo%ed to "e on the $ord% ;%eparate< and ;permanent,<
a% $ell a% on the ill#%ion that i% "eing reating. A "etter $ay to %ay thi%
$o#ld "e, ;%topping the proe%% o' mentally reating the ill#%ion o' a
%eparate %el' 'rom %en%ation% that are inherently non8d#al, #tterly
tran%ient and th#% empty o' any %eparate, permanent %el'.<
E!en i' yo# get eFtremely enlightened, yo# $ill %till "e here 'rom a
on!entional point o' !ie$, "#t yo# $ill al%o "e >#%t an interdependent
and intimate part o' thi% #tterly tran%ient #ni!er%e, >#%t a% yo# at#ally
al$ay% ha!e "een. The h#ge and yet %#"tle di''erene i% that thi% $ill "e
&no$n diretly and learly. The lang#age ;eliminating yo#r ego< i%
%imilarly mi%#nder%tood mo%t o' the time.
Go# %ee, there are phy%ial phenomena and mental phenomena, a%
$ell a% the ;on%io#%ne%%< or mental eho o' the%e, $hih i% al%o in the
ategory o' mental phenomena. The%e are >#%t phenomena, and all
phenomena are not a permanent, %eparate %el', a% they all hange and
are all intimately interdependent. They are %imply ;a$are,< i.e. mani'e%t,
$here they are $itho#t any o"%er!er o' them at all. The "o#ndarie% that
%eem to di''erentiate %el' 'rom not8%el' are ar"itrary and onept#al, i.e.
163
+o8%el' !%. Tr#e ,el'
not the tr#e nat#re o' thing%. ,aid another $ay, reality i% intimately
interdependent and non8d#al, li&e a great oean.
There i% al%o ;a$arene%%<, "#t a$arene%% i% not a thing or loaliLed
in a parti#lar plae, %o to e!en %ay ;there i% al%o a$arene%%< i% already a
tremendo#% pro"lem, a% it implie% %eparatene%% and eFi%tene $here
none an "e 'o#nd. To "e really philo%ophially orret a"o#t it,
"orro$ing hea!ily 'rom +agar>#na, a$arene%% annot "e %aid to 'it any
o' the 'ollo$ing de%ription%0 that it eFi%t%, that it doe% not eFi%t, that it
"oth eFi%t% and doe% not eFi%t, that it neither eFi%t% nor doe%nIt eFi%t. D#%t
%o, in tr#th, it annot "e %aid that0 $e are a$arene%%, that $e are not
a$arene%%, that $e are "oth a$arene%% and not a$arene%%, or e!en that
$e are neither a$arene%% nor not a$arene%%. .e o#ld go thro#gh the
%ame pattern $ith $hether or not phenomena are intrin%ially l#mino#%.
-or the %a&e o' di%#%%ion, and in &eeping $ith %tandard B#ddhi%t
tho#ght, a$arene%% i% permanent and #nhanging. It i% al%o %aid that,
;All thing% ari%e 'rom it, and all thing% ret#rn to it,< tho#gh again thi%
implie% a 'al%e ertainty a"o#t %omething $hih i% at#ally impenetra"ly
my%terio#% and miFing the onept o' in'inite potential $ith a$arene%% i%
a notorio#%ly dangero#% "#%ine%%. .e o#ld all it ;Bod,< ;+ir!ana,<
;The Tao,< ;The Hoid,< ;Allah,< ;Jri%hna,< ;Intrin%i 2#mino%ity,<
;B#ddha +at#re,< ;B#ddha,< ;B#""a< or >#%t ;a$arene%%< a% long a% $e
realiLe the a"o!e a!eat%, e%peially that it i% not a thing or loaliLed in
any parti#lar plae and ha% no de'ina"le )#alitie%. A$arene%% i%
%ometime% onept#aliLed a% per!ading all o' thi% $hile not "eing all o'
thi%, and %ometime% onept#aliLed a% "eing inherent in all o' thi% $hile
not "eing anything in parti#lar. +either i% )#ite tr#e, tho#gh "oth
per%peti!e% an "e #%e'#l.
I' yo# 'ind yo#r%el' adopting any 'iFed idea a"o#t $hat $e are alling
;a$arene%%< here, try al%o adopting it% logial oppo%ite to try to ahie!e
%ome %en%e o' diret in)#i%iti!e paradoFial im"alane that %ha&e% 'iFed
!ie$% a"o#t thi% %t#'' and point% to %omething "eyond the%e limited
onept%. Thi% i% inredi"ly #%e'#l ad!ie 'or dealing $ith all teahing%
a"o#t ;Altimate :eality.< I $o#ld al%o reommend loo&ing into the tr#e
nat#re o' the %en%ation% that ma&e #p philo%ophial %pe#lation and all
%en%ation% o' )#e%tioning.
166
+o8%el' !%. Tr#e ,el'
.hile phenomena are in 'l#F 'rom their ari%ing to their pa%%ing,
there i% a$arene%% o' them. Th#%, a$arene%% i% not the%e o">et%, a% it i%
not a thing, nor i% it %eparate 'rom the%e o">et%, a% there $o#ld "e no
eFperiene i' thi% $ere %o. By eFamining o#r reality >#%t a% it i%, $e may
ome to #nder%tand thi%.
-#rther, phenomena do not eFi%t in the %en%e o' a"iding in a 'iFed
$ay 'or any length o' time, and th#% are #tterly tran%itory, and yet the
la$% that go!ern the '#ntioning o' thi% #tter tran%iene hold. That
phenomena do not eFi%t doe% not mean that there i% not a reality, "#t
that thi% reality i% ompletely inon%tant, eFept 'or a$arene%%, $hih i%
not a thing. Thi% ma&e% no %en%e to the rational mind, "#t that i% ho$ it
i% $ith thi% %t#''.
*ne teahing that ome% o#t o' the Thera!ada that an "e help'#l i%
that there are Three Altimate Dharma% or #ltimate a%pet% o' reality0
materiali ty Cthe %en%ation% o' the 'ir%t 'i!e %en%e door%E, mentalit y Call
mental %en%ation%E and +i r!ana Ctho#gh they $o#ld all it ;+i""ana,<
$hih i% the /ali e)#i!alent o' the ,an%&ritE. In %hort, thi% i% at#ally it,
and ;that< $hih i% "eyond thi% i% al%o it. +otie that ;a$arene%%< i%
de'initely not on thi% li%t. It might "e onept#aliLed a% "eing all three
C'rom a Tr#e ,el' point o' !ie$E, or )#i&ly di%arded a% "eing a #%ele%%
onept that %olidi'ie% a %en%e o' a %eparate or loaliLed ;$ather< C'rom
the no8%el' point o' !ie$E.
B#ddhi%m al%o ontain% a %trangely large n#m"er o' Tr#e ,el'
teahing%, tho#gh i' yo# told mo%t B#ddhi%t% thi% they $o#ld gi!e yo# a
good %olding. Many o' the%e ha!e their origin% in (ind# Hedanta and
(ind# Tantra. All the tal& o' B#ddha +at#re, the Bodhi%att!a Ho$, and
that %ort o' thing are Tr#e ,el' teahing%. Tr#e ,el' teahing% point o#t
that thi% ;a$arene%%< i% ;$ho $e are,< "#t it i%nIt a thing, %o it i% not %el'.
They al%o point o#t that $e at#ally are all the%e phenomena, rather
than all o' the%e phenomena "eing %een a% %omething o"%er!ed and th#%
not %el', $hih they are al%o a% they are #tterly tran%ient and not
a$arene%%. Thi% teahing an help %t#dent% at#ally eFamine their reality
>#%t a% it i% and %ort o' ;inha"it it< in a hone%t and reali%ti $ay, or it an
a#%e them to ling to thing% a% ;%el'< i' they mi%#nder%tand thi%
teahing. I $ill try again...
167
+o8%el' !%. Tr#e ,el'
Go# %ee, a% all phenomena are o"%er!ed, they annot po%%i"ly "e
the o"%er!er. Th#%, the o"%er!er, $hih i% a$arene%% and not any o' the
phenomena pretending to "e it, annot po%%i"ly "e a phenomenon and
th#% i% not loaliLed and doe%nIt eFi%t. Thi% i% no8%el'. (o$e!er, all o'
the%e phenomena are at#ally #% 'rom the point o' !ie$ o' non8d#ality
and interonnetedne%%, a% the ill#%ion o' d#ality i% >#%t an ill#%ion.
.hen the ill#%ion o' d#ality permanently ollap%e% in 'inal a$a&ening,
all that i% le't i% all o' the%e phenomena, $hih i% Tr#e ,el', i.e. the la&
o' a %eparate %el' and th#% >#%t all o' thi% a% it i%. :emem"er, ho$e!er,
that no phenomena a"ide 'or e!en an in%tant, and %o are empty o'
permanent a"iding and th#% o' %ta"le eFi%tene.
Thi% all "ring% me to one o' my 'a!orite $ord%, ;non8d#al,< a $ord
that mean% that "oth d#ality and #nity 'ail to learly de%ri"e #ltimate
reality. A% ;a$arene%%< i% in %ome $ay %eparate 'rom and #na''eted "y
phenomena, $e anIt %ay that that #nity i% the tr#e an%$er. Aniti!e
eFperiene% ari%e o#t o' %trong onentration and an ea%ily 'ool people
into thin&ing they are the 'inal an%$er. They are not.
That %aid, it i% "ea#%e ;a$arene%%< i% not a phenomena, thing or
loaliLed in any plae that yo# anIt %ay that d#ality i% tr#e. A d#ality
implie% %omething on "oth %ide%, an o"%er!er and an o"%er!ed.
(o$e!er, there i% no phenomenal o"%er!er, %o d#ality doe% not hold #p
#nder are'#l in!e%tigation. Antil $e ha!e a lot o' '#ndamental in%ight,
the %en%e that d#ality i% tr#e an "e !ery ompelling and an a#%e all
%ort% o' tro#"le. .e eFtrapolate 'al%e d#alitie% 'rom %en%ation% #ntil $e
are !ery highly enlightened.
Th#%, the $ord ;non8d#al< i% an inherently paradoFial term, one
that on'o#nd% rea%on and e!en o#r #rrent eFperiene o' reality. I' $e
aept the $or&ing hypothe%i% that non8d#ality i% tr#e, then $e $ill "e
a"le to ontin#e to re>et "oth #niti!e and d#ali%ti eFperiene% a% the
tr#e an%$er and ontin#e to $or& to$ard% a$a&ening. Thi% i% pro"a"ly
the mo%t pratial appliation o' di%#%%ion% o' no8%el' and Tr#e ,el'.
+o8%el' and Tr#e ,el' are really >#%t t$o %ide% o' the %ame oin.
There i% a great little poem "y one Jal# :inpohe that goe% %omething
li&e0
.e li!e in ill#%ion
And the appearane o' thing%.
167
+o8%el' !%. Tr#e ,el'
There i% a reality0
.e are that reality.
.hen yo# #nder%tand thi%,
Go# $ill %ee that yo# are nothing.
And, "eing nothing,
Go# are e!erything.
That i% all.
There are many 'ine poem% on %imilar theme% pre%ented in ,ogyal
:inpoheI% The Ti"etan Boo& o' 2i!ing and Dying. It i% "ea#%e $e are
none o' thi% that 'reedom i% po%%i"le. It i% "ea#%e $e are all o' thi% that
ompa%%ionate ation 'or all "eing% and o#r%el!e% i% %o important. To
tr#ly #nder%tand thi% moment i% to tr#ly #nder%tand "oth, $hih i% the
Middle .ay "et$een the%e t$o eFtreme% C%ee +i%argadattaI% I Am That
'or a !ery do$n8to8earth di%#%%ion o' the%e i%%#e%E. .hile only in%ight
pratie% $ill aompli%h thi%, there are %ome onentration attainment%
Cthe la%t 'o#r >hana% or -ormle%% :ealm%E that an really help p#t thing%
in proper per%peti!e, tho#gh they do not diretly a#%e deep in%ight%
and a$a&ening #nle%% the tr#e nat#re o' the %en%ation% that ma&e them
#p i% #nder%tood.
169
24.THE FORMLESS REALMS
The 'ormle%% realm% ne!er 'ail to impre%% and amaLe. They an al%o
"e ta&en to "e m#h more %igni'iant than they really are. The tri& i% to
ome to a "alaned #nder%tanding o' $hat they are and $hat they arenIt,
$hat they are #%e'#l 'or and $hat they do not aompli%h. Thi% i% not
al$ay% ea%y.
B*A+D2E,, ,/ACE, T(E -I-T( D(A+A
To attain thi% %tate, one %imply ontin#e% to #lti!ate the 'o#rth
>hana and "egin% to not pay attention to the o">et% in the meditation
%pae "#t gently to %pae it%el'. (o$ "ig i% reality= T#ning into the
panorami )#ality o' attention it%el' $hen in the 'o#rth >hana an "e
!ery help'#l. Thi% i% )#ite a 'ine line, "#t it an de'initely "e done.
-orm% then %lip a$ay li&e gho%t% into thin air, and the mind t#rn% to
"o#ndle%% %pae, the 'i'th >hana, a% the o">et o' onentration.
Thi% >hana i% o'ten alled ;In'inite ,pae<, a% the neFt one i% o'ten
alled ;In'inite Con%io#%ne%%<, "#t I pre'er the $ord ;"o#ndle%%<
"ea#%e it i% m#h lo%er to the at#al eFperiene o' the%e %tage%. /eople
imagine that they might %im#ltaneo#%ly perei!e the $hole o' %pae, "#t
$hat at#ally happen% i% that the perept#al "o#ndarie% drop a$ay and a
!ery #niti!e openne%% pre!ail%. Thi% open )#ality it%el' "eome% the
primary 'o#% rather than $hat i% #ni'ied in that openne%%. Thi% a%pet
$a% already pre%ent in the 3
th
Dhana, "#t no$ it ome% to the 'ore. The
%ame i% tr#e o' the neFt 'ormle%% realm.
Thi% i% not nee%%arily a% per'etly lean a% it %o#nd%, depending on
ho$ %olidly one in thi% %tate, "#t it %till )#ite %peta#lar. .hen thi% %tate
i% really #lti!ated, all or mo%t image% and %en%e o' a "ody are gone, and
almo%t all that i% le't i% !a%tne%%. There i% %till tho#ght and the ill#%ion o'
a %eparate %el', i.e. d#ality, "#t the mind i% eFtremely )#iet and the
d#ality %#"tle. The e)#animity 'rom the 3th Dhana remain%, a% the
'ormle%% realm% #%e thi% %tate a% their 'o#ndation. ,o#nd% might %till "e
notiea"le depending on the depth o' the %tate. +ote, i' one attain% thi%
%tate $hile meditating $ith the eye% open it may ha!e a !ery di''erent
)#ality to it than i' the eye% are lo%ed.
-rom thi% %tate, the meditator ha% a 'e$ option%. They an get %t#&,
$hih may "e more prone to happening i' they are inorretly pratiing
The -ormle%% :ealm%
non8d#al 'ormle%% pratie% %#h a% dLoghen "y 'iFating too m#h on
the phra%e ;%pae8li&e a$arene%%.< They an al%o either go on to the
neFt 'ormle%% realm C"o#ndle%% on%io#%ne%%E or in!e%tigate thi% %tate
and th#% "egin the progre%% o' in%ight. I' thi% la%t option i% ho%en,
%peial are and eFtreme prei%ion m#%t "e gi!en to eah and e!ery
in%tant that the many %en%ation% that ma&e #p the pereption o' %pae,
%ilene or e)#animity are perei!ed %o a% to %ee eah o' the%e
eFperiene% ari%e and pa%% ompletely in eah in%tant, not %ati%'y, and
not "e %el'.
It may %eem odd to thin& o' the %en%ation% o' %pae ari%ing and
pa%%ing a$ay eah in%tant, "#t %pae i% a onditioned a%pet o' relati!e
reality, and i% th#% impermanent li&e all other a%pet% o' eFperiential
reality. Thi% an "e an important attainment, a% it lari'ie% that
a$arene%%, that non8thing that i% o'ten de%ri"ed a% %pae8li&e, i% at#ally
not e!en %pae, tho#gh it i% not %eparate 'rom %pae, a% in the hapter
alled +o8%el' !%. Tr#e ,el'.
There are 'e$ thing% )#ite a% odd, pro'o#nd, and po%%i"ly
di%onerting a% in!e%tigating the 'ir%t three 'ormle%% realm% and
perei!ing them %tro"e in and o#t o' eFi%tene, "#t thi% i% po$er'#l
pratie and a !ery !al#a"le and high attainment. Again, thi% %tate may
"e le't and in%ight pratie% "eg#n $ith the "ene'it% o' the re%id#e o' thi%
%tate alming, opening and %ta"iliLing the mind 'or a %hort time a'ter it
end%.
B*A+D2E,, C*+,CI*A,+E,,, T(E ,IXT( D(A+A
I' the meditator $i%he% to go '#rther into the 'ormle%% realm%, then
they %ho#ld ontin#e to #lti!ate attention to "o#ndle%% %pae and "egin
to notie that they are on%io#% o' all o' it, and th#% %pae i% 'illed $ith
on%io#%ne%%. A% %ome point the mind $ill a"andon "o#ndle%% %pae
and %hi't to perei!ing "o#ndle%% on%io#%ne%%, the %iFth >hana. Thi%
an 'eel o#trageo#%ly #niti!e, a% on%io#%ne%% %eem% to 'ill the $hole
#ni!er%e. ,pae "eome% ;l#mino#%,< and thi% an "e on'#%ed $ith
de%ription% o' the '#ndamental l#mino%ity o' a$arene%% and $ith non8
d#ality, tho#gh thi% i% de'initely not the attainment o' the #nder%tanding
o' tho%e. Again, e)#animity pre!ail%. Thi% %tate ha% a %en%e o' pre%ene
to it that "o#ndle%% %pae doe%nOt. It i% al%o a great %taging gro#nd 'or
eFploration o' the ;p%yhi po$er%.<
170
The -ormle%% :ealm%
-rom here the meditator ha% !ario#% option%. They an get %t#&,
$hih an happen 'airly ea%ily i' they are mi%ta&ing dLoghen or other
non8d#al 'ormle%% pratie% 'or meditation on the onentration o">et
o' "o#ndle%% on%io#%ne%%, again d#e to mi%#nder%tanding or
o!erempha%iLing the phra%e ;%pae8li&e a$arene%%.< They an al%o go
on to #lti!ate the neFt 'ormle%% realm Cnothingne%%E, or they an
in!e%tigate "o#ndle%% on%io#%ne%% and then "egin the progre%% o'
in%ight.
-or thi% la%t option, eFtremely are'#l attention m#%t "e gi!en to
eah moment that the %en%ation% that ma&e #p the pereption% o'
on%io#%ne%%, !a%tne%%, or e)#animity ari%e and pa%% a$ay. Breat
prei%ion m#%t "e gi!en to the 'at that the%e %en%ation% do not %ati%'y
and annot "e %el' or imply a %eparate %el'. Bea#%e o' ho$
'#ndamentally di%onerting C#n%ati%'atoryE it an "e to ha!e the three
ill#%ion% %hattered at thi% le!el o' larity and %impliity, thi% i% not an ea%y
pratie "#t an "e !ery po$er'#l. It i% at#ally m#h more li&ely that
%#h in%ight% into the tr#e nat#re o' the three 'ir%t 'ormle%% realm% $ill
ari%e %pontaneo#%ly d#e to pre!io#% %&ill'#l in%ight pratie%.
Again, eFperiening "o#ndle%% on%io#%ne%% %tro"ing in and o#t o'
reality an "e pro'o#ndly help'#l in on!ining #% that e!en "o#ndle%%
on%io#%ne%% that 'ill% the !a%tne%% o' %pae i% not a$arene%%, tho#gh
a$arene%% annot "e %aid to "e %eparate 'rom on%io#%ne%%. .hat i%
o"%er!ing "o#ndle%% on%io#%ne%% %tro"e in and o#t o' reality= +o$,
there i% a )#e%tion, perhap% The T#e%tion.
+*T(I+B+E,,, T(E ,EHE+T( D(A+A
I' the meditator $i%he% to attain to the neFt 'ormle%% realm, that o'
nothingne%%, they %imply #lti!ate the >hana o' "o#ndle%% on%io#%ne%%
and di%enhant them%el!e% $ith the !a%tne%% and l#mino%ity o' that %tate.
E!ent#ally, the mind $ill a"andon the%e and %hi't to the >hana o'
nothingne%%. To imagine thi% %tate, imagine %pae $ith all o' the light%
ompletely o#t, %o that there i% no !a%tne%%, and almo%t no %en%ation%
other than tho%e o' nothingne%%. It i% almo%t a% tho#gh attention i% o#t o'
pha%e $ith nearly all phenomena eFept tho%e that imply nothingne%%.
They are %till there %ome$here, "#t they are not "eing attended to.
Thi% >hana i% di''erent 'rom the pre!io#% t$o 'ormle%% realm% in that
they are )#ite pre%ent to reality in %ome $ay and panorami in
171
The -ormle%% :ealm%
per%peti!e, $herea% nothingne%% i% more t#rned a$ay 'rom phenomena
and perhap% more 'o#%ed in %ome $ay. There i%, ho$e!er, %ome !ery
%#"tle tho#ght and %ome eFtremely %#"tle %en%e o' a %eparate %el'. +ote
$ell, nothingne%% i% a"%ol#tely not emptine%%, tho#gh it i% empty, "#t thi%
i% not the attainment o' thi% #nder%tanding. (o$e!er, one an ea%ily "e
on!ined that thi% i% emptine%% d#e to the eFtreme pro'#ndity o' it.
A% "e'ore, thi% >hana an ha!e di''erent degree% o' inten%ity to it.
E!en $hen one i% not %trongly in it, there i% a %en%e o' "eing o#t o'
pha%e $ith reality, li&e "eing di%%oiated. :eality i% there, "#t yo# ha!e
t#ned it o#t on yo#r radio. +ote $ell, thi% i% !ery di''erent 'rom >#%t
"eing ;t#ned o#t< in the ollo)#ial %en%e.
.hile e)#animity pre!ail%, thi% %tate an "e a "it %ary at 'ir%t, and
thi% an a#%e %ome in%ta"ility o' thi% %tate. +o$ e!en on%io#%ne%% and
%pae are "a%ially gone. (o$e!er, there i% %till a$arene%% o' thi% %tate,
indiating that there an "e a$arene%% that i% not parti#larly
on%io#%ne%% or %pae. Thi% really help% de"#n& the %en%e that
a$arene%% i% on%io#%ne%% or %pae or e!en a thing, that $e are o#r
"ody, et. That %aid, it i% not nothingne%% either. +othingne%% may "e
perei!ed, $herea% a$arene%% may not.
-rom thi% %tate, the mind may get %t#&, "#t thi% i% not )#ite a% li&ely
a% $ith the 'ir%t t$o 'ormle%% %tate%, a% thi% %tate i% )#ite re'ined "#t not
a% "reathta&ing a% the 'ir%t t$o in %ome $ay%. The meditator may then
try to mo!e on to the neFt >hana, or may in!e%tigate thi% %tate. It may
%eem inredi"le that the %en%ation% o' nothingne%% it%el' o#ld "e
o"%er!ed to ari%e and pa%%, i.e. %tro"e in and o#t o' reality, or that they
o#ld "e &no$n to not %ati%'y or not "e %el'. (o$e!er, thi% i% de'initely
po%%i"le, i' potentially )#ite di%onerting d#e to it% eFtreme pro'#ndity
and a"ility to really &i& %ome %en%e into the mind a"o#t the tr#th o'
thing%. It al%o help% de"#n& the 'al%e idea that ;The Hoid< or
;a$arene%%< i% nothingne%%. It i% not e!en thi%. :emem"er, no %en%ation
an o"%er!e another, %o anything yo# an thin& o' annot "e %aid to "e
;a$arene%%.<
By %imply paying lo%e attention to e!ery in%tant that nothingne%% or
e)#animity i% perei!ed, and $ith prei%e attention to the eFat ari%ing
and pa%%ing o' eah o' the%e, that the%e tran%ient moment% do not %ati%'y,
and that the%e neither an imp#te nor an "e a %eparate %el', the three
172
The -ormle%% :ealm%
ill#%ion% an "egin to "e penetrated in the highe%t %tate in $hih thi% an
"e aompli%hed. A% thi% i% a parti#larly %#"tle "#%ine%%, the meditator
may al%o lea!e the >hana and "egin in%ight pratie in the a'terglo$ o'
thi% %tate a% "e'ore. ,tro"ing %en%ation% o' nothingne%% are more li&ely to
ari%e d#ring the progre%% o' in%ight in the %tage alled (igh E)#animity
'or tho%e $ith !ery %trong onentration %&ill%.
+EIT(E: /E:CE/TI*+ +*: GET +*+8/E:CE/TI*+,
T(E EIB(T( D(A+A
I' the meditator $i%he% to attain the neFt >hana, they %imply hang o#t
in nothingne%% #ntil they get "ored $ith pereption entirely and
#nder%tand that e!en pereption i% %omeho$ di%onerting. Th#%, the
mind $ill e!ent#ally %hi't on it% o$n to the %tate $ith the perpleFing "#t
thoro#ghly appropriate title o' ;neither pereption nor yet non8
pereption,< herea'ter ;the eighth >hana< 'or the %a&e o' "re!ity.
Thi% %tate i% largely inomprehen%i"le, "#t it i% a"%ol#tely not
emptine%%. It i% empty, "#t thi% i% not the attainment o' that
#nder%tanding. The eighth >hana may !ery ea%ily "e on'#%ed a% "eing
emptine%%, e%peially i' it i% attained thro#gh in%ight pratie% Cremem"er
that in%ight pratie% an %im#ltaneo#%ly #lti!ate onentration and
$i%domE. There i% no rea%ona"le $ay to attempt to de%ri"e thi% %tate,
%a!e 'or that it i% a mind %tate, and th#% i% not emptine%%, a% emptine%% i%
not a mind %tate or anything el%e 'or that matter. I am tempted to %ay
that one i% %im#ltaneo#%ly 'o#%ed %o narro$ly that one notie% nothing
and yet %o "roadly that one doe%nIt notie e!en that, "#t %#h a
de%ription doe%nIt )#ite do thi% %tate >#%tie. *ne $ay or the other,
there i% omplete inattention to di!er%ity. The eighth >hana i% the highe%t
o' the %tate% o' onentration that an "e attained, ignoring the
attainment o' the e%%ation o' pereption and 'eeling, %ee the AppendiF.
It i% not po%%i"le to in!e%tigate thi% %tate, a% it i% too
inomprehen%i"le, or to mo!e to a higher %tate. Th#%, a% thi% %tate end%,
the meditator may ret#rn to lo$er %tate% or t#rn to in%ight pratie in the
a'terglo$ o' thi% %tate. It %ho#ld al%o "e noted that, in ontra%t to the
pre!io#% %e!en >hana%, the i%%#e o' ;hard< or ;%o't< >hana that relate% to
ho$ %olidly one i% in a %tate doe% not apply to the eighth >hana. Go# are
either in it or yo# are not.
174
The -ormle%% :ealm%
The eighth >hana may ha!e a ertain %ta"ility that nothingne%%
doe%nIt d#e to the ina"ility to ma&e %en%e o' it or go "eyond it. Th#%,
the mind may mo!e 'airly )#i&ly 'rom "o#ndle%% on%io#%ne%%,
thro#gh nothingne%%, and drop into the eighth >hana 'or a $hile, tho#gh
the !ag#e%t hint o' attention to anything %pei'i demoli%he% thi% %tate
in%tantly. It i% al%o po%%i"le to %ort o' dri't #p and do$n thro#gh the
!ario#% 'ormle%% realm%, and %hi'ting "a& do$n to lo$er >hana% a'ter
"eing #p in higher >hana% %#h a% thi% one an lend a great deal o'
inten%ity to them.
The eighth >hana an "e %orted o#t 'rom the attainment o'
emptine%% "y a n#m"er o' %ign% ha!ing to do $ith the $ay the entrane
to the %tate pre%ent% it%el' Ci.e. not "eing one o' the Three Door% and
th#% not relating to the rapid and lear pre%entation o' one o' the Three
Charateri%ti% three or 'o#r time% in )#i& %#e%%ionE, $hat ame
"e'ore thi% Ci.e. not the %tage% o' in%ight, %ee "elo$E and the 'at that
there i% %till %ome %#"tle %en%e o' a %tate and th#% relati!e reality.
D#%t to dri!e thi% point home, an important 'eat#re o' onentration
pratie% i% that they are not li"erating in and o' them%el!e%. E!en the
highe%t o' the%e %tate% end%. The a'terglo$ 'rom them doe% not la%t that
long, and reg#lar reality might e!en %eem li&e a "it o' an a%%a#lt $hen it
i% gone. (o$e!er, >hana8>#n&ie% %till a"o#nd, and many ha!e no idea
that thi% i% $hat they ha!e "eome. I ha!e a good 'riend $ho ha% "een
lo%t in the 'ormle%% realm% 'or o!er 20 year%, attaining them again and
again in hi% pratie, rationaliLing that he i% doing dLoghen pratie Ca
type o' in%ight pratieE $hen he i% >#%t %itting in the 3
th
87
th
>hana%,
rationaliLing that the la%t t$o 'ormle%% realm% are emptine%%, and
rationaliLing that he i% enlightened. It i% a tr#e dharma tragedy.
An'ort#nately, a% another good 'riend o' mine rightly pointed o#t, it
i% !ery hard to reah %#h people a'ter a $hile. They get tangled in
golden hain% %o "ea#ti'#l that they ha!e no idea they are e!en in
pri%on, nor do they tend to ta&e &indly to %#gge%tion% that thi% may "e
%o, parti#larly i' their identity ha% "eome "o#nd #p in their 'al%e
notion that they are a realiLed "eing. Chroni >hana8>#n&ie% are 'airly
ea%y to identi'y, e!en tho#gh they o'ten imagine that they are not. I ha!e
no pro"lem $ith people "eoming >hana8>#n&ie%, a% $e are all
pre%#ma"ly a"le to ta&e re%pon%i"ilitie% 'or o#r hoie% in li'e. (o$e!er,
173
The -ormle%% :ealm%
$hen people donIt realiLe that thi% i% $hat they ha!e "eome and
pretend that $hat they are doing ha% %omething to do $ith in%ight
pratie%, thatI% annoying and %ad.
To try to learly di''erentiate "et$een onentration pratie and
in%ight pratie, I $ill no$ gi!e a detailed de%ription o' the %tage% o'
in%ight %o that the ontra%t $ill "e a% lear a% po%%i"le. /ay are'#l
attention to ho$ di''erent the%e de%ription% are 'rom tho%e o' the p#re
onentration %tate%.
176
23.THE PROGRESS OF INSIGHT
The progre%% o' in%ight i% a %et o' %tage% that diligent meditator% pa%%
thro#gh on the path o' in%ight. ,ome o' the ;ontent "a%ed< or
p%yhologial in%ight% into o#r%el!e% an "e intere%ting and help'#l, "#t
$hen I %ay ;in%ight,< the%e %tage% are $hat I am tal&ing a"o#t. D#%t %o
that yo# ha!e %een the $hole li%t o' the name% o' the%e %tage%, the 'ormal
name% o' %tage% o' in%ight in order are0
1. Mind and Body
2. Ca#%e and E''et The pre8!ipa%%ana %tage% 1
%t
>hana
4. The Three Charateri%ti%
3. The Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay 2
nd
>hana
6. Di%%ol#tion
7. -ear
7. Mi%ery The Dar& +ight 4
rd
>hana
9. Di%g#%t Cd#&&ha Yana%E
5. De%ire 'or Deli!erane
10. :e8o"%er!ation
11. E)#animity 3
th
>hana
12. Con'ormity
14. Change o' 2ineage
13. /ath
16. -r#ition +ir!ana Cone o' t$o meaning%E
17. :e!ie$
I $ill gi!e detailed de%ription% o' them %hortly.
I $ill re'er to the%e %tage% "y their %hortened title%, their n#m"er%
and oa%ionally %hort8hand %lang. The%e are 'ormally &no$n a%
;Jno$ledge o'< and then the %tage, e.g. ;Jno$ledge o' Mind and
Body,< "#t I $ill >#%t #%e the part a'ter the ;o'.< They are al%o alled
;Yana%,< $hih mean% ;&no$ledge%<, #%#ally $ith a n#m"er, a% in ;the
-ir%t Zana.< +otie that I #%e the $ord %tage rather than %tate. The%e are
%tage% o' heightened pereption into the tr#th o' thing%, opport#nitie% to
%ee diretly ho$ thing% at#ally are, "#t they are not %eemingly %ta"le
%tate% a% $ith onentration pratie. The >hanai gro#ping% re'er to
!ipa%%ana >hana%, $hih $ill "e o!ered in more depth later, "#t they
"orro$ their per%peti!e% and ertain '#ndamental a%pet% 'rom their
The /rogre%% o' In%ight
%amatha >hana e)#i!alent%. In other $ay% they may di!erge $idely 'rom
the eFperiene o' p#re %amatha >hana%.
*ne o' the mo%t pro'o#nd thing% a"o#t the%e %tage% i% that they are
%trangely predita"le regardle%% o' the pratitioner or the in%ight
tradition. TeFt% t$o tho#%and year% old de%ri"e the %tage% >#%t the $ay
people go thro#gh them today, tho#gh there $ill "e %ome indi!id#al
!ariation on %ome o' the parti#lar% today a% then. The Chri%tian map%,
the ,#'i map%, the B#ddhi%t map% o' the Ti"etan% and the Thera!ada,
and the map% o' the Jha""ali%t% and (ind#% are all remar&a"ly
on%i%tent in their '#ndamental%. I haned into the%e la%%i
eFperiene% "e'ore I had any training in meditation, and I ha!e met a
large n#m"er o' people $ho ha!e done li&e$i%e. The%e map%, B#ddhi%t
or other$i%e, are tal&ing a"o#t %omething inherent in ho$ o#r mind%
progre%% in '#ndamental $i%dom that ha% little to do $ith any tradition
and lot% to do $ith the my%terie% o' the h#man mind and "ody. The%e
%tage% are not B#ddhi%t "#t #ni!er%al, and B#ddhi%m i% merely one o'
the tradition% that de%ri"e% them, al"eit #n#%#ally $ell.
The progre%% o' in%ight i% di%#%%ed in a n#m"er o' good "oo&%,
%#h a% Da& Jorn'ieldI% A /ath $ith (eart in the %etion alled
Di%%ol!ing the ,el', $hih I highly reomment. A !ery eFten%i!e,
thoro#gh, ae%%i"le and highly reommended treatment o' it i% gi!en in
Maha%i ,ayada$I% $or&% The /rogre%% o' In%ight and /ratial In%ight
Meditation Con B/, o#t o' ,ri 2an&aE, a partially a%trated !er%ion o'
$hih appear% in Da& Jorn'ieldI% 2i!ing Dharma. It %ho#ld "e noted
here that /ratial In%ight Meditation i% my 'a!orite dharma "oo& o' all
time $ith no lo%e ompetitor%. I' yo# an e!er lay yo#r hand% on a
opy, do %oK E!en the %etion o' it that appear% in 2i!ing Dharma i%
m#h "etter than ha!ing ae%% to none o' it at all.
,ayada$ A /anditaI% In Thi% Hery 2i'e al%o o!er% thi% territory, and
i% a "it o' a m#%t ha!e 'or tho%e $ho li&e li%t% and %traight8#p Thera!ada,
"#t he lea!e% o#t a lot o' >#iy detail%. The Hi%#ddhimagga , a 6th
Cent#ry teFt "y B#ddhagho%a, al%o doe% a nie treatment o' the%e %tage%,
and ontain% %ome intere%ting and hard to 'ind in'ormation. It 'o#%e%
largely on the emotional %ide8e''et% and th#% mi%%e% many #%e'#l point%.
Another good "#t "rie' map appear% in Hen. Jhenpo Jarthar
:inpoheI% Dharma /ath%. Go# o#ld al%o he& o#t Bhante
177
B#naratanaI% The /ath o' ,erenity and In%ight i' yo# $o#ld li&e to
&no$ the dogma $ell. It i% a thoro#gh and %holarly $or&.
Matthe$ -li&%teinI% ,$allo$ing the :i!er Bange% i% a light
treatment o' "a%i B#ddhi%t onept% and ontain% a !ery %#per'iial
treatment o' the %tage% o' in%ight. It i% &ind o' li&e $hat $o#ld happen i'
yo# onden%ed a medial %hool teFt"oo& do$n to a 6
th
grade %iene
teFt. It 'o#%e% almo%t entirely on the emotional %ide e''et% and th#%
mi%%e% a h#ge amo#nt that i% $orthy o' di%#%%ion, "#t it ome% 'rom a
good plae and i% harmle%% eno#gh. It doe%nIt add anything to the a"o!e
%o#re% "#t i% ea%y to read.
There are many le%% ae%%i"le map% o' in%ight a% $ell. The Ti"etan
Boo& o' the Dead , 2i"eration Thro#gh (earing in the Bardo re)#ire%
%ome prior 'amiliarity $ith thi% territory to %ort o#t the $ild %ym"oli
imagery. A 12th Cent#ry ,#'i map i% gi!en in Do#rney to the 2ord o'
/o$er "y I"n OAra"i, "#t again the medie!al %ym"oli%m i% %ome$hat
hard to #ntangle #nle%% yo# are already per%onally 'amiliar $ith the%e
%tage%. It al%o pro!ide% a !ery intere%ting i' )#ite rypti de%ription o'
the higher %tage% o' realiLation. ,t. Dohn o' the Cro%%I The Dar& +ight o'
The ,o#l doe% a good >o" o' dealing $ith the mo%t di''i#lt o' the in%ight
%tage%. (i% map i% alled The 2adder o' 2o!e. An'ort#nately, the
tran%lation o' the medie!al ,pani%h and thi&ne%% o' ompleF Catholi
dogma ma&e it a 'airly inae%%i"le.
I %trongly reommend that yo# on%#lt %ome o' the%e other %o#re%,
parti#larly the 'ir%t 'i!e mentioned. .hile I on%ider the treatment o'
the %tage% o' in%ight that 'ollo$% %hortly to "e "y 'ar the mo%t
omprehen%i!e and pratial eFplanation o' the %tage% o' in%ight e!er
$ritten, and I mean that hone%tly, there are %till lot% o' great point% made
in tho%e "oo&%, and yo# %ho#ld he& them o#t. There i% a h#ge
amo#nt o' !al#a"le in'ormation le't o#t in all o' the%e %o#re%, perhap%
d#e to the M#%hroom -ator, "#t perhap% d#e to %ome o' the
di''i#ltie% in de%ri"ing all the little n#ane% o' the %#">et in all it%
po%%i"le !ariation%. Th#%, $or&ing $ith a teaher $ho ha% per%onal
ma%tery o' the%e %tage% Cregardle%% o' $hat they all themE i% an
eFtremely good idea mo%t o' the time.
The model terminology I am #%ing i% 'rom the anient
ommentarie% on the /ali Canon o' the Thera!ada tradition. Thi%
179
model i% #%ed mo%tly in B#rma "#t i% al%o #%ed to %ome degree in the
other Thera!ada tradition%. Sen i% )#ite a$are o' the%e %tage%, a% all Sen
Ma%ter% had to go thro#gh them and ontin#e to do %o, "#t they tend
not to name them or tal& a"o#t them, a% i% their typial %tyle. Thi% an
"e help'#l, a% people an get all o"%e%%ed $ith the%e map%, t#rning them
into a ne$ 'orm o' #%ele%% ontent and a %o#re o' impri%oning
identi'iation and ompetition. Thi% i% the #gly %hado$ %ide o' goal8
oriented or map8"a%ed pratie, "#t it o'ten Ctho#gh not al$ay%E may "e
o!erome $ith hone%t a$arene%% o' thi% 'at.
2#&ily, i' the meditator really i% into in%ight territory, ontin#ed
orret pratie ha% a $ay o' #n%ti&ing them gi!en time. Al%o, $hen the
pro!er"ial %t#'' i% hitting the 'an, ha!ing a map aro#nd an really help
the meditator not ma&e too many o' the ommon and tempting
mi%ta&e% o' that %tage, a% $ell a% pro!ide the meditator $ith 'aith that
that they are on the right tra& $hen they hit the hard or $eird %tage%.
The%e %tage% an %igni'iantly olor or %&e$ a meditatorI% !ie$ o' their
li'e #ntil they ma%ter them, and it an "e !ery help'#l to remem"er thi%
$hen trying to na!igate thi% territory and &eep oneI% >o" and
relation%hip% '#ntioning. Tho%e $ho do not ha!e the "ene'it o' the
map% in the%e %it#ation% or $ho hoo%e to ignore them are m#h more
ea%ily "lind%ided "y the p%yhologial eFtreme% and hallenge% $hih
may %ometime% aompany %tage% %#h a% The Ari%ing and /a%%ing
A$ay and tho%e o' The Dar& +ight.
.hile many people donIt $ant to &no$ the map% 'or !ario#%
rea%on% C%#h a% their o$n #neFamined in%e#ritie%E, I %#%pet that
many more people o#ld get a lot 'arther in their pratie i' they did
&no$ them. At their !ery lea%t, the map% learly demon%trate that there
i% !a%tly more to all thi% than >#%t philo%ophy or p%yhology. They al%o
learly and #nam"ig#o#%ly point to ho$ the game i% played %tep "y %tep
and %tage "y %tage, $hat one i% loo&ing 'or and more importantly $hy,
and gi!e g#ideline% 'or ho$ to a!oid %re$ing #p along the $ay. .hy
people $o#ldnIt $ant to &no$ the%e thing% i% ompletely "eyond me.
They 'ill in the >#iy detail% o' the %eemingly !a%t gap 'rom doing
%ome %eemingly "oring and %imple pratie to getting enlightened.
-#rther, pro!iding all o' thi% eFtremely prei%e in'ormation on eFatly
$hat to do p#t% the re%pon%i"ility 'or progre%% or a la& thereo' learly
175
on the meditator Ce.g. yo#E, $hih i% eFatly $here it %ho#ld "e. I' a'ter
reading thi% "oo& yo# donIt p#t thi% eFtremely po$er'#l in'ormation
into pratie, the 'a#lt i% yo#r o$n.
There i% on%idera"le e!idene that the la& o' thi% in'ormation in
in%ight tradition% that donIt #%e the map% ha% "een one o' the primary
o"%tale% to progre%%. *n the other hand, the map% an %ometime%
a#%e '#rio#% ompetition and arrogane in the tradition% that do #%e
them, a% $ell a% harm'#l 'iFation on p#rely '#t#re8oriented goal%. /lea%e,
do yo#r !ery "e%t to a!oid the%e %ort% o' pro"lem%.
The more inten%e, on%i%tent and prei%e the pratie, the ea%ier it i%
to %ee ho$ the map% apply. The more energy, 'o#% and on%i%teny i%
p#t into pratie, the more dramati and e!en o#trageo#% the%e %tage%
an "e. I' the%e %tage% #n'old o!er long period% o' time and gently, it an
"e more di''i#lt to %ee the progre%%ion thro#gh them, tho#gh it doe%
happen regardle%%. Certain empha%e% in pratie, %#h a% Maha%i
,ayada$ %tyle ;noting< pratie, parti#larly on inten%i!e retreat%, %eem
to prod#e a learer appreiation o' the map%, and %ome indi!id#al% $ill
ha!e an ea%ier time %eeing ho$ the%e map% apply than other% $ill.
Eah %tage i% mar&ed "y !ery %pei'i inrea%e% in o#r perept#al
a"ilitie%. The "a%i area% $e an impro!e in are larity, prei%ion, %peed,
on%i%teny, inl#%i!ene%% and aeptane. It i% the%e impro!ement% in
o#r perept#al a"ilitie% that are the hallmar&% o' eah %tage and the gold
%tandard "y $hih they are de'ined and &no$n. Eah %tage al%o tend% to
"ring #p mental and phy%ial rapt#re% C#n#%#al mani'e%tation%E. The%e
are 'airly predita"le at eah %tage and %ometime% !ery #ni)#e to eah
%tage. They are %eondary to the inrea%e in perept#al thre%hold% o'
$ay% "y $hih $e may >#dge $hether or not $e are in a parti#lar %tage.
Eah %tage al%o tend% to "ring #p %pei'i a%pet% o' o#r emotional
and p%yhologial ma&e#p. The%e are al%o %trangely predita"le, "#t
the%e are not a% relia"le 'or determining $hih %tage i% o#rring. They
are %#gge%ti"le, ordinary, and $ill %ho$ more !ariation 'rom per%on to
per%on. (o$e!er, $hen #%ed in on>#ntion $ith the hange% in
perept#al thre%hold and the rapt#re%, they an help #% get a learer
%en%e o' $hih %tage ha% "een attained. -#rther, the%e %tage% o#r in a
!ery predita"le order, and %o loo&ing 'or a pattern o' %tage% leading one
to the neFt an help #% get a %en%e o' $hat i% going on. Th#%, $hen
170
reading my de%ription% o' the%e %tage%, pay attention to the%e %eparate
a%pet%0 the %hi't in perept#al thre%hold, the phy%ial and mental
rapt#re%, the emotional and p%yhologial tendenie%, and the o!erall
pattern o' ho$ that %tage 'it% $ith the re%t.
,o, the meditator %it% do$n Cor lie% do$n, %tand%, et.E and "egin% to
try to eFperiene eah and e!ery %en%ation learly a% it i%. .hen the
meditator gain% eno#gh onentration to %teady the mind on the o">et
o' meditation, %omething alled ;ae%% onentration,< they may enter
the 'ir%t >hana, no$ alled the ;'ir%t !ipa%%ana >hana,< $hih i% in %ome
$ay% the %ame 'or "oth onentration pratie and in%ight pratie at the
"eginning. (o$e!er, a% they ha!e "een pratiing in%ight meditation,
they are not trying to %olidi'y thi% %tate, "#t are trying to penetrate the
three ill#%ion% "y #nder%tanding the Three Charateri%ti%.
They ha!e "een trying to %ort o#t $ith mind'#lne%% $hat i% "ody and
$hat i% mind and $hen eah i% and i%nIt there. They ha!e "een trying to
"e lear a"o#t the at#al %en%ation% that ma&e #p their $orld >#%t a% they
are. They ha!e "een trying to diretly #nder%tand the Three
Charateri%ti% moment to moment in $hate!er %en%ation% ari%e, "e it in
a re%trited area o' %pae, %#h a% the area o' the %en%ation% o' "reathing,
a mo!ing area o' %pae Ce.g. "ody8%anning pratie%E, in the $hole o'
their $orld a% i% done in hoiele%% a$arene%% pratie%, #%ing %ome
other tehni)#e or o">et, or >#%t "y "eing ali!e and paying attention.
Th#%, thi% 'ir%t %tage ha% a di''erent )#ality to it 'rom that o'
onentration pratie, and they attain to diret and lear pereption o'
the 'ir%t &no$ledge o'...
1. MI+D A+D B*DG
There i% thi% %#dden %hi't, and mental phenomena %hi't o#t a$ay
'rom the ill#%ory %en%e o' ;the $ather< and are >#%t o#t there in the
$orld $ith the %en%ation% o' the other 'i!e %en%e door%. Thi% i% an
important in%ight, a% it %ho$% #% learly and diretly that $e are not
;o#r< mind or ;o#r< "ody. It i% al%o a really nie, lear and #niti!e8
'eeling %tate Cit really i% %till more %tate8li&e than %tage8li&eE, and people
an try to hold on to it >#%t a% $ith the 'ir%t >hana and get %t#&. :eality
an %eem >#%t a "it more "rilliant the 'ir%t time one hane% into Mind
and Body. .e may 'eel more ali!e and onneted to the $orld.
171
.ith the %en%ate eFperiene o' "oth mental and phy%ial
phenomena "eing learly o"%er!a"le, the relation%hip% and interation%
"et$een the t$o "egin to "eome o"!io#%. .hat i% meant "y ;the
d#ali%ti %plit< i% !ery o"!io#% d#ring thi% 'ir%t %tage.
,ome$here aro#nd the 'ir%t %tage, either >#%t "e'ore it or %hortly
a'ter it, there may ari%e odd >a$ pain% on one %ide, throat ten%ion%, and
%ome other %#h #nplea%ant phy%ial o#rrene%. :egardle%%, it %oon
"eome% ea%y to %ee that eah %en%ation i% 'ollo$ed "y the r#de mental
impre%%ion o' it, and that intention% preede ation% and tho#ght% C%ee
the di%#%%ion o' impermanene in /art I, The Three Charateri%ti%E.
Th#%, $e ome to...
2. CAA,E A+D E--ECT
In thi% %tage, the relation%hip% "et$een mental and phy%ial
phenomena "eome !ery lear and %ometime% rathet8li&e. The >oy and
$onder o' Mind and Body ha!e le't, and no$ the interation% "et$een
the mind and "ody "eome %ome$hat mehanial %eeming. Motion%
%#h a% $al&ing or the "reath may "egin to get >er&y, a% there i% the
intention and the motion, the %en%ation and the mental impre%%ion o' it,
the a#%e and the e''et, all o#rring in a $ay $hih an %eem %ort o'
tight and ro"ot8li&e. Go# note, the "reath mo!e% >#%t a "it. Go# %top
noting, the "reath %top%. Go# note )#i&ly, the "reath >er&% )#i&ly. Go#
note %lo$ly, the "reath 'ollo$%. ,ome $ill %top noting )#i&ly or %top
noting at all, thin&ing that they are me%%ing #p the "reath. The ad!ie
here i% a% "e'ore0 note )#i&ly, and donIt $orry a"o#t $hat the "reath
doe%.
:emem"er ho$ I reommended trying to eFperiene one to ten
%en%ation% per %eond on%i%tently, noting $hih $ere mental and $hih
$ere phy%ial= At thi% %tage, the meditator i% 'inally a"le to do thi% $ith a
'air degree o' %&ill, on'idene and on%i%teny. Tho%e $ith %tronger
onentration tendenie% or a "ent to$ard% %#h thing% may notie
tho#ght% and perhap% e!en !i%ion% o' in%ight into a#%e and e''et on a
maro%opi %ale, $here pa%t ation or ir#m%tane% lead to !ario#%
on%e)#ene%, %ome e!ent lead to %ome re"irth, %ome pre!io#% li'e lead
to %omething today, and in general may get a %en%e that they are a"le to
int#it a%pet% o' the $or&ing% o' &arma in a $ay they did not "e'ore. A%
the meditator "eome% more lear a"o#t the "eginning% and ending% o'
172
eah o' the%e, a"o#t the irritation a#%ed "y thi% >er&ine%% and a"o#t the
'at that all o' thi% %eem% to "e happening 'airly on it% o$n, they ome to
diretly perei!e 'or them%el!e%...
4. T(E T(:EE C(A:ACTE:I,TIC,
The Three Charateri%ti% o' impermanene, #n%ati%'atorine%% and
egole%%ne%% or no8%el' "eome predominant, $hih i% good, a% the%e are
the '#ndamental "a%i% 'or in%ight. (ere it "egin% to "eome )#ite lear
that the%e intention% and ation%, %en%ation% and the &no$ledge o' them,
and all o' the on%tit#ent% o' thi% eFperiene are )#i&ly ari%ing and
pa%%ing, %ome$hat >arring, and not parti#larly in o#r ontrol or #%.
-#rther, a% the%e %en%ation% are all o"%er!ed, inl#ding the r#de mental
impre%%ion that 'ollo$% them C;on%io#%ne%%<E, the $hole o' the mind
and "ody proe%% i% not a %eparate %el'. It i% merely a part o' the
interdependent $orld.
The%e harateri%ti% "eome learer and learer, a% $ell a% 'a%ter
and 'a%ter, a% the meditator diligently pay% are'#l attention to eFatly
$hat i% happening at eah moment. -or tho%e doing noting pratie,
%ome$here aro#nd here yo#r %peed and prei%ion may "egin to get %o
'a%t that yo# annot note e!ery %en%ation yo# eFperiene. Mo!e to more
general noting, mono8%ylla"i noting C%#h a% ;"eep< 'or eah %en%ation
eFperiened regardle%% o' $hat it $a%E, or drop the noting entirely and
%tay $ith notiing "are %en%ation ome and go. At thi% %tage, pratie
"egin% to really ta&e o'' de%pite the 'at that thi% %tage tend% to "e 'airly
#nplea%ant.
Thi% #nplea%antne%% tend% to "e mo%tly phy%ial, tho#gh thi% %tage
an al%o a#%e n#mero#% dar& 'eeling% and a %en%e o' $anting to
reno#ne the $orld and pratie. *a%ionally, the early part o' thi%
%tage an a#%e people to 'eel !#lnera"le, ra$, and irrita"le to a %mall or
large degree in the $ay% that a migraine headahe or a "ad a%e o' /M,
an. I ha!e oa%ionally "een laid o#t on a o#h 'or ho#r% "y thi%
a%pet o' thi% %tage, holding my head and >#%t $i%hing that the%e early
%tage% didnIt %ometime% in!ol!e %o m#h pain and ang#i%h.
There may "e odd "odily t$i%ting%, o"%e%%ion $ith po%t#re, and
pain'#l ten%ion% or %trange other %en%ation%, parti#larly in the "a&,
ne&, >a$ and %ho#lder%. The%e ten%ion% may per%i%t $hen not
meditating and "e )#ite irritating and e!en de"ilitating. The rhom"oid
174
and trapeLi#% m#%le% are the mo%t ommon o''ender%. It i% ommon to
try to %it $ith good po%t#re and then 'ind oneI% "ody t$i%ting into %ome
odd and pain'#l po%ition. Go# %traighten o#t, and %oon eno#gh it doe% it
again. ThatI% a !ery Three Charateri%ti% %ort o' pattern. /eople
%ometime% de%ri"e the%e 'eeling% a% %ome po$er'#l energy that i%
"lo&ed and %eem% $ant% to get o#t or mo!e thro#gh.
-eeling% o' heat and %en%ation% li&e tho%e o' a 'e!er may %ometime%
aompany thi% %tage. *neI% ne& and "a& may "eome !ery %ti'',
either on one %ide or "oth %ide%. The right and le't %ide% o' oneI% "ody
may 'eel )#ite di''erent 'rom eah other %ometime%. The ea%ie%t $ay to
get the%e #nplea%ant phy%ial mani'e%tation% to go a$ay i% to &eep
in!e%tigating the Three Charateri%ti%, either o' them or o' $hate!er
primary o">et yo# ha!e ho%en. The%e are ommon early retreat
eFperiene%, parti#larly in the 'ir%t 'e$ day%.
-ighting them or trying other method% C"a&r#"%, et.E %eem% to
either help only a little, $or& only temporarily, or %ometime% ma&e
them e!en $or%e, tho#gh %ometime% hatha yoga and related pratie%
done $ith a high degree o' a$arene%% an "e help'#l. Thi% i% a ommon
time 'or people to go to health pratitioner% o' !ario#% &ind%, 'rom
orthopedi%t% and denti%t% to hiroprator% and "ody $or&er%. -or
eFample, I had a $i%dom tooth remo!ed d#ring one pa%% thro#gh thi%
%tage "ea#%e I tho#ght it $a% thro$ing my >a$ o#t o' alignment, and
perhap% it $a%, "#t thi% $a% learly eFaer"ated "y thi% %tage o' pratie.
E!en i' the%e #nplea%ant phy%ial mani'e%tation% do %la& o'' 'or a
"it, they are li&ely to &eep oming "a& #ntil oneI% in%ight i% %#''iient to
progre%% "eyond thi% part o' thi% %tage. Th#%, %ho#ld one 'ind %#h
thing% inter'ering $ith oneI% li'e, I reommend ontin#ed prei%e and
aepting pratie. Thi% i% a pha%e o' pratie $hen %trong e''ort and
!ery )#i& in!e%tigation really pay o''.
Certain tradition% may loo& at %#h phy%ial mani'e%tation% a%
;energy im"alane%< or in %ome other negati!e light, and I an %ee
$here they are oming 'rom, "#t I 'ind tho%e per%peti!e% limiting.
:ather, I %ee thi% %tage in it% "roader onteFt a% >#%t one more pha%e o'
pratie. *ther% may in!ent !ery %trange %torie% to eFplain the%e
eFperiene%. A 'riend o' mine ran into thi% Yana on retreat, 'o#nd it !ery
#nplea%ant, %topped pratiing and "egan to %pin o#t all %ort% o' 'anta%ti
173
%torie% in her head a"o#t ho$ the poor 'ello$ %itting neFt to her $a% !ery
angry and ho$ it $a% ma&ing her ten%e. Thi% didnIt help $hat%oe!er,
and %he got %t#& there. I ha!e learned to $elome the%e odd
mani'e%tation% a% learly reogniLa"le mar&er% o' progre%% on the path.
They are lear o">et% 'or pratie and rea%%#re me that I am on the
right tra&. An'ort#nately, thi% i% a hard le%%on to teah other%. Tr#e,
the%e mani'e%tation% an %#&, "#t "eing a"le to appreiate $hat i%
happening in the 'ae o' the di''i#lt %tage% i% important, and "eome%
m#h more important later on.
A% the mind gain% %peed at really %eeing eah o' the %en%ation% o' the
mind and "ody ome and go, and the >er&ine%% 'rom a#%e and e''et
an get )#ite rapid and prono#ned. The%e phy%ial mo!ement% and
%pa%m% %eem to help "rea& #p the phy%ial ten%ion that may %ometime%
aompany thi% %tage, and are a %ign o' progre%%.
3. T(E A:I,I+B A+D /A,,I+B A.AG
Thi% i% al%o the "eginning o' the %eond !ipa%%ana >hana. A% in the
%eond %amatha >hana, the applied and %#%tained e''ort or attention
"egin to drop a$ay, and meditation an %eem to ta&e on a li'e o' it% o$n.
In the early part o' thi% %tage, the meditatorO% mind %peed% #p more and
more )#i&ly, and reality "egin% to "e perei!ed a% partile% or 'ine
!i"ration% o' mind and matter, eah ari%ing and !ani%hing #tterly at
tremendo#% %peed. The traditional teFt% at#ally all thi% %tage the
"eginning o' in%ight pratie%, a% 'rom thi% point on there i% a m#h
more diret and non8onept#al #nder%tanding o' the Three
Charateri%ti%.
Thi% %tage i% mar&ed "y dramatially inrea%ed perept#al a"ilitie%
$hen ompared $ith the pre!io#% %tage%. -or eFample, one might "e
a"le to hone oneI% a$arene%% to la%er8li&e prei%ion on the tip o' oneI%
little 'inger and %eemingly "e a"le to perei!e the "eginning and ending
o' e!ery %ingle %en%ation that made #p that 'inger. ,pontaneo#% phy%ial
mo!ement% and %trange >er&y "reathing pattern% that %ho$ed #p in
Ca#%e and E''et and "eame more prono#ned in the Three
Charateri%ti% may %peed #p %igni'iantly. Thi% %tage eFplain% $here
many pratie% %#h a% Ti"etan inner 'ire pratie% o' the Gogi "reath
o' 'ire ome 'rom. It an al%o re!eal the %o#re material that in%pired
176
teahing% %#h a% tho%e a"o#t ha&ra% and energy hannel%. Many
de%ription% o' J#ndalini a$a&ening are tal&ing a"o#t thi% %tage.
:eality i% perei!ed diretly $ith great larity, and great "li%%,
rapt#re, e)#animity, mind'#lne%%, onentration, and other po%iti!e
)#alitie% ari%e. /ratie i% eFtremely pro'o#nd and %#%taina"le, and there
may "e no pain e!en a'ter ho#r% o' %itting. An'ort#nately, the po%iti!e
)#alitie% that ha!e ari%en an ea%ily "eome $hat are alled the ;Ten
Corr#ption% o' In%ight< i' the tr#e nat#re o' the indi!id#al %en%ation% "y
$hih they are &no$n are not #nder%tood a% $ell, and #ntil thi% happen%
a meditator an ea%ily get %t#& in the immat#re part o' thi% %tage.
The Ten Corr#ption% o' In%ight are0 ill#mination, &no$ledge,
rapt#ro#% happine%%, tran)#ility, "li%%, re%ol#te on'idene, eFertion,
a%%#rane, e)#animity and attahment. To )#ote the great meditation
ma%ter ,ayada$ A /andita, 'rom hi% great "#t !ery hard8to8'ind "oo&,
*n the /ath to -reedom, ;A% 'or the pratiing yogi, he $ill at one
reogniLe the a"o!e a% imper'etion% o' in%ight not repre%enting
dhamma "rea&thro#gh and are only to "e noted o'', remem"ering the
teaherI% ad!ie a% to $hat i% path and not path. Being di%a"led "y the
ten imper'etion%, he $o#ld not "e apa"le o' o"%er!ing the triple
harateri%ti% in their tr#e nat#reR "#t one 'reed 'rom imper'etion%,
he i% a"le to do %o.< In %hort, they may 'eel that they are no$ a !ery
mighty meditator and that they %ho#ld try to hold on to thi% 'ore!er, i.e.
they %top at#ally doing in%ight pratie% and in%tead %olidi'y the%e
)#alitie% a% onentration pratie o">et%. Th#%, the ad!ie gi!en a"o#t
deon%tr#ting and in!e%tigating the po%iti!e 'ator% o' the %amatha
>hana%, parti#larly the %eond one, i% al%o !ery help'#l $hen trying to
%tay on the narro$ path o' the progre%% o' in%ight.
Hi%ion%, #n#%#al %en%ory a"ilitie% C%#h a% %eeing near"y thing%
thro#gh oneI% lo%ed eyelid%E, o#t o' "ody eFperiene%, and e%peially
"right light% tend to ari%e to the meditator, %ometime% 'ir%t a% >e$el8tone
%par&le% and then a% a "right $hite light C;I ha!e %een the lightK<E. The
tehnial meditator may ea%ily %it 'or ho#r% di%%eting their reality into
eFtremely 'ine and 'a%t %en%ation% and !i"ration%, perhap% e!en #p to 30
per %eond or e!en more, $ith an eFtremely high le!el o' prei%ion and
on%i%teny. C.here the a"%#rd and di%heartening r#mor% o' "illion% o'
mind moment% per %eond ome 'rom i% "eyond meE. -ine !i"ration%
177
may %pread o!er the "ody, re!ealing inter'erene pattern% "et$een
eFperiene%, ena"ling one to &no$ diretly that $hen one thing i%
eFperiened, in that in%tant, %omething el%e i% not.
It i% !ery ea%y to on'#%e thi% %tage $ith de%ription% o' %tage 11.
E)#animity, e%peially a% the %tage "e'ore it, 10. :e8o"%er!ation, ha%
%ome di%tint %imilaritie% to %tage 4. The Three Charateri%ti%. A "rie'
di%#%%ion o' the 'ratal nat#re o' thing% that de%ri"e% thi% $ill 'ollo$ in
the hapter alled The Hipa%%ana Dhana%. The "ig di''erene i% that thi%
%tage i% r#led "y )#i& yle%, rapidly hanging 're)#enie% o' !i"ration%,
odd phy%ial mo!ement%, %trange "reathing pattern%, heady rapt#re%, a
derea%ed need 'or %leep, %trong "li%%, and a general %en%e o' riding on a
%pirit#al roller oa%ter $ith no "rea&%. The higher %tage% C10 and 11E do
not ha!e tho%e )#alitie%.
A% to the yle%, they tend to proeed a% 'ollo$%, $ith thi%
de%ription a%%#ming that yo# are #%ing the "reath a% o">et. The mind
&i&% in, 'ollo$% 'a%ter and 'a%ter !i"ration%, thing% really engage and
%peed #p, perhap% aompanied "y more prono#ned %ha&ing or
%trange "reathing pattern% inrea%ing in %peed, and then 'inally hal' $ay
do$n an o#t8"reath there i% a %hi't, thing% drop do$n %lo$ly, it ta&e%
$or& to %tay $ith thing% a% they %lo$ do$n, and then thing% "ottom o#t.
The "reath may %top entirely 'or a $hile. Then thing% ome "a& #p
$ith the "reath, attention tend% to 'lag, thing% relaF, and then the yle
"egin% again $ith thing% %peeding #p, et. The%e "reathing yle% may
happen )#ite on their o$n and may e!en "e di''i#lt to %top $hen $e
are deeply into thi% %tage. Tho%e #%ing !i%#aliLation% a% o">et, may
notie that the o">et% "egin to %pin $ith the pha%e o' the "reath, or
mo!e in $ay% that they %eem to ha!e a li'e o' their o$n, al"eit a t$o
dimen%ional one, a% ompared to the three dimen%ional !i%ion% that may
ari%e later.
A% thi% %tage deepen% and mat#re%, meditator% let go o' e!en the
high le!el% o' larity and the other %trong 'ator% o' meditation, perei!e
e!en the%e to ari%e and pa%% a% >#%t !i"ration%, not %ati%'y, and not "e %el'.
They may pl#nge do$n into the !ery depth% o' the mind a% tho#gh
pl#nging deep #nder$ater to $here they an perei!e indi!id#al 'rame%
o' reality ari%e and pa%% $ith "reathta&ing larity a% tho#gh in %lo$
177
motion. It an e!en 'eel a% i' $e ha!e "een %#"merged in thi& %yr#p
and partially %edated $ith %ome %trong, opiate8li&e dr#g.
At the "ottom o' the%e depth%, ho$e!er they pre%ent them%el!e%,
indi!id#al moment% may %ometime% ha!e a 'roLen )#ality to them, a% i'
%en%ation% $ere %topping ompletely in the middle o' their mani'e%tation
'or >#%t an in%tant, and thi% $ay o' eFperiening reality i% #ni)#e to thi%
%tage. ,ome$here in here i% the entrane to the third !ipa%%ana >hana in
A /anditaO% model, tho#gh there i% %ome ontro!er%y a"o#t eFatly
$hih in%ight% line #p $ith $hih !ipa%%ana >hana% 'rom here on o#t. I
pre'er to thin& o' the Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay "eing p#rely %eond
!ipa%%ana >hana. I $ill di%#%% the%e ontro!er%ie% in the 'ollo$ing
hapter.
They may "e a"le to meditate $ith pro'o#nd larity e!en $hen
a%leep, and the need 'or %leep may "e greatly red#ed. .ild ;&#ndalini<
phenomena are !ery ommon at thi% point, inl#ding po$er'#l phy%ial
%ha&ing and relea%e%, eFplo%ion% o' on%io#%ne%% li&e a 'ire$or&%
di%play or a tornado, !i%ion%, and e%peially !orteFe% o' po$er'#l 'ine
;eletrial< !i"ration% "la%ting do$n oneO% %pinal ol#mn andQor "et$een
oneO% ear%. The%e !orteFe% an "e !ery lo#d. The%e %ort% o' eFperiene%
an o#r )#ite #neFpetedly and e!en o'' the #%hion, %#h a% in l#id
dream%. They may "e 'ollo$ed "y !ario#% miFt#re% o' $onder,
eFitement, "li%%, eFtraordinary >oy, and %ometime% di%orientation. It i%
not #nommon 'or tho%e in the height o' the rapt#re o' thi% %tage to
a%%oiate %ome o' the%e o#rrene% $ith tho%e o' an eFtended orga%m.
+one o' the%e thing% are a pro"lem #nle%% their tr#e nat#re i% not
#nder%tood or #nle%% they happen $hen one i% doing %omething li&e
dri!ing a ar do$n an inter%tate at 76 mile% per ho#r Ca %tory 'or another
timeE.
,trong %en%#al or %eF#al 'eeling% and dream% are ommon at thi%
%tage, and the%e may ha!e a non8di%riminating )#ality that tho%e
attahed to their notion o' them%el!e% a% "eing %omething other than
partially "i%eF#al may 'ind di%t#r"ing. -#rther, i' yo# ha!e #nre%ol!ed
i%%#e% aro#nd %eF#ality, $hih $e "a%ially all ha!e, yo# may eno#nter
a%pet% o' them d#ring thi% %tage. Thi% %tage, it% a'terglo$, and the
almo%t $ithdra$al8li&e ra%h that an 'ollo$ %eem to inrea%e the
temptation to ind#lge in all manner o' hedoni%ti delight%, parti#larly
179
%#"%tane% and %eF. A% the "li%% $ear% o'', $e may 'ind o#r%el!e% 'eeling
!ery h#ngry or l#%t'#l, ra!ing hoolate, $anting to go o#t and party, or
%omething li&e that. I' $e ha!e addition% that $e ha!e "een 'ighting,
%ome eFtra !igilane near the end o' thi% %tage might "e help'#l.
Thi% %tage al%o tend% to gi!e people more o' an eFtro!erted, Lealo#%
or !i%ionary )#ality, and they may ha!e all %ort% o' energy to po#r into
%ome$hat ideali%ti or grand pro>et% and %heme%. At the 'ar eFtreme
o' $hat an happen, thi% %tage an im"#e one $ith the po$er'#l
hari%ma o' the radial religio#% leader.
-inally, at nearly the pea& o' the po%%i"le re%ol#tion o' the mind,
they ro%% %omething alled ;The Ari%ing and /a%%ing E!ent< CA?/
E!entE or ;Deep In%ight into the Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay.< Thi% e!ent
mar&% a pro'o#nd %hi't in the meditatorI% pratie, and 'rom then on
they $ill "e %ome$hat hanged "y $hat they ha!e %een, $ith thi% "eing
the /oint o' +o :et#rn that I mentioned in the -ore$ord and .arning.
The inten%ity o' thi% e!ent an !ary, tho#gh it tend% to "e )#ite lear and
memora"le, parti#larly the 'ir%t time one ro%%e% it d#ring that yle.
It %ho#ld al%o "e noted that %ome people $ill ha!e a "ig and
o"!io#% "#ild#p to %#h eFperiene% and 'or other% they $ill %#ddenly
>#%t %ho$ #p ompletely $itho#t $arning, %ometime% %pontaneo#%ly and
e!en $itho#t 'ormal meditation training, a% happened to me at aro#nd
age 16. I ha!e a n#m"er o' 'riend% $ho ran into the%e thing% $itho#t
'ormal training and in daily li'e, other% $ho ran into them $hen doing
hall#inogen% inl#ding me%aline and 2,D, other% d#ring yoga
pratie, other% $hile aro#nd po$er'#l %pirit#al 'ig#re%, inl#ding one
$ho had it happen $hile hanging o#t $ith a Chri%tian 'aith healer and a
'e$ $ho $ere hanging o#t $ith !ario#% g#r#%.
.hate!er onteFt the 'ir%t A?/ E!ent happen% in, that onteFt $ill
tend to hold a %peial plae in that per%onO% heart 'rom then on. -or me
it happened on my o$n, "y my o$n meditation e''ort% and $itho#t a
tradition, and %o I ha!e al$ay% a%%oiated my o$n pratie $ith progre%%.
My 'riend $ho had it happen $ith the Chri%tian 'aith healer "eame the
mo%t hardore Chri%tian yo# o#ld 'ind. Another 'riend $ho had it
happen $hile on me%aline ha% %ine held a %peial plae in her heart
'or %hamani%m. Tho%e $ho had it happen $ith g#r#% tended to 'ollo$
tho%e g#r#% 'or %ome period o' time, a%%oiating it $ith the g#r#%
175
pre%ene. ,ome other% $ho had it happen in an apparently random
onteFt #%#ally had no idea $hat it $a% or $hat it had done to them, "#t
mo%t ha!e realiLed that %omething $a% di''erent and nearly all
remem"er it $ith an #nanny larity a% %omeho$ %tanding o#t 'rom
ordinary eFperiene%.
*ne one ha% attained thi% e!ent, it i% 'airly li&ely that one $ill "e
a"le to attain the 'ir%t %tage o' a$a&ening %ooner or later i' one an
na!igate the Dar& +ight %&ill'#lly Cread0 %imply &eep pratiingE. Th#%, a
good 'ir%t goal in in%ight meditation i% to ro%% the A?/ E!ent at oneI%
earlie%t po%%i"le on!eniene, $ith a!eat% gi!en later in the %etion on
the Dar& +ight.
The A?/ E!ent an happen in three "a%i $ay% orre%ponding to
the Three Charateri%ti%, >#%t a% an the entrane to in%ight %tage 16.
-r#ition, and the t$o are ea%ily on'#%ed 'or thi% and other rea%on%.
There i% great !ariation in the %pei'i% o' $hat $e are %eeing and 'eeling
$hen $e ro%% thi% pro'o#nd and inten%e e!ent, "#t ertain a%pet% o'
the%e e!ent% $ill "e ommon to all pratitioner%. Thi% e!ent tend% to
mani'e%t in a $ay that an mirror the Three Door% Cde%ri"ed in a 'e$
hapter%E at a"o#t the middle o' the o#t "reath, leading to an
#n&no$ing e!ent, 'ollo$ed "y a 'e$ eFeedingly learer and more
di%tint moment% imparting %ome deep #nder%tanding o' the Three
Charateri%ti% "e'ore a %eond #n&no$ing e!ent at the end o' the
"reath. It i% not #nommon 'or the A?/ e!ent to o#r d#ring a
parti#larly l#id dream or at lea%t in the middle o' the night.
+o$, it %ho#ld "e noted here that it i% #nli&ely in the%e eFtreme
moment% 'or the %en%e o' the "reath to "e parti#larly lear, "#t thi% i%
ho$ thing% happen regardle%%. In the%e moment%, mo%t, "#t not all, o'
their %en%ate #ni!er%e %tro"e% in and o#t o' reality, ari%e% and pa%%e%.
The %#"tle "a&gro#nd and %en%e o' an o"%er!er %till %eem% to %tay
%ta"le. In ontra%t to thi%, the entrane to %tage 16. -r#ition i% thro#gh
one o' the Three Door%, in!ol!e% the omplete %en%ate #ni!er%e
C"a&gro#nd, time, %pae and allE, happen% at the end o' the o#t "reath,
and doe% not in!ol!e t$o lo%ely related #n&no$ing e!ent%. CThe
#%e'#lne%% o' thi% in'ormation may "eome apparent later on.E
Tho%e $ho ha!e ro%%ed the A?/ E!ent ha!e %tood on the ragged
edge o' reality and the mind 'or >#%t an in%tant, and they &no$ that
190
a$a&ening i% po%%i"le. They $ill ha!e great 'aith, may $ant to tell
e!eryone to pratie, and are generally e!angelial 'or a $hile. They $ill
ha!e an inrea%ed a"ility to #nder%tand the teahing% d#e to their diret
and non8onept#al eFperiene o' the Three Charateri%ti%.
/hilo%ophy that deal% $ith the '#ndamental paradoFe% o' d#ality $ill "e
le%% pro"lemati 'or them in %ome $ay, and they may 'ind thi%
'a%inating 'or a time. Tho%e $ith a %trong philo%ophial "ent $ill 'ind
that they an no$ philo%ophiLe ring% aro#nd tho%e $ho ha!e not
attained to thi% %tage o' in%ight.
They may al%o inorretly thin& that they are enlightened, a% $hat
they ha!e %een $a% ompletely %peta#lar and pro'o#nd. In 'at, thi% i%
%trangely ommon 'or %ome period o' time, and th#% may %top
pratiing $hen they ha!e at#ally only really "eg#n.
Thi% i% a ommon time 'or people to $rite in%pired dharma "oo&%,
poetry, %pirit#al %ong%, and that %ort o' thing. Thi% i% al%o the %tage $hen
people are more li&ely to >oin mona%terie% or go on great %pirit#al
)#e%t%. It i% al%o $orth noting that thi% %tage an loo& an a$'#l lot li&e a
mani epi%ode a% de'ined in the D,M8IH Cthe #rrent diagno%ti man#al
o' p%yhiatryE. The rapt#re and inten%ity o' thi% %tage an "e "a%ially o''
the %ale, the a"%ol#te pea& on the path o' in%ight, "#t it doe%nIt la%t.
,oon the meditator $ill learn $hat i% meant "y the phra%e, ;Better
not to "egin. *ne "egin, "etter to 'ini%hK< a% they are no$ too 'ar into
thi% to e!er really go "a&. Antil they omplete thi% progre%% o' in%ight,
they are ;on the ride< and may "egin to 'eel that the dharma i% no$
doing them rather than the other $ay aro#nd, a% they $ill progre%%
ine!ita"ly and relati!ely )#i&ly, #%#ally $ithin day%, into %tage% 6810,
$hih a% yo# $ill %hortly %ee, are not al$ay% a party. The rapt#re and all
the "ell% and $hi%tle% die do$n )#i&ly, and the meditator may e!en "e
le't ra$ a% i' h#ng o!er a'ter a night o' $ild partying. The larity 'ade%
%ome$hat, and the ending% o' o">et% "eome% predominant a% they
progre%% to &no$ledge o'...
6. DI,,*2ATI*+, E+T:A+CE T* T(E DA:J +IB(T
Th#% "egin% $hat are alled the ;Jno$ledge% o' ,#''ering< or ;The
Dar& +ight o' the ,o#l< Cto #%e ,t. Dohn o' the Cro%%I terminologyE. I
on%ider thi% the entrane to the third !ipa%%ana >hana, tho#gh A
/andita on%ider% thi% the entrane to the 'o#rth !ipa%%ana >hana. IOll gi!e
191
my arg#ment% 'or thi% later in the hapter that deal% more diretly $ith
the !ipa%%ana >hana%.
The Dar& +ight %pan% %tage% 6 thro#gh 10 in thi% map, namely
Di%%ol#tion, -ear, Mi%ery, Di%g#%t, De%ire 'or Deli!erane, and :e8
o"%er!ation. ,tage% 6 thro#gh 5 tend to ;ome a% a pa&age,< $ith one
leading 'airly )#i&ly and nat#rally to the other%. ,tage 10, :e8
o"%er!ation, tend% to %tand o#t a% it% o$n di%tint and o'ten 'ormida"le
entity. It %ho#ld "e noted that %ome pa%% thro#gh the Dar& +ight
)#i&ly and %ome %lo$ly. ,ome "arely notie it, and 'or %ome it i% a
h#ge deal, regardle%% o' the %peed at $hih one mo!e% thro#gh the%e
%tage%. ,ome may get r#n o!er "y it on one retreat, 'all "a&, and then
pa%% thro#gh it $ith no great di''i#ltie% %ome time later. *ther% may
%tr#ggle 'or year% to learn it% le%%on%.
I am going to de%ri"e the Dar& +ight largely in eFtreme term%, "#t
realiLe that thi% i% >#%t to gi!e a head% #p to $hat i% po%%i"le, not $hat i%
nee%%ary or g#aranteed. A% "e'ore, on retreat the%e thing% are li&ely to
"e more inten%e and lear, tho#gh tho%e on retreat $ho are a"le to &eep
pratiing are li&ely to ma&e m#h 'a%ter progre%% a% $ell. *n the other
hand, pratie in ;daily li'e< an "e po$er'#l and %ometime% !ery
%peedy. The%e thing% are %trangely #npredita"le. Eno#gh di%laimer%K
*ne %omeone ha% ro%%ed the Ari%ing and /a%%ing E!ent, one $ill
enter the Dar& +ight regardle%% o' $hether one $ant% to or not. It
doe%nIt matter i' yo# pratie 'rom thi% point onR one yo# ro%% the
A?/ yo# are in the Dar& +ight to %ome degree Ci.e. are a Dar& +ight
GogiE #ntil yo# 'ig#re o#t ho$ to get thro#gh it, and i' yo# do get
thro#gh it $itho#t getting to the 'ir%t %tage o' enlightenment, yo# $ill
ha!e to go thro#gh it again and again #ntil yo# do. I mean thi% in the
mo%t a"%ol#te term%.
The Dar& +ight typially "egin% $ith >#%t a"o#t all o' the pro'o#nd
larity, mind'#lne%%, onentration, 'o#%, e)#animity and "li%% o' the
pre!io#% %tage dropping a$ay. ,o al%o end% the a#%e8and8e''et8li&e
phenomena o' the "reath or $al&ing %ha&ing or >er&ing #p and do$n in
a $ay related to attention and noting, a% $ell a% all o' the 'ine !i"ration%
and !orteF8li&e rapt#re%. Early on, the 're)#eny o' !i"ration%
di%onnet% 'rom the yle o' the "reath, remaining largely %ta"le at
192
$hate!er 're)#eny i% going on at that %tage one they an "e perei!ed
again Cin late Di%%ol#tion or -earE.
.herea% one might ha!e 'elt that oneI% attention had 'inally attained
the one8pointed 'o#% that i% %o highly !al#ed in mo%t ideal% o'
meditation d#ring the Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay, d#ring the Dar& +ight
one $ill ha!e to deal $ith the 'at that oneI% attention i% at#ally )#ite
$ide and it% ontent% #n%ta"le. -#rther, the enter o' oneI% attention
"eome% the !ery lea%t lear area o' eFperiene, and the periphery
"eome% predominant. Thi% i% normal and e!en eFpeted "y tho%e $ho
&no$ thi% territory. (o$e!er, mo%t meditator% are not eFpeting thi% at
all and %o get "lind%ided and $age a '#tile "attle to ma&e their attention
do %omething that, in thi% part o' the path, it %imply $onIt do.
I' one ha% e!er "een meditating in a plae $ith lot% o' mo%)#itoe%
"#LLing in oneI% ear% in a $ay that made it !ery hard to onentrate on
the primary o">et, one an get a %en%e o' $hat oneI% attention $ill "e
li&e in the Dar& +ight. :ather than 'ighting again%t thi% and ignoring the
metaphorial mo%)#itoe%, one %ho#ld try to #nder%tand $hat it 'eel% li&e
to ha!e oneI% attention "e ho$e!er it i%. D#%t li&e li%tening to di%ordant,
hromati >aLL $ith lot% o' >arring harmonie% and in%tr#ment% playing
more at odd% $ith eah other than together ta&e% %ome getting #%ed to,
the )#ality o' attention in the Dar& +ight i% an a)#ired ta%te, and the
%en%ation% that ari%e tend to "e !ery rih, ompleF, "road and #n%ettling.
Tho%e that 'iFate on %taying one8pointed $ill %#''er more than tho%e $ho
learn to %tay $ith $hat i% going on regardle%% o' $hether or not it 'eel%
li&e ;good meditation.<
In that %ame !ein, tho%e $ho are #%ing %ome other o">et a% a 'o#%
$ill notie the %ame phenomena o' the $idth o' attention "eing $ider
and the "a%i %en%e that attention %eem% to %ort o' "e o#t o' pha%e $ith
phenomena. Tho%e doing !i%#aliLation% may notie that they %ee a "la&
%pot in the enter o' their attention $ith %ome %ort o' pattern% or !i%ion%
aro#nd the edge o' it %preading $ider and $ider o#t into the periphery.
Tho%e #%ing a mantra may 'eel that the mantra i% o#t o' pha%e $ith
attention, $ide and ompleF and yet hard to %tay $ith, and may a)#ire
more ompleF harmoni% and harmonie% i' it i% in any $ay m#%ial, li&e
li%tening to a large, gho%t hor#% that i% o'' to the %ide% o' yo#, $herea%
"e'ore the mantra may ha!e 'elt entered in the %tereo 'ield o' attention.
194
There $ill "e indi!id#al !ariation in %ome a%pet% o' the%e thing%,
depending on o">et, 'o#%, a"ility, and eah per%onO% parti#lar
proli!itie%, "#t %ome "a%i a%pet% $ill "e #ni!er%al, and I $ill tal& more
a"o#t the%e a%pet% in the later hapter on the Hipa%%ana Dhana%.
There are t$o "a%i pattern% o' !i"ration% in the Dar& +ight, and
they are at#ally the Dar& +ightI% de'ining harateri%ti%. *ne may get
o!er$helmed "y the de%ription% o' emotional di''i#ltie%, "#t &eep
the%e pattern% in mind and try to %tay on that le!el. *ne i% 'airly %lo$,
%ome$hat reg#lar and h#n&y, at perhap% 687 (L, $ith not m#h el%e
going on. ItI% an early Dar& +ight thing and it tend% to 'eel li&e a
%hamani dr#m "eat. The later pattern i% 'airly 'a%t, perhap% 10819[ (L,
a "it more irreg#lar, and ha% 'a%ter and %lo$er harmoni% in the
"a&gro#nd and aro#nd the periphery o' o#r attention. It tend% to ma&e
#% 'eel !ery "#LLy and edgy. The 'at that the "a&gro#nd i% "eginning
to %ha&e i% a good %ign o' progre%%, a% thi% need% to happen 'or the yle
to "e ompleted. *n the other hand, it i% eFatly the 'at that the
"a&gro#nd ha% "eg#n to %ha&e and r#m"le that an a#%e people to
'rea& o#t.
Thing% $ere all '#n and game% $hen the primary o">et $a% %ha&ing,
"#t $hen the %en%e o' the o"%er!er %tart% to %ha&e, that an "e reepy.
,imply pay are'#l attention to eFatly $hat i% happening, %taying $ith
eah p#l%e o' eah !i"ration a% learly a% yo# an, trying to %ee eah
'rom it% "eginning to it% end. Chane% are yo# $ill "e >#%t 'ine.
There are t$o "a%i thing% that happen d#ring the Dar& +ight, one
emotional, the other perept#al. *#r dar& %t#'' tend% to ome "#""ling
#p to the %#r'ae $ith a !ol#me and inten%ity that $e may ne!er ha!e
&no$n "e'ore. :emem"ering $hat i% good in o#r li'e an "e di''i#lt in
the 'ae o' thi%, and o#r reati!ity in the 'ae o' o#r dar& %t#'' an a#%e
#% %taggering amo#nt% o' needle%% %#''ering. *n top o' thi%, $e al%o
"egin to diretly eFperiene the '#ndamental %#''ering o' d#ality, a
%#''ering that ha% al$ay% "een $ith #% "#t $hih $e ha!e ne!er &no$n
$ith thi% le!el o' inten%ity or e!er learly #nder%tood. .e 'ae a
pro'o#nd and '#ndamental ri%i% o' identity a% o#r in%ight into the
Three Charateri%ti% "egin% to demoli%h part o' the "a%i ill#%ion o'
there "eing a %eparate or permanent #%. Thi% %#''ering i% a &ind o'
193
%#''ering that ha% nothing to do $ith $hat happen% in o#r li'e and
e!erything to do $ith a "a%i mi%#nder%tanding o' all o' it.
Dealing $ith either o' the%e t$o i%%#e%, i.e. o#r dar& %t#'' and o#r
'#ndamental ri%i% o' identity, $o#ld "e a di''i#lt #nderta&ing, "#t
trying to deal $ith them "oth at the %ame time i% at lea%t t$ie a% di''i#lt
and an %ometime% "e o!er$helming. It goe% $itho#t %aying that $e tend
not to "e at o#r "e%t $hen $e are o!er$helmed in thi% $ay.
The &nee8>er& re%pon%e o'ten i% to try to ma&e o#r mind% and o#r
$orld hange %o a% to try to %top the %#''ering $e eFperiene. (o$e!er,
$hen $e are deeply into the Dar& +ight, $e o#ld "e li!ing in paradi%e
and not "e a"le to appreiate thi% at all, and %o thi% %ol#tion i%
g#aranteed to 'ail. Th#%, my %trong ad!ie i% to $or& on 'ini%hing #p thi%
yle o' in%ight and then $or& on yo#r %t#'' 'rom a plae o' in%ight and
"alane, rather than trying to do it in the reati!e and di%orienting %tage%
o' the Dar& +ightK I annot ma&e thi% point %trongly eno#gh.
A% a lo%e 'riend o' mine $ith a ton o' eFperiene in in%ight
pratie% and a gi't 'or prei%e lang#age and teahing %o aptly p#t it,
;The Dar& +ight an really '#& #p yo#r li'e.< (o$e!er, I $ill gi!e yo#
t$o hard8$on piee% o' ad!ie that I ha!e 'o#nd ha!e made the
di''erene in the 'ae o' the%e %tage%. -ir%t, ma&e the time to do "a%i
in%ight pratie%. Do yo#r !ery "e%t to get %#''iient in%ight into the
Three Charateri%ti% %o a% to get pa%t thi% %tageK Ma&e time 'or retreat%
or alone time and donIt get %t#& in the Dar& +ight. Go# and e!eryone
aro#nd yo# $ill "e happy that yo# did %o.
The %eond piee o' ad!ie i% to ha!e a ;no8"leedthro#gh< poliy
$hen yo# %#%pet yo# are in the Dar& +ight. ,imply re'#%e to let yo#r
negati!ity "leed o#t onto e!eryone and e!erything aro#nd yo#. -ail#re
to do %o an "e di%a%tro#%, a% yo#r pro'o#nd la& o' per%peti!e, 'iFation
on negati!ity and the %#''ering 'rom yo#r '#ndamental ri%i% o' identity
an ea%ily get pro>eted o#t onto thing% and people that %imply did not
a#%e that %#''eringK +o one appreiate% thi% at all and it doe% no good
$hat%oe!er.
Com"ining the%e t$o piee% o' important ad!ie, re%ol!e th#%, ;I
ha!e reently ro%%ed the A?/ E!ent and I &no$ thi% "y the many
o"!io#% %ign% o' that %tage. +o$ I am 'eeling %trangely reati!e and
negati!e a"o#t thing% that I ordinarily am a"le to handle $ith more
196
"alane and larity, and I &no$ that a good part o' thi% i% d#e to the
ine!ita"le Dar& +ight that 'ollo$% the A?/. I realiLe that I am in a le%%
than ideal po%ition to %&ill'#lly deal $ith the per%onal i%%#e% that are
dri!ing me raLy, a% I am li&ely to pro>et the %#''ering 'rom the ill#%ion
o' d#ality and the odd %ide e''et% o' the Dar& +ight onto the%e i%%#e%.
;I ha!e "een $arned that thi% i% an eFtremely "ad idea 'rom tho%e
$ho ha!e %#e%%'#lly na!igated in thi% territory, and I ha!e 'aith that
they &no$ $hat they are tal&ing a"o#t. E!en i' the%e i%%#e% are real and
!alid, I am li&ely to "lo$ them $ay o#t o' proportion and not "e a"le to
"ring "alane and &indne%% to them. By ontrating into my o$n
reati!e dar&ne%% and on'#%ion, I o#ld ea%ily h#rt other% and my%el'.
Th#%, I re%ol!e to &eep my dar&ne%% to my%el', tell only tho%e $ho are
%&illed in na!igating in dar& territory, or at lea%t %hare it $ith other% in a
$ay that doe% not pro>et it o#t on my $orld and them, and %o $ill %pare
tho%e aro#nd me needle%% %#''ering $hih they do not de%er!e. In %hort,
I $ill #%e the meditation map theory to &eep the rein% on my dar& %t#''
and to deal $ith it in $ay% that are &no$n to help rather than harm.
;I $ill ma&e time 'or in%ight pratie% and retreat% d#ring $hih time
I $ill %imply %ee the tr#e nat#re o' the %en%ation% o' $hate!er ari%e%,
ho$e!er horri"le or ompelling, and not ind#lge in the ontent o' my
%t#'' 'or one %&inny in%tant i' thi% i% $ithin the limit% o' my %trength and
po$er. In thi% $ay, I $ill "e a"le to na!igate thi% territory %&ill'#lly and
not damage my daily li'e. ,ho#ld I 'ail, I $ill ati!ely %ee& help 'rom
tho%e $ho are %&illed in helping people &eep a healthy per%peti!e in
the 'ae o' dar& i%%#e% #ntil %#h time a% I an 'ae the Dar& +ight a%
reommended.
;.hen I ha!e attained to the 'ir%t %tage o' a$a&ening, that $ill "e a
great time to %ee ho$ m#h o' my negati!ity $a% really !alid and ho$
m#h $a% >#%t d#e to my o$n la& o' larity and the %ide e''et% o' the
Dar& +ight. -rom that plae o' larity, I $ill "e m#h more li&ely to 'iF
tho%e thing% in my li'e that really need 'iFing and attention and "e a"le
to di%mi%% ea%ily tho%e paper tiger% that I ha!e reated 'or my%el'. By not
trying to ta&e on all o' thi% at one, that i%, "y gaining deep in%ight%
"e'ore ta&ling the per%onal i%%#e%, I am more li&ely to lead the happy
and $i%e li'e I $i%h 'or my%el'. I $ill attain to "oth li"erating in%ight% and
197
in%ight% into my i%%#e%, and thi% $ill "e o' great "ene'it to my%el' and all
"eing%.<
*ne o' the primary rea%on% that I $rote thi% "oo& $a% to $rite thi%
important re%ol#tion. I ha!e %#''ered needle%%ly and %ometime%
pro'o#ndly 'rom the 'ail#re o' my%el' and tho%e I lo!e to 'ollo$ thi%
re%ol#tion. They ha!e al%o. .ere yo# hearing me %ay the%e thing% to
yo# rather than %imply reading them, yo# $o#ld %ee tear% in my eye%
and hear my !oie ra&ing $ith %orro$ a% I reall tho%e pa%t e!ent% and
e!en re'let on $hat i% happening aro#nd me a% I $rite thi%. I "eg yo#,
'or the %a&e o' all that i% good in thi% $orld, do not 'ail to heed thi%
ad!ie.
An'ort#nately, not e!eryone %eem% to "e a"le to do thi%. In 'at, not
e!eryone i% e!en $illing to attempt to 'ollo$ thi% ad!ie, parti#larly
tho%e $ho "#y into the dangero#% paradigm that ;$hate!er I 'eel right
no$ i% real< in the %en%e that their 'eeling% at that moment m#%t "e the
only po%%i"le !alid per%peti!e on their #rrent %it#ation and are th#%
ompletely >#%ti'ied along $ith their reation% to tho%e 'eeling%. There
are tho%e $ho %imply donIt "elie!e that %#h a $ondro#% and holy thing
a% in%ight pratie% o#ld prod#e %#h pro'o#nd di''i#ltie%. There are
al%o tho%e $ho do not "elie!e in the map% or that the map% o#ld
po%%i"ly apply to their o$n !ery %peial and #ni)#e li'e. 2a%tly, there are
a 'e$ $ho%e pride and in%e#rity i%%#e% $ill not allo$ them to admit that
they might "e a''eted "y the Dar& +ight in thi% $ay.
I $o#ld $arn %#h people to ,TAG T(E -ACJ *AT *- T(E
DA:J +IB(T #ntil they ome to a plae $here they might "e a"le to
approFimate at lea%t %ome a%pet% o' the a"o!e8mentioned re%ol#tion or
apply the "a%i% o' the theory "ehind it. That mean% that i' yo# are not
$illing to at lea%t try to ma&e and li!e "y %ome !er%ion o' my
reommended re%ol#tion, yo# %ho#ld not do in%ight pratie% and
%ho#ld not ro%% the A?/ E!ent. Ge%, I am a little "itter. Bitterne%%
ome% and goe%.
I am a "ig 'an o' 'a%t %port% ar%, "#t I $o#ldnIt gi!e one to a %iF8
year8old &id. D#%t %o, I am a "ig 'an o' in%ight pratie%, o"!io#%ly, "#t I
ha!e ome to the onl#%ion that tho%e $ho are not $illing to #%e them
re%pon%i"ly and intelligently %ho#ld not #%e them, a% it i% too dangero#%.
They a#%e too m#h tro#"le in the $orld to "e o' little i' any "ene'it.
197
Thi% i% not li&ely to "e a pop#lar !ie$, "#t I ha!e eFperiened too m#h
o' $hat an go $rong $hen people 'ail to try to li!e #p to %#h a
re%ol#tion to ome to any other onl#%ion.
The pro"lem i% that %ome people ro%% into the Dar& +ight $itho#t
doing 'ormal in%ight pratie%. I did $hen I $a% a"o#t 16 and had no
idea $hat $a% going on. (o$ to reah the%e people I ha!e no idea, "#t
they tend to ome $andering into %pirit#al omm#nitie% %oon eno#gh. I
hope they 'ind people there $ho help them %ort o#t $hat ha% happened
to them an tell them the a"o!e ad!ie. I my naN!e dream% I imagine
that one day there $o#ld "e training on the map% and "a%i %pirit#al
de!elopment in %ome generi, non8%etarian $ay in elementary %hool,
>#%t a% $e learn a"o#t "iology and mathemati%, and %o $o#ld "e >#%t
another ordinary, aepted, %tandard part o' h#man ed#ation, and %o
e!eryone $o#ld &no$ a"o#t the%e thing% a% i' they $ere the ordinary,
nat#ral thing% they $ere, "#t $e are a long $ay 'rom that no$, and %o
hope'#lly a 'e$ $ho r#n into thi% tehnology $ill help %pread it aro#nd
and help people $ho ha!e ro%%ed the A?/ E!ent to reogniLe it and
handle it properly.
Thi% re%ol#tion and the %pirit implied "y it are an a%pet o' training
in morality, and thi% %ort o' morality i% one o' o#r "e%t 'riend% in the
Dar& +ight. .hen $e adopt the %pirit o' thi% re%ol#tion, $e do o#r
on%io#% "e%t to ra't o#r $ay o' "eing %o a% to "e &ind and
ompa%%ionate. Many people ha!e ommented that in%ight training i% a
;mona%ti pratie.< I' $e are a"le to "#ild o#r o$n !irt#al mona%tery
thro#gh %&ill'#l %peeh and %&ill'#l ation, then $e do not need a
mona%tery to protet #% and the $orld 'rom the potential %ide e''et% o'
o#r pratie%. .e an li!e %&ill'#lly in the ordinary $orld and %till ma&e
progre%% in in%ight.
(o$e!er, there are tho%e $ho are $illing to "#y the theory and
%pirit inherent in the a"o!e re%ol#tion "#t are %o %$amped "y their
per%onal i%%#e% that they %imply annot 'ollo$ the a"o!e ad!ie a'ter
they get into the Dar& +ight de%pite their &ind and %&ill'#l intention to
do %o. My ad!ie to them i% to diligently and )#i&ly %ee& pro'e%%ional
help in the 'orm o' p%yhotherapi%t% and their il& #ntil %#h time a% they
are a"le to 'ollo$ %omething li&e the a"o!e8mentioned re%ol#tion.
199
:ealiLe that thi% i% not an optimal $ay to go, a% the inherent la& o'
per%peti!e o' the Dar& +ight ma&e% a%pet% o' the therape#ti proe%%
more di''i#lt, "#t 'or %ome there $ill "e no other option and thi%
%ol#tion i% "etter than %imply 'lo#ndering. *n the other hand, at lea%t
%#h people ha!e ton% o' %t#'' "#""ling lo#dly #p 'or them to deal $ith,
ma&ing %ome a%pet% o' the therape#ti proe%% ea%ier. (o$e!er, I
$o#ld try to do >#%t eno#gh healing %o that yo# an p#%h on to the 'ir%t
%tage o' a$a&ening $ith minimal "leed thro#gh and then 'ini%h $hate!er
therape#ti proe%% yo# "egan in the Dar& +ight a'ter yo# are o#t o' it.
There another %eemingly po%iti!e $ay o' loo&ing at the Dar& +ight,
or the Jno$ledge% o' ,#''ering, one that doe%nOt really 'it $ell $ith o#r
main%tream ideal% o' ho$ li'e %ho#ld "e. It i% the !ie$ o' the ren#niate,
$hih "a%ially %ay%, ;Ah, no$ yo# %ee the pain o' yo#r materiali%ti li'e,
o' yo#r ra!ing% that $ill ne!er "ring yo# happine%%, o' yo#r $orldly
attahment%, and that ho#%e o' ard% yo# all a li'e. -ar "etter to gi!e it
all #p and ta&e #p the $ay o' the dharma.< .hile I ha!e generally
ad!i%ed doing ompletely other$i%e, I an ompletely #nder%tand $hy
one $o#ld do thi%. (o$e!er, the pro"lem ome% $hen $e ha!e thing%
li&e de"t, hildren, aging parent% and the li&e, and %orting o#t the ethi%
o' the%e on'lit% i% ompleF. :egardle%%, the Dar& +ight doe% teah
important le%%on%, and learning them i% e%%ential to mo!ing to $hat
ome% neFt. The%e le%%on% do not re)#ire %pei'i li'e%tyle hoie% 'or
ma%tery. In%tead, it i% a )#e%tion o' lear pereption o', yo# g#e%%ed it,
the Three Charateri%ti% o' the %en%ation% that o#r d#ring tho%e
%tage%. A% I mentioned in /art I, eah training ha% a %pei'i &ind o'
ren#niation a%%oiated $ith it, and they o#ldnOt "e more di''erent.
It i% time to get "a& to de%ri"ing Di%%ol#tion. A% the %tage o' the
Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay end%, the meditator may "e le't 'eeling ra$
and inompetent de%pite the 'at that they are ontin#ing to ma&e
!al#a"le progre%% into deeper and deeper le!el% o' pro'o#nd in%ight.
Thi% 'eeling that %omething i% $rong $hen thing% are at#ally getting
"etter and "etter an a#%e all %ort% o' pro"lem% d#ring the Dar& +ight,
e%peially to tho%e not 'amiliar $ith the %tandard map%.
*n the other hand, ha!ing ome thro#gh the A?/ territory an "e
)#ite a relie', and %o %ometime% Di%%ol#tion an %eem )#ite $elome.
,ome $ill %top pratiing here, a% they 'eel they ha!e ;relea%ed the
195
J#ndalini< and %o are done 'or the time "eing. Di%%ol#tion 'eel% li&e a
!ery nat#ral plae to %top pratiing, the only pro"lem "eing that the
later %tage% C-ear and the re%tE tend to 'ollo$ it %oon eno#gh e!en i' one
%top%, tho#gh le%% inten%e pratie lead% to a le%% inten%e, i' o'ten
prolonged, Dar& +ight.
(o$e!er, tho%e $ho $i%h to &eep doing 'ormal pratie may 'ind
Di%%ol#tion 'r#%trating. .herea% >#%t one %tage ago they o#ld %it 'or
ho#r% and perei!e the 'ine%t !i"ration% o' reality in eF)#i%ite detail, no$
reality appear% to "e %lipping a$ay, !ag#e, and hard to get a handle on.
.herea% $e may ha!e had %tellar po%t#re in the pre!io#% %tage, no$ $e
go "a& to "eing ordinary mortal%. Image% o' the "ody may e!en %eem
to ompletely di%appear, %imilar to that $hih happen% in 'ormle%%
realm% "#t $itho#t the larity.
/ratie i% li&ely to "e more di''i#lt, and $e may eFperiene pain
'rom %itting that $a% "a%ially ompletely a"%ent d#ring the pre!io#%
%tage. Thi% an "e eFtremely 'r#%trating 'or tho%e $ho donIt &no$ that
thi% i% normal, and the de%ire to re8attain a 'ading pa%t an greatly
inter'ere $ith "eing pre%ent. In the 'ae o' the%e di''i#ltie%, I highly
reommend noting pratie. It may %eem li&e a %tep "a& to %ome $ho
a"andoned it d#ring the glory o' the A?/, "#t the %pirit#al path i% not a
linear one. In the 'ae o' Di%%ol#tion and the %tage% that 'ollo$, noting
pratie an "e !ery #%e'#l and po$er'#l.
In %hort, i' they are a"le to &eep pratiing C'amiliar theme yet=E and
ad>#%t to ha!ing to at#ally $or& to perei!e thing% learly again, they $ill
"egin to ma&e '#rther progre%%. Thi% time the e''ort $ill ha!e to "e $ith
a lighter and $ider to#h. +ote $ell, i' they gi!e #p in the %tage% o' the
Dar& +ight Cor any time a'ter the A?/ E!entE, the )#alitie% o' the Dar&
+ight $ill almo%t ertainly ontin#e to ha#nt them in their daily li'e,
%apping their energy and moti!ation, and perhap% e!en a#%ing 'eeling%
o' #nea%e, perhap% depre%%ion and e!en paranoia. Th#%, the $i%e
meditator i% !ery, !ery highly eno#raged to try to maintain their
pratie de%pite the potential di''i#ltie% %o a% to a!oid getting %t#& in
the%e %tage%K
I thin& o' Di%%ol#tion a% the o#h potato %tage, tho#gh it an al%o
ha!e a %en%e o' %en%#al lang#or to it. A hallmar& o' Di%%ol#tion i% that it
i% %#ddenly hard to a!oid getting lo%t in tho#ght and 'anta%y $hen
150
meditating. .e may 'eel %omeho$ di%onneted 'rom o#r li'e. Another
e''et that an "e !ery notiea"le at thi% %tage i% that ation% >#%t donIt
happen ea%ily. -or in%tane, yo# might "e going to li't yo#r hand to t#rn
o'' yo#r alarm lo&, "#t yo#r hand >#%t doe%nIt mo!e. Go# o#ld mo!e
yo#r hand, "#t %omeho$ thing% >#%t tend to %top $ith the intention and
get no$here. E!ent#ally yo# mo!e yo#r hand, "#t it might ha!e "een
>#%t a "it tiring to do %o. ThatI% $hat Di%%ol#tion an 'eel li&e.
Meditation an "e the %ame $ay, and #ntil one "rea&% o#t o' thi%, thing%
an get a "it mired do$n in the o!er%t#''ed #%hion% o' Di%%ol#tion.
(o$e!er, $hen the pereption o' thing% ending "eome% learer again,
there ari%e%...
7. -EA:
The larity and inten%ity "egin to ret#rn, "#t no$ thi% %tage an
in!ol!e all %ort% o' 'rightening di%tortion% o' pereption $hen %itting,
aompanied "y great 'eeling% o' #nea%e, paranoia, 'ear'#lne%%, andQor
;the $illie%.< It an e!en %ometime% %eem that o#r "ody i% 'alling in
tatter% thro#gh the 'loor or that $e are rotting a$ay. I' $e ha!e %trong
onentration tendenie%, $e may %ee horri'ying or di%onerting
!i%ion%. Hi"ration% 'rom here on o#t %ho#ld no longer hange 're)#eny
$ith the pha%e o' the "reath a% they did in %tage 3 and 'or the neFt 'e$
%tage% tend to "e %lo$er than tho%e in that pre!io#% %tage.
,trangely, -ear an al%o "e a >#%t a "it rapt#ro#% in the $ay% that a
horror mo!ie an "e or in the $ay that riding a roller oa%ter at night
an "e %im#ltaneo#%ly %ary and eFiting. (o$e!er, the nie %ide o' thi%
%tage tend% to "e greatly o!er%hado$ed "y the dar& %ide. .e are "eing
a%&ed to aept the '#ll range o' li'e here a% it i%. Aeptane and lear,
prei%e a$arene%% o' the tr#e nat#re o' the at#al %en%ation% that ma&e
#p all o' thi% are the &ey in all o' the Dar& +ight %tage% a% "e'ore. *n
the mild %ide, thi% %tage might mani'e%t a% >#%t a %lightly heightened %en%e
o' non8%pei'i anFiety. A% 'ear pa%%e% and o#r reality ontin#e% to
%tro"e in and o#t and 'all a$ay, $e are le't 'eeling...
7. MI,E:G
Thi% %tage an "e harateriLed "y great 'eeling% o' %adne%% and lo%%.
Again, there an almo%t "e %omething nie a"o#t the heart'elt depth o'
the%e 'eeling%, "#t thi% tend% to "e greatly o!er%hado$ed "y the dar& %ide
151
o' them. .e are ha!ing o#r $hole onept o' %el' and the $orld a%
"eing permanent, a"le to %ati%'y, and e!en "eing #% or %eparate 'rom #%
"eing torn do$n and !iolated "y the no$ #ndenia"le tr#th o' the Three
Charateri%ti%. There an "e a lot o' grie!ing in thi% proe%%.
Thi% i% hard to aept, and o#r re%i%tane to thi% proe%% a#%e% #%
mi%ery. Beoming lo%t in the ontent o' the%e %en%ation% and "eing
#na"le to %ee their tr#e nat#re i% a %ome$hat ommon a#%e o' 'ail#re
to progre%% and 'ail#re to li!e healthily. *n the mild %ide, $e may >#%t
'eel a "it li&e a'ter $e do a'ter $e ha!e "een rying. Mi%ery i% the
tran%ition point "et$een the Dr#m8li&e 689(L part o' the Dar& +ight
and the !ery ompleF, irritating 're)#enie% that 'ollo$. Attention
ontin#e% to get $ider and the enter more "lind. A% thing% ontin#e to
'all apart, learly demon%trate their #n%ati%'atorine%% and their
%el'le%%ne%%, thi% an a#%e...
9. DI,BA,T
.e "eome di%g#%ted $ith the $hole thing. Thi% i% $here the "#LLy
10819[ (L haoti !i"ration% aro#nd the periphery really "egin to get
%trong. Thro#gh thi% %etion o' the Dar& +ight, o#r a"ility to %ee o">et%
in the enter o' o#r attention i% poor, and it may 'eel li&e o#r mind% are
"eing %trethed $ide and yet ontrating at the %ame time. .e "egin to
'eel ompletely tormented "y o#r noi%y and repetitio#% mind% Ca la%%i
%ign o' thi% %tageE, "y a "ody that i% '#ll o' %#''ering and #nplea%ant
%en%ation%, and "y a $orld that i% 'alling apart. /erei!ing tho#ght% a%
tho#ght% get% harder and harder, and th#% getting a#ght "y o#r %t#'' get%
inrea%ingly ea%ier. *n the mild %ide, one might >#%t 'eel %#"tly re!olted
and di%appointed $ith reality in general, or perhap% ha!e the %lightly
reepy 'eeling o' ra$ling %&in. *n the %trong %ide, $e %ee nothing to
ling to, no %el' to "e 'o#nd, and $e "egin to $i%h the $hole edgy thing
$o#ld >#%t end, al%o alled...
5. DE,I:E -*: DE2IHE:A+CE
At thi% %tage, $e are 'ed #p $ith the $hole thing, "#t at a le!el that
tran%end% mere %#iidal tho#ght%. Th#%, it i% at#ally "ene'iial tho#gh
it %eem% other$i%e. +o longer do $e loo& 'or$ard to anything "#t the
omplete ending o' all %en%ation%, i.e. the 'ir%t ta%te o' +ir!ana. .e >#%t
$i%h the noi%e in o#r mind% $o#ld %top old, "#t are #na"le to $ill thi%
152
to happen. .e $i%h the !i"ration%, $hih an "e )#ite inten%e, har%h
and irritating "y thi% %tage, $o#ld all go a$ay 'ore!er. I' $e 'ail to
a%%oiate the pain ending $ith deep in%ight% "#t in%tead 'al%ely a%%oiate
it $ith hanging %omething in o#r ordinary li'e, $e are li&ely to $ander
'ar and $ide #ntil $e ome to realiLe the limitation% o' ordinary
%ol#tion%.
Thi% i% the %tage $hen people are mo%t li&ely to )#it their >o"% or
%hooling o#t o' 'r#%tration and go on a long retreat or %pirit#al )#e%t.
-a%ination $ith eli"ay a% %omeho$ "eing ;a higher %pirit#al path< an
ari%e. *#r ren#niation trip an "e !ery di%orienting to partner%,
parti#larly i' $e $ere going to the oppo%ite eFtreme o' inten%e %eF#ality
d#ring the %tage o' the Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay $hih pro"a"ly
o#rred relati!ely reently, %o try to "e %en%iti!e to their need% i' yo#
an. ,ome$here in here, there an ari%e the tendeny to try to get oneI%
li'e and 'inane% in order %o that one an lea!e the $orld "ehind 'or a
time and ha!e %omething to ome "a& to $itho#t ha!ing to $orry a"o#t
%#h thing% 'or a $hile. A pro'o#nd re%ol#tion to p#%h on$ard an ari%e
at thi% %tage dri!en "y o#r po$er'#l 'r#%tration and the po$er'#l
ompa%%ion in it. .e ma&e the la%t p#%h 'or 'reedom, the p#%h again%t
the %eemingly impenetra"le $all o'...
10. :E8*B,E:HATI*+
Thi% %tage may not %o#nd li&e m#h o' a pro"lem, a% it ha% %#h a
"oring8%o#nding name, "#t thi% %tage i% o'ten, tho#gh not al$ay%, li&e a
"ri& $all, parti#larly the 'ir%t 'e$ time% $e r#n into it. It an "e a% i' all
o' the %tage% o' the Dar& +ight on!erge again 'or one la%t important
le%%on, the le%%on o' :e8o"%er!ation. .e m#%t perei!e the tr#e nat#re
o' the %en%ation% that ma&e #p all o' o#r idea% o' per'etion, all o' the
ideal% $e ling to, all image% o' ho$ the $orld %ho#ld "e and %ho#ldnIt
"e, all de%ire 'or anything to "e other than the $ay that it i% a% $ell a% all
de%ire 'or enlightenment that i% anything other than thi%. It may %eem
impo%%i"le to %it 'or e!en a min#te, a% the le!el% o' re%tle%%ne%% and
a!er%ion to meditation and all eFperiene an get )#ite high. Thi% %tage
and part o' %tage 4 CThe Three Charateri%ti%E an %hare %ome
ommon 'eat#re%. Thi% %ho#ld "e %een a% a %trong $arning to tho%e $ho
are prone to "eing o!erly ertain a"o#t ;$here they are.< I get a
rea%ona"le n#m"er o' email% 'rom people $ho laim they are %#re they
154
are in re8o"%er!ation, and %hortly therea'ter they are de%ri"ing A?/
territory, meaning that they had >#%t "een in The Three Charateri%ti%
territory, not :e8o"%er!ation. Contin#ing to in!e%tigate the tr#e nat#re o'
the%e %ort% o' %en%ation% and o#r map theorie% i% o'ten di''i#lt, and thi%
i% a ommon a#%e o' 'ail#re to progre%%.
+o$, I am a"o#t to de%ri"e all %ort% o' emotional or p%yhologial
mani'e%tation% that an %ometime% happen at thi% %tage. The more
eFtreme the de%ription o' a po%%i"le %ide8e''et o' thi% %tage, the rarer
that %ide8e''et i% li&ely to "e, parti#larly tho%e that %o#nd li&e
de%ription% o' mental illne%%. -or %omeone $ho i% %taying at the le!el o'
"are %en%ate eFperiene, a% I %trongly reommend, the only di''i#lt
mani'e%tation% that %eem to "e )#ite ommon are a %trong %en%e o'
a!er%ion to 'ormal meditation and eFperiene, and a deep %en%e o'
primal 'r#%tration, tho#gh the%e tend to 'all )#i&ly in the 'ae o' good
pratie, and i' o#r onentration i% %trong eno#gh and o#r other 'ator%
are in "alane, $e may mo!e thro#gh thi% %tage $ith no pro"lem at all.
The a!er%ion to meditation and eFperiene are d#e to the 'at that
the !i"ration% "y thi% point an "e )#ite 'a%t and har%h and the noi%e in
o#r repetiti!e mind% )#ite irritating. ,ome o' my o$n de%ription% o'
thi% %tage $hile on retreat ha!e inl#ded %#h phra%e% a% ;the
mind%torm< and ;a "raing $or& in D minor 'or %iF %en%e door%,
hail%torm and %t#ttering "an%hee.< I' $e are !ery po$er'#l meditator%, it
an literally 'eel a% i' $e $ill "e torn apart "y the%e !i"ration%, and thi% i%
eFatly $hat $e are trying to aompli%h. E!en i' the other odd
mani'e%tation% do ari%e, i' $e are pratiing $ell they %ho#ld not la%t !ery
long at all, at "e%t min#te%, at $or%t ho#r% or day%.
All o' that %aid, and "e'ore I go on, tho%e $ho are ro%%ing thi%
territory $ith %trong onentration a"ilitie% and #%ing %ome !ery rare'ied
o">et, %#h a% a ompleF !i%#aliLation on %ared geometry a% one o'
many po%%i"le eFample%, may, i' they are !ery good, pa%% thro#gh thi%
%tage $ith little or no di''i#lty at all, and all they may notie i% that the
thing get% $ider and $ider, the pattern% get more ompleF and attain to
$ider, more %pherial dimen%ion% and perhap% many8'old %ymmetrie%,
and that it ome% aro#nd to enompa%% "a%ially the $hole 'ield o'
eFperiene, &ind o' li&e $athing an IMAX mo!ie o' a mo!ing
tehniolor %pirograph in the 'ront ro$, or %ome %imilar thing. I #%e thi%
153
eFample partly d#e to my o$n eFperiment% and partly to ill#%trate
general point%. Di''erent o">et% $ill prod#e di''erent %pei'i%, %#h a%
olor%, image%, et., $hile %ome #ni!er%al a%pet% o' $hat happen%
d#ring thi% %tage $ill remain "a%ially the %ame.
Go# %ee, :e8o"%er!ation i% at#ally all 'l#'' and no %#"%tane, "#t i'
yo# on'#%e 'l#'' 'or %#"%tane, the e''et $ill "e the %ame a% i' it
at#ally had %#"%tane. It i% li&e a toothle%% dog $ith a 'eroio#% "ar&. I'
yo# r#n %reaming or 'aint 'rom 'ear $hen the dog "ar&%, then it needed
no teeth to pre!ent yo#r progre%%. The orollary i% that the primary %ign
that the negati!e %ide e''et% that may o#r in the Dar& +ight are
at#ally not a%%oiated $ith in%ight %tage% "#t in%tead are d#e to other
proe%%e% i% that they do not hange m#h in the 'ae o' %trong and
aepting in!e%tigation or %topping pratie entirely. That %aidP
Thi% %tage i% %ometime% alled the ;rolling #p the mat %tage< and i%
$hen many $ho >oined mona%terie% in the %tage o' the Ari%ing and
/a%%ing A$ay no$ gi!e #p and di%ro"e. /eople on retreat% tend to need
lot% o' rea%%#rane and o'ten lea!e right then e!en $ith good g#idane
and eno#ragement. There an "e the di%tint 'eeling that it i%
impo%%i"le to go 'or$ard and #%ele%% to go "a&, $hih i% eFatly the
le%%on they %ho#ld learn. Aeptane o' right here and right no$ i%
re)#ired, e!en i' it %eem% that thi% mind and thi% "ody are )#ite
#naepta"le and #n$orthy o' in!e%tigation. +o %en%ation% are #n$orthy
o' in!e%tigationK
*ne o' the hallmar&% o' the early part o' thi% %tage i% that $e may
"egin to learly %ee eFatly $hat o#r mind% do all day long, %ee $ith
great larity ho$ the ill#%ion o' a d#ali%ti %plit i% e!en reated in the 'ir%t
plae %en%ation "y %en%ation, moment to moment, "#t %omeho$ there i%
not yet eno#gh %paio#%ne%% o' per%peti!e and e)#animity to ma&e
good #%e o' thi% in'ormation. Thi% an "e !ery 'r#%trating, a% $e $onder
ho$ many time% $e ha!e to learn the%e le%%on% "e'ore they %ti&.
Breat 'eeling% o' 'r#%tration and di%enhantment $ith li'e,
relation%hip%, %eF, >o"%, moral ode% and ;$orldly< re%pon%i"ilitie% may
%ometime% emerge at thi% %tage in $ay% that an a#%e all %ort% o'
di%r#ption and ang%t. The%e a%pet% o' oneI% li'e an temporarily %eem
"land and pointle%% at thi% %tage, tho#gh it may %eem that thi% $ill al$ay%
"e the $ay one 'eel% a"o#t them. Thi% %tage an mimi or perhap%
156
mani'e%t a% %ome degree o' linial depre%%ion. Be$are o' ma&ing
radial li'e hange% that annot ea%ily "e #ndone C%#h a% a di!oreE, or
'iring o'' angry email% to yo#r "o%% "a%ed #pon the temporary 'eeling%
that may ari%e d#ring thi% %tage. -or tho%e that reogniLe that they are in
thi% %tage, %ome %ort o' ati!e mental ompen%ation 'or the%e potential
e''et% an "e help'#l %o a% to &eep oneI% li'e '#ntioning. It an help
one appear more ;together< than one 'eel%, and th#% maintain
relation%hip%, >o"%, %t#die%, et. at %ome %ort o' '#ntional le!el. Thi% an
"e !ery %&ill'#l i' it i% al%o om"ined $ith pratie that allo$% the
eFperiene% o' thi% %tage to "e a&no$ledged and #nder%tood a% $ell.
2ayer% o' #nhelp'#l and pre!io#%ly hidden eFpetation, pre%%#re
and anFiety an %ho$ their tr#e #%ele%%ne%%, tho#gh thi% "ene'iial
proe%% an "e !ery on'#%ing and di''i#lt. .e may get the %en%e that
$e ha!e ne!er had %#h a %trong 'eeling li'e, and #ntil $e get #%ed to thi%
ne$ a$arene%% o' o#r pre!io#%ly %#"tle emotion%, thi% %tage an "e )#ite
o!er$helming. *a%ionally, people an al%o ha!e $hat an %eem li&e
'#ll p%yhoti "rea&% d#ring thi% %tage, tho#gh i' the%e are tr#ly a %ide
e''et o' in%ight pratie% they %ho#ld pa%% )#i&ly. The "ig tri& here i%
to ontin#e to a&no$ledge and aept the ontent "#t al%o ontin#e to
%ee the tr#e nat#re o' the %en%ation% that ma&e #p the%e nat#ral
phenomena. Thi% an "e eFtremely hard to do, e%peially i' people ha!e
haned #pon thi% %tage $itho#t the "ene'it o' the g#idane o' a $ell8
de!eloped in%ight tradition and teaher% $ho an reogniLe thi%
territory.
Tho%e $ho do not &no$ $hat to do $ith thi% %tage or $ho get
o!er$helmed "y the mind %tate% an get %o lo%t in the ontent that they
"egin to lo%e it. Thi% i% the 'ar eFtreme o' $hat an happen in thi% %tage.
-ear i% 'rightening, mi%ery i% mi%era"le, and %eemingly p%yhoti
epi%ode% are !ery on'#%ing and de%ta"iliLing. In the 'ae o' %#h
eFperiene%, $e may %$ing to the oppo%ite eFtreme, linging de%perately
to grandio%e image% o' o#r%el!e%. The%e thing% an ea%ily perpet#ate
them%el!e%, and thi% an "eome a "latantly de%tr#ti!e mental ha"it i'
people per%i%t in $allo$ing in the%e dar& emotion% and their deep and
#nre%ol!ed i%%#e% 'or too long. It an "e li&e ogniti!e re%tr#t#ring
'rom (ell.
157
I' the ontent ontin#e% to "e "o#ght $itho#t the a"ility to %ee it%
tr#e nat#re, then the mind an %piral do$n and do$n into madne%% and
de%pair. .hen people mention ;to#hing their o$n madne%%< on the
%pirit#al path, they are o'ten tal&ing a"o#t thi% %tage. Thi% %tage an
ma&e people 'eel la#%tropho"i and tight. I' they p#%h to ma&e
progre%%, they an 'eel that they are >#%t getting $o#nd #p tighter and
tighter. I' they do nothing then they are %till %#''ering any$ay.
The ad!ie here i%0 %ti& $ith it "#t donIt try to 'ore it. /ay attention
to "alaning e''ort and aeptane. :emem"er that di%retion i% the
"etter part o' !alor. /ratie in moderation a% $ell a% maintaining a long8
term !ie$ an "e help'#l. Thin& o' pratie a% a li'e8long endea!or, "#t
do >#%t $hat yo# an eah day. ,tay pre%ent8oriented. .al&% in nat#re or
plae% $ith large, eFpan%i!e !ie$% an help, a% an eFeri%e. Thi% %tage
ha% the po$er to pro'o#ndly p#ri'y #%, gi!en %#''iient ommitment to
>#%t trying to %it $ith it, "e lear, prei%e and aept all thi% de%pite the
pain and ang#i%h, "oth phy%ial and mental, that it an "ring. I' on
retreat0 %it and $al& aording to the %hed#le, apply the tehni)#e a%
pre%ri"ed e!ery %eond i' h#manly po%%i"le, and do not lea!e earlyK
Thi% %tage i% at#ally a pro'o#nd opport#nity to %ee learly the pain
o' the d#ali%ti a%pet o' o#r attahment%, a!er%ion%, de%ire%, hope%,
'ear% and ideal%, a% all thi% ha% "een ampli'ied to an #npreedented
le!el. It i% thi% %tage that ma&e% po%%i"le the path o' heroi e''ort,
diligent in!e%tigation o' thi% moment "a%ed #pon the po$er'#l de%ire 'or
enlightenment, a% at thi% %tage all o' the #n%&ill'#l a%pet% o' thi% de%ire
are "eaten o#t o' the meditator $ith a 'ore e)#i!alent to the %#''ering
a#%ed "y them. Go# an at#ally get !ery 'ar on highly im"alaned and
goal8oriented pratie, and it an gi!e %#''iient moment#m and
meditation %&ill% %o that, %ho#ld yo# get yo#r a%% &i&ed in thi% %tage,
one ontin#e% ma&ing progre%% )#i&ly any$ay.
Again, i' the meditator %top% pratiing here, they an get %t#& and
ha#nted "y thi% %tage in the $hole o' their li'e #ntil they omplete thi%
'ir%t progre%% o' in%ight. Their la& o' pratie $ill depri!e them o' the
primary "ene'it% o' thi% %tage Ci.e., the inrea%ed perept#al a"ilitie% that
allo$ed them to get thi% m#h in%ight in the 'ir%t plaeE and red#e their
hane% o' getting "eyond it, and yet the emotional on%e)#ene% an
remain long a'ter the %&ill% in meditation ha!e 'aded.
157
They an "eome ;Chroni Dar& +ight Gogi%,< meditator% that
%omeho$ >#%t donIt 'ig#re o#t ho$ to get pa%t thi% %tage 'or !ery long
period% o' time. Go# $o#ld "e %#rpri%ed "y ho$ many o' the%e people
there are o#t there. Their 'ail#re to #n%ti& them%el!e% may "e d#e to
their o$n p%yhologial ma&e#p, poor in%tr#tion, imagining that the
%pirit#al li'e i% all a"o#t "li%% and $onder'#l emotion%, "elie!ing in
a"%#rd model% o' %pirit#ality that do not allo$ 'or the '#ll range o' the
emotional and mental li'e, or haning #pon thi% %tage o#t%ide o' a $ell8
de!eloped in%ight tradition, $hih i% $hat happened to me at a"o#t age
16. I $a% a Chroni Dar& +ight Gogi 'or 10 year% $itho#t ha!ing any
idea $hat the hell $a% happening to me, %o I an %pea& on thi% topi
$ith %ome a#thority. -#rther, I ha!e gone thro#gh n#mero#% other
Dar& +ight% at the higher %tage% o' a$a&ening and ome aro%% the
%ame i%%#e% again and again. Being %t#& in the Dar& +ight an mani'e%t
a% any$here 'rom hroni mild depre%%ion and 'ree8'loating anFiety to
%erio#% del#%ional paranoia and other la%%i mental illne%%e%, e.g.
nari%%i%m and del#%ion% o' grande#r Cmy per%onal 'a!orite%E. Dar&
+ight Gogi% may at $ith a %trange miFt#re o' dediated %pirit#ality and
dar&ne%%.
I mentioned that the A?/ E!ent o#ld impart a "it o' the
in%pirational, radial religio#% leader )#ality to tho%e prone to %#h
thing%. -or the%e %ame indi!id#al%, ,tage 10 an %ometime% ha!e a "it o'
the paranoid, apoalypti #lt leader )#ality to it, a on'#%ed $hirl$ind
o' po$er'#l in%piration and de%pair. D#%t "ea#%e %omeone ha%
"orderline or anti%oial per%onality di%order doe%nOt mean they anOt
ma&e progre%% in in%ight, and $hen they hit the%e %tage% it an "e pretty
$ild.
.e may all ha!e o#r o$n parti#lar ne#roti tendenie% that ome
o#t $hen $e are #nder %tre%%, "#t i' yo# 'eel that yo# are really lo%ing it0
get help, parti#larly 'rom tho%e $ho &no$ thi% territory 'ir%thand and
are $illing to tal& hone%tly a"o#t itK DonIt "e a maho meditator and get
%t#&, and donIt imagine that %pirit#al pratie anIt a#%e %ome $ild
and %ometime% #nplea%ant %ide e''et%. *ne o' the "e%t thing% a"o#t
$or&ing $ith a thoro#ghly )#ali'ied and realiLed in%ight meditation
teaher "e'ore $e get into thi% %ort o' tro#"le i% that they $ill ha!e %ome
159
idea o' o#r "a%eline le!el o' %anity and "alane and th#% &no$ $hat $e
are apa"le o'.
That %aid, I %#%pet that "oth the M#%hroom -ator and the dharma
>et %et #lt#re o' teaher% popping in and o#t $ith little hane 'or
%t#dent% to ha!e meaning'#l ontat $ith them o'' retreat ontri"#te% to
the non8tri!ial n#m"er o' Dar& +ight Gogi% o#t there. I %#%pet that
there are 'e$er pro"lem% $ith Chroni Dar& +ight Gogi% in tradition%
$here the map% o' $hat an happen in thi% territory are $ell &no$n and
in $hih there are teaher% $ho are !ery ae%%i"le and hone%t a"o#t
their h#manity and the po%%i"le range o' the %pirit#al terrain.
*n the other hand, %ometime% gen#ine mental illne%% or #nrelated
emotional or p%yhologial di''i#ltie% an %ho$ #p in peopleI% li!e%.
Blaming it all on the Dar& +ight may not al$ay% "e a#rate or help'#l,
tho#gh i' yo# ha!e reently ro%%ed the A?/ E!ent and not ompleted
an in%ight yle or gotten into the neFt %tage CE)#animityE, there i% going
to "e %ome Dar& +ight omponent miFed in $ith $hate!er el%e i% going
on.
Meditation tradition% tend to attrat $hat an %eem li&e more than
their 'air %hare o' the %pirit#al, emotional and mental e)#i!alent% o' the
$al&ing $o#nded. ,orting o#t $hat i% $hat an %ometime% get m#r&y
and may re)#ire the help o' "oth tho%e $ho &no$ thi% in%ight territory
and tho%e $ho deal $ith ro#tine mental illne%% and emotional and
p%yhologial di''i#ltie%. The "e%t om"ination $o#ld "e %omeone $ho
&no$% "oth. I ha!e a highly enlightened 'riend $ho ha% 'o#nd it !ery
#%e'#l to ta&e mediation to treat hi% "ipolar di%order. There i%
%omething !ery do$n8to8earth and reali%ti a"o#t that. The%e pratie%
$onIt %a!e #% 'rom o#r "iology. They merely re!eal %omething in the
relation%hip to it.
*n the other hand, there are tho%e that are %o deeply indotrinated
"y the model% o' ;$or&ing thro#gh< o#r ;dar& %t#''< that $hene!er it
ome% #p they t#rn to p%yhotherapy or a $hole ho%t o' other $ay% o'
getting their i%%#e% to ;re%ol!e< or go a$ay. Thi% !ie$ implie% 'al%e
%olidity and an eFaggerated importane to the%e thing% that an ma&e it
!ery hard to %ee the tr#e nat#re o' the %en%ation% that ma&e them #p.
The trap here i% that $e t#rn a "a%i ri%i% o' '#ndamental identity into a
$ith8h#nt 'or the %pei'i thing% in o#r li'e that $e imagine are ma&ing
155
#% thi% di%%ati%'ied $ith o#r "a%i eFperiene. I' %omeone ha% gotten to
thi% le!el o' pratie, no amo#nt o' tin&ering $ith the %pei'i% o' o#r li'e
$ill e!er %ol!e the '#ndamental i%%#e.
That doe%nIt mean that %ome o' the di%%ati%'ation% $ith %pei'i
a%pet% o' o#r li'e may not "e !alid, and in 'at they o'ten are )#ite
!alid. (o$e!er, the%e relati!e i%%#e% get miFed in $ith a 'ar deeper i%%#e,
that o' $ho $e really are and arenIt, and #ntil thi% progre%% o' in%ight ha%
"een ompleted, thi% miFt#re tend% to greatly eFaggerate o#r %pei'i
ritii%m% o' tho%e thing% in o#r li'e that o#ld at#ally %tand
impro!ement and $or&. 2earning thi% le%%on an "e !ery hard 'or %ome
people, and the dar& irony i% that they may $re& their relation%hip%,
areer% and 'inane%, a% $ell a% emotional and phy%ial health, trying to
get a$ay 'rom their o$n high le!el o' in%ight into the tr#e nat#re o'
reality. Antil they are $illing to $or& on a more diret, %en%ate le!el,
there i% no limit to the amo#nt o' ang%t and negati!ity they an pro>et
onto their $orld. I ha!e %een thi% play o#t again and again in my%el' and
in the li!e% o' my dharma ompanion%. It an "e a !ery #gly "#%ine%%.
My ad!ie 'or %#h %it#ation% i% thi%0 i', a'ter are'#l analy%i% o' yo#r
in%ight pratie lead% yo# to the onl#%ion that yo# are in :e8
o"%er!ation, re%ol!e that yo# $ill not $re& yo#r li'e thro#gh eFe%%i!e
negati!ityK :e%ol!e thi% %trongly and o'ten. -ollo$ yo#r heart a% "e%t yo#
an, "#t try to %pare yo#r%el' and the $orld 'rom a% m#h needle%% pain
a% i% po%%i"le. Thro#gh %heer 'ore o' $ill, &eep it together #ntil %#h
time a% yo# are $illing to 'ae yo#r %en%ate $orld diretly and $itho#t
ane%the%ia or armor. I ha!e %een $hat happen% $hen people do
other$i%e, and ha!e ome to the onl#%ion that, in general, thing% go
"adly i' people do not 'ollo$ thi% ad!ie, tho#gh %ome #neFpeted good
an al$ay% ome 'rom %#h %it#ation%.
The 'rame$or& o' the Three Training% and the three type% o'
%#''ering that i% 'o#nd $ithin eah o' their %ope an "e help'#l here a%
$ell. ,ine people are generally not #%ed to 'aing '#ndamental ri%e% o'
identity, i.e. the "a%i i%%#e in :e8o"%er!ation, they are not 'amiliar $ith
the pain o' '#ndamental %#''ering. Being #n'amiliar $ith the pain o'
'#ndamental %#''ering, they are li&ely to imagine that it i% at#ally
%#''ering prod#ed "y the %pei'i% o' their ordinary $orld. (o$e!er, i'
yo# ha!e gotten to :e8o"%er!ation, in %hort, i' yo# ha!e 'o#nd the%e
200
tehni)#e% to "e e''eti!e, ha!e 'aith that the remaining ad!ie may "e
o' !al#e and try to '#l'ill thi% part o' the eFperiment. That i%, i' yo# are
in :e8o"%er!ation, the ta%& that on'ront% yo# i% to di%%oiate the
'#ndamental %#''ering yo# no$ &no$ all too $ell 'rom the %pei'i% o'
yo#r li'e in an ordinary %en%e.
-ollo$ing thi% ad!ie may %o#nd dangero#%, heartle%% or "iLarre to
%ome people. It i% a !alid ritii%m. In an ideal $orld, $e $o#ld not ha!e
to go aro#nd %eond8g#e%%ing o#r%el!e% and the %o#re% o' o#r %#''ering
in the %pei'i $ay that I ad!oate here. In an ideal $orld, $e $o#ld
really ha!e o#r p%yhologial trip together, "e a"le to %tay $ith the
pratie d#ring the%e %tage%, and th#% ro%% )#i&ly thro#gh the Dar&
+ight and 'ini%h thi% pratie yle. It de'initely an "e done.
(o$e!er, $e are not al$ay% ideal pratitioner%, and th#% the Dar&
+ight o'ten a#%e% the pro"lem% mentioned a"o!e that need to "e dealt
$ith %omeho$. My %ol#tion% to $hat happen% $hen $e annot or $ill
not do in%ight pratie% in the 'ae o' the Dar& +ight are al%o not ideal.
(o$e!er, the o#tome% are li&ely to "e m#h healthier in the %hort and
long term than tho%e that ome 'rom %imply allo$ing #nre%trained Dar&
+ight "leed8thro#gh. ,trangely, I ha!e ome to the onl#%ion that
%imply pratiing i% o'ten m#h ea%ier than trying to %top Dar& +ight
"leed8thro#gh i' $e are $illing to >#%t try it, tho#gh it an ea%ily %eem
other$i%e. The old &indergarden e!al#ation, ;-ollo$% in%tr#tion%, play%
$ell $ith other%,< i% %till a !al#a"le %tandard in the Dar& +ight.
+ot re%training oneI% negati!ity and reati!ity in the Dar& +ight i% a
"it li&e getting %tin&ing dr#n& and then dri!ing in hea!y tra''i rather
than >#%t %itting do$n and $aiting to %o"er #p. +ot ontin#ing to do
in%ight pratie% in thi% %tage i% li&e going into %#rgery, opening #p an
ini%ion, ma&ing %ome repair%, and then 'rea&ing o#t "ea#%e the patient
no$ ha% a "ig, "leeding ini%ion and r#nning a$ay 'rom the operating
ta"le, lea!ing them there to %#''er. Go# o#ld thin& o' many $ay% to
ma&e the patient happy and try them all, "#t #ntil yo# lo%e #p that
$o#nd they are gonnaI "e pi%%edK An'ort#nately, in thi% a%e yo# are
"oth the %#rgeon and the patient. -ae the $o#nd and lo%e it #pK Go#
o"!io#%ly ha!e the nee%%ary %&ill%, a% yo# ha!e gotten thi% 'ar. A%e
them. The operation i% nearly o!er.
201
There are al%o tho%e $ho try to in!e%tigate the tr#e nat#re o' their
p%yhologial demon% and li'e i%%#e% "#t get %o 'iFated on #%ing in%ight
to ma&e them go a$ay that they 'ail to hold the%e thing% in a $ider,
more reali%ti and appropriate per%peti!e. Thi% %#"tle orr#ption o'
in%ight pratie% t#rn% them into another 'orm o' denial rather than a
path to a$a&ening. Dra$ing 'rom the agenda% o' training in morality, in
$hih there i% onern 'or the %pei'i tho#ght% and 'eeling% that ma&e
#p o#r eFperiene, they 'ail to ma&e progre%% in in%ight, $ho%e agenda i%
%imply to %ee the tr#e nat#re o' all %en%ation% a% they are. Both are
important, "#t it i% a )#e%tion o' timing.
I ha!e ome to the onl#%ion that, $ith !ery rare and 'leeting
eFeption%, 56W o' the %en%ation% that ma&e #p o#r eFperiene are
really no pro"lem at all, e!en in the hard %tage%, "#t %eeing thi% learly i%
not al$ay% ea%y. .e tend to 'iFate on %trong %en%ation% $hen they ari%e,
tho%e that are !ery pain'#l or !ery plea%ant, and in the%e time% $e an
mi%% the 'at that mo%t o' o#r reality i% li&ely made o' %en%ation% that are
no "ig deal, th#% mi%%ing many great opport#nitie% 'or ea%y in%ight%.
-#rther, the Dar& +ight an "ring #p all %ort% o' #n'amiliar 'eeling% that
$e rarely i' e!er ha!e eFperiened $ith %#h larity or inten%ity. Antil $e
get #%ed to the%e 'eeling%, they an 'righten #% and ma&e #% reati!e
"ea#%e o' o#r #n'amiliarity $ith them e!en i' they are not at#ally that
%trongly #nplea%ant.
I highly reommend #%ing phy%ial %en%ation%, %#h a% tho%e o' the
"reath, a% the o">et% o' in)#iry d#ring the Dar& +ight $hene!er
po%%i"le, a% pl#nging into emotional ontent, e!en $ith the intention o'
in!e%tigating it, an %ometime% "e a !ery hard $ay to go. :emem"er,
$hether $e gain in%ight thro#gh in!e%tigating phy%ial or mental o">et%
i% ompletely irrele!antK In%ight i% in%ight. Choo%e o">et% 'or
in!e%tigation "y $hih yo# donIt get a#ght $hene!er po%%i"le. The "e%t
thing a"o#t reality, parti#larly in the Dar& +ight, i% that yo# only ha!e
to deal $ith one little 'li&ering %en%ation at a time. ,taying on that le!el
$hen doing in%ight pratie% i% an #n#%#ally good idea. /ay attention to
$hat i% right in 'ront o' yo#, "#t &eep yo#r attention open.
All o' that %ary %t#'' %aid, there are people $ho "reeLe %traight 'rom
the Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay on thro#gh the $hole o' the Dar& +ight
in a% little a% a 'e$ ea%y min#te% or ho#r% and hardly notie it at all, %o
202
donIt let my de%ription% o' $hat an %ometime% happen %ript yo# into
imagining that the Dar& +ight ha% to "e a giganti pro"lem. It a"%ol#tely
doe%nIt. The%e de%ription% o' $hat an %ometime% happen are merely
there to help tho%e $ho do eno#nter the%e %ort% o' pro"lem% to realiLe
that the%e thing% an happen and %o "e more a"le to deal $ith them
%&ill'#lly. There i% no medal a$arded 'or ha!ing a to#gh time in the
Dar& +ight or 'or %taying in it 'or longer than nee%%ary, m#h to my
di%may.
*ne o' the more "iLarre pothole% $e an 'all into in the Dar& +ight
i% to "eome identi'ied and 'a%inated $ith the role o' The Breat
,pirit#al Ba%&et Ca%e. ;I am %o %pirit#al that my li'e i% a non8%top
ata%trophe o' #nontrolla"le in%ight%, di%a"ling and 'rea&i%h rapt#re%,
and on%tant emotional ri%e% o' the mo%t pro'o#nd nat#re. My %pirit#al
a"ilitie% are pro!en and !eri'ied "y $hat a me%% I am ma&ing o' my li'e.
(o$ "ra!e I am to %re$ #p my li'e in thi% $ayK *h, $hat a glorio#% and
holy $re& I am.< Both my %ympathy and intolerane 'or tho%e a#ght
in thi% trap i% diretly related to the amo#nt o' time I ha!e %pent in that
trap "eing >#%t li&e them. .herea% $e %ho#ld not try to pretend that the
Dar& +ight ha%nIt made #% a "a%&et a%e i' it ha% done %o, $e %ho#ld
neither re!el in "eing a "a%&et a%e nor #%e the Dar& +ight a% an eF#%e
'or not "eing a% &ind and '#ntional a% $e an po%%i"ly "e.
*ne $ay or the other, $hen $e 'inally gi!e #p and re%t in thing% a%
they are $itho#t trying to hange them or "e them, i.e. are !ery
aepting o' o#r at#al h#manity a% $ell a% lear a"o#t the Three
Charateri%ti% o' mental and phy%ial phenomena, there ari%e%...
11. ETAA+IMITG
-inally, $e really "egin to #nder%tand and %#rrender to the tr#th o'
thing%. .e aept the tr#th o' o#r at#al h#man li!e% a% they are at a
deep le!el. All o' the ;%t#''< that the Dar& +ight may ha!e "ro#ght #p
may %till "e going on, "#t %omeho$ it ha% lo%t it% a"ility to a#%e real
tro#"le. E)#animity i% m#h more a"o#t %omething in the relation%hip
to phenomena than anything %pei'i a"o#t the phenomena them%el!e%.
E)#animity an ha!e %ort o' a ro#gh %tart, %trangely eno#gh, a% $ell a%
%ome mildly pain'#l and irritating %en%ation%, "#t the meditator 'eel% that
%ome "arrier ha% 'inally "ro&en, a $eight ha% li'ted and pratie an
ontin#e.
204
(o$e!er, thi% %tage an "e %#h a relie' a'ter :e8o"%er!ation that it i%
!ery tempting to %olidi'y it into the 'o#rth %amatha >hana either "ea#%e
doing %o i% %o nie or "ea#%e o' 'ear o' 'alling "a& to :e8o"%er!ation,
$hih an ea%ily o#r. (o$e!er, a% I ontin#e to mention, not
in!e%tigating the )#alitie% o' thi% %tage, %#h a% peae, ea%e, and a
panorami per%peti!e, a#%e% 'ail#re to progre%% and ma&e% 'alling "a&
to :e8o"%er!ation more li&ely.
The 'ir%t !ipa%%ana >hana i% a"o#t "#ilding #p the "a%i %&ill% o' $hat
i% a phy%ial %en%ation%, $hat i% a mental %en%ation, ho$ they relate, and
$hat the Three Charateri%ti% 'eel li&e in pratie. The Ari%ing and
/a%%ing a$ay i% a"o#t %eeing thi% !ery learly and pro'o#ndly 'or the
o">et o' meditation. The Dar& +ight i% a"o#t the%e in%ight% then
oming aro#nd to the "a&gro#nd and %eeing more ompleF emotional
and p%yhologial on%tr#t% o' mental and phy%ial %en%ation% a% they
are. The 'o#rth !ipa%%ana >hana, meaning thi% %tage, i% a"o#t %eeing the
tr#e nat#re o' e!en more ompleF, inl#%i!e, %#"tle and '#ndamental
thing%, li&e %pae, a$arene%%, in!e%tigation, $onder, eFpetation,
antiipation, peae, ea%e, )#e%tioning, and tho%e %ort% o' thing% in $ay%
that #t thro#gh the enter and inl#de the $hole "a&gro#nd and
'oregro#nd a% $ell.
Thi% early %tage an 'eel !ery 'amiliar and ;normal,< li&e $e ha!e
remem"ered %omething %imple and good 'rom o#r hildhood. I' $e 'elt
$eary o' the $orld in the Dar& +ight, $e may %#ddenly 'ind that the
$orld i% >#%t 'ine and may e!en "e more engaged $ith it and eFited
a"o#t it than "e'ore. Again, the%e potentially radial mood %$ing% an "e
!ery di%orienting to tho%e $ith $hom $e ha!e lo%e relation%hip%. Try to
"e %en%iti!e to thi% and their 'eeling%. Con'idene ret#rn%, "#t $herea%
there may ha!e "een a :am"o8li&e )#ality to it d#ring %tage 3. The
Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay, no$ there i% more o' the ool, harming
on'idene o' Dame% Bond C%orry a"o#t the p#rely ma%#line image%
hereE.
,ome$here in here there an ari%e a tendeny to %ee the $orld and
tho%e in it in !ery %trange and #n#%#al $ay%. I $ill gi!e one eFample
'rom my o$n eFperiene, "#t realiLe that tremendo#% !ariation i%
po%%i"le here, %o donIt ta&e thi% too %erio#%ly. It i% meant to try to
on!ey a !ery general onept. I remem"er loo&ing aro#nd me at all the
203
people on retreat and e!en all the hi&en%, "ird% and p#ppie% in the
mona%tery, and %eeing them all %im#ltaneo#%ly a% ;little m#%h demon%<
Clittle %)#at greeni%h reat#re% $ith "ig, %ad mo#th% and eye%E and '#lly
enlightened "#ddha% at the %ame time. They $ere "oth. In 'at, $e $ere
"oth.
.e $ere del#ded and %mall, yet tran%endent and l#mino#%. I
o#ld %ee in %ome !ery %trange $ay eFatly ho$ eah o' them, inl#ding
me, $a% a#ght in the $orld o' 'orm and on'#%ion, trying to 'ind
happine%% and yet doing %o 'rom %#h a %mall and 'rightened plae, and
yet all o' thi% $a% !a%t "#ddha nat#re, all o' thi% $a% the nat#ral,
l#mino#% and ompa%%ionate dane o' Bod. ,#h %trange per%peti!e%
that try to re%ol!e paradoFial in%ight% do not al$ay% o#r, "#t thi% i%
inl#ded here in a%e they do and perhap% to pro!o&e &no$ing la#ghter
'rom tho%e $ith their o$n #ni)#e %torie% 'rom thi% part o' the path.
More %eF#al and %tyliLed !er%ion% o' the%e eFperiene% an al%o eFplain
$here %ome o' the more eFoti tantri teahing% ome 'rom.
,ometime% the early part o' %tage 11 an prod#e a real %en%e o'
'reedom in the on!entional %en%e, 'reedom 'rom are%, $orrie%, and
e!en re%pon%i"ilitie% and %oial on!ention%. *ne may %ometime% 'eel
that one i% %imply "eyond e!erything, and it m#%t "e admitted that thi% i%
a $onder'#l 'eeling. It tend% to 'ade )#i&ly eno#gh on it% o$n, "#t it
might "e po%%i"le to get a#ght "y it i' one %topped pratiing entirely.
Tho%e $ho "eame %pirit#al 'anati% or 'rea&% a'ter the A?/ and d#ring
the Dar& +ight may no$ "egin to at m#h more li&e their old %el!e%,
$ith their %pirit#al path "eing m#h le%% o' a Big (oly Deal. A"o#t
damn timeP
Hi%ion% o' "right light% may ari%e one more, "#t they are really
more a%%oiated $ith %tage 3, The Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay. Again, a%
$ith that earlier %tage, the meditator i% a"le to %it 'or longer and longer
period% o' time and "egin% to learly perei!e the Three Charateri%ti%
$ith %paio#%ne%% and "readth. The "ig di''erene i% that the A?/ i%
more a"o#t the o">et o' meditation and E)#animity i% m#h more
a"o#t the $hole %en%ate #ni!er%e. There i% le%% rapt#re and more
e)#animity than in the %tage o' the Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay. There are
rarely i' e!er the %pontaneo#% phy%ial motion% and odd "reathing
pattern% that ome $ith that earlier %tage. An'ort#nately, >#%t to ma&e
206
thing% on'#%ing, there i% o'ten a %ingle do#"le8dip #n&no$ing e!ent,
$ith one "eing hal'$ay do$n the "reath and the other at the end o' that
"reath, !ery %oon a'ter the %hi't 'rom :e8o"%er!ation to E)#animity.
In the early part o' thi% %tage, reality may appear a "it ;h#n&y< 'or a
$hile, and pratie may %eem )#ite po%%i"le "#t may %eem to re)#ire
%teady "#t %#%taina"le $or&. I' one i% tired, one may "egin ha!ing
dropo#t% that are %imilar to $hat o#rred in Di%%ol#tion "#t more
eFtreme. It may "e hard to read and pay attention, hard to li%ten to
people and hear, hard to notie $here one i% and $hat one i% doing.
The ari%ing o' %ome %ort o' 'ear o' madne%% and death i% not
#nommon at thi% %tage, "#t #%#ally doe% not a#%e too m#h tro#"le
and may e!en %eem omial or $elome. A related and ommon 'eeling
in the early part o' thi% %tage i% the general %en%e that %omething "ig i%
a"o#t to happen, tho#gh thi% 'eeling i% al%o ommon "e'ore the A?/
E!ent. The%e 'eeling% are $orthy o' %en%ate in!e%tigation in a $ide and
inl#%i!e $ay.
:eality an no$ "e perei!ed $ith great "readth, prei%ion, and
larity, and %oon $ith no %peial e''ort. Thi% i% alled ;(igh
E)#animity.< Hi"ration% may "eome predominant, and reality may
"eome nothing "#t !i"ration%. Hi"rating 'ormle%% realm% may e!en
ari%e, $ith no di%erna"le image o' the "ody "eing pre%ent at all. It may
'eel li&e reality i% trying to %ynhroniLe $ith it%el', and that i% eFatly
orret. In!e%tigate thi% 'eeling. /henomena may e!en "egin to lo%e the
%en%e that they are o' a parti#lar %en%e door, and mental and phy%ial
phenomena may appear nearly indi%ting#i%ha"ly a% >#%t !i"ration% o'
%#hne%%, %ometime% re'erred to a% ;'ormation%.<
I p#t o'' $riting a"o#t 'ormation% 'or a long time, a% they are a
onept#ally di''i#lt topi. -#rther, the la%%ial de'inition o'
'ormation% i% perhap% not %o lear8#t, %o I $ondered a"o#t impo%ing
my o$n '#ntional and eFperiential de'inition% on the term. (o$e!er,
a% the topi o' 'ormation% ha% ari%en in %o many on!er%ation% reently,
I tho#ght that it $o#ld "e $orth ta&ing on de%pite the di''i#ltie%.
I am going to de'ine 'ormation% a% the primary eFperiene o' in%ight
meditation $hen one i% %olidly in the 'o#rth !ipa%%ana >hana, the 11
th
Yana, (igh E)#animity, $ho%e 'ormal title i% at#ally Jno$ledge o'
E)#animity Conerning -ormation%. -or tho%e o' yo# $ho 'ind thi%
207
ir#lar de'inition ompletely #nhelp'#l, 'ormation% ha!e the 'ollo$ing
)#alitie% $hen learly eFperiened0
They ontain all the %iF %en%e door% in them, inl#ding tho#ght, in a
$ay that doe% not %plit them #p %e)#entially in time or po%itionally
in %pae. I' yo# o#ld ta&e a 4D mo!ing photograph that al%o
apt#red %mell, ta%te, to#h, %o#nd, and tho#ght, all $o!en into eah
other %eamle%%ly and ontaining a %en%e o' 'l#F, thi% $o#ld
approFimate the eFperiene o' one 'ormation. -rom a 'o#rth
!ipa%%ana >hana point o' !ie$ and 'rom a !ery high dharma point o'
!ie$, 'ormation% are al$ay% $hat o#r, and i' they are not learly
perei!ed then $e eFperiene reality the $ay $e normally do.
They ontain not only a omplete %et o' a%pet% o' all %iF %en%e
door% $ithin them, "#t inl#de the pereption o' %pae C!ol#meE
and e!en o' timeQmo!ement $ithin them.
.hen the 'o#rth !ipa%%ana >hana i% 'ir%t attained, %#"tle mental
%en%ation% might again ;%plit o''< 'rom ;thi% %ide,< m#h a% in the
$ay o' the Jno$ledge o' Mind and Body, "#t $ith the Three
Charateri%ti% o' phenomena and the %pae they are a part o' "eing
"reathta&ingly lear. Antil mental and phy%ial %en%ation% '#lly
%ynhroniLe on ;that %ide,< there an "e a "it o' a ;tri8ality,< in $hih
there i% the %en%e o' the o"%er!er ;on thi% %ide,< and nearly the
$hole o' "ody and mind a% t$o 'l#Fing entitie% ;o!er there.< A%
mental phenomena and phy%ial phenomena grad#ally integrate
$ith the %en%e o' l#mino#% %pae, thi% eFperientially "eg% the
)#e%tion, ;.hat i% o"%er!ing 'ormation%=< at a le!el that i% $ay
"eyond >#%t tal&ing a"o#t it. -or yo# Jha""ala orre%pondane 'an%,
the%e in%ight% orre%pond to the the three point% o' Binah, the t$o
point% o' Cho&mah, and 'inally the %ingle point o' Jether.
-ormation% are %o inl#%i!e that they !i%erally demon%trate $hat i%
pointed to "y the onept o' ;no8%el'< in a $ay that no other mode
o' eFperiening reality an. A% 'ormation% "eome predominant, $e
are 'aed 'ir%t $ith the )#e%tion o' $hih %ide o' the d#ali%ti %plit $e
are on and then $ith the )#e%tion o' $hat i% $athing $hat earlier
appeared to "e "oth %ide%. D#%t &eep in!e%tigating in a nat#ral and
matter8o'8'at $ay. 2et thi% pro'o#nd dane #n'old. I' yo# ha!e
207
gotten to thi% point, yo# are eFtraordinarily lo%e and need to do
!ery little "#t relaF and "e gently #rio#% a"o#t yo#r eFperiene.
.hen eFperiened at !ery high le!el% o' onentration, 'ormation%
lo%e the %en%e that they $ere e!en 'ormed o' eFperiene% 'rom
di%ting#i%ha"le %en%e door%. Thi% i% hard to de%ri"e, "#t one might
try %#h ne"#lo#% phra%e% a%, ;$a!e% o' %#hne%%,< or ;primal,
#ndi''erentiated eFperiene.< Thi% i% largely an arti'at o'
eFperiening 'ormation% high #p in the "yprod#t% o' the 'o#rth
!ipa%%ana >hana, i.e. the 'ir%t three 'ormle%% realm%. Thi% a%pet o'
ho$ 'ormation% may "e eFperiened i% not nee%%ary 'or the
di%#%%ion% "elo$.
It i% the highly inl#%i!e )#ality o' 'ormation% that i% the mo%t
intere%ting, and lead% to the mo%t pratial appliation o' di%#%%ing
'ormation%. It i% "ea#%e they are %o inl#%i!e that they are the gate$ay
to the Three Door% to %tage 16. -r#ition C%ee the hapter alled The
Three Door%E. They re!eal a $ay o#t o' the paradoF o' d#ality, the
maddening %en%e that ;thi%< i% o"%er!ingQontrollingQ%#">et toQ%eparated
'romQet. a ;that.< By ontaining all or nearly all o' the %en%ation%
ompri%ing one moment in a !ery integrated $ay, they ontain the
nee%%ary larity to %ee thro#gh the '#ndamental ill#%ion%.
*ne o' the primary $ay% that the ill#%ion o' d#ality i% maintained i%
that the mind partially ;"lin&% o#t< 'or a part o' eah 'ormation, the part
it $ant% to %etion o'' to appear %eparate. In thi% $ay, there i% in%#''iient
larity to %ee the interonnetedne%% and tr#e nat#re o' that part o'
reality, and a %en%e o' a %el' i% maintained. .hen the eFperiene o'
'ormation% ari%e%, it ome% o#t o' a le!el o' larity that i% %o omplete
that thi% ;"lin&ing< an no longer ea%ily o#r. Th#%, $hen 'ormation%
"eome the dominant eFperiene, e!en 'or %hort period% o' time, !ery
pro'o#nd and li"erating in%ight i% lo%e at hand. That i% $hy there are
%y%temati pratie% that train #% to "e !ery %&illed in "eing a$are o' o#r
$hole mental and phy%ial eFi%tene. The more $e pratie "eing a$are
o' $hat happen%, the le%% opport#nitie% there are 'or "lin&ing.
D#ring the 'ir%t three in%ight %tage%, $e gained the a"ility to notie
that mental and phy%ial %en%ation% made #p o#r $orld, ho$ they
interated, and then "egan to %ee the tr#th o' them. .e applied the%e
%&ill% to an o">et Cperhap% not o' o#r hoie, "#t an o">et
209
nonethele%%E, and %a$ it a% it at#ally $a% $ith a high degree o' larity in
the A?/. By thi% point, the%e %&ill% in perei!ing learly ha!e "eome %o
m#h o' a part o' $ho $e are that they "egan to apply them%el!e% to the
"a&gro#nd, %pae and e!erything that %eemed to "e a re'erene point
or %eparate, permanent %el' a% $e entered the Dar& +ight. (o$e!er,
o#r o">et% may ha!e "een )#ite !ag#e or too di%onerting to ha!e
"een perei!ed learly. -inally, $e get to e)#animity and p#t it all
together0 $e an %ee the tr#th o' o#r o">et% and o' the $hole
"a&gro#nd and are *J $ith thi%, and the re%#lt i% the pereption o'
'ormation%.
-ormation% ontain $ithin them the %eeming gap "et$een thi% and
that, a% $ell a% %en%ation% o' e''ort, intimay, re%i%tane, aeptane, and
all other %#h a%pet% o' %en%ation% 'rom $hih a %en%e o' %el' i% more
ea%ily in'erred. Th#%, the%e a%pet% "egin to "e %een in their proper
plae, their proper onteFt, i.e. a% an interdependent part o' reality, and
not %plit o'' or a %el'.
-#rther, the le!el o' larity o#t o' $hih 'ormation% ari%e al%o allo$%
one to %ee 'ormation% 'rom the time they ari%e to the time they
di%appear, th#% hitting diretly at a %en%e o' a %el' or %en%ate #ni!er%e
ontin#ing oherently in time. In the 'ir%t part o' the path the "eginning
o' o">et% $a% predominant. In the A?/ $e got a great %en%e o' the
middle o' o">et% "#t mi%%ed %#"tle a%pet% o' the "eginning and end. In
the Dar& +ight the ending% are a"o#t all $e o#ld really perei!e
learly. -ormation% one again p#t all o' thi% $or& $e ha!e done
together in a !ery nat#ral and omplete $ay.
-ormation% al%o eFplain %ome o' the odd teahing% that yo# might
hear a"o#t ;%topping tho#ght.< There are three "a%i $ay% $e might
thin& a"o#t thi% dangero#% ideal. .e might imagine a $orld in $hih
the ordinary a%pet% o' o#r $orld $hih $e all ;tho#ght< %imply do not
ari%e, a $orld o' eFperiene $itho#t tho%e a%pet% o' mani'e%tation. Go#
an get !ery lo%e to thi% in !ery %trong onentration %tate%, parti#larly
the 9
th
%amatha >hana. .e might al%o thin& o' %topping eFperiene
entirely Ca% happen% in -r#itionE, and thi% o"!io#%ly inl#de% tho#ght.
-ormation% point to yet another po%%i"le interpretation o' the
ommon $i%h to ;%top tho#ght,< a% do !ery high le!el% o' realiLation.
The %eeming d#ality o' mental and phy%ial %en%ation% i% gone "y the
205
time $e are perei!ing 'ormation% $ell. Tho#ght% appear a% one
l#mino#% a%pet o' the phenomenal $orld. In 'at, I hallenge anyone
to de%ri"e the "are eFperiene o' thin&ing or mental %en%ation% in
term% "eyond tho%e o' the 'i!e ;phy%ial< %en%e door%. Th#%, in the 'ae
o' eFperiening 'ormation%, it %eem% r#de to %pea& in term% o' tho#ght
a% %eparate 'rom tho%e o' !i%#al, tatile, a#ditory, g#%tatory, and ol'atory
)#alitie%, or e!en to %pea& in term% o' the%e "eing %eparate entitie%.
.hen perei!ed learly, $hat $e #%#ally all ;tho#ght%< are %een to
"e >#%t a%pet% o' the mani'e%ting %en%ate $orld that $e arti'iially %elet
o#t and la"el a% tho#ght. D#%t a% it $o#ld "e odd to imagine that an
oean $ith many %hade% o' "l#e i% really many little "it% o' oean, in
time% o' high larity it i% o"!io#% that there i% mani'e%ting reality, and it i%
a"%ol#tely inl#%i!e. 2oo& at the %pae "et$een yo# and thi% "oo&. .e
donIt go aro#nd %eleting o#t little "it% o' %pae and la"eling them a%
%eparate. In the 'ae o' 'ormation%, the %ame applie% to eFperiene, and
eFperiene o"!io#%ly inl#de% the %en%ation% $e all tho#ght.
,eparating the early %tage% o' E)#animity 'rom it% mat#re %tage,
there tend% to "e a ;near mi%%,< moment $hen $e get !ery lo%e to the
'r#it o' the path, $hih %er!e% to really hill one o#t, a% it $ere. -rom
thi% point enlightenment i% li&ely to "e attained )#i&ly a% long a% the
meditator ontin#e% to %imply pratie and gently 'ine t#ne their
a$arene%% and prei%ion, paying gentle attention to thing% li&e tho#ght%
o' progre%% and %ati%'ation $ith e)#animity. At %ome point e!en thi%
"eome% "oring, and a ertain ool apathy and e!en 'orget'#lne%% ari%e%.
Aro#nd thi% part o' E)#animity there an ari%e the 'eeling that $e are
not really there, or that %omeho$ $e are ompletely o#t o' pha%e $ith
reality. Cond#ting o#r ordinary "#%ine%% may "e di''i#lt in thi% pha%e
i' $e are o#t in the $orld rather than on the #%hion, "#t it tend% to la%t
only ten% o' min#te% at mo%t. The %en%e that one i% pratiing or trying
to get any$here >#%t !ani%he%, and yet thi% may hardly "e notiea"le at
all. .e %ort o' ome "a&, $ith l#mino%ity again gro$ing predominant.
Then $e get lo%t in tho#ght% a"o#t %omething, %ome %trangely lear
re!erie, !i%ion, o">et, or 'light o' 'any. By really "#ying in, $e get %et
#p to he& o#t. .hen #nder%tanding i% ompletely in on'ormity $ith
the $ay thing% are, thi% i% alled...
210
12. C*+-*:MITG
Thi% i% $hy #nder%tanding thing% >#%t a% they are i% %o important.
Thi% %tage la%t% only one moment and ne!er ari%e% again #ntil one attain%
the neFt %tage o' enlightenment. The %ame i% tr#e o' the neFt t$o %tage%.
,tage% 12813 CCon'ormity, Change o' 2ineage, and /athE al%o %hare the
'at that they repre%ent the three moment% o' the 'ir%t entrane to
tran%endent #ltimate reality C%tage 16. -r#itionE thro#gh one o' the
Three Door%. In %#"%e)#ent attainment% o' -r#ition at that path Cd#ring
the %tage o' :e!ie$E, the three moment% "e'ore -r#ition are not alled
Con'ormity, Change o' 2ineage and /ath. The%e three %tage% $ill get
eFten%i!e treatment in the hapter on The Three Door%.
14. C(A+BE *- 2I+EABE
(a!ing #nder%tood thing% >#%t a% they are, thi% neFt %tage, $hih al%o
la%t% 'or >#%t a moment, ;doe% the damage< a% a 'riend o' mine >oy'#lly
p#t it. It permanently hange% the mind% o' the meditator% in $ay% that I
$ill di%#%% in >#%t a "it. They lea!e the ran&% o' the #nenlightened and
>oin the ran&% o' tho%e that are. .hile the %oial de%ignation o' 'ormal
lineage tran%mi%%ion i% a !ery #%e'#l thing to ha!e reei!ed, the re%#lt% o'
thi% %tage are in 'at $hat that %ym"oli at i% all a"o#t. They ha!e done
it, and th#% attain...
13. /AT(
Thi% %tage al%o la%t% >#%t a moment, and a'ter the 'ir%t ompleted
progre%% o' in%ight it mar&% the 'ir%t moment o' the ne$ly a$a&ened
"eingI% a$a&ened li'e. The 'ir%t time aro#nd, thi% i% alled ;%tream
entry< or ;'ir%t path< in the Thera!ada, the ;'o#rth %tage o' the %eond
path< or ;the 'ir%t "h#mi< in the Ti"etan tradition, and many name% in
Sen that are p#rpo%e'#lly am"ig#o#%. A'ter a %#"%e)#ent, ne$ progre%%
o' in%ight it mar&% the attainment o' the neFt le!el o' a$a&ening, and
there are lot% o' name% 'or tho%e that $ill "e di%#%%ed %hortly. It i%
diretly 'ollo$ed "y...
16. -:AITI*+
Thi% i% the 'r#it o' all the meditatorO% hard $or&, the 'ir%t attainment
o' #ltimate reality, emptine%%, +ir!ana, Bod or $hate!er yo# $i%h to all
it. In thi% non8%tate, there i% a"%ol#tely no time, no %pae, no re'erene
211
point, no eFperiene, no mind, no on%io#%ne%%, no nothingne%%, no
%omethingne%%, no "ody, no thi%, no that, no #nity, no d#ality, and no
anything el%e. :eality %top% old and then reappear%. Th#%, thi% i%
impo%%i"le to omprehend, a% it goe% ompletely and #tterly "eyond the
rational mind and the #ni!er%e. To ;eFternal time< Ci' %omeone $ere
o"%er!ing the meditator 'rom the o#t%ideE thi% la%t% only an in%tant. It i%
li&e an #tter di%ontin#ity o' the %pae8time ontin##m $ith nothing in
the #n'inda"le gap.
The initial a'ter%ho&%, ho$e!er, an go on 'or day%, and may "e
mild or %peta#lar, '#n or #n%ettling or %ome miFt#re o' the%e. There
are time% $hen it i% '#n to %ho$ o'', and thi% i% one o' tho%e time%.
A'ter%ho&% I ha!e notied a'ter path% inl#de "#t are not limited to0 the
!i%eral 'eeling that %en%ory reality i% %o inten%e that the ner!e% in oneI%
'orehead and #pper ne& may not "e a"le to handle the %train, the
'eeling that one ha% "eome di''#%ed into the atmo%phere $itho#t a
enter, p#rpo%e, '#ntion, %en%e o' diretion or e!en o' $ill, a 'eeling o'
>oy and gratit#de "eyond $hat i% normally po%%i"le $elling thro#gh
oneI% "eing, the %en%e o' di%o!ery o' that $hih one ha% mo%t needed,
the pro'o#nd %en%e o' oming home, a )#iet a$e li&e the %tillne%% a'ter a
great %torm, and rapt#ro#% tran%endent high% that ma&e anything that
happened a'ter the A?/ %eem li&e dry toa%t.
:emem"er ho$ I %aid in the %etion on the p%yhi po$er% that
%trong onentration and intent ma&e magi&al thing% happen= D#%t a'ter
the attainment o' a path, parti#larly the 'ir%t path, i% a time $hen 'ormal
re%ol#tion% ha!e an o#trageo#% amo#nt o' po$er. The B#ddha %aid that
the greate%t o' all po$er% i% to #nder%tand and then teah the dharma,
meaning to attain to '#ll realiLation, ho$e!er yo# de'ine it, and to then
help other% do the %ame. I had "een ad!i%ed to #%e thi% #ni)#e period
in my pratie $ell, and I re%ol!ed to attain to '#ll enlightenment 'or the
"ene'it o' all "eing% a% )#i&ly a% $a% rea%ona"ly po%%i"le. De%pite all
the ompleF on%e)#ene% o' ha!ing done %o, I do not regret my
dei%ion in the lea%t and highly reommend that yo# do the %ame.
*n %#"%e)#ent pa%%e% thro#gh -r#ition o' that path the mind tend%
to "e re're%hed, "right, )#iet and lear 'or a $hile, and milder 'orm% o'
the a"o!e li%ted phenomena may o#r. It i% a% tho#gh %omeone hit the
re%et "#tton and leared o#t all the >#n& 'or a little $hile. There i% a nie
212
"li%% $a!e that tend% to 'ollo$ and may ta&e a 'e$ %eond% to de!elop. I'
yo# ha!e not learned the onentration %tate% yet, doing %o in the
a'terglo$ o' a -r#ition an ma&e them m#h ea%ier to attain and ma%ter.
17. :EHIE.
In thi% %tage, the meditator >#%t &eep% pratiing largely a% "e'ore. In
thi% $ay, they $ill learn to ma%ter the %tage% o' in%ight, a% they m#%t pa%%
thro#gh them again eah time they $i%h to re8attain -r#ition. The 'ir%t
'e$ time% thro#gh the yle a'ter the path ha% "een o"tained an
%ometime% "e )#ite inten%e and e!en !ery di%t#r"ing, a% the mind tend%
to "e eFeedingly po$er'#l 'or a 'e$ day% a'ter a path ha% "een gained
and yet i% na!igating in territory that i% not yet ma%tered. *ne i% ad!i%ed
to "e %ome$hat are'#l and perhap% !ery re%trained in $hat one %ay%
and doe% d#ring the 'e$ day% and perhap% $ee&% a'ter attaining a path
or %omething that one thin&% may "e a path. (o$e!er, it al%o %ometime%
happen% that realiLation% are hardly notied at all, or i' they are notied,
there i% %imply the %en%e, ;.ell, I g#e%% thatI% done.< /o$er'#l yle%
and the %en%e that thing% ha!e "een ompleted are not %#re %ign% that a
progre%% o' in%ight ha% "een ompleted.
That %aid, $hen a progre%% o' in%ight i% ompleted, one may notie
the mind %imply not doing lot% o' #%ele%% thing% it #%ed to do, and it may
%eem impo%%i"le that it e!en $a% a"le to do them. (o$e!er, it may ta&e
%ome time to 'ig#re o#t $hat the permanent impliation% o' the path are
and $hat i% >#%t a prod#t o' it% lingering and tran%ient a'terglo$. It i%
li&ely to ta&e )#ite a $hile to really integrate the #nder%tanding% that
ome 'rom a path into oneO% $ay o' "eing in the $orld.
MiFed in $ith the %en%e o' $hat i% di''erent i% al%o a gro$ing %en%e o'
$hat ha%nIt "een hanged at all, $hat a%pet% o' reality are %till "a%ially
#nenlightened and poorly perei!ed. A'ter attaining the early path%,
$hat ha% remained #nto#hed "y that le!el o' #nder%tanding i% #%#ally
'airly o"!io#%. (o$e!er, one o' the di''i#ltie% $ith attaining higher
le!el% o' enlightenment i% that the %en%e o' $hat i% le't to do an "eome
more and more !ag#e and %#"tle. Again, gi!e thing% time. Be patient. It
an %ometime% ta&e a $hile, perhap% $ee&%, month% or e!en year%, to
learly %ee $hih #nder%tanding% hold #p #nder the pre%%#re% o' the
$orld and $hih 'ade. Go# might not get a lear %en%e o' the limit% o'
thi% path #ntil yo# are $ell on yo#r $ay to the neFt one.
214
,pea&ing o' the $orld, :e!ie$ i% a great time to re8engage $ith the
%pei'i% o' o#r li'e. It i% an #n'ort#nate "#t tr#e 'at that one o' the
po%%i"le %ide e''et% o' the relentle%% 'o#% on the Three Charateri%ti%
that prod#e% the%e %peta#lar in%ight% i% the ha"it o' not paying m#h
attention to the %pei'i% o' o#r li'e. The %pei'i% o' o#r li'e are
o"!io#%ly !ery, !ery important, and %o no$ i% a great time to pay a lot o'
attention to them. Tho%e aro#nd #% may ha!e notied the %ide e''et% o'
the Dar& +ight or %ome o' the other %tage% and "e $orried a"o#t #% or
e!en mad at #% 'or ho$ $e "eha!ed i' $e allo$ed too m#h to "leed
thro#gh. It i% not al$ay% po%%i"le to ma&e #p 'or that %ort o' damage, "#t
no$ i% a good time to try. Ta&e the time to heal the old $o#nd% yo#
di%o!ered in yo#r%el' or reated in yo#r li'e $hile yo# $ere in the Dar&
+ight.
Al%o, go o#t and ha!e %ome '#nK En>oy the rihne%% o' 'riend%hip,
eFeri%e, lei%#re, $or&, entertainment, %er!ie, and li'e in general. In
%hort, do yo#r "e%t to ma&e yo#r li'e a great one in the on!entional
%en%e. Go# %ho#ld ha!e "een trying to do that all along, "#t try to 'orgi!e
yo#r%el' and learn 'rom yo#r mi%ta&e% i' yo# $ere not a"le to do %o.
:emem"er, the &ind o' ren#niation that "ring% in%ight% i% %eeing the
tr#e nat#re o' thing%. I' yo# an %ee the tr#e nat#re o' the %en%ation%
that ma&e #p a '#n and healthy li'e, there i% no need 'or any other type
o' ren#niationK In 'at, "#ying into a %trong ren#niation trip i% $ell
&no$n 'or ma&ing people )#ite ne#roti, and then the hallenge i% to
%ee the tr#e nat#re o' the %en%ation% that ma&e #p ren#niation8ind#ed
ne#ro%e%. IIm not on!ined that thi% i% an ea%ier $ay to go.
A'ter attaining a path, parti#larly the early one%, the 'eeling that one
i% parti#larly %peial i% ommon, and 'rom a ertain point o' !ie$ it i%
tr#e and #nder%tanda"le. (o$e!er, $hat i% tr#er i% that %omething in the
#nder%tanding o' the relation%hip to ordinary thing% i% no$ ;%peial,< or
at lea%t %ome$hat #n#%#al. The attainment o' %tream entry or a ne$
%tage o' a$a&ening %ho#ld "e a a#%e 'or >oy and ele"ration.
An'ort#nately, people $ho ha!e ne!er attained the%e thing% tend to reat
oddly or e!en poorly to %#h di%lo%#re% and %entiment%. ,trangely,
many people are !ery eFited a"o#t the idea o' people getting
enlightened "#t not the idea o' yo# getting enlightened.
213
Tho%e $ith higher le!el% o' #nder%tanding than yo#r% $ill &no$
$here yo# are oming 'rom, "#t $ill al%o &no$ ho$ m#h more there i%
to go 'rom their o$n eFperiene, and their tendeny to 'o#% on that an
"e 'r#%trating. *neI% teaher% and more ad!aned ompanion% may 'ind
it am#%ing to "e reminded o' $hat it $a% li&e to "e a#ght #p in the
'a%ination $ith lo$ le!el% o' realiLation, "#t they &no$ that e!ent#ally
e!en that ha% to "e %een in %ome other $ay. *ne o' my 'a!orite
Chogyam Tr#ngpa line% i%, ;Go# $ill ne!er "e deorated "y yo#r g#r#.<
E!en i' yo# are, I do#"t i' it $ill "e o' any great "ene'it to yo#.
Th#%, t$o ironie% o' the %pirit#al li'e that one an eno#nter here
are that %#e%% an a#%e 'eeling% o' i%olation and that the %pirit#al path
an "e a !ery lonely one indeed. ,ometime% $riting an help, a% an
'inding tho%e 'e$ people $ho %eem to %im#ltaneo#%ly "e intere%ted in
hearing the detail% o' $hat yo# are going thro#gh $itho#t rein'oring
yo#r 'a%ination $ith the%e in $ay% that ma&e it harder to %ee %#e%%e%
in their proper proportion.
It i% al%o not #nommon to 'eel that $hat one ha% eFperiened i% >#%t
%o %taggeringly pro'o#nd that no one i% li&ely to ha!e e!er really %een
%#h amaLing thing%, perhap% inl#ding oneI% teaher%. (o$e!er, i' they
are the real deal and )#ali'ied to teah yo#, they are !ery li&ely to ha!e
their o$n eFten%i!e li%t o' %peta#lar and pro'o#nd eFperiene% and
realiLation%. (o$e!er, a% %#h thing% are %o rarely di%#%%ed openly, one
may ha!e a hard time "elie!ing thi%. A% I ha!e had to learn the hard
$ay, tho%e $ho are parti#larly prone to eFtro!er%ion and immoderate
%peeh in the 'ae o' reent in%ight% an ea%ily get them%el!e% into
%ome$hat em"arra%%ing and h#m"ling %it#ation%. *n the other hand,
e!ent#ally yo# may "egin to o#tgro$ or %#rpa%% yo#r #rrent teaher% in
#nder%tanding and a"ility. Thi% in and o' it%el' an "e on'#%ing and
'r#%trating, a#%ing role re!er%al% that not e!eryone handle% $ell. Go#
might "e a%to#nded at ho$ ea%y it i% to "r#i%e the ego% in the
on!entional p%yhologial %en%e o' tho%e $ho ha!e %een thro#gh the
ill#%ion o' the ego in the high dharma %en%e.
A% re!ie$ ontin#e%, one get% !ery 'amiliar $ith the territory o' oneI%
#rrent path and it% %tage%, and they may pa%% "y more and more
)#i&ly and ea%ily. It an "egin to %eem that the only $ay to mo!e
thro#gh the :e!ie$ %tage% o' in%ight i% to not in!e%tigate reality too
216
lo%ely. At %ome point, -r#ition $ill no longer "e a% attrati!e and one
$ill 'eel that one really o#ld "e pratiing more learly and prei%ely.
Thi% i% a %trong %ign that the neFt %et o' %tage% i% ready to ari%e.
That %aid, there may "e time% $hen one %imply doe%nIt $ant to
ma&e progre%% a% one anIt a''ord to "e ri%&ing another Dar& +ight at
that point in their li'e. ,trong re%ol#tion% to %tay in :e!ie$, a la& o'
really prei%e in!e%tigation and lot% o' ind#lgene in onentration %tate%
an help one %tay in a :e!ie$ pha%e #ntil one i% ready to mo!e on$ard.
(o$e!er, progre%% o' %ome &ind an only "e po%tponed 'or %o long, and
the dharma ha% a relentle%% $ay o' p#%hing #% on$ard.
217
26.THE VIPASSANA JHANAS
The !ipa%%ana >hana% are a $ay o' de%ri"ing the %tage% o' in%ight
that i% a "it more "road than the map that "rea&% the %tage% do$n into
17 Yana%. They are t$o de%ription% o' the %ame territory, and "oth
ha!e their #%e%. The !ipa%%ana >hana% di''er 'rom the onentration
>hana% C%amatha >hana%E in that they inl#de the pereption o' the Three
Charateri%ti%, rather than the ;p#re< %amatha >hana% that re)#ire
ignoring the Three Charateri%ti% to get them to appear %ta"le and
lean. (o$e!er, the t$o may %hare many )#alitie%, inl#ding !ery
%imilar $idth% o' attention and other a%pet%. There are eight !ipa%%ana
>hana%, the 'ir%t 'o#r that are 'ormed, and the la%t 'o#r that are 'ormle%%,
$ith the odd eFeption o' the 'at that the eighth !ipa%%ana >hana
C+either /ereption +or Get +on8/ereptionE annot "e ea%ily
in!e%tigated, a% it i% generally too %#"tle to learly re!eal the Three
Charateri%ti%. Th#%, alling it a !ipa%%ana >hana i% a "it pro"lemati.
(o$e!er, it i% part o' the %tandard pattern o' progre%%, %o i% $orthy o'
inl#%ion, and help% eFplain %ome o' the material 'o#nd in the old teFt%.
:emem"er ho$ I mentioned in the hapter alled Conentration !%.
In%ight that the original teFt% #%ed the %ame 'o#r or eight >hana% to
delineate the %tate% o' onentration and the %tage% o' in%ight=
:emem"er ho$ I %aid that the delineation o' the %tage% o' in%ight didnOt
o#r #ntil the later ommentarie%= In the %eond hal' o' the 20
th
Cent#ry, on%idera"le $or& $a% done to try to re%ol!e the%e map%. A%
$ith mo%t terminologial i%%#e% in the %pirit#al li'e, there i% %ome
di%agreement a"o#t >#%t ho$ the >hana% and the %tage% o' in%ight line #p,
and I $ill to#h on the%e in thi% hapter.
The pratial appliation o' delineating the !ipa%%ana >hana% i% that
the trap% that a$aited #% in the %amatha >hana% an ari%e d#ring the
progre%% o' in%ight, and %o "eing a"le to apply the "ody o' ad!ie that
deal% $ith the%e o#rrene% an "e !ery help'#l. -or in%tane, $e may
"e going along in the progre%% o' in%ight "#t get %t#& $hen $e %top
in!e%tigating rapt#re, $hih i% a part o' the early >hana% and al%o o' %ome
o' the early in%ight %tage%. Th#%, realiLing that there are %ome
relation%hip% "et$een the %amatha and !ipa%%ana >hana% an &eep #% on
the loo&o#t 'or a%pet% o' o#r eFperiene that $e may "e mi%%ing or
The Hipa%%ana Dhana%
arti'iially %olidi'ying, a% it i% %o tempting to do %o. Boing the other $ay,
i' $e ha!e %ome ma%tery o' a %et o' in%ight %tage%, $e an #%e the%e %tage%
to learn get into %amatha >hana% "y onentrating on %olidi'ying their
predominant po%iti!e )#alitie%.
There are al%o tho%e $ho %ay that the >hana% and %tage% o' in%ight do
not line #p at all, "#t thi% i% too dotrinal, not in aord $ith $hat one
eFperiene% on the #%hion Cor in %ome other po%t#reE, and doe%nOt help
re%ol!e the pro"lem% reated in the original teFt% o' the /ali Canon. -or
tho%e $ho are %till die hard traditionali%t% and "elie!e that the >hana
terminology only applie% to p#re onentration pratie%, I o''er the
'ollo$ing )#ote 'rom the B#ddha that i% 'o#nd in my 'a!orite %#tta,
U111, *ne "y *ne a% They *#rred, in The Middle 2ength
Di%o#r%e% o' the B#ddha, a% tran%lated "y Bhi&&h# Zanamoli and
Bhi&&h# Bodhi0
;And the %tate% in the 'ir%t >hana \ the applied tho#ght, the %#%tained
tho#ght, the rapt#re, the plea%#re, and the #ni'iation o' mindR the
ontat, 'eeling, pereption, !olition, and mindR the Leal, dei%ion,
energy, mind'#lne%%, e)#animity and attention \ the%e %tate% $ere
de'ined "y him one "y one a% they o#rredR &no$n to him they aro%e,
&no$n to him they $ere pre%ent, &no$n to him they di%appeared. (e
#nder%tood th#%0 M,o indeed, the%e %tate%, not ha!ing "een, ome into
"eingR ha!ing "een, they !ani%h.I<
Tho%e $ith traditional !ie$% an %)#irm and ponti'iate any $ay they
li&e, "#t thi% g#y i% learly maintaining an eFtremely 'a%t, on%i%tent and
prei%e in!e%tigation o' impermanene and i% th#% learly doing in%ight
pratie%.
To digre%% 'or >#%t a moment into another rant, the g#y the B#ddha
i% tal&ing a"o#t here i% none other than my hero, ,arip#tta, $ho
inidentally i% o'ten the $hipping "oy o' m#h ridi#lo#% and degrading
Mahayana propaganda. DonIt get me $rong, the Mahayana ha% done
%ome great thing% in it% day, "#t ragging on %omeone $ith thi% le!el o'
%&ill and in%ight i% >#%t hyporitial and arrogant "eyond rea%on. The
B#ddha %ay% that ,arip#tta goe% on to do !ery prei%e and po$er'#l
in%ight pratie% high #p into the 'ormle%% realm% and attain% to !ery
li"erating in%ight%. I o'ten hear +o#!ea# Ti"etan B#ddhi%t% ma&ing
omment% that learly indiate that they 'eel them%el!e% to "e )#ite
219
)#ali'ied to denigrate hi% pratie and donIt %eem to notie ho$ ironi
thi% i%, a% they are almo%t al$ay% tho%e $ho%e o$n %pirit#al progre%%
doe%nIt )#ali'y them to li& the m#ddy %andal% o' %omeone $ith a
'ration o' ,arip#ttaI% talent%. .hen one in a tho#%and o' the meditator%
I meet $ho ma&e the%e a"%#rd and in%#lting %tatement% a"o#t ,arip#tta
an do $hat he o#ld do or #nder%tand $hat he #nder%tood, IIll eat thi%
"oo&. Go# ha!e no idea ho$ good it 'eel% to $rite paragraph% li&e thi%
one.
Ba& to "#%ine%%. All o' thi% map %t#'' i% only help'#l i' it &eep% yo#
pratiing learly and in a $ay that "ring% re%#lt%. I $ill di%#%% more o'
the pro% and on% o' map% %oon eno#gh.
BI22 (AMI2T*+I, M*DE2
The !ipa%%ana >hana model I li&e the mo%t "ea#%e it i% the one that
mo%t learly 'it% $ith my eFten%i!e in!e%tigation o' the !ipa%%ana >hana% i%
the one that $a% #%ed "y the late, great Bill (amilton. (e $a% al%o )#ite
a mighty meditator in hi% o$n right, i' a highly #nder8appreiated one.
Tr#e, he $a% a )#ir&y old "at on a good day, "#t he al%o died an arahat
and a mighty %holar $ho had omplete ma%tery o' the 'ormle%% realm%.
There $a% nothing parti#larly %peta#lar a"o#t BillI% li'e other than
hi% #nder%tanding o' it, and he died in po!erty and o"%#rity in "a%i
denial o' the %e!erity o' hi% panreati aner. I ha!e ne!er met anyone
$ho had gi!en the )#e%tion o' the !ipa%%ana >hana% more on%ideration,
and hi% 'a%ination $ith ompleF model% $a% remar&a"le. A )#i&
digre%%ion here a"o#t Bill, a% I did dediate thi% "oo& to hi% memory...
Bill (amilton $a% not only a meditation ma%ter, he $a% al%o a rog#e
teaher and "a%ially 'elt li&e an o#ta%t 'rom the modern international
Hipa%%ana omm#nity. The g#y $a% "a%ially too %mart, too
#nompromi%ing, too %holarly, and too dediated to non8$atered8do$n
dharma and to a"%ol#te ma%tery to "e a pop#lar main%tream teaher.
(e didnIt teah to ma&e people 'eel good a"o#t them%el!e%, $ith
'riend%, or attain to po$er, 'ame or money.
(i% o"%#rity $a% a tragi lo%% 'or the many people $ho didnOt &no$
a"o#t him. (o$e!er, 'or me and a 'e$ other% $ho &ne$ a"o#t him and
$ere $illing to p#t #p $ith the 'at that he $a% "a%ially a %trange,
%#%piio#%, perhap% paranoid, and 'airly )#ir&y d#de, Bill (amilton $a%
>#%t $hat $e $ere loo&ing 'or.
215
Bill %eemed to li!e 'or the %ole p#rpo%e o' %haring hi% dharma rather
than 'or 'lying aro#nd the $orld, ma&ing money, or "eing pop#lar.
Anli&e the 'e$ other .e%tern dharma teaher% $ith hi% le!el o' ma%tery,
yo# o#ld all Bill on the phone and tal& 'or ho#r% a"o#t thi% %t#'', and
then yo# o#ld do it again. (i% !ery #npop#larity made him a tr#e and
ae%%i"le teaher. The other nie thing% a"o#t Bill $ere that he $o#ld
tal& a"o#t at#al ma%tery Ctho#gh yo# had to drag it o#t o' himE and al%o
had inredi"ly high %tandard% that I 'o#nd )#ite re're%hing.
Bill al%o ta#ght in a !ery intere%ting $ay. (i% %tyle $a% "a%ially to
%eem eFtremely %&eptial that any o' yo#r de%ription% o' any
eFperiene% o#ld really ha!e anything to do $ith the attainment o'
anything. Thi% $a% "a%ially )#ite irritating, "#t it made hi% %t#dent%
)#e%tion deeply $hether or not they $ere really eFperiening $hat they
tho#ght they $ere and %o loo& more deeply at the tr#th o' eah
moment. It al%o %er!ed a% a help'#l o#nter"alane to hi% intere%t in
model% and %pei'ially named le!el% o' attainment. (i% teahing %tyle
didnOt $in him many 'riend%, "#t it $a% po$er'#l and %er!ed hi% end%.
/art o' my 'anta%y i% that a "it o' hi% edge, #nompromi%ing attit#de and
deep #nder%tanding may ha!e ome thro#gh in thi% $or&, tho#gh it
m#%t "e %tated eFpliitly that Bill ne!er let on that he $a% parti#larly
impre%%ed $ith anything I e!er de%ri"ed in my o$n pratie.
Ba& to di%#%%ing BillO% Hipa%%ana Dhana model. The ta"le "elo$
eFplain% $hih Yana% 'all into $hih >hana%, and i% a re8arrangement o'
the ta"le in the "eginning o' the hapter on the /rogre%% o' In%ight0
Hipa %%a na Dhana Zana%
-ir%t 1840 Mind and Body, Ca#%e and E''et, Three
Charateri%ti%
,eond 30 The Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay
Third 68100 The Dar& +ight
-o#rth8Eighth 118130 E)#animity, Con'ormity, Change o' 2ineage,
/ath
Th#%, $hen in eah o' tho%e Yana%, one an learn %omething 'rom
it% >hana a%pet, and $hen in eah o' the >hana% one an notie $hat
in%ight territory i% a!aila"le there. -#rther, a% the di!i%ion "et$een
220
%amatha and !ipa%%ana i% at#ally not nearly %o %traight'or$ard a% %ome
$o#ld ma&e it o#t to "e, there an "e a lot o' nat#ral mo!ement "a&
and 'orth that an o#r "et$een !ipa%%ana >hana% and %amatha >hana%
e!en $hen trying to &eep to >#%t one %ide. A% the Three Charateri%ti%
are al$ay% pre%enting them%el!e%, e!en in %eemingly reated, "li%%'#l,
%ta"le %amatha territory, tho%e $ith %trong mind'#lne%% and
onentration may ha!e to $or& to a!oid perei!ing them. Al%o, tho%e
doing %trong in%ight pratie may again and again hane into territory
that ha% a more %amatha 'eel, and i' they are eFpeting thing% to "e
p#rely "y the Yana de%ription% they may get lo%t or on'#%ed "y thi%.
2a%tly, tho%e $ho ha!e attained at lea%t %tream entry are on%tantly
yling thro#gh the Yana% 'rom the 3
th
to the 11
th
and then to -r#ition,
%o e!en i' they try to do p#re %amatha pratie, the p#ll to$ard% eah
neFt YanaQ!ipa%%ana >hana i% %trong, and they "a%ially are al$ay% 'rom
then on doing %ome '#%ion o' the t$o e!en $hen they try to &eep thing%
p#rely on the %amatha %ide.
I $ill ill#%trate the !ipa%%ana >hana% $ith a de%ription o' %ome
andle8'lame meditation I did $hen on retreat and playing aro#nd $ith
the %amatha >hana% "y #%ing &a%ina%. Ja%ina% are !ario#% traditional
pratie% that in!ol!e #%ing phy%ial o">et% %#h a% olored di%&%,
andle%, et. a% a %tarting point to attain %amatha >hana%, po$er% and the
li&e. They are de%ri"ed in the %tandard re'erene% I li%t in the hapter
on the the Conentration ,tate%.
The retreat $hen I 'ir%t really nailed do$n the detail% o' the
!ipa%%ana >hana% $a% a 17 day retreat that I $ent on $hen I $a% an
anagami Cthe third %tage o' a$a&ening in one o' the model% o'
a$a&ening, to "e di%#%%ed %hortlyE. I didnOt "egin playing $ith thi%
territory #ntil aro#nd the %eond $ee& o' the retreat, and "y that point
my onentration $a% !ery %trong and 'leFi"le. It didnOt ta&e me more
than a day "e'ore I o#ld go thro#gh the 'ollo$ing yle. Initially, I
$o#ld %tare at a andle 'lame #ntil I really o#ld %tay $ith it, then there
$o#ld "e a nat#ral %hi't, I $o#ld lo%e my eye%, and I $o#ld %ee the
!i%#al p#rple phenomena $here the a'terimage o' the 'lame $a% "#rned
onto my retina.
Thi% $o#ld 'ade in a 'e$ %eond% to "e replaed "y a red dot in the
enter o' my !i%#al 'ield. The red dot $a% lear, !ery ro#nd, p#re, "right
221
and %eemingly %ta"le. (o$e!er, $ithin a min#te or %o it $o#ld "egin to
%ha&e, roll o'' to one %ide, and I $o#ld notie all %ort% o' thing% a"o#t
ho$ intention and o"%er!ation me%%ed $ith the po%ition, %ta"ility, and
larity o' the dot. -ir%t %eeing the dot i% the 'ir%t %amatha >hana, and in
thi% a%e i% the e)#i!alent o' Mind and Body, $here mental phenomena
"eome lear eFternal o">et%. +otiing thing% a"o#t intention
in'l#ening the po%ition and %ta"ility o' the dot i% a#%e and e''et.
,hortly therea'ter thi% $o#ld "eome irritating and the dot $o#ld
"egin to %ha&e, %h#dder, %plit #p, %pin o'' to one %ide or the other, and
generally %eem to mi%"eha!e )#ite on it% o$n. Thi% $a% the entrane to
the Three Charateri%ti%. A'ter a $hile o' thi%, pratie $o#ld %hi't,
"eome nat#rally %tronger, and thi% %lightly larger red dot $o#ld appear
in the enter again that %tayed there on largely it% o$n, "#t it had a gold
%pinning %tar in it% enter that $o#ld %pin on it% o$n $ith a %peed and
diretion that !aried $ith the pha%e o' the "reath, $hih I notied $hen
I $o#ld "rea& my 'o#% eno#gh to notie that. Thi% addition o' motion,
the image happening on it% o$n, and %ome$hat $ider attention C$ider
dotE, not to mention "li%% $hen I "ro&e my onentration a "it and
'o#%ed on my "ody, i% the entrane to the %eond !ipa%%ana >hana.
The red dot $ith the %pinning gold %tar $o#ld grad#ally a)#ire
p#rple, green and "l#e ring% aro#nd it% o#t%ide, and then there $o#ld
"e a %#dden %hi't $here the red dot $o#ld !ani%h and "e replaed "y a
%lightly larger "la& dot. The "la& dot initially $o#ld %eem to "e a good
'o#%, "#t )#i&ly the area aro#nd the "la& dot got more intere%ting,
$ith many !ery ompleF m#lti8point %tar% all irling %lo$ly aro#nd it,
getting $ider and $ider, $ith the inter'erene pattern% "et$een them
getting more and more ompleF, $hile the "la& dot 'aded %ome$hat,
"#t to $hat $a% #nlear. Thi% addition o' a pro"lem perei!ing the
enter "#t $ith ompleF pattern% o' eFperiene $ith m#ltiple
're)#enie% going o#t to the periphery mar&% the early and middle
pha%e% o' the third !ipa%%ana >hana. -#rther, a% the thing got $ider, there
$a% thi% %lightly di%onerting 'eeling that attention $a% o#t o' pha%e $ith
the !i%#al%.
A% the ompleF pattern% aro#nd the o#t%ide "egan to "eome more
%pherial a% the edge% $rapped aro#nd to$ard% me, they "egan to "e
made o#t o' line% that had more o' a rain"o$ )#ality to them, $ith
222
many ompleF motion% and many8'old %ymmetry. Thi% $a% harder to
pay attention to and %im#ltaneo#%ly omprehend it all, mar&ing the
mat#re third !ipa%%ana >hana and the later %tage% o' the Dar& +ight.
+ote, a% thi% i% "eing done $ith almo%t no 'iFation on p%yhologial
ontent and $ith !ery %trong onentration, I did not ha!e any o' the
typial 'eeling% that %ometime% aompany thi% territory $hen it yle%
thro#gh $ith le%% onentration. In%tead, it %tayed at the le!el o'
geometry, image and light eFept $hen I $idened my attention
%ome$hat to notie other a%pet%.
Thi% ompleF %phere on $hih $a% #n'olding more and more
ompleF pattern% $o#ld then %hi't to %omething 'ar more inl#%i!e o'
%pae and the enter o' attention, th#% "eoming m#h more three
dimen%ional. At thi% point, thing% %eemed to happen on their o$n, "#t
in a %ilent, lear, all enompa%%ing $ay that $a% $ay "eyond the %eond
>hana, and thi% mar&% the entrane to the 'o#rth !ipa%%ana >hana.
A% thing% $o#ld organiLe, there $o#ld ari%e all %ort% o' image%, 'rom
B#ddha% to "la& hole%, 'rom "rilliantly 'ormed Tantri image%
CHa>ra%att!a $ith on%ort, et.E to ompleF a"%trat, three dimen%ional
de%ign% that inl#ded the $hole 'ield o' attention, $ith all made o'
rain"o$ line%, l#mino#%, li!ing, and !ery lear. I o#ld end the yle
$ith e%%entially any image I $i%hed $ith an ea%e I had ne!er pre!io#%ly
ahie!ed. I' I had not pre!io#%ly determined an image to end $ith, the
%#rpri%e% $ere >#%t a% good a% anything I ame #p $ith and %ometime%
"etter. The point i% that i' yo# get yo#r onentration %trong eno#gh,
yo# an do the%e thing% al%o.
,hortly a'ter the lear image $o#ld ari%e, attention $o#ld %hi't to
inl#de the '#ndamental harateri%ti% o' the $hole thing at le!el that
$a% per'etly inl#%i!e o' $hat ordinarily $o#ld "e alled %#">et and
o">et, and -r#ition $o#ld ari%e a% the $hole thing !ani%hed thro#gh
one o' the Three Door%, "#t $ith a larity that i% rare. Then I $o#ld
open my eye%, %tare at the 'lame, and do it all again. Eah yle too&
a"o#t 10816 min#te%, "#t I o#ld linger in eah %tage 'or longer i' I
on%io#%ly re%i%ted the p#ll to mo!e on$ard.
.hile o"!io#%ly thi% eFample in!ol!e% !ery lean %amatha8li&e
image%, !ery %trong onentration, and $a% done "y an ad!aned
pratitioner #nder relati!ely %peial ondition%, thi% andle 'lame
224
tehni)#e an "e !ery intere%ting, and in la%%e% I ha!e ta#ght %ome
$ere a"le to )#i&ly get to the later >hana% $itho#t too m#h time or
e''ort. ,ome people >#%t %eem to ha!e a nat#ral a"ility to !i%#aliLe, or
'o#% on a mantra, or %ome other o">et, and it ma&e% a lot o' %en%e o'
dra$ on the%e nat#ral tendenie%. It an al%o "e '#n to de!elop the%e
'ront% e!en i' thi% i% not yo#r %trong %#it, a% it help% eFpand the range o'
yo#r pratie. Th#%, on%ider playing aro#nd $ith #%ing other o">et%
and 'o#%e% at time%, a% they an "ring di''erent per%peti!e%.
To gi!e another eFample, #%ing a di''erent o">et, i' one i% #%ing a
mantra, one may notie that at %ome point one %hi't% to "eing a"le to
%tay $ith mantra learly and perei!e it a% an o">et, $hih i% the 'ir%t
>hana, %tarting $ith Mind and Body. *ne the mantra i% lear, one may
notie all %ort% o' thing% a"o#t the proe%% o' mentally reating the
mantra, %#h a% the %tream o' intention% "eing 'ollo$ed %hortly "ehind
"y the %tring o' the mantra it%el' 'ollo$ %lightly "ehind "y the mental
eho o' the pereption o' the mantra, ma&ing $hat appear to "e three
%eparate %tream% o' the mantra. Thi% i% diret in%ight into Ca#%e and
E''et, and a% the Three Charateri%ti% o' eah o' the%e %tream%
"eome lear, the 'ir%t >hana mat#re%.
Then the mantra $ill %hi't to pre%enting it%el', and $ill "eome !ery
lear, a% i' it i% reiting it%el'. Thi% i% o"!io#%ly the %eond >hana, and one
may eFperiene A?/8li&e phenomena aro#nd here. A% the pratitioner
%hi't% into the third >hana, the mantra get% $ide in the %tereo 'ield,
ompleF, $ith intere%ting harmonie% i' one i% %o inlined, and yet it may
%eem to "e o#t o' pha%e $ith attention or it may %eem di%torted,
annoying, li&e %omething that $a% one "ea#ti'#l ha% "eome noi%y.
*ne may eFperiene Dar& +ight8related phenomena in thi% pha%e. A%
the %hi't to the 'o#rth >hana ome%, the mantra may "eome part o' a
!ery $ide, more )#ite "a&gro#nd, a% attention "eome% inl#%i!e.
*ther 'o#rth >hana8li&e or high e)#animity8li&e phenomena may o#r
aro#nd here.
Th#%, the !ipa%%ana >hana model an really help people line #p
eFperiene% aro%% o">et%, tradition%, and pratitioner%, a% they get to
the ommon gro#nd o' %pirit#al terrain in a more '#ndamental $ay than
the Yana% may, a% tho%e $ith %trong onentration a"ilitie% may dodge a
lot o' the emotional %ide e''et% that are empha%iLed "y that map, and
223
tho%e #%ing di''erent o">et% may ha!e %#h %eemingly di''erent
path$ay%. (o$e!er, no$ that yo# &no$ the !ipa%%ana >hana%, i' yo#
pratie $ell or a%& good )#e%tion% o' tho%e yo# %pea& $ith, yo# %ho#ld
ha!e a m#h ea%ier time o' lining thing% #p and ma&ing %en%e o' thing%.
Another thing that an help i% notiing that eah >hana ha% it% %maller
a%pet% that an "e la%%i'ied in a manner di''erent 'rom the Yana%, and
here I re'er to $hat Bill la"eled the %#"8>hana%. A% I mentioned on the
%etion on the %amatha >hana%, eah >hana, !ipa%%ana or other$i%e, ha%
it% %#"8pha%e%. Initially, the >hana i% ne$, 're%h, lear, "#t perhap% a "it
#n%teady a% the mind get% #%ed to it C'ir%t %#"8>hanaE, then it really ome%
into it% o$n C%eond %#"8>hanaE, then the 'la$% and limit% o' the >hana
are perei!ed Cthird %#"8>hanaE, then there i% %ome %ort o' "alaned
%ynthe%i% o' the%e that at one allo$% the 'la$ and "egin% to inorporate
the p#ll to$ard% that $hih ome% neFt C'o#rth %#"8>hanaE.
In thi% $ay, it i% po%%i"le to %ee model% $ithin model% $ithin model%,
and i' yo# pratie long and learly eno#gh $ith the model% in mind yo#
$ill r#n into thi% a%pet o' thing%. The $arning% a"o#t the pro"lem% $ith
the model% go ten time% or more 'or the %#"8>hana model% and deeper
'ratal theorie% o' meditation terrain. They are a largely endle%% %#">et
$ho%e #%e'#lne%% i% de"ata"le and $ho%e peril% are $ell &no$n.
Con%ider yo#r%el' d#ly $arnedK
-:ACTA2,
An'ort#nately, I %omeho$ am not a"le to &eep my%el' 'rom
pre%enting >#%t a 'e$ o' the "a%i% o' 'ratal theory here, parti#larly a% it
relate% to BillI% model. There i% al%o %omething eFeedingly #ni!er%al
a"o#t the pattern that I am a"o#t to pre%ent, and re%onane% o' it are
'o#nd "a& a% 'ar a% there i% reorded h#man hi%tory, religion and art.
I' yo# on%ider the 'ir%t 470 degree% o' a %ine $a!e Cli&e a ro#nded
apital itali ;+< that ha% "een tilted >#%t a "it to the rightE, yo# $ill
notie that i% %tart% at Lero, goe% #p in a hill8li&e $ay, pea&%, de%end%
"elo$ $here it %tarted in a !alley8li&e $ay, "ottom% o#t, and then ret#rn%
to the %ame le!el at $hih it "egan "#t yet 'arther along.
.ere one $al&ing on thi% #r!e, one $o#ld ha!e to ma&e e''ort to
lim" #p the hill. *ne $o#ld then ha!e a %peta#lar !ie$ and a great
%en%e o' aompli%hment. *ne might then try to &eep $al&ing #p to get
more o' thi%, "#t end #p %liding do$n the other %ide o' the hill, 'arther
226
do$n in 'at than $here one "egan. And yet, thi% i% %till progre%%, and
o#ld e!en "e %ome$hat thrilling and e!en e''ortle%% $ith the right
attit#de. D#%t $hen one get% to the !ery "ottom, trapped in the dar&e%t
part o' the pit, "y 'inally oming to re%t at the a"%ol#te "ottom the
#p$ard motion "egin% to happen nat#rally, and one ret#rn% to $here
one $a%, gro#nd Lero, and yet 'arther on at the %ame time. A yle i%
omplete and yet "egin% again endle%%ly.
Thi% ea%ily orrelate% $ith the 'ir%t 'o#r !ipa%%ana >hana%, a% $ell a%
many other o"!io#% yle% %#h a% tho%e o' the %#n and %ea%on%, et. -or
tho%e trying to orrelate the map% o' the progre%% o' in%ight $ith tho%e o'
TantraI% -i!e B#ddha -amilie% or tho%e o' any n#m"er o' pagan and
nat#re8"a%ed tradition%, thi% %ho#ld pro!e mo%t help'#l. The 'ir%t
!ipa%%ana >hana i% lim"ing #p the hill, eager "eginning%, hard $or&,
da$n, ,pring, Ea%t, et. The %eond !ipa%%ana >hana i% the giddy high o'
aompli%hment at the top o' the hill, high noon, ,#mmer, ,o#th, et.
The third !ipa%%ana >hana i% the eFhilarating and yet %ary 'all 'ar do$n
the other %ide into a ool and %hado$y !alley, d#%& and night'all,
A#t#mn, .e%t, et. The 'o#rth !ipa%%ana >hana i% oming to re%t
regardle%% o' $here one i% and ret#rning to oneI% origin nat#rally, the
ool o' the dead o' night and early morning, .inter and the promi%e o'
,pringtime, the oming o' a ne$ year at the end o' the old, a time o'
re%t, ompletion and rene$al, +orth. The orrelation% $ith the %tage% o'
in%ight are th#% o"!io#%. *ne may al%o orrelate thi% $ith %ome o' the
model% o' a$a&ening, parti#larly the -o#r /ath Model and the ,imple
Model o' a$a&ening, "oth o' $hih $ill "e eFplained later.
Intere%tingly, one may "egin to %ee a '#ll yle o' eah o' the%e %tage%
in eah o' the 'o#r !ipa%%ana >hana% a% $ell, $ith eah pea& and !alley
adding or %#"trating 'rom the po%ition o' the greater $a!e it i% an a%pet
o'. -or all yo# in#ra"le model gee&%, try plotting y]%inCFE[0.26@%inC3FE
'rom F]0 to 2^ on a graphing program. Go# ha!e my %ympathy. The F8
aFi% i% the >hana% and %#"8>hana%, 'rom 1.1 to 3.3, or 1.1.1 to 3.3.3 i' yo#
$ant to go into %#"8%#"8>hana%. An'ort#nately, $hat goe% on the y8aFi%
$o#ld "e the %#">et o' a "oo& longer than thi% one and $o#ld read li&e
the mo%t di''i#lt $or&% o' Alei%ter Cro$ley. In %hort, the po%%i"le
ompleFity o' thi% model i% endle%% and it i% no %#"%tit#te 'or pratie.
227
Try not to "eome an arrogant t$it li&e I did $hen I "egan to 'ig#re all
thi% %t#'' o#t. E%oteri map theory $onIt $in yo# any 'riend%.
I ha!e %pent $ay too m#h time thin&ing a"o#t the 'ratal% and
modeling in my o$n pratie. In my in%e#re moment%, I ha!e
on%idered %ho$ing o'' and $riting a "oo& that detailed the h#ndred% o'
little parallel% and pattern% that I ha!e notied o!er the year%, ho$ thi%
tiny little %tage o' %ome !ipa%%ana %#"8>hana mirrored or $a% in in!er%ion
o' another a%pet o' %ome other little %tage o' %ome other %#"8%#"8>hana,
"#t I o#ldnIt ome #p $ith any pratial #%e 'or it at all. I' yo# do the
tehni)#e, yo# $ill %ee all o' thi% and more. I' not, reading a"o#t it
$onIt help yo#. ItI% >#%t another ontent trap, "#t a %ed#ti!e one 'or #%
p%e#do8intellet#al%. *n the other hand, Jha""ala %eem% to ha!e made
related perm#tation% into meditation it%el', and tho%e $ho are
parti#larly inlined to thi% %ort o' analy%i% might $ant to try ta&ing it a% a
!ehile 'or going "eyond it. Al%o, g#e%% $here the ompleF geometri
Ti"etan Mandala% that are %#ppo%ed to "e pit#re% o' the Mind or the
Ani!er%e ome 'rom= BingoK
A /A+DITAI, M*DE2
A /andita, one o' the greate%t modern ma%ter% o' meditation in the
B#rme%e Thera!ada tradition C%ee hi% $or& In Thi% Hery 2i'eE doe%nOt
)#ite agree $ith Bill and I a"o#t ho$ the Yana% and >hana line #p, and
%o I tho#ght that in the intere%t o' 'airne%% I $o#ld pre%ent hi% model .
In hi% model, a% in BillO% model, the 'ir%t three %tage% o' Mind and Body,
Ca#%e and E''et, and The Three Charateri%ti% all 'all $ithin the 'ir%t
!ipa%%ana >hana. (o$e!er, he di!ide% the Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay into
t$o >hana%, $ith the immat#re pha%e C$hen the meditator i% %till in the
grip o' the Ten Corr#ption% o' In%ightE orre%ponding to the %eond
>hana and the mat#re pha%e C$hen the meditator %ee% the tr#e nat#re o'
the Ten Corr#ption% o' In%ight and ro%%e% the A?/ E!entE a% the third
>hana. E!erything 'rom Di%%ol#tion to E)#animity then 'all% into the
'o#rth >hana in hi% model. Thi% doe% aommodate the !ag#e 'ormle%%
eFperiene% that an happen in Di%%ol#tion, a% the 'ormle%% realm%
ome o#t o' the 'o#rth >hana.
The pro"lem $ith thi% map i% %imilar to the pro"lem $ith the other
map%, namely that %ome o' the %tage% o' in%ight tend to %#& and the
%amatha or p#re onentration >hana% are al$ay% a good time or
227
peae'#l. Th#%, to %ay that the Dar& +ight %tage% %#h a% Di%g#%t are
part o' the 'o#rth >hana >#%t r#"% the $rong $ay %omeho$, a% doe%
%aying that Three Charateri%ti% C$hih al%o tend% to %#& a "itE i% part
o' the en>oya"le 'ir%t >hana. The point i% that no matter ho$ yo# %lie it,
the orrelation% are not )#ite per'et, and in%ight pratie i% rarely a%
plea%ant a% good old onentration pratie%. That %aid, there i%
%omething to the%e model% any$ay, and i' yo# ma%ter in%ight and
onentration pratie% and &no$ a "it o' theory, yo# $ill %ee 'or
yo#r%el' $hat they $ere trying to get at, %o get to itK
I+J2I+B, *- *+E M*:E M*DE2
The la%t model i% one that i% hinted at "y the a line in The
Hi%#ddhimagga $hen it %ay% that De%ire 'or Deli!erane, :e8o"%er!ation
and E)#animity are one. Thi% rypti phra%e may mean many thing%.
*ne o' them i% that the ontent o' the%e three %tage% i% li&ely to "e
largely the %ame, $hile the relation%hip to it may hange dramatially. It
o#ld al%o "e #%ed a% >#%ti'iation 'or a third model that p#t the%e three
together in the 'o#rth >hana. -#rther, a% the 'o#rth !ipa%%ana >hana i%
a"o#t e)#animity onerning 'ormation%, one might pre%#me that one
$o#ld ha!e had to perei!e 'ormation% at an earlier %tage, %#h a% the
pre!io#% t$o, in order to ha!e had the nee%%ary time and eFperiene to
ome to e)#animity onerning them.
Bo %ee 'or yo#r%el' and on%ider $hih o' the%e three model%
pre%ented here 'it% $ith yo#r at#al eFperiene, or thro$ thi% "oo& and
all o' it% model% o#t the $indo$ and in!e%tigate the Three
Charateri%ti% prei%ely regardle%% o' $hat happen%K At#ally, %#h
dei%ion% might "e "etter made a'ter reading the neFt hapterP
229
27.HOW THE MAPS HELP
+o$ that I ha!e pre%ented the map% o' the /rogre%% o' In%ight, I $ill
reiterate >#%t a "it a"o#t ho$ they help and $hy I $ent to all o' that
tro#"le. I $ill try to do thi% in hronologial %e)#ene and tie it in $ith
$hat ha% "een %aid in /art I.
The map% tell yo# learly $hat yo# are loo&ing 'or and eFplain
eFatly and prei%ely $hy yo# are loo&ing 'or it, ho$ that in%ight help%,
and ho$ that in%ight pro!ide% the gro#nd 'or $hat 'ollo$%. The %ame
thing o#ld "e %aid o' the onentration %tate map%. I' the %tage% o'
in%ight didnIt tend to "ring #p all %ort% o' #n#%#al rapt#re% and prod#e
%#h a $ide range o' potentially de%ta"iliLing emotional %ide e''et%,
there $o#ld not "e %o m#h need 'or the map%. Go# o#ld %imply tell
people to inrea%e their perept#al a"ilitie% #ntil they got enlightened,
and they $o#ld li&ely ha!e 'e$ di''i#ltie% in doing %o "y properly
applying the tehni)#e%. (o$e!er, the in%ight %tage% do tend to a#%e
the%e %ort% o' e''et%, %o the map% are !ery #%e'#l 'or &eeping people on
tra& in the 'ae o' them.
:emem"er long ago in the hapter alled The ,e!en -ator% o'
Enlightenment $hen I mentioned that the 'ir%t 'ator $a% mind'#lne%%
and that thi% $a% really good 'or %orting o#t $hat i% mind and $hat i%
"ody and $hen eah i% and i%nOt there= That i% "ea#%e the 'ir%t in%ight
yo# are loo&ing 'or, the one that get% yo# in a po%ition to %ee more
deeply, i% %tage 1. Mind and Body. Bet it= Thi% %t#'' i% not random or
ar"itrary. It i% all learly laid o#t in a $ay that help% and 'it% $ith reality.
:emem"er ho$ I %aid in that hapter that one %ho#ld try to
eFperiene the intention% that preede ation% and tho#ght%, a% $ell a%
the mental impre%%ion or ;on%io#%ne%%< that 'ollo$% all %en%ation%=
That i% the #nder%tanding in %tage 2. Ca#%e and E''et. Th#%,
mind'#lne%% i% the 'ir%t 'ator o' enlightenment "ea#%e it lead% diretly
to the 'ir%t t$o la%%i in%ight% into the tr#th o' $hat i% at#ally going on.
I' yo# $ant in%ight into %omething, then loo&ing into that a%pet o'
thing% prei%ely i% the "e%t $ay to a)#ire that in%ight.
*ne one ha% diretly eFperiened the%e t$o in%ight%, then the
Three Charateri%ti% "egin to "eome o"!io#% in %tage 4. The Three
Charateri%ti%, $hih i% eFatly $hy the neFt 'ator o' enlightenment i%
(o$ the Map% (elp
alled in!e%tigation o' the tr#th, i.e. the Three Charateri%ti%. Both the
,e!en -ator% o' Enlightenment and the in%ight map% tell yo# eFatly
$hat yo# are trying to #nder%tand and $hy. Their order i% not ar"itrary
in the lea%t.
Go# $ill not "e a"le to #nder%tand the Three Charateri%ti% diretly
$itho#t %orting o#t $hat i% mind and $hat i% "ody and the relation%hip%
"et$een them. .itho#t #nder%tanding the Three Charateri%ti%,
regardle%% o' $hat yo# all them, yo# $ill not "e a"le to go '#rther and
$ill not "e a"le to get enlightened. The B#ddha laid it all o#t %tep "y
%tep. .hile thi% may %eem #nromanti and perhap% e!en dry, it i% al%o
eFeedingly pratial and $itho#t a do#"t the leare%t pre%entation o'
eFatly ho$ to $a&e #p that I ha!e e!er %een pre%ented in any %pirit#al
%y%tem, >#%t %o my "ia%e% are made per'etly lear. In %hort, the%e map%
and tehni)#e% an "e pro'o#ndly empo$ering.
*ne the Three Charateri%ti% "egin to "eome lear, the mind
nat#rally %peed% #p and "eome% more po$er'#l. Thi% i% "ea#%e it
'inally "egin% to dra$ on it% tremendo#% po$er to %ee thing% diretly
$itho#t proe%%ing them thro#gh tho#ght. Anyone $ho ha% dri!en a ar,
played a !ideo game or done >#%t a"o#t anything el%e 'or that matter
&no$% that yo# >#%t ha!e to do it, "#t i' yo# tried to thin& a"o#t e!ery
little thing yo# $ere doing it $o#ld "e impo%%i"le.
Thi% inrea%e in mental po$er d#e to non8onept#al and diret
eFperiene i% related to the third 'ator o' enlightenment, energy.
Energy may no$ e!en "e "laLing #p and do$n oneO% %pinal ord, the
mind get% "right and alert, and %oon energy i% 'lo$ing nat#rally, a% one
"egin% to enter the early part o' %tage 3. The Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay.
:emem"er ho$ thi% orrelate% $ith the %eond %amatha >hana, $here
applied and %#%tained attention or e''ort are no longer needed= They
>#%t happen on their o$n to a large eFtent, and energy i% nat#rally
pre%ent. Th#%, it all tie% together.
The neFt 'ator o' enlightenment i% rapt#re, $hih ome% to
predominate in the %eond !ipa%%ana >hana and the Ari%ing and /a%%ing
A$ay >#%t a% it doe% in the %eond %amatha >hana. Th#%, all o' the
important ad!ie a"o#t rapt#re gi!en earlier applie% to the in%ight map%
in /art III. *ne i% generally ad!i%ed to a!oid "eoming a rapt#re or
J#ndalini8>#n&ie in that %tage, altho#gh I %#ppo%e i' that i% yo#r primary
240
(o$ the Map% (elp
rea%on 'or meditating, it i% ertainly yo#r right to do %o. D#%t "e $ary o'
the ine!ita"le ra%h.
D#ring the mat#re Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay, a% $ell a% in
Di%%ol#tion, tran)#ility "eome% important and more prono#ned, "#t
then "eome% too %trong in late Di%%ol#tion. Th#%, it "eome%
important to "#ild the %iFth 'ator o' enlightenment, onentration.
-inally, $hen the Dar& +ight really &i&% in, a% it $ill one one an
again 'ind oneO% o">et% and %tay $ith them C-ear thro#gh :e8
o"%er!ationE, then E)#animity in the 'ae o' all eFperiene "eome%
!ital 'or progre%%, a% %tated in /art I. Th#%, E)#animity an ari%e and
that /ath an "e attained.
A% mentioned "e'ore, the map% 'ill in the %eemingly h#ge, 'r#%trating
and ne"#lo#% gap 'rom doing %omething li&e %itting on a #%hion paying
attention to the %en%ation% o' yo#r "reath and 'inally getting enlightened.
The map% al%o tell yo# eFatly $hat the ommon error% o' eah
%tage are. They $arn people a"o#t not getting %t#& in 1. Mind and
Body "y %olidi'ying it into a >hani %tate, $hih it lo%ely re%em"le%.
They pro!ide om'ort and eFplanation $hen thing% might get >er&y,
#nplea%ant or e!en do$nright pain'#l in the %tage 4. Three
Charateri%ti%. They admoni%h people not to get too 'a%inated $ith
ho$ m#h o' a mighty meditator they might 'eel li&e in the %tage o' the
3. Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay, and to e!en eFamine the %en%ation% that
ma&e #p the %eemingly $ondro#% and tantaliLing orr#ption% o' in%ight
%#h a% e)#animity and rapt#re. They $arn o' the po%%i"ility o' thin&ing
that one i% enlightened $hen going tho#gh that %tage, a% $ell a% %aying
that it i% normal 'or $ild and %ometime% eFplo%i!e eFperiene% to o#r.
I %po&e $ith a 'riend $ho "a%ially $anted me to help him
rationaliLe that hi% reent A?/ eFperiene% oa%ionally allo$ed him to
to#h (igh E)#animity. My ad!ie $a% that a m#h more help'#l 'orm
o' in)#iry $o#ld "e to notie the %en%ation% o' 'a%ination $ith thi% i%%#e
and the %en%ation% o' the re%t o' hi% %en%ate #ni!er%e ome and go
moment to moment. I' he o#ldnIt manage thi%, he %ho#ld "e p#tting
hi% time into trying to 'ig#re o#t ho$ to get together eno#gh !aation
time and money to do another long retreat andQor ho$ to inrea%e hi%
daily pratie time and the thoro#ghne%% o' hi% in!e%tigation.
241
(o$ the Map% (elp
The map% learly %tate that the proe%% i% not a parti#larly linear
one, and that a'ter the high% o' the Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay there
#%#ally 'ollo$% time% o' di''i#lty $hen all o' the %peta#lar po$er o'
the mind and the en>oyment o' meditation gained in the Ari%ing and
/a%%ing A$ay i% li&ely to 'ade dramatially. They $arn o' the n#mero#%
di''i#ltie% that may or may not "e 'aed in the Dar& +ight, a% $ell a%
pro!ide lot% o' in'ormation a"o#t ho$ to deal $ith them. The mo%t
ommon mi%ta&e i% 'ailing to in!e%tigate the tr#th o' %en%ation% deemed
#nde%ira"le. It i% hard to get on more intimate term% $ith reality $hen
$e 'eel a "it too emotional, !#lnera"le, openhearted or %ha&en, and %o
progre%% in the Dar& +ight i% not al$ay% ea%y.
.hile I do generally $i%h to a!oid "iting the hand% that ha!e 'ed
me, I m#%t %ay that not telling %t#dent% a"o#t thi% territory 'rom the
"eginning %o a% to gi!e them a head% #p to $hat might happen i% %o
eFtremely irre%pon%i"le and negligent that I >#%t $ant to %pit and %ream
at tho%e $ho perpet#ate thi% $arped #lt#re o' %erey. .hile many
teaher% may not do %o "ea#%e they donIt thin& many people $ill e!er
get thi% 'ar, that in and o' it%el' i% a %ary a%%#mption that %ho#ld a#%e
%ome %erio#% )#e%tioning o' their teahing method%, tehni)#e%, and
perhap% e!en moti!ation%.
Imagine that there i% a meditation mediation alled Damnitall that
i% #%ed to treat %ome 'orm o' %#''ering Cperhap% itI% a pain mediine or
an anti8depre%%antE. (o$e!er, in a %#"%et o' patient% it% long8term #%e i%
&no$n to a#%e prono#ned o' anFiety, paranoia, depre%%ion, apathy,
miro8p%yhoti epi%ode%, a per!a%i!e %en%e o' primal 'r#%tration,
prono#ned la& o' per%peti!e on relation%hip%, red#ed li"ido,
'eeling% o' di%%ati%'ation $ith $orldly a''air%, and eFaer"ation o'
per%onality di%order%, all o' $hih an lead to mar&edly red#ed %oial
and o#pational '#ntion. Imagine that the%e %ide e''et% are &no$n to
per%i%t %ometime% month% and e!en year% a'ter %omeone %top% ta&ing
the mediation, $ith oa%ional 'lare8#p% and relap%e%, $ith the only
permanently e''eti!e treatment "eing to inrea%e the do%e, along $ith
%#pporti!e are and o#n%eling, and hope that the%e %ide e''et% pa%%
)#i&ly $ith little damage.
+o$, imagine that yo# are li!ing in the dar& day% o' paternali%ti
mediine d#ring $hih dotor% are pre%ri"ing thi% %t#'' $itho#t '#lly
242
(o$ the Map% (elp
di%lo%ing the potential %ide e''et% de%pite the 'at that they are '#lly
a$are o' them. Imagine that dr#g ompanie% are not 'ored to di%lo%e
&no$n %ide e''et%. Doe% anything in thi% %enario ma&e yo# a "it
#nom'orta"le= I %ho#ld hope %oK
2etI% %ay 'or the %a&e o' arg#ment that I am a 'anati $ho i% "lo$ing
thi% thing $ay o#t o' proportion. 2etI% a%%#me that Damnitall only
a#%e% the%e e''et% in 1 o#t o' e!ery 10,000 patient%. .o#ld yo# ha!e
the%e %ide e''et% inl#ded on the little piee o' paper that ome% in the
"ottle= 2et% %ay itI% 1 in a 100= At $hat point doe% it "eome a"%#rd
that tho%e dotor% and dr#g ompanie% are "eing allo$ed to get a$ay
$ith thi%= An'ort#nately, I m#%t admit that I do not &no$ the eFat odd%
o' the%e %ide e''et% happening to yo#. I do &no$ 'ir%thand that they
happen and that i' yo# ro%% the A?/ E!ent yo# are 'airly li&ely to r#n
into at lea%t %ome o' them.
The%e %ide e''et% are no 'anta%y. .hen they %ho$ #p they are a%
real and po$er'#l a% i' %ome dangero#% dr#g had %erio#%ly %&e$ed yo#r
ne#rohemi%try, and I o'ten $onder i' that might "e %omething li&e
$hat happen%. Th#%, it %eem% only 'air to ha!e the %ame %tandard% that
$e apply $ith %#h prono#ned Leal and 'er!ent litigation to dr#g
ompanie% and dotor% al%o apply to meditation teaher% and dharma
"oo&%. -or rea%on% #n&no$n to me, thi% "oo& i% the 'ir%t one I &no$ o'
to %pell o#t all o' the%e thing% eFpliitly in lang#age that e!eryone %ho#ld
"e a"le to #nder%tand %o that yo# an go into meditation ha!ing "een
'#lly in'ormed o' the ri%&% and "ene'it% and th#% ma&e in'ormed
dei%ion% a"o#t yo#r o$n pratie. In the %pirit o' pro'e%%ionali%m, I all
on other% $ho promote the dharma to adopt a %imilarly high %tandard
'or their o$n $or&.
Map% point o#t that people might "e a"le to get %t#& 'or a little
$hile in E)#animity i' they do not in!e%tigate the %en%ation% that ma&e
#p e!en e)#animity, peae, relie', eFpetation, on'idene, et. The
model% al%o go into great detail a"o#t $hat at#ally happen% in eah
%tage o' enlightenment and $hat doe% not happen Cpre%ented laterE,
tho#gh thi% a%pet o' the map% i% m#h more ontro!er%ial than the
map% o' the progre%% o' in%ight.
Th#%, the map% at their "e%t tell the meditator in lear and
%y%temati $ay% eFatly $hat to do, $hat to loo& 'or, $hy, and eFatly
244
(o$ the Map% (elp
ho$ not to %re$ #p at eah %tage. They are no %#"%tit#te 'or lear
pratie and in!e%tigation o' the %en%ation% that ma&e #p oneI%
eFperiene, and they are poor aid% to tho%e $ho re'#%e to heed them
and 'ollo$ their ad!ie. A% I ontin#e to mention, they an al%o "e #%ed
a% a "a%i% 'or #%ele%% and e!en harm'#l ompetition "et$een g#ng ho
meditator% $ith in%e#rity i%%#e%. It an and ha% "een arg#ed
on!iningly that one ertainly doe%nIt need to &no$ the%e map% at all
%o long a% one pratie% $ell. De%pite the danger% o' ompetition and
o!er8intellet#aliLation, the map% %till ha!e tremendo#% !al#e $hen #%ed
a% they $ere meant to "e.
*ne !ery !alid ritii%m o' the map%, a% I mentioned "e'ore, i% that
people are o'ten !ery %#%epti"le to %#gge%tion, o'ten alled ;%ripting.<
De%ri"ing the%e %tage% an a#%e people to ha!e %omething that
re%em"le% the%e eFperiene% >#%t "ea#%e they ha!e "een told that they
are eFpeted. The part o' the map% that deal% $ith emotional %ide e''et%
i% notorio#% 'or a#%ing thi% parti#lar &ind o' mimiry. -or eFample, it
i% "a%ially impo%%i"le to %ort o#t $hat i% >#%t 'ear and $hat i% in%ight
%tage 7 C-earE "a%ed #pon the pre%ene o' 'ear alone. The a%pet o' the
map% that deal% $ith #n#%#al rapt#re% C"oth phy%ial and mentalE i% le%%
%#gge%ti"le, and i% a more relia"le indiator o' the %tage o' pratie.
(o$e!er, the '#ndamental inrea%e% and %hi't% in perept#al
thre%hold% are eFtremely hard to 'a&e, parti#larly i' yo# ha!e ae%% to a
map that goe% into the eFten%i!e detail% pre%ented here. ,hi't% in
perept#al thre%hold% are the mo%t relia"le mar&er% on the path o'
in%ight, the Bold ,tandard "y $hih the%e %tage% are de'ined. -or
eFample, i' yo# reently %a$ !ery 'ine !i"ration% that hanged 're)#eny
$ith the "reath, then had a "ig Lap8thro#gh, %paed o#t 'or a $hile, and
no$ 'eel paranoid $ith %ome %teady 687 (L %t#'' that )#i&ly lead% to
haoti, edgy !i"ration% $ith ompleF harmoni%, thatI% !ery li&ely the
in%ight %tage -ear.
Th#%, inrea%ing oneI% perept#al thre%hold% in term% o' %peed,
on%i%teny, and inl#%i!ene%% %ho#ld al$ay% "e the 'o#% o' oneI%
in%ight pratie%. ,&illed teaher% $ho #%e and are !ery good $ith the%e
map% $ill ta&e into ao#nt all three, i.e. emotion%, rapt#re% and
perept#al a"ilitie%, along $ith the pattern o' the%e that ha% #n'olded
pre!io#%ly, and #%e the%e to ome #p $ith an ed#ated g#e%% a% to $hat
243
(o$ the Map% (elp
i% going on $ith a %t#dent. .ith year% o' eFperiene, $e may e!ent#ally
get good at doing thi% 'or o#r%el!e%. I ha!e 'o#nd that my g#e%%e% a"o#t
my o$n pratie are #%#ally more a#rate a'ter I ha!e had a year or t$o
to re'let on $hat ha% o#rred.
The "e%t, mo%t on%i%tent pratie I e!er did $a% d#ring a t$o8$ee&
Maha%i ,ayada$8%tyle retreat in Malay%ia. Thi% $a% my third retreat e!er,
and I &ne$ nothing $hat%oe!er o' the map% o' the progre%% o' in%ight,
!ery little theory, and had done almo%t no reading o' the old teFt%. I $a%
%imply doing noting pratie. I had "een told "y a 'riend that i' I noted
)#i&ly and a#rately all day long 'rom the time I got #p #ntil the time
I $ent to %leep $itho#t "rea&% then good thing% $o#ld happen. .ell,
'rom my point o' !ie$, all %ort% o' %trange and largely irritating thing%
happened. (o$e!er, I >#%t &ept noting )#i&ly all day long regardle%%.
Thing% $ere getting pretty $ild, then thing% almed do$n a "it, and
'inally I hit a $all. I o#ld "arely pratie at all. I $o#ld %it do$n and try
to note and "e $al&ing a$ay 'rom the #%hion $ithin a min#te and
"e'ore I realiLed $hat $a% happening. My mind $a% %o tight, irritated
and "#LLy that I 'elt I $o#ld %oon eFplode. It $a% immen%ely 'r#%trating.
That night the a""ot played a %rathy old tape o' a B#rme%e mon&
$ith a thi& aent de%ri"ing the %tage% o' in%ight. It "le$ my mind, a%
he de%ri"ed eFatly $hat I had gone thro#gh in the pre!io#% 14 day%. I
o#ld learly %ee ho$ the %tage% he $a% de%ri"ing had #n'olded, eFatly
$here I $a% and $hat I had to do. I $a% al%o a%to#nded that the path
o#ld "e %o reprod#i"le and %traight'or$ard, that I o#ld >#%t 'ollo$
moronially %imple in%tr#tion% and ha!e it all happen. Tho%e $ho $ant
to get lo%t in the reation, ;+o, it i%nIt %o %imple. A$a&ening i% a great
and intrata"le my%teryK Go# are lyingK It m#%tnIt "e %oK< %ho#ld ta&e a
'e$ moment% to %erio#%ly )#e%tion eFatly ho$ thi% di%empo$ering and
ina#rate !ie$ help% them 'eel good a"o#t them%el!e%. They %ho#ld
then ta&e a 'e$ moment% to 'ind another, more empo$ering !ie$ that
help% them 'eel good a"o#t them%el!e%, %tep #p to the plate, and hit a
home r#n.
.ith a !ery high le!el o' 'aith in the tehni)#e and de%pite the
eFtremely irritating re%tle%%ne%% that aro%e the moment I %at do$n, I
re%ol!ed to %it on the #%hion #ntil I had pa%%ed :e8o"%er!ation. It $a%
horri"le. I noted li&e raLy any$ay. .ithin 'i!e min#te% it "ro&e,
246
(o$ the Map% (elp
e!erything opened #p, and '#ndamental 'ormation% aro%e. Th#%,
&no$ledge o' the%e map% i% a"%ol#tely not nee%%ary 'or progre%% "#t it
may "e help'#l i' it &eep% one pratiing and help% one realiLe that $hat
i% happening may "e per'etly normal.
An'ort#nately, the %tory ontin#e% on a dar& note. I did not &no$
the%e map% $ell at the time. I didnIt really appreiate $hat $a%
happening, ho$ lo%e I $a% to a real "rea&thro#gh, and the po%%i"le
impliation% o' not doing %o. The retreat ended one ho#r later, and I
had !ery little time 'or pratie $hen my rigoro#% tra!el% re%#med. I 'ell
"a&, "a& into the Dar& +ight, and it "egan to really %re$ #p my li'e. I
$onIt go into detail%, "#t I $ill %ay that I $i%h I had ae%% to a 'riend
$ith a %olid #nder%tanding o' the%e map% to help me &eep $hat I $a%
going thro#gh in per%peti!e. A% it $a%, I $a% largely "lind%ided. ,ine
then I ha!e met n#mero#% people in %imilar #n'ort#nate %it#ation%. The
$i%h to help other% a!oid %#h di''i#lt %it#ation% $a% one o' my primary
moti!ation% 'or $riting thi% "oo&.
It $a% another %iF month% "e'ore I $ent on retreat again, and l#&ily
"y that point I $anted nothing in the $orld more than relea%e. In the
month "e'ore I arri!ed, I $a% l#&y eno#gh to ha!e a 'riend learly
eFplain the importane o' notiing impermanene at a !ery 'ine le!el
and %ho$ me %ome o' the 'iner point% o' the map%. I hit the retreat
determined to pratie to the !ery "e%t o' my a"ility or die trying.
I po$ered #p a"o!e the Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay again on day 4,
hit the Dar& +ight on day 3, 'altered 'or a 'e$ ho#r%, and then %imply
noted. I &ne$ I $a% "eaten, "#t I noted. I $a% $eary, tight and yet
!olatile, and I noted. I 'elt I $a% ra&ing at the %eam%, "#t I noted. I
%tayed $ith $hat $a% happening, learly perei!ing and rel#tantly
aepting the %en%ation% that made #p my $orld, the $eight li'ted, and
then the little m#%h demon "#ddha thing %ho$ed #p. ,oon therea'ter, I
%oared e''ortle%%ly in realm% o' p#re !i"rating %#hne%%, 'ree 'rom the
ordinary are% o' the $orld. ,oon thi% "eame "oring, and then I >#%t %at
and $al&ed. *n day 7 o' my 'o#rth retreat, I got the 'ir%t ta%te o' $hat I
$a% loo&ing 'or Cread, ;%tream entry<E. There i% no $ay to eFplain the
$a!e% o' gratit#de that $a%hed o!er me, eFept that one %mall ripple o'
them $a% the other part o' the moti!ation 'or $riting thi% "oo&.
247
(o$ the Map% (elp
A% promi%ed, the %pirit#al path i% not a linear one. D#ring the neFt
'e$ day%, I %$#ng $ide 'rom the greate%t %pirit#al high% to the eFtreme%
o' $hat an happen d#ring :e8o"%er!ation. My mind $a% po$er'#l
"eyond rea%on, and yet I $a% a omplete no!ie at thi% ne$ territory. I
$a% a "it li&e a 178year8old $ho ha% >#%t "een gi!en a -errari $ith no
"ra&e% and a pair o' night !i%ion goggle%. I %im#ltaneo#%ly %a$ my%el' a%
"eing %taggeringly $i%e and al%o a% a omplete "a%&et a%e. -or the
remainder o' the retreat, I $or&ed to %ta"iliLe, gro#nd and regro#p %o
that $hen the retreat ended I $o#ldnIt ma&e a omplete me%% o' thing%.
I $a% only moderately %#e%%'#l.
-or the neFt 'e$ $ee&%, I, The Breat ,tream Enterer, managed to
alienate mo%t o' the people $ho had the mi%'ort#ne to %pea& $ith me
'or any length o' time. .or%e, $ithin 'o#r $ee&% I "egan eFperiening
the di''i#lt phy%ial rapt#re% o' the neFt %et o' early in%ight %tage%. +e$
territory $a% %ho$ing #p, pro"a"ly "ea#%e I $a% %till pratiing hard
three or more ho#r% eah day, and it $a% &i&ing my g#ng\ho "#tt. My
ne& $ent %o %ti'' in the neFt 4
rd
in%ight %tage that I o#ld "arely mo!e
my head 'or nine day%, and the pain $a% eFr#iating. Again, I had no
idea $hat $a% happening. Many year% later, I ha!e ome to the
onl#%ion that the "e%t thing to do a'ter attaining a path i% to hill o#t
'or a $hile. I did ha!e a %enior teaher tell me that m#h, "#t he didnIt
tell me $hy. -#rther, I had "een ad!i%ed "y a good 'riend to do
other$i%e. 2ord, help #% $hen meditation teaher% gi!e #% "latantly
ontraditory in%tr#tion%, parti#larly in inten%i!e pratie %it#ation%.
+o one had told me that the "eginning o' a ne$ progre%% o' in%ight
o#ld ari%e %o )#i&ly, or in'ormed me o' $hat it o#ld "e li&e to "e
trapped in the odd in8"et$een %tage% "y p#%hing too hard. Again, I
$i%hed I had the ad!antage o' &no$ing %omeone $ho $a% $illing to tal&
a"o#t the%e thing% hone%tly. (o$e!er, de%pite my ontin#ed ontat
$ith %enior meditation teaher%, no one $a% $illing to lay o#t the
pratial in'ormation that I pre%ent here. I had to 'ig#re it o#t the hard
$ay. .a% I "itter= Go# "et I $a%. .a% I %im#ltaneo#%ly !ery grate'#l to
e!en ha!e the%e thing% to "e "itter a"o#t= A"%ol#tely. -inally, %omeone
ga!e me the eFellent ad!ie, ;+ail do$n $hat yo#I!e got.< .ithin a 'e$
$ee&% o' relaFing and letting thing% %ettle, I $a% a"le to "a&%lide to
ma%tery o' the pre!io#% %tage% and get on $ith my li'e.
247
(o$ the Map% (elp
De%pite the%e ro#gh "eginning% and a ro#gh >o#rney "eyond them,
do I ha!e any ma>or regret%= +o. It ha% "een %o !ery "ene'iial that I
annot po%%i"ly eFplain it. I $o#ldnIt "e going on and on a"o#t the%e
thing% i' they $erenIt $orth it. (o$e!er, I am a 'irm "elie!er that i'
there i% eno#gh good in'ormation o#t there, then it doe%nIt ha!e to "e
%o hard 'or tho%e that 'ollo$. Th#%, I pre%ent the%e map% $ith the hope
that they $ill help people at lea%t ha!e %ome 'rame$or& to help them
#nder%tand the many and !aried part% o' the path.
-#rther, a% a"%#rd a% thi% may %o#nd to %ome, the map% allo$ yo# to
plan yo#r %pirit#al path to %ome degree. Tr#e, there are #ltimate point%
o' !ie$ that $o#ld ma&e thi% per%peti!e %eem )#ite ridi#lo#%, "#t
ind#lge me. A %ample plan might "e thi%0
1. Bo on a three8$ee& retreat and really po$er the mind'#lne%% and
in!e%tigation all day long, on%i%tently %trething yo#r perept#al
thre%hold and %peed o' in!e%tigation to it% limit% to maFimiLe the
hane% o' ro%%ing the A?/ E!ent. It i% not that hard to ro%% the
A?/ $ith 'airly im"alaned e''ort, %o donIt $orry a"o#t that.
:emem"er not to "e 'rea&ed o#t "y the %trange rapt#re% aro#nd the
A?/. +ote, a t$o to three month retreat $o#ld gi!e yo# a great %hot
at %tream entry i' yo# are ready to really pratie, %o i' yo# are at that
le!el, go 'or it.
2. *ne yo# ha!e ro%%ed the A?/, Dar& +ight %t#'' $ill ome
"#""ling #p %oon eno#gh, and the hoie to deal $ith thi% on or o''
retreat $ill depend #pon ho$ m#h time yo# an de!ote to retreat%
and ho$ m#h inten%ity yo# an %tand. My !ote tend% to "e 'or on
retreat i' yo# an ta&e the heat, "#t not e!eryone an the 'ir%t time
aro#nd and not e!eryone an ea%ily %pare the time. *n the other
hand, that Dar& +ight might >#%t "e a a&e$al&. Bi!e it a go and 'ind
o#tK In the Maha%i ,ayada$ tradition, they typially thin& that t$o to
three month% o' diligent noting pratie on inten%i!e retreat i%
eno#gh to get many people to %tream entry, "#t perhap% yo# do not
ha!e the time or dediation to %tep to that le!el yet.
4. I' yo# deide to deal $ith the Dar& +ight o'' retreat, realiLe that yo#
$ill li&ely 'all "a& "#t &eep pratiing an ho#r or t$o eah day. Do
yo#r !ery "e%t to realiLe that any o' the odd 'eeling% that yo# may
eFperiene are pro"a"ly >#%t Dar& +ight %ide e''et%. Try to imitate
249
(o$ the Map% (elp
normal li'e a% "e%t yo# an and a!oid ra%h dei%ion% %#h a% %#dden
and permanent ren#niation% o' thing% yo# $ill $ant later on. Try to
"e nie to people and do yo#r !ery "e%t to &eep yo#r ;%t#''< 'rom
"leeding onto tho%e aro#nd yo#. -ind $ay% to honor and deal $ith
yo#r %t#'' that donIt in!ol!e pro>eting it o#t onto other people or
ma&ing a me%% o' yo#r li'e.
3. I' on retreat, or the neFt time yo# an go on retreat, >#%t &eep
pratiing a% on%i%tently and a#rately a% yo# an and a!oid
ind#lging in the ontent o' yo#r %t#'' at all o%t%. /#t $orldly
onern% "ehind yo# 'or that period o' time and in!e%tigate "are
%en%ation% $ith aeptane and "ra!ery.
6. Attain to e)#animity regarding $hate!er ari%e%, "#t "e $ary o'
indi''erene. Thi% i% not al$ay% a% ea%y a% it %o#nd%, "#t it o#ld "e
%trangely ea%y nonethele%%. *ne the $eight li't%, >#%t &eep %itting or
$al&ing or $hate!er, $ith no %en%e o' %peial e''ort. A'ter really
getting into high e)#animity, %tream entry %ho#ld ari%e %oon eno#ghR
i' it doe%nIt, repeat the a"o!e yle% #ntil it doe%.
7. -rom thi% point, yo# are ;in there,< and progre%% o' %ome &ind i%
no$ ine!ita"le. Thi% 'ir%t 'inger8hold on #ltimate reality i% eFtremely
important, a% $itho#t it yo# an $ander 'ar and $ide and yet get
no$here. Ad!ie 'or $hat to do neFt i% gi!en later on.
245
27.THE THREE DOORS
In%ight pratie i% all a"o#t #nder%tanding the Three Charateri%ti%
%o that $hen $e deeply #nder%tand them $e may %ee "eyond the three
ill#%ion% and enter #ltimate reality thro#gh one o' the Three Door%.
,tage% 12813 and %#"%e)#ent attainment% o' -r#ition at that le!el o'
a$a&ening pre%ent a% radial and omplete #nder%tanding% o' the Three
Charateri%ti% at the le!el o' 'ormation%, i.e. at the le!el o' the $hole
%en%ate #ni!er%e, la%ting three or 'o#r moment% o' one tenth to one
)#arter o' a %eond eah. A% #npalata"le a% the Three Charateri%ti%
an %eem, in the end they are the %o#re and %#"%tane o' o#r omplete
%al!ation.
There are three "a%i $ay% the door% may pre%ent them%el!e%, $hih
I $ill de%ri"e %hortly, at lea%t t$o o' $hih are om"ined to prod#e
the eFperiene o' entering #ltimate reality. The third harateri%ti i%
on%idered in'erred 'rom the $ay the other t$o pre%ent, "#t %ometime%
a%pet% o' that third harateri%ti $ill "e eFperiened diretly.
:egardle%% o' the $ay that door mani'e%t%, there are %ome ommon
harateri%ti% o' door% that point to %omething "eyond all o' thi%. They
re!eal %omething ompletely eFtraordinary a"o#t the relation%hip
"et$een ;the $ather< and ;the $athed< that it $o#ld ta&e a !ery
$arped !ie$ o' the #ni!er%e to eFplain, tho#gh I $ill try %hortly. *ne
$ay or another, the%e 'leeting eFperiene% annot "e eFplained in term%
o' o#r normal, 'o#r8dimen%ional eFperiene o' %pae and time, or
$ithin o#r ordinary eFperiene o' a %#">et and o">et.
*ne $ay to %ort o#t a door to #ltimate reality 'rom an A?/ E!ent i%
that the Three Door% in!ol!e the $hole eFperiential %pae8time
ontin##m a% $ell a% the o">et o' in!e%tigation, a% the%e "eome the
%ame thing, an integrated $hole. Thi% doe% not hold a"%ol#tely 'or A?/
E!ent% i' $e are "eing hone%t $ith o#r%el!e%, a% the %#"tle "a&gro#nd
o' %en%ation% that pro!ide re'erene point% i% not ompletely inl#ded.
-#rther, A?/ E!ent% tend to "e !ery rih and thi&, $herea% there i%
al$ay% a %ort o' %ilent and l#mino#% tran%pareny to the $ay the Three
Door% pre%ent. A% %tated earlier, the A?/ E!ent o#r% !ery m#h a%
the Three Door%, i% then 'ollo$ed "y an #n&no$ing e!ent, "#t then
there are a 'e$ moment% C#%#ally a"o#t 4 or 3E a% the "reath drop% all
The Three Door%
the $ay to the "ottom, 'ollo$ed "y another #n&no$ing e!ent and a %tate
%hi't.
.itho#t do#"t, the leare%t and mo%t ill#minating eFperiene% o'
the Three Door% ome 'rom attaining -r#ition in the 'ormle%% realm% or
in the realm% o' the ;p%yhi po$er%,< tho#gh the%e are not nee%%ary,
>#%t !ery intere%ting, memora"le and ed#ational. Another per%peti!e
$o#ld %ay that the Three Door% al$ay% happen at the le!el o' the
p%yhi po$er%, "#t thi% i% a matter o' %emanti%. The %trength o' oneO%
onentration pratie and the reent ontin#ity o' pratie $ill al%o
help determine ho$ lear the%e eFperiene% are. I had to go thro#gh
them h#ndred% o' time% $ith an eye to eFatly ho$ they pre%ented
"e'ore I $a% a"le to $rite a hapter %#h a% thi% one. The entrane to
-r#ition thro#gh one o' the%e door% i% al$ay% ompletely #neFpeted.
I $ill eFplain the a%pet that eah harateri%ti lend% to eah door
and then om"ine the%e to eFplain $hat at#ally happen%. .hen
parti#larly lear eFperiene% o' the three )#i& moment% o' the Three
Door% o#r, they an pro!ide '#ndamental l#e% that an "e #%ed 'or
'#rther de"#n&ing the Three Ill#%ion%, a% $ell a% eFplaining $here %o
many o' the teahing% that try to de%ri"e the tr#e nat#re o' thing% ome
'rom.
-or in%tane, the impermanene door a%pet ha% to do $ith mind
moment% Cthe partile modelE, ari%ing and pa%%ing, !i"ration%,
#nder%tanding that 'rom $hih all thi% ari%e% and that to $hih all thi%
ret#rn%, #nder%tanding the %o#re o' all reality, the #ni!er%e %tro"ing in
and o#t o' eFi%tene, and that %ort o' thing. .hen the Ti"etan% tal& o'
non8eFi%tene, they re'er to the 'at that all eFperiene i% #tterly tran%ient
Cthe $a!e modelE and th#% a"ide% or eFi%t% not at all "#t i% on%tantly in
a"%ol#te 'l#F and ephemeral. The impermanene door a%pet relate% to
realiLing $hat i% ;"et$een the 'rame%< o' the %en%ate #ni!er%e
C'ormation%E, and it tend% to ha!e a ;dat.dat.dat8CgoneEK< )#ality to it.
The %#''ering door a%pet ha% to do $ith '#ndamental attahment,
dropping attahment li&e a hot oal that one 'inally realiLed one $a%
holding, really letting go, ompa%%ion, #ltimate "odhihitta, the tr#e lo!e
o' Bod, "eing p#rged in the 'lame%, ren#niation, relin)#i%hment,
'eeling the '#ndamental )#ea%y ten%ion in the ill#%ion o' d#ality 'or >#%t
a "it longer than one e!er $o#ld normally, and that %ort o' thing. The
231
The Three Door%
%#''ering door relate% diretly to ;the mind< relea%ing it% 'iFated hold on
the $hole o' relati!e reality and allo$ing it to 'all a$ay, lea!ing
;a$arene%%< to di%o!er it%el'. :emem"er, the%e $ord% in )#ote% do not
re'er to 'iFed phenomena or eFperiene%. It an al%o 'eel li&e the %#m
total o' eFi%tene i% %#ddenly ripped a$ay 'rom #%. The %#''ering door
a%pet tend% to "e the mo%t #n%ettling or $renhing o' the Three Door%,
the mo%t death8li&e.
The no8%el' or emptine%% door a%pet ha% to do $ith the teahing%
on the mirror8li&e nat#re o' the mind, the ,pirit o' Bod mo!ing #pon
the 'ae o' the $ater% Cthat oh %o my%tial and o!erloo&ed line 'rom
Bene%i% 1.2E, Bod ma&ing man in hi% image, merging $ith a tantri
image o' a "#ddha, %eeing oneO% *riginal -ae, thin&ing o' $ho reated
tho#ght, and that %ort o' thing. It relate% to diretly o"%er!ing the
ollap%e o' the ill#%ion o' d#ality, the ollap%e o' a$arene%% into the
intelligene or ognition o' the perei!ed. It i% a "it li&e %taring "a& at
yo#r%el' Cor %omething intelligent regardle%% o' $hether or not it loo&%
li&e yo#E $ith no one on thi% %ide to "e %tared at and then ollap%ing
into that image. The emptine%% door a%pet tend% to "e the mo%t
plea%ant, ea%y and !i%#ally intere%ting o' the three.
Eah o' the%e door% ha% to do $ith omplete #nder%tanding o' the
#ltimate a%pet o' relati!e reality, and th#% realiLing the #ltimate nat#re
o' #ltimate reality. Eah door al%o relate% in %ome $ay to ompletely
o#ntering one o' the three '#ndamental de'ilement%. The
impermanene door relate% to o#ntering '#ndamental ignorane. The
%#''ering door relate% to o#ntering '#ndamental attahment. The
emptine%% door relate% to o#ntering '#ndamental a!er%ion. -rom a
Tr#e ,el' point o' !ie$, the impermanene door relate% to the
permanene o' #ltimate reality, the %#''ering door relate% to the
ompa%%ionate nat#re o' #ltimate reality or #ltimate "odhihitta, and
emptine%% door relate% to the 'at that The Hoid i% ;$hat< $e tr#ly are
Cin Tr#e ,el' parlane at lea%tE.
.hen I #%e the $ord ;'#ndamental,< I al$ay% mean %omething to
do $ith "a%i ill#%ion% o' d#ality or the grad#al or %#dden elimination
thereo'. Th#%, I #%e the $ord ;'#ndamental< $hen $hat I am tal&ing
a"o#t ha% nothing to do $ith %pei'i ontent, emotion%, phy%ial
232
The Three Door%
%en%ation%, mind %tate%, p%yhologial mani'e%tation% or #nder%tanding%,
or any other %pei'i and limited ategorie% o' %en%ation%.
I $ill no$ try to de%ri"e %iF po%%i"le om"ination% o' the%e three
a%pet% that reate the at#al eFperiene% o' the three door%. .hile
there an "e )#ite a lot o' !ariation in the %pei'i% o' ho$ the%e door%
pre%ent, they $ill al$ay% 'all into one o' the%e "a%i pattern%. A% I %tated
earlier, the%e e!ent% are %o "rie' and %ometime% %o #nlear that per%on%
$ho ha!e "een thro#gh them many time% may not #nder%tand that they
pre%ent in the $ay I de%ri"e them here.
.hen the impermanene a%pet predominate% and i% om"ined
$ith the emptine%% a%pet, then the $hole #ni!er%e %tro"e% three time%
)#i&ly $ith %omething %taring "a& at #% a% a minor a%pet o' that
#ni!er%e, and then it %eem% that a$arene%% ollap%e% into the %pae a'ter
the third gap, perhap% t#rning %lightly to$ard% the thing that $a% %taring
"a&. .hen the impermanene a%pet predominate% and i% om"ined
$ith the %#''ering a%pet, then the three %tro"ing moment% 'eel
$renhing, and the pl#nge into the gap 'eel% '#ndamentally !iolating,
li&e eFatly the $rong thing to do.
.hen the emptine%% a%pet predominate% and i% om"ined $ith the
impermanene door, there are three lear and di%rete moment% o'
mo!ing to$ard% or %ide$ay% to Cor perhap% 'o#%ing onE an intelligent
%eeing image %taring "a& at #%, eFept that there i% nothing on thi% %ide.
A'ter the third moment, the ill#%ion ollap%e% in a !ery nat#ral and
plea%ant $ay. .hen the emptine%% door predominate% $ith %#''ering a%
it% %eond a%pet, then a !ery %trange thing happen%. There i% an image
on one %ide %taring "a&, and then the #ni!er%e "eome% a toroid
Cdo#ghn#tE, and the image and thi% %ide o' the toroid hange plae% a%
the toroid #ni!er%e %pin%. The %pinning inl#de% the $hole "a&gro#nd
o' %pae in all diretion%. -r#ition o#r% $hen the t$o ha!e hanged
plae% and the $hole thing !ani%he%.
.hen the %#''ering a%pet predominate% and i% om"ined $ith the
emptine%% a%pet, again, the toroid thing happen%, eFept that it an "e a
)#ite di%torted or one8li&e. The #ni!er%e an rotate #p or do$n and
a$ay 'rom #%, %o that the primary eFperiene i% o' an image 'alling 'rom
thi% %ide, tho#gh $ith the hint that it might "e oming "a& aro#nd to
thi% %ide. .hen the %#''ering door a%pet predominate% $ith
234
The Three Door%
impermanene pre%ent, then the three moment% in $hih the #ni!er%e
i% ripped a$ay 'rom #% are di%tint. .hen the %#''ering door
predominate%, the eFperiene i% al$ay% a "it reepy.
-or tho%e $or&ing on the higher path%, re'leting on the $ay% that
the 'e$ moment% "e'ore 'r#ition ha!e pre%ented them%el!e% an "e !ery
intere%ting and help'#l. -or tho%e $or&ing on the la%t %tage o'
a$a&ening, I o''er the 'ollo$ing ad!ie. The %peial $ay% that the door%
an pre%ent an %eem to imply the 'ollo$ing0
That there i% a lin& "et$een %ome %peial and intelligent %pot on
that %ide and %ome tran%endent thi% that i% #n'inda"le. Thi% i%
implied "y the de'ina"le )#alitie% o' that %pot and ertain %#"tle
%en%ation% implying %pae.
That there i% %ome %pae aro#nd %pae, %ome tran%endent
%#per8%pae aro#nd the #ni!er%e that $e may try to re%t in or
imagine i% here. Thi% i% implied "y %en%ation% $ith de'ina"le
)#alitie%.
That there i% %ome !oid8li&e potential that reate% all o' thi% and
to $hih all o' thi% ret#rn%. Thi% i% implied "y %en%ation% $ith
%pei'i and de'ina"le )#alitie%.
,eeing that the%e )#alitie% that %eemed to imply %omething !ery
%peial are at#ally >#%t more )#alitie% that $e ha!e mi%interpreted a%
"eing a potential re'#ge re!eal% the re'#gele%% re'#ge. :e'leting and
in!e%tigating in thi% $ay, the la%t ill#%ion% may 'all a$ay and $e may
attain to the omplete elimination o' all '#ndamental ill#%ion%, or at lea%t
the neFt le!el o' the 'ratal.
233
29.WAS THAT EMPTINESS?
.elome to the $orld o' model%, %tate%, %tage%, and !i%ion% o' goal%
to attain. The #r%e and "le%%ing o' &no$ing all o' thi% terminology and
theory i% that there i% a nat#ral tendeny to "egin to try to apply it to o#r
o$n eFperiene% Cand tho%e o' other%E and $onder $hat $a% $hat.
Beyond that, not only ha!e I >#%t pro!ided eno#gh in'ormation 'or a 'e$
o' yo# to "eome Ma%ter /o%er% on the %pirit#al path, I ha!e >#%t gi!en
%ome o' yo# eno#gh in'ormation to %tart o"%e%%ing $ay too m#h a"o#t
;$here yo# are< on the path. (o$e!er, thi% i% a tri!ial danger, and $hy
%enior dharma teaher% do not e!er %eem to p#t the important detail%
a"o#t %orting o#t $hat i% $hat into their "oo&% i% ompletely "eyond
me. That it %ho#ld "e le't to a yo#ng and o&y #p%tart li&e my%el' to 'ill
in thi% gap i% le%% than ideal. +ote, $hen I #%e the $ord ;emptine%%< in
the title o' thi% hapter, I am #%ing it %pei'ially to re'er to a -r#ition,
and in thi% a%e generally mean %tream entry, and not any other
meaning. It ha% many other meaning%, "#t thi% i% the %pei'i one I are
a"o#t at thi% moment.
There are all %ort% o' pit'all% that an o#r, "#t perhap% the mo%t
%igni'iant o' them all i% alling eFperiene% ;emptine%%,< ;-r#ition<,
;,tream Entry< or ;+ir!ana< that %imply $erenIt. It i% a mi%ta&e that $e
are all li&ely to ma&e more than one i' $e pratie 'airly $ell, &no$
the%e model% and are a"o#t them in the lea%t, and e!en !ery
enlightened "eing% $ith year% o' pratie $ill %ometime% $onder, ;.a%
that emptine%%=<, meaning ;.a% that my hit=<, or ;.a% that the neFt
%tage o' a$a&ening=<. ,ome o' #% $ill "e parti#larly prone to "lo$ing
thi% on a reg#lar "a%i% e!en i' $e are at#ally %ome$hat enlightened.
Ta&e heart, 'ail#re an "e a great teaher.
The 'ir%t and perhap% mo%t important point i% that 'rom a ertain
point o' !ie$ it i% not an important )#e%tion. I' yo# ha!e at#ally gotten
enlightened to %ome degree or attained a -r#ition, the permanent
"ene'it% o' that ha!e o#rred regardle%% o' $hether or not yo# are
ertain a"o#t it. *n the other hand, i' yo# ha!enIt gotten enlightened
"#t thin& that yo# ha!e, it i% $orth "eing a"le to ome "a& to reality.
The range o' larity $ith $hih the Three Door% to -r#ition pre%ent
them%el!e% an "e )#ite $ide. ,ometime%, e!en i' it $a% at#ally the
;.a% That Emptine%%=<
attainment o' -r#ition, there may not ha!e "een eno#gh larity at the
time 'or oneI% memory o' the $ay that parti#lar door pre%ented and o'
the depth o' the di%ontin#ity to "e lear eno#gh to %ati%'atorily an%$er
the )#e%tion.
There are al%o a large n#m"er o' po%%i"le momentary #n&no$ing
eFperiene% that an pre%ent in $ay% that %eem on!iningly li&e the
attainment o' -r#ition, e!en 'or meditator% $ith year% o' eFperiene $ith
the%e i%%#e%. I $ill mention %ome o' the mo%t ommon e!ent% that an
"e mi%ta&en 'or -r#ition here, tho#gh thi% i% 'ar 'rom "eing a omplete
li%t.
Momentary eFperiene% o' the 'ormle%% realm% that ari%e in the
in%ight %tage o' 11. E)#animity, parti#larly nothingne%% and neither
pereption nor yet non8pereption, are ommon #lprit%. (o$e!er, i'
one i% thi% lo%e, the real thing i% !ery li&ely to o#r %ooner or later.
-ormle%% eFperiene% ari%ing 'rom p#re onentration pratie% ha!e
'ooled people 'or millennia into thin&ing they $ere -r#ition%. A%
mentioned earlier, in%ight %tage 3. The Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay,
parti#larly the Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay E!ent it%el', i% a perniio#%
tri&%ter and ha% 'ooled o#ntle%% pratitioner% thro#gho#t the age% into
thin&ing it $a% -r#ition or the attainment o' a path. Thi% may e!en 'ool
%ome$hat enlightened "eing% $ho are $or&ing on the neFt path. +ote,
the A?/ E!ent typially %ho$% #p only one per path #nle%% a long
period o' time goe% "y $itho#t pratie a'ter it, $herea% -r#ition i% li&ely
to "e repeated nat#rally.
An#%#ally hea!y eFperiene% o' in%ight %tage 6. Di%%ol#tion an "e
'ormle%% and m#r&y eno#gh to 'ool %ome meditator% on oa%ion, a%
an any really dramati %hi't "et$een any o' the !ipa%%ana or %amatha
>hana% Ca% the%e in!ol!e three or 'o#r ;imp#l%ion%< or ;mind moment%<
'ollo$ed "y a momentary #n&no$ing eFperieneR %ee The
A"hidhamma in the /ali CanonE. E!en the 'ir%t %hi't into in%ight %tage 1.
Mind and Body an 'ool %ome no!ie% i' i% happen% dramatially
eno#gh and they get 'a%inated $ith ho$ #niti!e, plea%ant and lear the
%tage an "e a'ter the 'ir%t %hi't into it.
*'ten it i% not po%%i"le to ma&e a lear all a"o#t $hat $a% $hat,
e!en i' it $a% at#ally -r#ition. .hile $hat 'ollo$% i% ro#tinely
on%idered to "e dangero#% in'ormation, I am happy to go to the 'ar
237
eFtreme o' telling largely ta"oo %eret% i' it help% to "alane the
per!a%i!e ;m#%hroom< #lt#re. The%e are %ome "a%i g#ideline% that
may "e #%ed $hen trying to an%$er the )#e%tion, ;.a% that
emptine%%=<0
I' there $a% any %en%e o' an eFperiene, e!en o' nothingne%% or
%omething that %eemed inomprehen%i"le, parti#larly anything
in!ol!ing the !ag#e%t hint o' the pa%%age o' time d#ring it, $rite it o''
a% %omething other than emptine%%. Thi% i% an a"%ol#te r#le.
,imilarly, i' there $a% any %en%e o' a thi% o"%er!ing a that, or a %el' o'
any %ort that $a% at#ally pre%ent 'or $hate!er happened, $rite it o''
a% %omething other than emptine%%. I' yo# $ere there, that $a%nIt it.
I' there $a% not a omplete %en%e o' di%ontin#ity and i' it ma&e%
any %en%e to thin& o' time, %pae, per%peti!e or memory ontin#ing
aro%% the gap, $rite it o'' immediately a% %omething other than
emptine%%. *n the other hand, i' the only $ay to remem"er $hat
happed in!ol!e% remem"ering >#%t 'or$ard to the end o' the
parti#lar door that pre%ented and then remem"ering "a& to $hen
reality reappeared, $ell, &eep reading.
I' on ontin#ed repetition o' the #n&no$ing e!ent o!er day% or
$ee&% it 'ail% the a"o!e te%t%, $rite it o'' a% %omething other than
emptine%%.
I' ontin#ed repetition o' that parti#lar &ind o' #n&no$ing e!ent
o!er day% or $ee&% 'ail% to gi!e any lear eFperiene% o' the Three
Door% and to re!eal %omething !ery paradoFial and pro'o#nd
a"o#t the nat#re o' %#">et and o">et, "e %&eptial.
I' there $a% a do#"le8dip into #n&no$ing e!ent% $ith a 'e$
pro'o#nd moment% o' larity and altered eFperiene "et$een them,
a% i% harateri%ti o' the A?/ E!ent, $ith one %hi't happening hal'8
$ay do$n the o#t8"reath and a %eond %hi't at the end o' that o#t8
"reath, $rite it o'' immediately a% more li&ely ha!ing "een that or
may"e the early %tage% o' E)#animity.
I' the e!ent annot "e repeated, $rite it o''. Tho%e $ho ha!e
attained a path $ill attain more -r#ition% nat#rally, may"e one to
many per day, a% they "a%ially anOt help "#t yle.
I' there i% not a rather predita"le pattern o' %tage% and per%peti!e
%hi't% that "egin% to "eome lear C%pei'ially 'ollo$ing the o#r%e
237
o' the progre%% o' in%ight li%ted a"o!e in %ome $ay, parti#larly a%
regard% %hi't% in perept#al thre%hold%E, $rite it o'' a% %omething
other than emptine%%.
Thi% "ring% me to the Cardinal :#le $hen trying to %ort o#t $hat all
eFperiene% or attainment% at#ally $ere0 try to repeat it again and again
and "e hone%t $ith yo#r%el'. It literally too& me many o' tho#%and% o'
time% thro#gh the%e yle% and eFperiene% at many le!el% and o!er
many year% to get to the point $here I o#ld e!en "egin to thin& a"o#t
$riting a "oo& li&e thi% one. I am %till )#ite a#tio#% a"o#t hanging my
hat on interpretation% o' my eFperiene% or $hat %eem to "e non8
eFperiene% #ntil I ha!e attained them 60, 100 or e!en more time%. I'
yo# donIt ha!e the nee%%ary le!el o' larity and ma%tery to repeat the
eFperiene o' intere%t again and again, either do eno#gh lear and
diligent pratie to attain the re)#ired ma%tery or donIt a%& the )#e%tion.
,t#dying theory an only "e %o #%e'#l 'or thi%. In the end and al$ay%, it
i% pratie and ontin#ed diret eFperiene that re!eal% and lari'ie%.
.hile it i% %ome$hat tr#e that $ith larity ome% my%tery, thi% maFim
an ea%ily "e #%ed a% a op o#t.
A related )#e%tion i%, ;Am I enlightened=< I ha!e met a n#m"er o'
people reently $ho ha!e eFhi"ited a ommon "#t #nhealthy
'a%ination $ith thi% )#e%tion, toying $ith the po%%i"ility that they $ere
enlightened in ;pa%t li!e%< C$hate!erE, $ere enlightened earlier in their
li'e and ;repre%%ed it< CnotKE, $ere enlightened "y intere%ting
eFperiene% that $ere "o#nd #p in time and %pae C$hoop%KE, %#h a%
A?/ E!ent%, 'ormle%% realm eFperiene%, !i%ion% o' "eing%, #n#%#al
rapt#re%, et. -or the%e %ort% o' people, a% $ell a% tho%e $or&ing on
higher path% $ho are %t#& in the in8"et$een %tage%, I o''er the
'ollo$ing0
The 'ir%t thing one m#%t &no$ a"o#t enlightened "eing% i% that
-r#ition% o#r 'or them, and they do %o nat#rally and 'airly o'ten.
Tr#e, there may %ometime% "e an initial period a'ter 'ir%t attaining a
path $hen they might not happen %o o'ten Cthe range "eing 'rom one
e!ery day to one e!ery $ee& or %o at the !ery longe%tE. (o$e!er,
-r#ition% are largely #na!oida"le. It $o#ld ta&e lot% o' on%i%tent $or&
to &eep them 'rom happening, and i' one let oneI% g#ard do$n they
$o#ld %ho$ #p again )#i&ly eno#gh. In 'at, the longer one goe%
239
$itho#t a -r#ition, the more the p#ll to$ard% that $hih i% not any o'
thi% inten%i'ie%.
E!en tho%e $ho are $or&ing on the neFt path $ill typially ha!e
re#rring -r#ition% 'rom the #rrent path %nea& in e!en i' they donIt
$ant them to. Thi% i% one $ay to di%ting#i%h A?/ E!ent% 'rom -r#ition%,
a% ro%%ing a"o!e the le!el o' the A?/ )#i&ly dimini%he% in inten%ity,
'ade% )#i&ly a% the 'o#% o' oneI% pratie, and 'ail% to pro!ide the
on%i%tent %en%e o' relea%e, ea%e and %en%e o' $ell8"eing that attaining a
-r#ition doe%.
Be'ore enlightenment, one al$ay% had to de!eloping ae%%
onentration, attaining Mind and Body and $or&ing 'rom there e!ery
time they meditated C#nle%% pratiing !ery %trongly, o'ten and $ell,
$hen one may "e a"le to &eep #p eno#gh moment#m to a!oid 'alling
"a& to the "eginningE. A'ter attaining a path one "egin% at the le!el o'
the Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay and proeed% $ith m#h more %&ill and
on'idene. ,imply re'leting on reality e!en %lightly $ill re%#lt in a
nearly in%tantaneo#% %hi't to a Mind and Body8li&e %tate. At a $him, one
an "egin meditating at the le!el o' the A?/, "eginning $ith the do#"le8
dip %tate %hi't at the middle and then end o' the o#t "reath that i% the
hallmar& o' that %tage. Th#%, enlightened "eing% an perei!e !i"rating
phenomena at a $him.
In that %ame !ein, the yle% o' in%ight 'rom %tage 3 to 11 and then
16 al$ay% in'l#ene the on%io#% li'e o' tho%e $ho are enlightened.
They are ine%apa"le. They yle endle%%ly in oneI% $a&ing ho#r% and
e!en $hen dreaming. They %#"tly or o!ertly olor oneI% mood, energy
le!el and pereption o' the $orld. A% %oon a% a -r#ition i% attained, the
yle %tart% again and proeed%, tho#gh the timing and o"!io#%ne%% o'
thi% 'at may "e %ome$hat !aria"le depending on ho$ m#h one i%
pratiing, $hat i% going on in oneI% li'e and ho$ good one i% at notiing
the )#alitie% o' the%e %tage%. E!en $hen doing onentration pratie%,
the%e yle% are in the "a&gro#nd %ome$here. It i% po%%i"le to ignore
them to a large degree 'or a $hile $hen in deep %amatha >hana%, tho#gh
it ta&e% $or& to do %o.
I remem"er lying do$n to ta&e a nap a'ter l#nh $hen on retreat in
India a 'e$ day% a'ter my 'ir%t -r#ition. Be'ore I &ne$ it, meditation $a%
o#rring. The yle% $ere %ho$ing them%el!e% in order $itho#t any
235
e''ort or e!en in!itation. They had their indi!id#al )#alitie% m#h a% I
ha!e eFplained a"o!e, tho#gh they mo!e 'airly )#i&ly 'rom one to the
other, and a"o#t 36 min#te% later -r#ition o#rred. ,oon therea'ter, it
$a% o"!io#% that the yle had %tarted again.
Do yo# yle nat#rally thro#gh the yle% o' in%ight 'rom %tage 'o#r
to ele!en and then attain -r#ition= I' yo# >#%t %at do$n on a #%hion and
did nothing %peial, $o#ld yo# mo!e thro#gh the%e %tage% a% ea%ily a%
'alling do$n a hill= Do -r#ition% ari%e a'ter %#h yle% in a $ay that
'airly on%i%tently lea!e% yo# $ith the %taggering impre%%ion that, ;that
$a% itK<= I' not, I $o#ld a!oid har"oring any notion% that yo# are
enlightened, ;ha!e "een enlightened %ome time in the pa%t,< et., a% yo#
are almo%t ertainly in error. ,#h notion% are not help'#l mo%t o' the
time any$ay, and tend to "e "o#nd #p in a %en%e o' %olidity and
imagined ontin#ity o' %el' that i% %imply #nreali%ti.
I ha!e a 'riend $ho erroneo#%ly thin&% he i% enlightened and one
%aid, ;*h, ye%, I $ent thro#gh tho%e %tage% one many year% ago, "#t
no$ I am "eyond them.< Toa%tK Tho%e $ho are enlightened go thro#gh
the%e %tage% h#ndred% i' not tho#%and% o' time% eah year. There i%
a"%ol#tely no getting aro#nd them "arring deep %leep, %e!ere "rain
damage, %trong %edation or death.
(o$e!er, it i% 'air to mention that %ome enlightened people %imply
donIt thin& a"o#t thing% in thi% $ay, ha!e ne!er notied that they yled,
ne!er pi&ed #p on the pattern%, $ere ne!er eFpo%ed to the map%, donIt
ha!e parti#larly %trong onentration, donIt realiLe ho$ they got there,
are not parti#larly intellet#al or, i' they are, ne!er applied their
intellet to the%e a%pet% o' $here theory meet% pratie, ne!er really
paid attention to the $ay thing% #n'old, and o#ldnIt are le%%. Th#%, i'
%omeone i% enlightened, I "raLenly a%%ert they yle li&e thi%, "#t that
doe%nIt mean they realiLe they do, and i' their pratie #n'olded gently
or %lo$ly or $itho#t !ery inten%e onentration and a map8oriented
'o#%, they may ha!e no idea a"o#t mo%t o' the thing% I am di%#%%ing
here and yet they apply to them any$ay. I po#red ma%%i!e amo#nt% o'
energy into my pratie, de!eloped !ery %trong onentration, and are
a"o#t the map% o"%e%%i!ely, "#t that doe%nIt mean that other "eing% $ho
are enlightened did or do.
260
Ba& to de%ri"ing the yle%. A% :e!ie$ %et% in, it an %eem that one
an ontrol the%e yle% and %tage%. It may %eem a'ter $e ha!e ma%tered
a path %ome$hat that $e an all in%ight %tage% #p in order and %tay in
them a% long a% $e $i%h or e!en all them #p o#t o' order. -rom one
point o' !ie$, enlightened "eing% an ma%ter and manip#late the %tage%
o' in%ight, tho#gh %#h pratie% an ta&e on m#h more o' a %amatha
'eel than an in%ight 'eel. -rom another point o' !ie$, perhap% a more
thoro#ghly in%ight8oriented point o' !ie$, e!en %#h a notion i%
erroneo#%. ,tage%, yle%, and the empty intention% to manip#late them
o#r in a a#%al 'a%hion, and i' there i% a %en%e that there i% an
independent %el' that i% ontrolling them, then there i% o"!io#%ly more
$or& to do. +o$, thereI% a high %tandard, and $orthy %tandard, indeedK
The%e yle%, a% $ith e!erything el%e, %imply "elong to the nat#re o'
thing%.
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25.BEYOND FIRST PATH (WHAT NE"T?
*"!io#%ly, it an "e ea%y 'or a meditator to thin& that they ha!e
ompleted a progre%% o' in%ight and gotten %tream entry $hen in 'at
they ha!enIt. It i% al%o po%%i"le 'or a meditator to ha!e at#ally
ompleted a progre%% o' in%ight and yet thin& other$i%e, "#t thi% i% m#h
le%% ommon. ,ometime% a %t#dent $ill "e orret in thin&ing that they
ha!e, "#t their teaher% $ill remain #non!ined. ,ometime% a teaher
may thin& that the %t#dent ha% and yet "e $rong. :egardle%%, >#%t &eep
pratiing and %ee $hat happen%. Thi% i% the mo%t '#ndamental priniple
'or all o' the%e %tage%. A parti#larly #%e'#l and traditional g#ideline i% to
$ait a year and a day "e'ore ompletely ma&ing #p yo#r mind. Thi% i%
%lippery %t#'' %ometime%, and many %tate% and %tage% an ea%ily 'ool a
%t#dent or teaher into thin&ing that they are %omething they are not.
.hen a meditator %#e%%'#lly omplete% a progre%% o' in%ight, they
ha!e permanently de"#n&ed ertain ill#%ion% to %ome degree, "#t many
remain. The%e tend to inl#de a ne$ 'a%ination $ith the #nder%tanding
that ha% ari%en 'rom that path. (o$e!er, i' oneI% ;realiLation< doe%nIt
%tand to the te%t o' time, or i' there i% not %ome %ort o' '#ndamental and
#naltera"le red#tion in %#''ering, $rite it o'' and &eep going. E!en i'
one doe% omplete a progre%% o' in%ight, i% ea%y to imagine that more
ha% "een de"#n&ed than at#ally ha%, %o ontin#e to pratie training in
morality thro#gho#t yo#r li'e a% "e'ore to a!oid "eing "itten "y tho%e
#n%&ill'#l potential% that remain "#t are hidden. ,trangely, the
temptation% to %re$ #p an "eome more %#"tle and %ed#ti!e a%
pratie deepen%. The%e tend to "e at their $or%t aro#nd the neFt
Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay or d#ring the neFt :e8o"%er!ation.
An eFtended %erie% o' progre%%e% o' in%ight tend to proeed a%
'ollo$%. They may "e alled ;/ath%< in the Thera!ada and ;Bh#mi%< in
the Ti"etan, tho#gh there are %ome pro"lem% that ari%e in trying to
re%ol!e the inon%i%tenie% in the%e t$o model% that $ill "e to#hed on a
"it later. Th#%, a more general treatment 'ollo$%, and the de%ription% o'
the %tage% here are not ta&en diretly 'rom any parti#lar tradition. -rom
one point o' !ie$, all o' thi% i% not nee%%ary in'ormation, a% ontin#ed
pratie >#%t a% "e'ore $ill ontin#e to mo!e thing% along )#ite nat#rally.
*n the other hand, i' one ha% eFpetation% a"o#t $hat might ome neFt
Beyond -ir%t /ath C;.hat +eFt=<E
that are not in aord $ith reality or inter'ere $ith pratie, then thi%
in'ormation might "e help'#l.
The meditator ma%ter% thi% %tage o' a$a&ening "y ontin#ed pratie
a% "e'ore. They an )#i&ly learn to ri%e thro#gh all o' the %tage%,
%tarting 'rom the Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay, thro#gh the Dar& +ight, #p
to E)#animity and -r#ition in a %ingle %itting or e!en d#ring %ome o' the
ati!itie% o' daily li'e. Merely %itting do$n on a #%hion, or "eing a$a&e
'or that matter, $ill in!ol!e nat#rally mo!ing thro#gh the%e yle%,
tho#ght the %peed and larity o' the%e an !ary $idely depending on the
pratitioner and ir#m%tane%. They may e!en 'ind it intere%ting to
p#rpo%e'#lly hang o#t in %ome o' the %tage% o' the Dar& +ight >#%t to
learn more a"o#t them and 'rom them, a% they ha!e %ome !ery
important le%%on% to teah and are !ery intere%ting territory. (o$e!er,
they may al%o ome to realiLe that thi% i% really >#%t a ne$ "eginning in
%ome $ay%, %ort o' li&e grad#ating 'rom high %hool "#t then "eoming
a lo$ly 're%hman in ollege.
The period a'ter ompleting a progre%% o' in%ight and a'ter gaining
%ome %trong %en%e o' ma%tery o' it% %tage% i% al%o a great time to $or& on
oneI% onentration pratie a"ilitie%. The rea%on 'or $aiting i% that
onentration pratie% and in%ight pratie% tend to ha!e a ertain
inertia to them. I' yo# ha!e reently "een trying to get into really %ta"le
%amatha %tate%, thi% an ma&e it harder to %ee thing% 'li&er 'or a $hile. I'
yo# ha!e reently "een training hard to %ee thing% 'li&er, it an "e hard
to get into really %ta"le %amatha >hana%. Th#%, $hat yo# donIt $ant to do
i% to g#n& #p the nat#ral ma%tery pha%e o' yo#r pratie #ntil yo# are
om'orta"le eno#gh $ith the%e %tage% to get %t#& in one and not ha!e it
"e a "ig deal. Thi% #%#ally ta&e% at lea%t a 'e$ $ee&%, "#t thi% i% a !ery
r#de g#ideline, and e!eryone i% di''erent regarding i%%#e% o' timing.
D#dge 'or yo#r%el' ho$ $ell yo# handle %tage% %#h a% :e8o"%er!ation
and deide i' yo# $o#ld "e alright i' yo# got %t#& in it 'or a 'e$ ho#r%.
The time a'ter gaining %ome ma%tery o' the%e %tage% i% al%o a great
time to $or& on oneI% %t#''. At#ally, doing onentration pratie% and
$or&ing on oneI% %t#'' go !ery $ell together, a% onentration %tate% tend
to a#%e o#r %t#'' to ome "#""ling to the %#r'ae $here $e an $or&
$ith it. The time d#ring a ma%tery pha%e i% al%o a great time to ma&e
264
%#re that oneI% daily li'e i% '#ntioning $ell, parti#larly i' one made a
me%% o' it $hile trying to get enlightened or more enlightened.
Ma%tery o' the%e %tage% tend% to pea& at %ome point, and the %en%e
an ari%e that one ha% really ;got it.< -r#ition% tend to o#r 'airly
)#i&ly, learly and ea%ily. Bi!en time and pratie, they may "egin to
"eome %ome$hat "ored $ith their #rrent le!el o' attainment and $ith
their a"ility to attain the%e %tage% and -r#ition. Their pratie an "egin
to %eem %loppy, and the )#iet "li%% $a!e a'ter -r#ition an dimini%h
%ome$hat #nle%% they do not attain it 'or %ome long period o' time
C$hih $o#ld pro"a"ly re)#ire re%ol#tion% to that e''etE.
The #nder%tanding that there i% more %#''ering to #proot gro$%.
They "egin to %ee more le!el% o' reality that are learly not $ell
#nder%tood or ill#minated "y their #rrent #nder%tanding, hint% o'
$hih pro"a"ly %ho$ed them%el!e% !ery %oon a'ter their attainment o'
that path. ,#"tle tho#ght% and mental pattern% may "e notied at the
edge o' oneI% perept#al thre%hold. Attention "egin% to inline to$ard%
the neFt le!el o' reality that m#%t "e #nder%tood and a$ay 'rom 'amiliar
territory. More 're%h in%ight% "egin to %ho$ #p.
They "egin to in!e%tigate reality $ith more e''ort and larity a%
"e'ore and "egin a ne$ progre%% o' in%ight 'rom the "eginning, i.e.
ae%% onentration and then Mind and Body and the re%t. Thi% might
play o#t a% 'ollo$%0 'airly %oon a'ter the %en%e o' %trong ma%tery, one $ill
%imply "e meditating along, perhap% a -r#ition $ill o#r, and then
%#ddenly the mind drop% into thi% ne$ %tate rather than a ne$ re!ie$
yle "eginning again. It i% %ta"le, intere%ting, and %ome$hat >hana8li&e.
It i% %ort o' li&e re8inha"iting oneI% li'e or reonneting $ith the %en%e o'
the o"%er!er. It i% al%o li&ely the neFt Mind and Body. Thi% o#ld al%o
happen $hen one $a% >#%t going a"o#t oneI% day.
The po%t#ral o"%e%%ion, odd mo!ement%, %trange ten%ion% and
pain%, emotional !olatility, !i"ratory %t#'' that %eem% ne$, a 're%h and
learer %en%e o' $hat d#ali%ti per%peti!e% remain, and all o' the other
early progre%% o' in%ight %t#'' may ari%e in it% time nat#rally and perhap%
%ooner than one might $i%h. The phra%e ;leading on$ard< i% o'ten #%ed
to de%ri"e the $i%dom that ari%e% 'rom dharma pratie. ,trangely, it i%
a phra%e and a 'at that I ha!e #r%ed >#%t a% o'ten a% "le%%ed, and
entering ne$ in%ight territory at inopport#ne time% or "e'ore one 'eel%
263
ready an re!eal $hy. In%ight yle% an %ometime% "e !ery tra#mati,
and it i% o'ten ad!i%a"le to ta&e a "rea& to reo!er oneI% %en%e o' h#mor
and appreiation o' li'e "e'ore pl#nging on. (o$e!er, at thi% point the
dharma $ait% 'or no one and may pl#nge on regardle%% o' yo#r $i%he%.
+ote $ell, 'or tho%e in "et$een %tage%, there initially i% %till the a"ility
to ea%ily attain any o' the pre!io#% %tage% %tarting at the le!el o' the
#rrent Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay, %o thing% an get )#ite m#r&y i' they
are trying to 'ig#re o#t $hat %tage they are in or attain %pei'i ne$
%tage%. It an "e a% i' the early %tage% are opening #p to #%, $herea% 'or a
$hile thing% al$ay% %tarted o#t at the le!el o' the Ari%ing and /a%%ing
a$ay.
-iFating on tho#ght% a"o#t $hat %tage yo# are in i% g#aranteed to
a#%e %ome degree o' %#''ering that i% $orthy o' in!e%tigation, e%peially
in the in "et$een %tage%, tho#gh a gentle a$arene%% o' the map% an %till
"e %lightly #%e'#l. There an "e a %ort o' a 'or& in the path 'or a $hile,
$ith the meditator %eemingly "eing a"le to hoo%e $hether to re!ie$
pre!io#% %tage% or pre%% on. It an %eem a% tho#gh the "a&gro#nd i%
%olidi'ying and the mind i% gro$ing no%ier a% $ell a% le%% predita"le and
%&ill'#l. More o' o#r %t#'' i% %#ddenly "#""ling #p to the %#r'ae. .e
notie %#"tler tho#ght% and mental image%, many o' $hih $e may $i%h
$e hadnIt. .e may 'eel le%% ;enlightened,< a% i' o#r realiLation $ere
'ading. Clear and on%i%tent in%ight pratie, i.e. #nder%tanding the
Three Charateri%ti% o' all type% o' %en%ation%, $hih inl#de% tho#ght%
o' map% and goal%, i% the only thing that 'inally help%, >#%t a% "e'ore.
A'ter the meditator ro%%e% the neFt Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay
E!ent, $hih may happen relati!ely )#i&ly i' they pratie $ell and
o'ten, they $ill tend to ha!e a !ery hard time re8attaining -r#ition 'or a
$hile. *ne may meditate along and then get %t#& in a %tage that %eem%
to lead no$here and i% %ort o' li&e lo$ e)#animity, in that there are lear
!i"ration% that are not !arying $ith the "reath or any other mo!ement,
and yet the "a&gro#nd i% too den%e, noi%y and poorly perei!ed 'or
lear and omplete 'ormation% to %ho$ them%el!e%.
-inding the pro!er"ial 'or& in the road to 'amiliar territory an no$
"e )#ite tri&y, and e!en i' they do 'ind the $ay "a&, the old territory i%
#nli&ely to "e parti#larly appealing. *ld -r#ition% may ari%e, "#t they
may do %o in a $ay that i% le%% relia"le or ertain. ,#ddenly, the
266
meditator i% ;on the ride< again, and $ill %oon ha!e to 'ae the '#llne%%
o' the neFt Dar& +ight $ith all o' it% impliation%. It may e!en "e more
hallenging than "e'ore, "#t o#ld >#%t a% ea%ily "e le%% %o. *ne 'riend o'
mine %ailed thro#gh one Dar& +ight in a"o#t %iF min#te%, and the neFt
one too& him many year%. There i% no prediting the%e i%%#e% o' timing.
It an happen that many time% they $ill try to meditate to
e)#animity "#t 'all "a& $hen they get to :e8o"%er!ation. They may
th#% try to re8attain pre!io#% %tage%, a% they may 'eel in o!er their head%.
They may get into the neFt %tage o' De%ire 'or Deli!erane, $i%h !ery
%trongly to go "eyond all o' thi%, and do %o "y re8attaining to a -r#ition
o' the #rrent path in%tead o' attaining the neFt one.
(o$e!er, e!en i' they are a"le to retreat into the old territory, they
$ill %till "e ha#nted to %ome degree "y the Dar& +ight in their li'e and
$ill ha!e to learn to na!igate %&ill'#lly in thi% territory one $ay or
another. ,ometime% re8ma%tering the #rrent path i% help'#l 'or "#ilding
a %#''iient 'o#ndation 'rom $hih to proeed $ell into the ne$
territory. E!ent#ally, there i% no $ay to go "a&, and one i% %imply le't
'aing the ne$ territory $itho#t an o"!io#% %&ill'#l e%ape ro#te.
There an ari%e an odd phenomenon that ha% "een re'erred to "y
one o' my teaher% a% ;T$el'th /ath,< tho#gh thi% phra%e i% not in
ommon #%age. It i%, ho$e!er, a ommon phenomenon in tho%e $ho
ha!e attained at lea%t %tream entry and i% pro"a"ly the mo%t important
onept in thi% "oo& 'or tho%e $or&ing on the higher path%, parti#larly
"eyond %eond path. T$el'th /ath i% ma&ing a >o&e a"o#t the 'at that
there are at mo%t 'o#r %tage% o' enlightenment in the Thera!ada map
and 'i!e or ten in the Ti"etan map%. (o$e!er, it an ea%ily %eem that
more than ten "rand8ne$ and '#ll8"lo$n yle% o' in%ight ha!e "een
ompleted and yet there i% %till m#h more to go. I' one i% going to get
o"%e%%ed $ith the 'ratal model that I mentioned earlier, it i% li&ely to
happen aro#nd here. An'ort#nately, the 'ratal model i% e!en more
#%ele%% no$ than it $a% earlier, and %o I %trongly reommend a!oiding it
li&e the plag#e i' yo# thin& yo# are in a ne$ progre%% yle rather than a
re!ie$ yle.
Thing% might proeed a% 'ollo$%. It %eem% ertain that a yle ha%
"een ompleted. +eFt, there %eem% to "e a lear ma%tery %tage that
$ith%tand% all o' the mo%t rigoro#% te%t%, then more early progre%% o'
267
in%ight %t#'' %ho$% #p, the yle "egin% to go aro#nd again, perhap% $ith
more "a&%liding, mo!ing 'or$ard, 'alling "a& again, rema%tering the
old territory, more progre%% and %#''ering %ho$% #p $ith it% a%%oiated
%tr#ggle% and rationaliLation%, then there ome% a %en%e o' there "eing
no other option "#t progre%% and aeptane, and 'inally the %en%e that
the yle ha% ompleted it%el'. ,oon eno#gh there i% a lear %en%e o' a
ma%tery %tage, and %o on. In thi% $ay, it may %eem that %ome large
n#m"er o' path% or "h#mi% ha!e "een attained, t$el!e in the >o&e, $hen
in 'at they ha!e not. *r ha!e they= An'ort#nately, thi% i% a to#gh
)#e%tion, and one that annot ea%ily "e re%ol!ed.
*ne may thin& that one i% no$ at a higher %tage o' realiLation that i%
learly di''erent 'rom "e'ore, "#t the ;magi n#m"er%< 3 or 10 %imply
may not %eem to apply to oneI% >o#rney. It an al%o happen that, $ith
inrea%ed larity and progre%%i!e deepening o' oneI% pratie, di%tint
progre%% o' in%ight pattern% may %eem to "e repeating $ithin eah o' the
%maller #nit% o' the larger pattern o' the progre%% o' in%ight, !ery m#h
in the $ay o' 'ratal%, a% detailed earlier. Be$areK Do not get %#&ed into
identi'ying $ith the%e idealiLed %tage% a% at#ally "eing ;$here yo# are<K
+e$ progre%% yle% and their aompanying !ag#ene%% an "e !ery
on'#%ing i' $e are 'iFated on model% "#t are not a$are that the in8
"et$een territory i% nearly impo%%i"le to %#e%%'#lly map in real8time.
.e may %ometime% 'eel that $e ha!e >#%t gone thro#gh the larger
progre%% o' in%ight yle $hen $e may ha!e at#ally only gone thro#gh a
%mall part o' it. .e may "egin to thin& $e %ee 'ir%t, %eond, third and
'o#rth !ipa%%ana >hana a%pet% o' eah o' the 'o#r larger !ipa%%ana
>hana%. .e may e!en "egin to %ee pattern% %imilar to tho%e o' a '#ll
progre%% o' in%ight $ithin eah o' the %tage% o' the larger progre%% o'
in%ight or e!en $ithin part% o' eah %tage. A %imilar o"%er!ation an ari%e
in onentration pratie $ith the %amatha >hana%, "#t thi% tend% to not
"e nearly a% pro"lemati or dramati.
I ha!e ome to the onl#%ion that 'ear, anFiety, on'#%ion,
indei%ion and e!en ertainty a"o#t the%e i%%#e% are lear mar&er% o'
$hat need% to "e in!e%tigated, i.e. tho%e thing% them%el!e%. In thi% $ay,
the%e a%pet% o' %#''ering ha!e "eome tr#%ted 'riend%, lear %ignpo%t%
and red 'lag%, a% $ell a% a%pet% o' the goal, $hih i% the path in the end.
The more $e realiLe that tho%e !ery proe%%e% are it, tho%e !ery
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%en%ation% are it, the lo%er reality i% to #nder%tanding it%el'. The lo%er
reality i% to #nder%tanding it%el', the le%% '#ndamental %#''ering there i%.
I ha!e al%o ome to the onl#%ion that the "e%t rea%on to ta&e the%e
detailed map% to thi% eFtreme i% that e!ent#ally they "eome $ay too
ridi#lo#% and #m"er%ome. Th#%, e!ent#ally they an "e la#ghed at
and yet ma&e their 'e$ #%e'#l point% al%o, $hile lea!ing #% $ith no
option "#t to "e $ith reality, one a%pet o' $hih i% the %en%ation% that
ma&e #p tho#ght% a"o#t map%. .e an learn to la#gh at o#r%el!e% and
o#r deep8%eated "#t '#tile de%ire to %impli'y 're%h pattern% o' %en%ation%
and %olidi'y them into a %en%e o' an attainment that ;$e< ha!e.
*n the dar&er %ide, $hen $e are #na"le to do thi%, #na"le to la#gh
at o#r del#ded attempt% to 'iF or 'reeLe a %en%e o' $hat %ome ill#%ory
;$e< ha% done or attained, the phenomena o' T$el'th /ath and the
ompleFity o' the territory "et$een path% an a#%e on%idera"le do#"t,
pain, 'r#%tration and ynii%m, the 'lip %ide o' $hih i% grandio%ity. The
more a'raid $e are o' not ma&ing progre%%, the $or%e the%e %ort% o'
'eeling% an "eome. The more $e ompare o#r pratie to the
mi%#nder%tood %en%ation% that ma&e #p the %en%e o' ;other%,< the more
needle%% %#''ering ari%e%. The%e %en%ation pattern% m#%t "e in!e%tigated
learly and %een a% they really are, a% al$ay%.
.hen thi% all end% i% a %#">et o' on%idera"le ontro!er%y, tho#gh
li&e an idiot I am going to ta&e on the topi o' -#ll Enlightenment
%hortly. Any$ay, it %ho#ld "e noted that a long8term !ie$ i% !ery help'#l
%ometime%, parti#larly i' it help% one >#%t "e $ith $hat i% happening
today. It $ill o'ten not "e lear $hih e!ent $a% at#ally the ne$ Ari%ing
and /a%%ing E!ent or $hih e!ent $a% really a ne$ /ath #ntil one ha%
the "ene'it o' a 'e$ more month% or year% o' pratie. *ne may
eFperiene many %trange e!ent%, %tate %hi't%, in%ight% and pro'o#nd
opening%, all o' $hih an "e !ery ompelling 'or %ome period o' time.
(o$e!er, there tend to "e >#%t a 'e$ o' the%e memorie% that, on are'#l
re'letion, %tand o#t in the mind a% "eing really %igni'iant and "y $hih
one an learly mar& permanent %hi't% in oneI% '#ndamental relation%hip
to the eFperiene% o' li'e and the $orld.
In the neFt hapter, I $ill lay o#t a n#m"er o' model% o' a$a&ening
that in!ol!e !ario#% n#m"er% o' %hi't% in #nder%tanding. *ne may "e
tempted, a% I 'ooli%hly ha!e "een, to o#nt the landmar& e!ent% in oneI%
269
pratie and try to orrelate them $ith the%e model% "a%ed p#rely on the
n#m"er o' them that %eem to ha!e o#rred. Thi% i% a %et#p 'or tro#"le,
%o plea%e learn 'rom tho%e $ho ha!e leaned the hard $ay and do not try
it, a% tempting a% o#nting path% an "e. A !a%tly %#perior 'orm o'
in)#iry and in!e%tigation i% to are'#lly eFamine anything that %eem% to
in!ol!e a %en%e o' a %plit, o' a thi% and a that, parti#larly at the rate o'
one to ten time% per %eond or e!en 'a%ter i' yo# an p#ll it o''. .hat
%en%ation% %eem to "e the $ather, and $hat %en%ation% %eem to "e
$athed= Try to %ee the tr#e nat#re o' the%e %en%ation% one "y one a%
they o#r.
It m#%t "e %aid that a'ter three or 'o#r o' $hat %eem li&e omplete
in%ight yle% or path% it an ta&e )#ite a $hile to get a lear %en%e o'
$hat %#"tle d#alitie% remain. Go# might 'ind yo#r%el' $al&ing aro#nd
'or day% to month% thin&ing, ;Dang, II!e really got it no$. IIm >#%t %eeing
it no matter $hat happen%. CoolK I might ha!e ra&ed the thingK
D#de.<
Bi!e thing% time and "e$are o' a%%#ming that yo# ha!e attained to
more than yo# ha!e. It i% a !ery ommon and em"arra%%ing pro"lem,
"#t tho%e $ho &no$ thi% territory $ill #nder%tand. (o$e!er, tho%e $ho
do not &no$ thi% territory may not "e %o 'orgi!ing, %o "e$are o' laiming
a %pei'i le!el o' realiLation, parti#larly 'inal realiLation, ho$e!er yo#
de'ine it, #ntil yo# ha!e are'#lly he&ed thing% o#t 'or a !ery long
time. I $o#ld ad!i%e thin&ing along the line% o', ;.ell, my $or&ing
hypothe%i% i% that it %eem% that I ha!e ahie!ed $hate!er, "#t I $ill &eep
an open mind and "e a#tio#% in $hat I %ay.<
A%e the de%ription% o' realiLation that 'ollo$ to gi!e yo#r%el' a
general %en%e o' the territory and $hat tend% to need $or& and
in!e%tigation. A!oid $hene!er po%%i"le the trap% mentioned a"o!e, "#t
$hen yo# realiLe yo# ha!e 'allen into them, $hih i% e!er %o h#man and
ommon, then aept thi%, learn 'rom it and la#ghK ,ho#ld yo# realiLe
that yo# ha!e 'ailed to heed thi% ad!ie, that yo# ha!e "o#ght into %ome
limited de'inition o' yo#r%el' a% a realiLed "eing o' %ome de'ined ran& or
le!el de%pite the $arning%, yo# an try to deny it 'or a $hile, thatI% *J.
Go# an imagine that yo# are !ery %#re yo# &no$ ;$here yo# are,< a%
that %ort o' arti'iial %olidi'iation o' reality i% ommon eno#gh. Go# an
get pi%%ed o'' at yo#r%el', thatI% normal. Go# an "eat yo#r%el' #p i' yo#
265
thin& that it $ill help, tho#gh it rarely doe%. Go# an get "itter, tho#gh
%#h re%pon%e% tend to $ear o#t their $elome. Go# an p#mp yo#r%el'
#p, d$elling on ;yo#r< imagined or real %#e%%e%, tho#gh thi% tend% to
ring hollo$ %oon eno#gh. Go# an try to pretend yo# donIt are $hat
%tage or le!el yo# ha!e ahie!ed, tho#gh e!ent#ally thi% gi!e% it%el' a$ay.
(o$e!er, $hen yo# 'eel yo# are done $ith the%e thing%, aept, learn
and la#ghK :epeat a% nee%%ary and then get "a& to in!e%tigating tho%e
%en%ation%.
270
40.MODELS OF THE STAGES OF ENLIGHTENMENT *
Be'ore I di%#%% the !ario#% model%, I %ho#ld "egin "y %aying that
thi% i% almo%t ertainly the mo%t ea%ily mi%on%tr#ed hapter in thi%
"oo&. -#rther, i' yo# are a "ig 'an o' %tandard B#ddhi%t dogma, I
%trongly reommend that yo# %top reading thi% hapter no$ and %&ip to
the onl#%ion o' thi% "oo&. ,erio#%ly, IIm a"o#t to get )#ite irre!erent
again, "#t in that irre!erene are "it% o' $i%dom that are hard to 'ind %o
eFpliitly %tated el%e$here, %o di%mi%% thi% hapter at yo#r peril.
The temptation $hen thin&ing a"o#t enlightenment i% to ome #p
$ith %omething de'ined that yo# an imagine, %#h a% a %tate or )#ality
o' "eing, and then 'iFate on that ideal rather than doing the pratie%
that lead to 'reedom. It i% a"%ol#tely g#aranteed that anything yo# an
imagine or de'ine a% "eing enlightenment i% a limited and inorret !ie$,
"#t the%e !ie$% are eFtremely tempting >#%t the %ame and generally
ontin#e to "e !ery %ed#ti!e e!en thro#gh the middle %tage% o'
enlightenment. E!ery po%%i"le de%ription o' the potential e''et% o'
realiLation i% li&ely to 'eed into thi% #n'ort#nate tendeny.
Th#%, my di%tint pre'erene $hen pratiing i% to a%%#me that
enlightenment i% ompletely impratial, prod#e% no de'ina"le
hange%, and ha% nothing $hat%oe!er to do $ith the %ope% o' the other
training%. Thi% mean% that I ta&e it a% a $or&ing hypothe%i% that it $ill
not ma&e me a "etter per%on in any $ay, reate any "ene'iial mental
)#alitie%, prod#e any %tate% o' happine%% or peae, and pro!ide no
additional larity into any o' the i%%#e% %#rro#nding ho$ to li!e my
ordinary li'e. I ha!e eFperimented $ith adopting other !ie$% and 'o#nd
that they nearly al$ay% get in the $ay o' my in%ight pratie%.
A !ie$ %o ea%ily "eome% %ared, and th#% the temptation i% to not
in!e%tigate the %en%ation% that ma&e #p tho#ght% a"o#t that !ie$, "#t
rather to imitate the ideal eFpre%%ed in the ontent o' that !ie$. Thi% an
%eem li&e pratie in '#ndamental in%ight, "#t it i% not. I realiLe that I am
not doing a good >o" o' ad!erti%ing enlightenment here, parti#larly
'ollo$ing my de%ription% o' the Dar& +ight. Bood point. My the%i% i%
that tho%e $ho m#%t 'ind it $ill, regardle%% o' ho$ it i% ad!erti%ed. A% to
the re%t, $ell, $hat an "e %aid= Am I doing a di%%er!ie "y not %elling it
li&e nearly e!eryone el%e doe%= I donIt thin& %o. I' yo# $ant grand
Model% o' the ,tage% o' Enlightenment
ad!erti%ement% 'or enlightenment, there i% a great %tin&ing mo#ntain o' it
there 'or yo# parta&e o', %o I hardly thin& that my "ringing it do$n to
earth i% going to a#%e %ome harm'#l de'iieny o' glitL in the great
%pirit#al mar&etplae.
Bill (amilton had a lot o' great one8liner%, "#t my 'a!orite
onerned in%ight pratie% and their 'r#it%, o' $hih he %aid, ;(ighly
reommended, anIt tell yo# $hy.< That i% pro"a"ly the %a'e%t and mo%t
a#rate ad!erti%ement 'or enlightenment that I ha!e e!er heard. There
$a% a 'amo#% old dead enlightened g#y C$ho%e name ironially el#de%
me at the momentE, $ho $a% &no$n to ha!e %aid, ;I ha!e gained
a"%ol#tely nothing thro#gh omplete and #neFelled enlightenment.< A
'riend o' mine thin&% it $a% the B#ddha, and it may ha!e "een.
:egardle%%, it i% traditional to ad!erti%e enlightenment in the negati!e in
the B#ddhi%t tradition and many other%, either %tating $hat it i% not or
%tating $hat i% lo%t at eah %tage, "#t it i% %o !ery tempting to imagine that
;'reedom 'rom %#''ering< $ill nat#rally tran%late in to a permanent %tate
o' mental happine%% or peae, and thi% an tempt one to try to mimi
that idealiLed %tate. That $o#ld "e a onentration pratie.
(a!ing %aid all o' that, the 'at i% that the model% o' the %tage% o'
enlightenment are o#t there and a!aila"le. E!en $hen they are not
eFpliitly mentioned, they ha!e an o"!io#% in'l#ene on ho$ people
de%ri"e realiLation. Th#%, I ha!e deided to try to $or& $ith them %o
that they might "e #%ed in $ay% that are help'#l rather than harm'#l.
Thi% i% more di''i#lt than it may initially %o#nd.
There are day% I $i%h the $ord% 'or a$a&ening didnIt eFi%t, the
model% had ne!er eFited, and that the $hole proe%% $a% largely
#n&no$n to the ordinary per%on %o that it $o#ld "e le%% mythologiLed
and aggrandiLed, th#% ma&ing on!er%ation% a"o#t it m#h more normal
and le%% reation8prod#ing. I $i%h $e o#ld %tart o!er, %trip a$ay all the
%trange #lt#ral and mythial trapping%, reate %imple, lear term%, and
mo!e on $ith thing%.
There are other day% $hen I thin& that at lea%t people &no$ it might
"e po%%i"le, e!en i' mo%t o' $hat ha% "een %aid a"o#t it i% pretty 'anta%y8
"a%ed. My greate%t dream i% that the #rrent generation o' enlightened
teaher% $ill go 'ar o#t o' their $ay to orret the de%ripti!e error% and
'al%e promi%e% o' the pa%t and lay the gro#nd$or& 'or perpet#ation o'
272
the%e re'orm% de%pite the eonomi and %oial pre%%#re% to do
other$i%e. *ne o' the i%%#e% holding thi% "a& i% that #n'ort#nately only
a 'e$ ha!e gone 'ar eno#gh to %ee ho$ the !a%t ma>ority o' the golden
dream% o' enlightenment do not hold #p to reality te%ting. Another i%
that p#tting oneI% %el' on an arti'iial pede%tal an "e re$arding in many
$ay%. *ne $ay or another, the n#m"er o' !oie% trying to "ring thing%
"a& in line $ith $hat an at#ally "e done i% %mall in ompari%on to the
'ore% that $ant to ma&e it into %omething grand and th#% largely
#nattaina"le.
Be'ore I get too 'ar into the detail%, I %ho#ld eFplain that the mo%t
e%%ential priniple I $i%h to dri!e home i% that T(I, I, IT, meaning
that thi% moment ontain% the tr#th. Any model that trie% to dri!e a
$edge "et$een the %pei'i% o' $hat i% happening in yo#r $orld right
no$ and $hat a$a&ening entail% need% to "e on%idered $ith great
%&eptii%m. .ith the %imple eFeption o' the 'at o' poorly perei!ing
the %en%ation% o#rring no$ and ha"it#ally oming #p $ith the ill#%ion
o' a %eparate, ontin#o#% indi!id#al, nearly all o' the re%t o' the dream%
are pro"lemati to %ome degree. Thi% "a%i priniple i% e%%ential to
pratie, a% it 'o#%e% thing% on the here and no$, and al%o happen% to
"e tr#e. Ba& to the ompleFitie%P
The mental model% $e #%e $hen on the %pirit#al path an ha!e a
pro'o#nd e''et on o#r >o#rney and it% o#tome. Mo%t %pirit#al
pratitioner% ha!e ne!er really done a hard8hitting loo& at their deepe%t
"elie'% a"o#t $hat ;enlightenment< mean% or $hat they imagine $ill "e
di''erent $hen they get enlightened. Many pro"a"ly ha!e %#"on%io#%
ideal% that may ha!e ome 'rom %o#re% a% di!er%e a% artoon%, TH
%ho$% CJ#ng -# ome% to mindE, mo!ie%, legend%, 70I% g#r#%, pop#lar
m#%i, pop#lar magaLine%, and other a%pet% o' pop#lar #lt#re in
general. More 'ormal and traditional %o#re% inl#de the anient teFt%
and tradition% o' B#ddhi%m, (ind#i%m, Taoi%m, ,#'i%m, Ja""ala
Cho$e!er yo# %pell itE, Chri%tianity, .e%tern My%tial Tradition%
CAlhemy, Theo%ophy, Bolden Da$n related tradition%, et.E, the
anient Bree& my%tery %hool% Cinl#ding the 'ragmentary $riting% o'
tho%e li&e (eralite%E, and the non8aligned or am"ig#o#%ly aligned
teaher% %#h a% Ja"ir, Jhalil Bi"ran, D. Jri%hnam#rti, and many
other%.
274
Modern '#%ion tradition%, %#h a% the !ario#% ne$ !er%ion% o'
B#ddhi%m and other tradition% that are pre%ent in the .e%t, al%o ha!e a
$ide range o' eFpliit and implied ideal% a"o#t a$a&ening. /lenty o'
people al%o %eem to ta&e their o$n in"orn higher ideal% 'or them%el!e%
or other% that ha!e ari%en 'rom %o#re% hard to de'ine and made the%e a
part o' their $or&ing i' #%#ally poorly8de'ined model% o' enlightenment.
There i% al%o a %trong tradition in the .e%t o' "elie!ing that
enlightenment in!ol!e% per'eting o#r%el!e% in %ome p%yhologial
%en%e, tho#gh thi% i% al%o prominent in ertain Ea%tern and traditional
model% a% $ell in %lightly di''erent 'orm%.
D#%t a"o#t all o' the%e %o#re% ontain %ome a%pet% that may at
time% "e #%e'#l and other a%pet% that at time% may "e #%ele%% or e!en
%end people in the $rong diretion. The n#m"er o' ontradition% that
an "e 'o#nd e!en $ithin eah %pei'i tradition on the %#">et i% m#h
larger than I thin& mo%t people imagine. -or in%tane, tho%e $ho
attempt a %y%temati re!ie$ o' the dogma% o' enlightenment $ithin the
/ali Canon $ill 'ind them%el!e% tangled in a ma%% o' $idely di!ergent
dotrine%, myth%, %torie% and ideal%, and thi% i% only one tradition.
Th#%, to ta&e on the %#">et o' the model% o' the %tage% o'
enlightenment i% a da#nting ta%&, "#t "y "rea&ing it do$n into %impli'ied
ategorie%, %ome di%#%%ion o' thi% $ide ma%% o' dogma and hal'8tr#th i%
po%%i"le. I $ill #%e "oth %imple, "roadly applia"le model% and al%o
di%#%% %pei'i model% that ome 'rom %ome o' the tradition% and try to
relate the%e to reality. In the end, relating them to reality i% e%%entially
the pratie, and that 'all% to yo#.
I on%ider thi% attempt to "e >#%t one addition to an old tradition that
attempt% to re'orm the dogma and "ring it "a& in line $ith !eri'ia"le
tr#th%, al"eit one that i% more %pei'i and omprehen%i!e than any that
I ha!e 'o#nd. Eah ne$ #lt#re, plae, time and %it#ation %eem% to need
to do thi% again and again, a% the 'ore% $ithin #% and %oiety that $or&
to promote model% that are o#t o' to#h $ith the tr#th o' thing% are
po$er'#l and perennial, $ith money, po$er, 'ame, ideal% o' endle%%
"li%% and plea%#re, the entiing po$er o' the ideal% o' %el'8per'etion and
the perniio#% inertia o' tradition "eing hie' among them.
In that %ame !ein, thi% hapter i% !ery m#h a %it#ation in $hih I
laim a !ery high le!el o' realiLation, $rite a% i' $hat I ha!e ahie!ed i%
273
%#''iient a#thority to $rite a hapter %#h a% thi% one, and then pre%ent
it a% i' thi% i% a de'initi!e teFt on the %#">et, %#''iient to ontradit
%igni'iant portion% o' 2,600 year% o' tradition and the teahing% and
$riting% o' o#ntle%% pre!io#% and #rrent ommentator%. .hile it i%
hard 'rom my #rrent !antage point to not "elie!e thi% to "e tr#e,
anyone $ith %en%e $ill read thi% hapter $ith appropriate %&eptii%m,
and thi%, a% I %ee it, i% one o' the %trength% o' properly applied
B#ddhi%m and rational tho#ght in general. The B#ddha $a% 'ore!er
a%&ing people to not ta&e hi% $ord at 'ae !al#e, "#t in%tead to do the
eFperiment and %ee i' they ome to the %ame onl#%ion%. I reommend
the %ame. I' yo# are a"le to ahie!e %omething "eyond $hat I %tate i%
po%%i"le, more po$er to yo#, and plea%e let me &no$ ho$ yo# did itK I
$o#ld 'eel real regret i' I tho#ght that thi% $or& had hindered anyone
'rom ahie!ing their '#ll h#man potential, and am al$ay% loo&ing 'or
pratie% and onept% that are #%e'#l.
(ere i% a li%t o' the "a%i ategorie% o' model% that I #%e, tho#gh
mo%t tradition% ontain a miF o' mo%t or all o' the%e. There are pro"a"ly
other a%pet% o' the dream% o' enlightenment that I ha!e 'ailed to
addre%%, "#t thi% li%t %ho#ld o!er mo%t o' the "a%i one%. I loo& at eah
o' the%e a% repre%enting %ome aFi% o' de!elopment, and "a%ially all o'
them are good aFe% to $or& on regardle%% o' $hat they ha!e to do $ith
enlightenment. That %aid, 'rom $hat I ha!e already $ritten, it $ill not "e
hard to pi& o#t my 'a!orite%0
1. +on8D#ality Model%0 tho%e model% ha!ing to do $ith eliminating or
%eeing thro#gh the %en%e that there i% a '#ndamentally %eparate or
ontin#o#% enter8point, agent, $ather, doer, perei!er, %#">et,
o"%er!er or %imilar entity.
2. -#ndamental /erept#al Model%0 tho%e that ha!e to do $ith diretly
perei!ing '#ndamental a%pet% o' thing% a% they are, inl#ding
perei!ing emptine%%, l#mino%ity, impermanene, %#''ering, and other
e%%ential a%pet% o' %en%ation% regardle%% o' $hat tho%e %en%ation% are.
4. ,pei'i /erept#al Model%0 tho%e that in!ol!e "eing a"le to perei!e
more and more, or all, o' the %pei'i %en%ation% that ma&e #p
eFperiene $ith greater and greater larity at mo%t or all time%, and
#%#ally in!ol!e per'eted, ontin#o#%, panorami mind'#lne%% or
onentration at eFtremely high %peed.
276
3. Emotional Model%0 tho%e that ha!e to do $ith per'eting or limiting
the emotional range, #%#ally in!ol!ing eliminating thing% li&e de%ire,
greed, hatred, on'#%ion, del#%ion, and the li&e.
6. Ation Model%0 tho%e that ha!e to do $ith per'eting or limiting the
thing% $e an and anIt do in the ordinary %en%e, #%#ally relating to
al$ay% 'ollo$ing %ome %pei'i ode o' morality or per'orming altr#i%ti
ation%, or that e!erything $e %ay or do $ill "e the eFatly right thing to
ha!e done in that %it#ation.
7. /o$er% Model%0 tho%e that ha!e to do $ith gaining in a"ilitie%, either
ordinary or eFtraordinary Cp%yhi po$er%E.
7. Energeti Model%0 tho%e that ha!e to do $ith ha!ing all the energy
CChi, Ti, /rana, et.E 'lo$ing thro#gh all the energy hannel% in the
proper $ay, all the Cha&ra% %pinning in the proper diretion, per'eting
o#r a#ra, et.
9. ,pei'i Jno$ledge Model%0 tho%e that ha!e to do $ith gaining
onept#al &no$ledge o' 'at% and detail% a"o#t the %pei'i% o' reality,
a% ontra%ted $ith the model% that deal $ith perei!ing '#ndamental
a%pet% o' reality.
5. /%yhologial Model%0 tho%e that ha!e to do $ith "eoming
p%yhologially per'eted or eliminating p%yhologial i%%#e% and
pro"lem%, i.e. ha!ing no ;%t#''< do deal $ith, no ne#ro%e%, no mental
illne%%e%, per'et per%onalitie%, et.
10. Tho#ght Model%0 tho%e that ha!e to do $ith either limiting $hat
tho#ght% an "e tho#ght, enhaning $hat tho#ght% an "e tho#ght, or
in!ol!e %topping the proe%% o' thin&ing entirely.
11. Bod Model%0 tho%e that in!ol!e perei!ing or "eoming one $ith
Bod, or e!en "eoming a Bod yo#r%el'.
12. /hy%ial Model%0 tho%e that in!ol!e ha!ing or a)#iring a per'eted,
hyper8healthy or eFellent phy%ial "ody, %#h a% ha!ing long earlo"e%,
"ea#ti'#l eye%, a yoga8"#tt, or %#per8'a%t 'i%t% o' %teel.
14. :adiane Model%0 tho%e that in!ol!e ha!ing a pre%ene that i%
remar&a"le in %ome $ay, %#h a% "eing hari%mati or radiating lo!e,
$i%dom or e!en light.
13. Jarma Model%0 tho%e that in!ol!e "eing 'ree o' the la$% o' reality or
a#%e% that ma&e "ad thing% to happen to people, and th#% li!ing a
"le%%ed, proteted, l#&y, or di%a%ter and illne%%8'ree li'e.
277
16. /erpet#al Bli%% Model%0 tho%e model% that %ay that enlightenment
in!ol!e% a ontin#o#% %tate o' happine%%, "li%% or >oy, the orollary o' thi%
"eing a %tate that i% perpet#ally 'ree 'rom %#''ering. :elated to thi% are
model% that in!ol!e a perpet#al %tate o' >hani or meditati!e a"%orption.
17. Immortality Model%0 tho%e that in!ol!e li!ing 'ore!er, #%#ally in an
amaLing plae C(ea!en, +ir!ana, /#re 2and, et.E or in an enhaned
%tate o' a"ility CAngel%, Bodhi%att!a%, ,orerer%, et.E.
17. Tran%endene Model%0 tho%e model% that %tate that one $ill "e 'ree
'rom or %omeho$ a"o!e the tra!ail% o' the $orld $hile yet "eing in the
$orld, and th#% li!e in a %tate o' tran%endene.
19. EFtintion Model%0 tho%e that in!ol!e getting o'' o' the .heel o'
,#''ering, the ro#nd o' re"irth%, et. and th#% ne!er "eing re"orn again
or e!en ea%ing to "e at the moment o' enlightenment, that i%, the great
;/oo'K< on the #%hion, not to "e on'#%ed $ith the more m#ndane
atmo%pheri on%e)#ene% o' a leg#me8"a%ed diet, a% anyone $ho a%
"een on a !egetarian meditation retreat &no$% all too $ell.
15. 2o!e Model%0 tho%e that in!ol!e #% lo!ing e!eryone andQor e!eryone
lo!ing #%.
20. Aniti!e Model%0 that yo# $ill "eome one $ith e!erything in %ome
%en%e.
21. ,oial Model%0 that yo# $ill %omeho$ "e aepted 'or $hat yo# may
ha!e attained, that yo# ha!e attained %omething $hen people thin& yo#
ha!e, and !ariant% on the%e theme%.
2i&e me, yo# ha!e pro"a"ly r#n into mo%t or all o' the%e ideal% o'
a$a&ening in yo#r %pirit#al )#e%t and pro"a"ly $ithin yo#r%el' at %ome
point in time, either on%io#%ly or #non%io#%ly. Bi!en all o' the%e
high ideal%, it i% not %#rpri%ing that $e 'ind the ta%& o' a$a&ening
da#nting i' not prepo%tero#%. Imagine yo#r%el' a% the #ni!er%ally8
aepted radiant immortal angel "odhi%att!a "right8eyed yoga8"#tt8
ha!ing all8lo!ing one8$ith8the8#ni!er%e endle%%ly mind'#l per'etly
healthy emotionally per'eted p%yhologially p#re endle%%ly altr#i%ti
non8thin&ing de%ire8'ree p%yhi8%#perhero %tar8hild o' light, and then
notie ho$ thi% image may "e in %ome ontra%t $ith yo#r #rrent li'e. I'
yo# are anything li&e me, yo# may notie a "it o' a di%repanyK
277
I $ill ta&e on eah model, relate them to a 'e$ o' the tradition%, and
try to ma&e %en%e o' $here the%e ideal% ame 'rom. I $ill al%o addre%%
$hih one% are reali%ti and $hih are >#%t a "#nh o' "ea#ti'#l dream%
that an either help yo# identi'y area% to $or& on or really %re$ #p
yo#r %pirit#al )#e%t i' yo# are not are'#l. Go# $ill note that none o'
the%e model% ome 'rom any 'ormal tradition. In order to relate them to
the tradition%, here i% a li%t o' %ome model% 'rom B#ddhi%m0
1. The -o#r /ath Model 'rom the Thera!ada, $hih in!ol!e% "eoming
a %tream8enterer, %eond path, third path and then an arahat Cho$e!er
yo# %pell itE.
2. The -i!e /ath Model 'rom the Ti"etan%.
4. The Ten Bodhi%att!a Bh#mi% 'rom the Ti"etan%.
3. The ideal o' B#ddhahood 'rom all the B#ddhi%t tradition%.
6. The ,#dden and Brad#al A$a&ening %hool% o' Sen.
There are other model% 'rom other tradition% Ce.g. ,t. Dohn o' the
Cro%%I 2adder o' 2o!eE, and I ha!e already mentioned the%e in the
%etion on the /rogre%% o' In%ight. IIm not going to go into m#h detail
a"o#t them here, "#t $hen yo# are 'amiliar $ith the model% I am going
to di%#%% yo# %ho#ld "e a"le to ma&e %ome %en%e o' them.
T(E +*+8DAA2ITG M*DE2
The +on8D#ality Model i% $itho#t do#"t my 'a!orite o' them all. It
e%%entially %ay% that the goal i% to %top a proe%% o' identi'iation that
t#rn% %ome pattern% o' %en%ation% into a Doer, /erei!er, Center /oint,
,o#l, Agent or ,el' in %ome !ery '#ndamental perept#al $ay. By %eeing
the%e %en%ation% a% they are the proe%% an grad#ally "e %een thro#gh
#ntil one day there are no more %en%ation% that tri& the mind in thi%
$ay. My 'a!orite )#ote that arti#late% thi% model i% the one that goe%
%omething li&e, ;In the %eeing >#%t the %een, in the hearing >#%t the
heard, in the thin&ing >#%t the tho#ght,< and th#% I may repeat thi% )#ote
a 'e$ time% >#%t to ma&e the point o' ho$ pro'o#nd it i%. Ba%ially, there
i% >#%t a 'ield o' %en%ation%, a% there $a% "e'ore, "#t no$ all o' the%e
%en%ation% are progre%%i!ely >#%t %een to "e a% they are, and all the
%en%ation% that $e generally all ;me< are >#%t a part o' thi% proe%%.
Thi% model doe% not imply anything el%e, promi%e% nothing related
to any other model% eFept in %ome loo%e $ay the -#ndamental
/ereption Model that I $ill tal& a"o#t %hortly. The +on8D#ality Model
279
i% the one o' the mo%t pratial model% 'or pratie, in that it 'o#%e% on
%imply %eeing thing% a% they are right no$.
I $ill tal& more a"o#t thi% model a% $e go, and ha!e already tal&ed
a"o#t it o'ten in a le%% diret $ay. I pre%ent it 'ir%t to %er!e a% a 'oil or
o#nterpoint to all o' the other model%, and it i% the only model that an
$ith%tand reality te%ting $itho#t )#ali'iation or di''i#lty. All o' the
other model% may ontain %ome degree o' tr#th %ome$here in them,
either literally or poetially, "#t thi% one yo# an hang yo#r hat on all
the $ay thro#gh. Thi% a$arene%% de!elop% grad#ally $ith %ome %harp
>#mp% along the $ay, leading to the endle%% de"ate% a"o#t %#dden and
grad#al %hool% o' a$a&ening, a %#">et that $ill hope'#lly "eome more
lear a% $e go, "#t pro"a"ly de%er!e% %ome mention here.
T(E ,ADDE+ ,C(**2, *- A.AJE+I+B
There are %hool% o' a$a&ening, parti#larly %ome Sen CChanE
tradition% 'rom China and Jorea, and %ome interpretation% o'
(ind#i%m, tho#gh thi% i% not a omplete li%t, that %ay that a$a&ening
happen% in one "ig %hi't and thatI% "a%ially it, regardle%% o' eFatly ho$
yo# de'ine ;it<. They deny the laim% o' the progre%%i!e %hool%
CThera!ada, Ti"etan%, %ome other %train% o' Sen, mo%t %hool% o'
,#'i%m, Ta"ala, other .e%tern Tradition%, et.E that there i% mappa"le
territory "e'ore a$a&ening and that there might "e lot% to do a'ter
%tream entry or $hate!er yo# $ant to all it. /o%%i"le eFplanation% 'or
the%e %hool% inl#de0
1. There may "e a 'e$ rare indi!id#al% that %omeho$ manage to go
%traight to '#ll a$a&ening d#e to $hate!er intere%ting $ay they are
$ired or pratied, tho#gh I ha!e ne!er met anyone $ho did thi%.
2. There may "e %hool% 'o#nded or in'l#ened "y people $ho got to
the 'ir%t %tage o' a$a&ening and %omeho$ ne!er realiLed there o#ld
"e anything more than that or got trapped in a lie a"o#t "eing '#lly
a$a&ened $hen they hadnIt yet realiLed there $a% more to go and
ne!er retrated their initial, erroneo#% laim.
4. There are people $ho >#%t tho#ght that $a% the dogma %omeho$
and %t#& $ith it regardle%% o' any i%%#e% o' at#ally ha!ing in%ight.
3. *ther eFplanation% I ha!enIt tho#ght o' or r#n aro%%.
275
Being a% e!ery %ingle per%on I ha!e e!er &no$n ha% 'ollo$ed a
progre%%i!e path, inl#ding my%el', it i% !ery hard 'or me to "elie!e the
%#dden laim% eFept 'or &eeping open the po%%i"ility that there may "e
the eFeedingly rare pratitioner $ho oa%ionally manage% to p#ll thi%
o'' and th#% imagine% "a%ed on their limited eFperiene that thi% i% ho$
it happen% in general. In %hort, i' yo# manage to do thi%, more po$er to
yo#, and plea%e let me &no$. *ther$i%e, I $o#ld "et on the grad#al,
progre%%i!e %hool%, and i' yo# attain %omething that yo# are pretty
impre%%ed "y, gi!e it time to %ee ho$ it hold% #p $hen the tro#"le% o'
the $orld ome &no&ing at yo#r door o!er the month% and year% a'ter
that %hi't o' per%peti!e.
T(E -A+DAME+TA2 /E:CE/TI*+ M*DE2,
:elated to the +on8D#ality Model, and al%o #%e'#l 'or pratie, are
the -#ndamental /ereption Model%. I %ay model% here "ea#%e !ario#%
tradition% empha%iLe di''erent )#alitie% o' reality a% "eing e%%ential. -or
in%tane, the Thera!ada #%e% the Three Charateri%ti% o'
Impermanene, ,#''ering and +o8,el', a% yo# already &no$ $ell "y thi%
point. The Mahayana tradition% CTi"etan% in parti#larE, may empha%iLe
,h#nyata or emptine%%, and the Ha>rayana tradition% may empha%iLe
l#mino%ity or the %pae8li&e meditati!e e)#ipoi%e o' DLoghen. They
may al%o tal& a"o#t Maha Ati, or eFpre%% '#ndamental tr#th% in %ome
other $ay.
The%e model% may diretly %tate or imply that enlightenment
in!ol!e% ontin#o#%ly perei!ing the%e a%pet% o' thing% in all %en%ation%
at a on%io#% le!el, %o that e!ery $a&ing in%tant $e $ere 'looded $ith
the %en%e o' impermanene or l#mino%ity or $hate!er a% o#r dominant
eFperiene. .hile attempting to perei!e thi% at all time% i% eFellent
pratie ad!ie, parti#larly $hen on retreat, $ere the%e model% tr#e
then realiLation $o#ld %eem to in!ol!e 'looding the on%io#%ne%% o' the
indi!id#al $ith a ton o' in'ormation at all time%. .hile there may "e
moment% or "#r%t% o' thi% %ort o' pereption in enlightened indi!id#al%,
thi% i% not $hat 'inally happen%. In%tead, $ith %trong a$arene%% o' ho$
thing% are, a proe%% o' identi'iation %top%, the %$ith i% thro$n, a%
noted a"o!e in the +on8D#ality Model%. By 'ollo$ing the pratie
ad!ie o' the -#ndamental /ereption Model% $e may ome to %top thi%
proe%%.
270
(o$e!er, a% the B#ddha %aid, do not imagine that yo# m#%t
ontin#e to arry the "oat one yo# ha!e ro%%ed the ri!er. .hile
enlightened indi!id#al% an at a $him notie the tr#e a%pet% o'
%en%ation%, >#%t a% olor i% lear to a per%on $ith good eye%ight Ca%%#ming
they are not olor8"lindE, %o the%e thing% are lear to an enlightened
"eing to !ario#% degree% a% they progre%% along the path. That %aid, >#%t
"ea#%e one an perei!e %omething doe%nIt mean that parti#lar a%pet
i% the dominant a%pet o' on%io#%ne%% at all time%. In %hort, the
-#ndamental /ereption Model% are !ery #%e'#l 'or pratie, "#t do not
)#ite a#rately de%ri"e the 'inal re%#lt.
T(E ,/ECI-IC /E:CE/TI*+ M*DE2,
,pei'i /ereption Model% e%%entially %tate or imply that an
enlightened "eing $ill "e on%tantly hyper8a$are o' e!ery %ingle
%en%ation that ari%e% in their 'ield o' pereption, inl#ding not >#%t the
#ltimate a%pet% o' the -#ndamental /ereption Model%, "#t al%o e!ery
%ingle little detail o' the ontent o' tho%e %en%ation%, ahie!ing at all
time% the per'eted '#%ion o' the ompletely open and panorami
per%peti!e o' (igh E)#animity $ith the la%er8li&e prei%ion o' the
Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay at it% height. It implie% that rather than
%topping a proe%%, enlightenment i% a"o#t "eoming %o 'anta%tially
alert that yo# %ee not only the tr#e nat#re "#t al%o the %pei'i% o' eah
and e!ery %en%ation that ari%e% at all time%. Thi% i% not e!en lo%e to $hat
happen% in reality. .hile enlightened "eing% $ill yle thro#gh tho%e
%tage%, $hen mind'#lne%% i% lo$ eah o' tho%e %tage% $ill pre%ent in a lo$
&ey $ay, and only 'or moment% here and there $ill there "e anything
li&e that &ind o' a$arene%%, tho#gh $hen enlightened "eing% are on
retreat andQor really po$ering the mind'#lne%% and onentration they
an temporarily ahie!e %omething that re%em"le% the%e high ideal%.
The ,pei'i /ereption Model% are another in%tane $here pratie
in%tr#tion% get t#rned into an ideal o' $hat i% %#ppo%ed to happen in
eFatly the %ame $ay a% happen% $ith the -#ndamental /ereption
Model%. They "eome one more eFample o' arrying the "oat a'ter $e
ha!e ro%%ed the ri!er. Again, mind'#lne%% ome% and goe%, %leep ome%
and goe% Ctho#gh the Ti"etan teahing% on dream yoga are !ery
intrig#ingE, onentration ome% and goe%, !ario#% per%peti!e% and
271
perept#al thre%hold% parade thro#gh, and the yle% o' the Yana%
ontin#e on and on.
The ideal% in thi% model and many model% that 'ollo$ it are
%ometime% #%ed a% a $eapon "y tho%e $ho li&e to ritiiLe tho%e $ho
rightly or $rongly laim to "e enlightened. EFample% inl#de, ;DonIt
yo# remem"er $hen I %aid C%#h and %#hE=<, ;DidnIt yo# notie ho$ I
leaned the "athroom=<, or ;(o$ o#ld yo# ha!e 'orgotten to pay the
po$er "ill=< The impliation inherent in eah o' the%e i% that
enlightened "eing %ho#ld ha!e per'et a$arene%% o' all a%pet% o' their
%en%ate reality a% $ell a% per'et memory o' all o' tho%e a%pet%. Thi%
ideal i% #n'ort#nately ompletely "og#%. I %o $anted to "e a ,en%ation
/erei!ing ,#per%tar $ith a photographi memory and ha!e "een %orely
di%appointed. A% "a%ially e!eryone o#t there ha% %ome a%pet o' thi%
model in their $or&ing de'inition o' $hat ;enlightenment< m#%t "e,
the%e ideal% an "e a parti#lar pro"lem in relation%hip%, parti#larly
"#%ine%% relation%hip% and romanti one% 'or tho%e $ho are o#t o' the
lo%et a"o#t enlightenment.
In thi% "a%i !ein, thi% "ring% #p another %elling point o' reali%ti,
do$n8to8earth, h#man model% o' $hat a$a&ening "ring%. I' yo# tell
people yo# are enlightened and al%o promote !ery high, idealiLed,
del#%ional, per'etioni%ti model% o' a$a&ening, tho%e $ho at#ally get
to &no$ $ell $ill realiLe ho$ '#ll o' %hit yo# are, parti#larly people
%#h a% %po#%e% or partner%, "#%ine%% a%%oiated, "e%t 'riend% and the
li&e. -#rther, the more yo# get %t#& trying to "e li&e the per%on yo#
dream yo# are %#ppo%ed to "e rather than $ho yo# are, the more yo#
an get i%olated in yo#r 'al%e and pretentio#% 'anta%y land, lo&ed a$ay
'rom the gro#nding, healing, and help'#l reality te%ting that ome% 'rom
omm#nity and real, intimate h#man relation%hip%. (o$e!er, i' the
,pei'i /erept#al Model% are a pro"lem in thi% $ay, yo# ha!enIt %een
anything #ntil yo# get to the Emotional Model%.
T(E EM*TI*+A2 M*DE2,
The Emotional Model% are %o '#ndamental to the %tandard ideal% o'
a$a&ening a% to "e nearly #ni!er%al in their tyranny. Go# anIt %$ing a
dead at in the Breat ,pirit#al Mar&etplae $itho#t hitting them.
Almo%t e!ery tradition %eem% to ha!e gone o#t o' it% $ay to promote
them in the mo%t a"%#rd and li'e8denying term% a!aila"le, tho#gh there
272
ha!e "een attempt% at re'orm al%o. I m#%t gi!e than&% 'or the attempt%,
ho$e!er ine''eti!e, "iLarre, mythologiLed, rypti, and !ag#e, that the
Ti"etan and Sen tradition% ha!e oa%ionally made in thi% regard, and
morn their nearly perpet#al 'ail#re to ma&e the%e i%%#e% lear. At lea%t
they tried, $herea% the Thera!ada "a%ially ha% really not tried in any
%igni'iant $ay in 2,600 year% %o 'ar a% I an tell. I' I am $rong, plea%e let
me &no$.
The%e emotional model% "a%ially laim that enlightenment in!ol!e%
%ome %ort o' emotional per'etion, either grad#ally or %#ddenly, and
#%#ally ma&e the%e dream% the primary riteria 'or their model% o'
a$a&ening and o'ten ignoring or %idelining i%%#e% relating to lear
pereption o' the tr#e nat#re o' phenomena. A%#ally the%e 'anta%ie%
in!ol!e% elimination o' the ;negati!e< emotion%, parti#larly greed,
hatred, anger, 'r#%tration, l#%t, >ealo#%y, and %adne%%. At a more
'#ndamental le!el, they promi%e the elimination o' all 'orm% o'
attration and a!er%ion.
A% I am %#re yo# an already tell, I am no 'an o' the%e model% o'
enlightenment. In 'at, I on%ider their reation and perpet#ation to "e
"a%ially e!il in the good old ;Go# ,ho#ld B#rn In (ell -or
/erpet#ating Them< &ind o' $ay, tho#gh a% g#ideline% 'or trying to "e
&ind and "eha!e $ell Ctraining in moralityE I 'ind them o' !al#e. I &no$
"oth $hat hint% o' tr#th they ontain and al%o $hat a mar&eting ploy
they are, and $ill attempt to ma&e "oth a%pet% lear. Thi% i% not ea%y to
do, and the dogma o' the Emotional Model% i% %o deeply ingrained in #%
all that %ha&ing it an "e the $or& o' a li'etime e!en in enlightened
"eing%.
The pratial appliation o' ma&ing thi% di%tintion i% "a%ed #pon
the 'at that $e $ill try to realiLe the model $e on%io#%ly or
#non%io#%ly adopt. It i% eFtremely tempting i' $e "#y into the limited
emotional range model% to go aro#nd imitating an emotionally limited
%tate, repre%%ing or ignoring a%pet% o' o#r "a%i h#man nat#re. There
are %ome "ene'it% to repre%%ing the mani'e%tation% o' negati!e emotion%
$hile %im#ltaneo#%ly "eing on%io#% and aepting o' the 'at that
di''i#lt emotion% o#r. (o$e!er, i' $e repre%% them and al%o pretend
that they donIt eFi%t, thi% %ort o' #lti!ated denial an al%o prod#e h#ge
%hado$ %ide% and a lot o' ne#roti "eha!ior.
274
A 'ar more pratial approah i% to aept that $e are h#man, try to
"e deent in a normal %ort o' $ay rather than in a grandio%e %pirit#al
$ay, and to a%%#me that red#ing and eliminating the ill#%ion o' the
d#ali%ti %plit i% po%%i"le thro#gh doing "a%i in%ight pratie%. :ed#ing
the %en%e o' a %plit an pro!ide more larity, allo$ing #% to "e the
h#man "eing% that $e are $ith more "alane and le%% reati!ity in the
'ae o' that h#manity.
T(E T(E:AHADA -*A: /AT( M*DE2
The root o' the pro"lem in %tandard B#ddhi%m ome% to #% 'rom
the Thera!ada -o#r /ath Model. Thi% i% the original model pre%ented
in the /ali Canon and the olde%t model $e ha!e to $or& $ith. All the
%#"%e)#ent %hool% CMahayana o' !ario#% %train% and the Ha>rayanaE
reat to it in their $ay "#t are %till in'l#ened "y it e!en i' they %ay they
are not, %o yo# need to &no$ it to #nder%tand the de"ate.
At#ally, the pro"lem% "egan long "e'ore in anient (ind#i%m
C$hih had a h#ge impat on B#ddhi%m, de%pite $hat %ome B#ddhi%t
$ill tell yo#E and pro"a"ly "e'ore that, "#t thi% i% a% good a plae to %tart
a% any. I %ho#ldnIt "lame anient India 'or $hat i% really a perennial
h#man $i%h. 2etI% 'ae it0 $e all $ant emotional per'etion, a% a large
h#n& o' the pain 'elt in modern li'e relate% to peopleI% emotion%
a#%ing tro#"le. I $ill laim that not perei!ing o#r emotion% learly i% a
'ar greater pro"lem than the emotion% them%el!e%, "#t I am learly in
the minority in thi% regard. A% I %tated in the hapter alled (arne%%ing
the Energy o' the De'ilement%, there i% a lot to "e %aid 'or a%pet% o'
$hat $e #%#ally on%ider the "ad emotion%. It i% important to realiLe that
empty ompa%%ion #nderlie% all o#r emotion%, $hether 'iltered thro#gh
the ill#%ion o' d#ality or other$i%e.
The Thera!ada -o#r /ath Model i% a model in!ol!ing 'o#r %tage% o'
a$a&ening, namely -ir%t /ath or ,tream Entry C/ali0 %otapannaE, ,eond
/ath or *ne :et#rner C%a&adagamiE, Third /ath or +e!er :et#rner
CanagamiE and 'inally -o#rth /ath, (oly *ne, ,aint, or Con)#eror C
arahat, arhat, arahant, or arhant, pi& yo#r 'a!orite %pellingE. The term%
*ne :et#rner and +e!er :et#rner ha!e to do $ith i%%#e% relating to
the dogma that tho%e $ho ha!e attained to %eond path annot "e
re"orn more than one "e'ore attaining arahat%hip, and ertainly not in
the lo$er realm% Chell realm%, h#ngry gho%t realm% or animal realm%E,
273
and that tho%e o' third path, i' they do not attain to arahat%hip in thi%
li'etime, $ill at $or%t "e re"orn into a hea!en realm $here the
ondition% are optimal 'or ahie!ing enlightenment. (o$e!er, the ore
o' the Thera!ada -o#r /ath Model i% the dogma that enlightenment
in!ol!e% progre%%i!ely eliminating the Ten De'ilement% in the 'ollo$ing
manner.
,tream Entry eliminate% the 'ir%t three de'ilement%0 %&eptial do#"t,
attahment to rite% and rit#al%, and per%onality "elie'. ,eond /ath
atten#ate% the 'o#rth and 'i'th de'ilement%, #%#ally tran%lated a% greed
and hatred or more tehnially a% attration and a!er%ion to e!erything
that i% not a >hani %tate. Third /ath i% %aid to eliminate tho%e %ame
'o#rth and 'i'th de'ilement% ho$e!er tran%lated. -o#rth /ath, that o'
arahat%hip, eliminate% the remaining 'i!e de'ilement% o' attahment to
'ormed >hana% Cthe 'ir%t 'o#r >hana%E, attahment to the 'ormle%% realm%
Cthe %eond 'o#r >hana%E, re%tle%%ne%% and $orry, ;oneit< Cin )#ote%
"ea#%e it i% a "it hard to tran%lateE, and %omething alled ;the la%t !eil o'
#n&no$ing<.
It i% important to note that arahat% that are %aid to ha!e ;eliminated
oneit< Cin limited emotional range term%E an appear a"%ol#tely
arrogant and oneited, a% $ell a% re%tle%% or $orried, et. That there i%
no '#ndamental %#''ering in them $hile thi% i% going on i% an #tterly
%eparate i%%#e. That %aid, oneit in the on!entional %en%e and the re%t
o' li'e an a#%e all %ort% o' on!entional %#''ering 'or arahat% >#%t a% it
an 'or e!eryone el%e. .hile I am on the %#">et o' oneit, perhap% I
%ho#ld ta&e on the %#">et o' the $ord ;ego< in a more omprehen%i!e
$ay than I ha!e done %o 'ar.
The pop p%yhology meaning o' the $ord ;ego< i% %omething li&e
arrogane, pride, nari%%i%m, and a 'ail#re to ta&e into ao#nt the
'eeling%, right% andQor eFi%tene o' other%. Thi% i% al%o the de'inition that
i% the mo%t ommonly "ehind %#h main%tream B#ddhi%t %tatement% a%,
;That ation or %tatement that I really didnIt li&e had a lot o' MegoI in it.<
I thin& that thi% de'inition o' ego an %ometime% "e %lightly #%e'#l 'or
training in morality i' $e are !ery &ind to o#r%el!e% and tho%e aro#nd #%,
"#t o'ten it %eem% to me to "e pop %pirit#ality t#rned into a $eapon and
a 'orm o' denial o' %omeone el%eI% di''i#ltie%, 'eeling and %#''ering.
276
.or%e, people o'ten ta&e thi% de'inition, miF it in $ith their o$n
in%e#ritie% and #n'ort#nate 'ear o' eFi%ting or a%%erting them%el!e% in
the on!entional %en%e, and then ta&e thi% ne#roti miFt#re and #%e it to
ontin#e to 'log them%el!e% and tho%e aro#nd them. /lea%e donIt do
thi%. It i% mi%g#ided and $ill not help yo# or anyone. Thi% pop
p%yhology de'inition o' ego al%o ha% nothing to do $ith enlightenment
in the 'ormal %en%e, and %o donIt "ring it to mind $hen yo# read thi%
hapter eFept to di%mi%% it.
Another de'inition o' ego i% the 'ormal p%yhologial one p#t
'or$ard "y -re#d. In thi% de'inition, ego i% the moderator "et$een the
internaliLed parent or polie o' the %#per8ego and the primal dri!e% o'
the id, tho%e "eing largely 'or reprod#tion and %#r!i!al. In thi% %en%e,
ego i% an eFtremely good thing and %ho#ld "e #lti!ated on%io#%ly and
$itho#t re%traint. Thi% de'inition ha% to do $ith the more 'ormal
p%yhologial onept o' ;ego %trength,< a %trength that i% !ery po%iti!e
and nee%%ary 'or the deep and o'ten di''i#lt per%onal gro$th that $e
all $ant 'or o#r%el!e%. *ne o' the eFpliit re)#irement% 'or entering
inten%i!e p%yhoanaly%i% i% high ego %trength, the a"ility to 'ae oneI%
reality and dar& %t#'' $itho#t ompletely 'rea&ing o#t. Th#%, eliminating
thi% 'orm o' ego $o#ld "e a di%a%ter.
-or rea%on% ompletely "eyond me, the $ord ;ego< i% al%o #%ed in a
high my%tial %en%e to de%ri"e the elimination o' the eFperiential
ill#%ion o' there "eing a %peial re'erene point a% de%ri"ed in the
hapter on the Three Charateri%ti% in the %etion on no8%el'. *ne $ho
had eliminated thi% 'orm o' ego, $hih i% in thi% a%e a #%ele%% ill#%ion,
might de%ri"e their eFperiene in thi% $ay, ;In thi% '#ll 'ield o'
eFperiene or mani'e%tation, there %eem% to "e no %peial or permanent
%pot that i% o"%er!ing, ontrolling, %eparated 'rom, or %#">et to any
other point or a%pet o' the re%t o' thi% a#%al 'ield o' eFperiene or
mani'e%tation.<
Thi% i% the eFperiene and realiLation o' the arahat. +otie that thi%
de'inition o' ego %eem% to ha!e nothing $hat%oe!er $ith the other
de'inition% o' ego. Thi% i% eFatly the point, and %o I %trongly ad!oate
ne!er #%ing the $ord ego in the onteFt o' de%ri"ing realiLation or the
goal o' the %pirit#al li'e, or at lea%t not doing %o $itho#t eFten%i!e
eFplanation o' thi% parti#larly %peial and #nommon #%age o' the
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term. Tho%e $ho do other$i%e ontin#e to a#%e an a%to#nding amo#nt
o' #nreali%ti, di%empo$ering and li'e denying thin&ing in main%tream
B#ddhi%t%. It i% my %inere $i%h that the mi%#%e o' the $ord ego and it%
a%%oiated negati!e %ide e''et% %top immediately and 'ore!er. Ba& to
the model%P
A% the Thera!ada -o#r /ath Model eFpliitly %tate% that realiLation
i% all a"o#t eliminating greed, hatred, re%tle%%ne%%, $orry, et., thi% i% a%
eFpliitly a limited emotional range model, and, a% eFpeted, de%er!e%
%ome %erio#% %&eptii%m. In 'at, thi% i% a good time to go into $hat I
lo!e and de%pi%e a"o#t the Thera!ada. I a"%ol#tely lo!e their empha%i%
on the Three Charateri%ti%, lo!e the a%to#nding po$er o' their
tehni)#e% and am grate'#l "eyond $ord% 'or the map% they pro!ided
me 'or the territory "e'ore %tream entry, ho$e!er inomplete and
idealiLed. I am pro'o#ndly grate'#l, at time% to the point o' tear%, and I
mean that, 'or the mona%terie% I got to %it in, 'or their pre%er!ation o'
that $hih i% tr#e and #%e'#l in B#ddhi%m 'or 2,600 year%, and 'or the
hane to ha!e %at $ith real, enlightened teaher% "ea#%e o' their
per%e!erane and $or&.
And yet, their map% o' enlightenment %till ontain a he'ty helping o'
%ary mar&et8dri!en propaganda and %o m#h gar"age that i% li'e8
denying, dangero#%ly o#t o' to#h $ith $hat happen%, and an
impediment to pratie 'or million% o' people. That the enlightened
lineage holder% o' the modern Thera!ada and their eF8mon& .e%tern
o#nterpart% donIt ha!e the "all% to %tand #p and %ay, ;.e are deeply
%orry that 'or 2,600 year% o#r predee%%or% perpet#ated thi% raLine%% to
p#t 'ood in their "o$l% and 'ool ignorant pea%ant% %o that they might "e
%#pported in their other #%e'#l $or&, and $e !o$ to do "etterK< i% a
rying %hame.
They are hained to the teFt%, myth% and the anient lie%, %eemingly
doomed to indotrinate and "rain$a%h generation a'ter generation o'
mon&%, pratitioner% and de!oted 'ollo$er% $ith their deliio#% poi%on.
.hat a 'rea&i%h paradoF that the meditati!e tehni)#e% and
tehnologie% that I on%ider among the mo%t po$er'#l and diret e!er
reated %ho#ld ome 'rom a tradition $ho%e model% o' a$a&ening
ontain %ome o' the $or%t "#ll%hit o' them all. I ha!e %at $ith n#mero#%
arahat% $ho $ere mon&% or 'ormer mon&% $ho >#%t o#ldnIt %eem to
277
o!erome their indotrination and %o $hen gi!ing dharma tal&% $o#ld
ha"it#ally miF in the rap $ith the gold $hen it $a% o"!io#% they &ne$
"etter.
I ha!e at time% dreamed that all the teaher% 'rom all the lineage%
$o#ld get together in %eret, ome #p $ith a plan to >ointly get
them%el!e% o#t o' the trap, and in a "ig 'ormal eremony pre%ent the
tr#th a% a ne$ "eginning, li&e a ma%% inter!ention, li&e a 'amily gathering
aro#nd an aloholi to try to 'ore them to re'orm their $ay%. +one o'
them on their o$n %eem to "e '#lly a"le to ta&e the heat, a% eah one
that %tep% o#t o' line in a diret 'a%hion tend% to get "la%ted, tho#gh
there are eFeption%, %#h a% Da& Jorn'ieldI% A'ter the E%ta%y, the
2a#ndry. Th#%, I thin& they %ho#ld all try to do it together, $ith Sen
Ma%ter%, 2ama%, :inpohe%, T#l&#%, ,ayada$%, Ahaan%, and their
.e%tern o#nterpart% all %tanding %ide "y %ide %aying, ;Eno#gh i%
eno#ghK .e are delaring a ne$ era o' hone%t, open, reali%ti dharma
teahing, 'ree 'rom %etarian 'ighting, 'ree 'rom prepo%tero#% model% o'
a$a&ening, and 'ree 'rom denial o' h#manityK< Eno#gh o' my ranting,
"a& to the model%P
I ha!e no ma>or "ee' $ith their de%ription o' %tream entry. It doe%
ma&e people realiLe %ome$hat that rite% and rit#al% are not the primary
rea%on that they got enlightened, tho#gh I &no$ o' a n#m"er o'
pratitioner% that got enlightened $ith the help o' tehni)#e% that $ere
!ery rit#ali%ti and ontin#e to inl#de rit#al% o' !ario#% %ort% in their
pratie, and $hy not. ,tream entry doe% o#nter in %ome %emi8
intellet#al $ay the %en%e that there i% a permanent, %eparate %el', tho#gh
eFatly ho$ they &no$ thi% i% m#h more !ag#e and my%terio#% to them
than at the higher %tage% o' a$a&ening, tho#gh it "eat% the pant% o' any
#nder%tanding o' thi% that i% pre8%tream entry.
-#rther, they &no$ that a$a&ening i% po%%i"le and an "e done in
thi% li'etime, a%%#ming they &no$ they are a$a&ened in the 'ir%t plae,
$hih %trangely not all enlightened "eing% do. Tho%e per%on% that
eno#nter the%e #nder%tanding o#t%ide o' e%ta"li%hed tradition% may 'ail
to reogniLe that $hat they ha!e #nder%tood i% alled a$a&ening and
other name%. :egardle%%, %tream entry i% &no$n a% the opening o' the
Dharma Eye, a% ontra%ted $ith the .i%dom Eye o' arahat%hip. The%e
279
are %imply poeti metaphor% 'or %ome a%pet% o' learly perei!ing
thing%.
My real pro"lem $ith the Thera!ada -o#r /ath Model ome% a%
%oon a% it %tart% tal&ing a"o#t %eond path, i.e. the atten#ation o' greed
and hatred or attration and a!er%ion, and "y the time it promi%e%
eliminating the%e in their ordinary 'orm% a% they %ay o#r% in third path,
I thin& that %erio#% riti)#e o' their lang#age and dogma i% alled 'or.
.hat they are attempting to %ay i% that the %en%e o' the o"%er!er, enter
point, ontin#o#% and %eparate %#">et, $ather or ho$e!er yo# $ant to
de%ri"e the %en%e that there i% %ome ,el' at the enter o' all thi% %t#''
that %o ompelling %eem% to di!ided into ,el' and *ther i%, in 'at, >#%t a
"#nh o' %en%ation%. .hen the%e "egin to "e perei!ed a% they are, the
%en%e o' ho$ %peial the enter point i% "egin% to lo%e it% grip on
pereption, $hih "egin% to "eome $ider, more inl#%i!e, and more
e!en in it% "a%i treatment o' phenomena. Th#%, a% there doe%nIt %eem
to "e %o m#h o' a thi% %ide and a that %ide, attempt% to get a$ay 'rom
that %ide $hen it i% "ad, get to that %ide $hen it i% good, or >#%t t#ne o#t
to the $hole thing $hen it i% "oring dimini%h at %ome "a%i perept#al
le!el, and %o the %y%tem '#ntion% "etter a% it i% "etter at reali%tially
interpreting the in'ormation oming into it.
Thi% i% a !ery to#gh thing to tal& a"o#t, and ertainly doe%nIt %ell a%
$ell a% %aying, ;Do the%e thing%, and yo# $ill "e 'ree 'rom all negati!e
emotion%,< or $or%e, ;.e did the%e thing% and %o are 'ree 'rom all
negati!e emotion%, and %o yo# %ho#ld $or%hip #%, gi!e #% donation%,
%#pport o#r enter, "#y o#r "oo&%, gi!e o!er po$er to #%, thin& o' #% a%
!ery %peial or amaLing, %tand in a$e o' #%, %leep $ith #%, allo$ #% to at
li&e ra!ing n#ta%e%, et.< I thin& yo# get the pit#re. Th#%, $hat
happen% in reality i% that %egment% o' the proe%% o' ma&ing %pei'i
ategorie% and pattern% o' the a#%al, %en%ate 'ield into a %eparate ;%el'<
i% red#ed and then %top%. (o$e!er, many o' the tradition% ad!erti%e
eliminating negati!e emotion% and the %en%ation% o' ra!ing or a!er%ion.
The t$o o#ldnIt "e more di''erent, and yet they are de%ri"ed a% "eing
the %ame.
A :EHI,ED -*A: /AT( M*DE2
(ere i% my re!i%ed !er%ion o' the -o#r /ath Model, and thi% i% the
primary model I #%e $hen de%ri"ing a$a&ening, tal&ing a"o#t my
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pratie, and helping other% pratie. I thin& that #%ing the original
terminology and re!i%ing it% de'inition% allo$% a lot o' good material in
the /ali Canon to "e #%ed, th#% pro!ide% a lin& to pre!io#%ly done $or&.
(o$e!er, I realiLe that #%ing terminology that already ha% %#h deep
#lt#ral and dogmati re%onane may "e a pro"lem. -or tho%e $ho $ant
%omething ne$, I $ill %hortly pre%ent a rephra%ing o' thi% model that I
all the ,imple Model.
In the :e!i%ed -o#r /ath Model, ,tream Enterer% ha!e di%o!ered
the omplete di%ontin#ity that i% alled -r#ition and %ometime% alled
+ir!ana or +i""ana C,an%&rit !%. /aliE. Thi% i% the 'ir%t o' t$o meaning%
o' +ir!ana, $ith the other "eing -o#rth /ath. ,tream enterer% yle
thro#gh the Yana%, &no$ that a$a&ening or %ome di''erent
#nder%tanding 'rom the norm i% po%%i"le, and yet they do not ha!e all
that di''erent an eFperiene o' mo%t %en%ation% 'rom tho%e $ho are not
yet %tream enterer%. They may orretly eFtrapolate a lot o' good
dharma in%ight% 'rom momentary eFperiene%, parti#larly high #p in
(igh E)#animity and the three moment% "e'ore a -r#ition, "#t thi% i%
not the %ame a% li!ing there all the time. In 'at, mo%t %tream enterer%
ha!e a !ery hard time de%ri"ing ho$ thing% ha!e hanged in term% o'
their daily li'e eFept that they yle and an #nder%tand the dharma in
$ay% they ne!er o#ld "e'ore.
Tho%e o' ,eond /ath ha!e no$ ompleted a ne$ in%ight yle.
They #nder%tand the proe%% "y $hih enlightened "eing% ma&e '#rther
progre%% and e)#ate progre%% $ith '#rther yle% o' in%ight, $hih i%
partially tr#e. More model8o"%e%%ed or intellet#al pratitioner% at
%eond path may get !ery into 'ratal model%, on%io#%ne%% model%,
enlightenment model%, !ario#% integrati!e theorie%, and that %ort o' thing
at thi% %tage o' pratie. /%yhologial i%%#e% tend to "e a "it more o' a
"ig deal d#ring thi% pha%e, and p%yhologial de!elopment "eome
intere%ting to them in %ome $ay. By thi% point mo%t people, tho#gh
ertainly not e!eryone, al%o ha!e a pretty good #nder%tanding o' the
"a%i% o' the %amatha >hana%, and the%e an "e !ery 'a%inating. .hat
they may "e mo%t "othered "y i% that yle a'ter yle o' pratie, d#ality
remain% the predominant eFperiene mo%t o' the time.
Tho%e o' Third /ath ha!e %hi'ted their #nder%tanding o' $hat
progre%% i% 'rom tho%e o' ,eond /ath, and ha!e "eg#n to %ee that it i%
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a"o#t perei!ing the emptine%%, %el'le%%ne%%, impermanene, l#mino%ity
et. o' %en%ation% in daily li'e and "egin to %ee that they ha!e the a"ility
to do thi%. Thi% an "e a long, de!elopmental proe%% 'rom the 'ir%t time
they notie thi% to it "eoming a nearly omplete eFperiene. Th#%,
Third /ath tend% to "e a long path, tho#gh it doe%nIt ha!e to "e.
At the "eginning o' Third /ath, mo%t pratitioner% thin&0 ;IIll >#%t
omplete more yle% o' in%ight, li&e I did "e'ore, and thi% $ill do the
tri&.< They donIt tend to #nder%tand $hat it i% they ha!e attained all
that $ell yet, nor it% deeper impliation%. By the mat#re %tage o' Third
/ath, $hih an ta&e month% to year% to %ho$ #p, the pratitioner i%
more and more a"le to %ee the emptine%%, %el'le%%, enterle%%ne%%,
l#mino%ity, et. o' phenomena in real8time, %o m#h %o that it an "e
!ery di''i#lt to notie $hat arti'iial perept#al d#alitie% remain.
A% they yle, they $ill enter ne$ territory, po%%i"ly a#%ing %ome
#nertainty or in%ta"ility, and $ith eah :e!ie$ pha%e they tend to really
'eel that they ha!e done it #ntil they "egin to notie the limit% o' their
pratie. There an "e thi% nagging %omething in the "a&gro#nd that
thing% arenIt done, and yet 'ig#ring o#t eFatly $hat the pro"lem i% an
"e !ery %lippery. It i% a "it li&e "eing in the %tage% "e'ore %tream entry,
trying to 'ig#re o#t $hat eFatly need% to "e done. They need to notie
%omething that ha% nothing to do $ith the yle%, to 'inally #ntangle the
&not o' pereption at it% ore, "#t doing thi% an "e a real tri&. It i% a
!ery %trange plae, a% one %eem% to &no$ the dharma all the $ay to the
end and yet %omeho$ it >#%t i%nIt )#ite eno#gh. In that !ein, it i%
intere%ting to note that I $rote the !a%t ma>ority o' thi% "oo& $hile I $a%
%ome %ort o' anagami, and on re'letion I got >#%t a"o#t e!erything right.
My empha%e% are %lightly di''erent no$, "#t the "a%i% are all the %ame.
A% thing% progre%%, anagami% "egin to tire o' the yle% to a %mall or
large degree and "egin to loo& to %omething o#t%ide o' them or not
related to them 'or the an%$er to the 'inal )#e%tion. -inally, the yle% o'
in%ight, the %tate% o' onentration, the po$er%, and all the other per&%
and prerogati!e% o' their %tage o' a$a&ening or onentration a"ilitie% Ci'
they de!eloped themE hold no appeal and only lead to more
#n%ati%'ying yle%.
I ompleted aro#nd 27 '#ll, omplete in%ight yle% $ith mind8
"lo$ing A?/ E!ent%, A%%8&i&ing Dar& +ight%, E)#animity pha%e%, and
291
$hat %eemed to "e "rand ne$, 're%h -r#ition% and :e!ie$ pha%e%
"et$een third and 'o#rth path. There i% nothing %peial a"o#t that
n#m"er, "oth "ea#%e it i% >#%t a g#e%% and "ea#%e o' the rea%on% I
%tated $hen de%ri"ing the phenomena o' T$el'th /ath. The later yle%
got 'a%ter and 'a%ter, %o that "y the end it %eemed I $a% $hipping one
o#t e!ery 'e$ $ee&% or e!en e!ery 'e$ day%, "#t they %till %eemed to "e
leading no$here.
It $a% only $hen I had gotten %o %i& o' the yle% and realiLed that
they $ere leading no$here that I $a% a"le to %ee $hat ha% nothing to do
$ith the yle%, $hih al%o $a%nIt anything eFept a %trange #ntangling o'
the &not o' pereption o' them. The yle%, 'or "etter or $or%e, ha!e
ontin#ed >#%t the %ame. Th#%, there i% not m#h point in o#nting
yle% or path%, a% they donIt nee%%arily orrelate $ell $ith anything pa%t
the 'ir%t t$o or three, and i%%#e% o' "a&%liding an really ma&e thing%
ompleF, a% I eFplained earlier.
-ini%hing #p my :e!i%ed -o#r /ath Model, arahat% ha!e 'inally
#ntangled the &not o' pereption, di%%ol!ed the %en%e o' the enter point
at#ally "eing the enter point, no longer '#ndamentally ma&e a
%eparate ,el' o#t o' the pattern% o' %en%ation% that they #%ed to, e!en
tho#gh tho%e %ame pattern% o' %en%ation% ontin#e. Thi% i% a di''erent
#nder%tanding 'rom tho%e o' Third /ath in %ome %#"tle $ay, and ma&e%
thi% path a"o#t %omething that i% "eyond the path%. Thi% i% al%o
poetially alled the opening o' the .i%dom Eye. .hat i% intere%ting i%
that I o#ld $rite a"o#t thi% %tage )#ite $ell $hen I $a% an anagami, "#t
that i% a $hole di''erent $orld 'rom &no$ing it li&e arahat% &no$ it.
The .i%dom Eye may %eem to "lin& initially. It may go thro#gh
yle% o' 'la%hing open >#%t a'ter a -r#ition and then %lo$ly 'ading o!er a
'e$ ho#r% Cat lea%t on retreatE a% eah ro#nd o' phy%ial %en%ation%, then
mental %en%ation%, then ompleF emotional 'ormation%, then la%tly
'#ndamental 'ormation% %#h a% in)#iry it%el' mo!e thro#gh and
"eome integrated into thi% ne$, orret and diret pereption o' reality
a% it i%. :e!ie$ yle% may o#r many time% d#ring eah 'la%h, "#t $hen
the eye i% open they %eem rather irrele!ant in ompari%on to &eeping the
le!el o' larity and aeptane high eno#gh to &eep the eye open. .hen
the eye 'ade% and the &not o' pereption %eem% to retie it%el', the
'amiliar in%ight yle% may %eem li&e p#re dr#dgery, $ith the 'o#%
292
dri'ting "a& to getting lo%t in the yle% and then grad#ally %hi'ting again
to getting lear eno#gh to get the eye to open again. The theme% that
o#py enter %tage go thro#gh a yle that i% !ery m#h li&e a progre%%
yle.
-inally, the .i%dom Eye yle% and in%ight yle% all on!erge, and
the thing %tay% open 'rom then on, $hih i% to %ay that at that point it all
%eem% the %ame $hether or not the eye i% open, $hih it at#ally $a%.
That "eing %een, nothing an erode or di%t#r" the enterle%%ne%% o'
per%peti!e. Done i% $hat i% to "e done, and li'e goe% on. That there are
arahat% $ho ha!e opened the .i%dom Eye "#t had it 'ade and tho%e
$ho ha!e opened it and had it %tay open i% rarely mentioned "#t $orth
&no$ing.
-or the arahat $ho ha% &ept the thing open, there i% nothing more to
"e gained on the #ltimate 'ront 'rom in%ight pratie%, a% ;done i% $hat
i% to "e done<. That %aid, in%ight pratie% an %till "e o' great "ene'it to
them 'or a $hole ho%t o' rea%on%, there i% a ton they an learn >#%t li&e
e!eryone el%e a"o#t e!erything el%e there i% to learn. They an gro$,
de!elop, hange, $or& and partiipate in thi% %trange h#man drama >#%t
li&e e!eryone el%e. /ratiing "eing mind'#l and the re%t %till help%. They
al%o yle thro#gh the %tage% o' in%ight, a% $ith e!eryone a"o!e %tream
entry, %o doing in%ight pratie% an mo!e tho%e yle% along.
A ,IM/2E M*DE2
In earlier !er%ion% o' thi% $or&, I had a model alled The (eart
,#tra Model. The ,imple Model i% the le%% my%terio#%, %tripped do$n
!er%ion o' that earlier model, tho#gh in it% e%%ene it i% the %ame. .hile
in one %en%e it i% al%o rephra%ing o' the :e!i%ed -o#r /ath Model, a% it
ha% no n#m"er%, and i% 'ree o' the traditional name%, it ha% %ome
ad!antage% o!er that terminology.
I pre%ent thi% %ome$hat no!el model here "ea#%e it 'o#%e% on real
in%ight diretly and treat% any emotional "ene'it% o' thi% a% %ide e''et%.
-#rther, there are o'ten too many yle% o' in%ight "e'ore arahat%hip,
ma&ing the -o#r /ath model tro#"le%ome. Thi% phenomena o' too
many yle% C$hih I $ill %ometime% all ;path%< $ith a lo$era%e ;p<E
"et$een eah o' the -o#r /ath% get% $or%e a% one $or&% to$ard% 'inal
a$a&ening. A% Bill (amilton p#t it, and I ha!e learned the hard $ay,
;The arahat 'ratal i% !a%t.<
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The ,imple Model doe% not rein'ore 'a%ination $ith ontent, nor
$ith li'e denying ideal% or limited emotional range model% in the $ay
that the traditional -o#r /ath Model o'ten doe%. It doe% not tempt one
to o#nt path%. It &eep% the 'o#% on prei%e in)#iry into the tr#th and
oneI% eFperiene o' it or la& thereo'.
Thi% model "a%ially %ay% that enlightenment i% a"o#t diret in%ight
that progre%%i!ely re!eal% %omething di''erent in the relation%hip to the
'ield o' eFperiene and grad#ally allo$% thing% in it to "e held in their
proper proportion. Th#%, it i% a +on8D#ality Model.
The 'ir%t #nder%tanding i% that %en%ation% are %en%ation%, tho#ght%
are tho#ght%, and thi% 'orm% the "a%i% o' '#rther in)#iry. .hen the
#ni!er%al harateri%ti% o' the%e %en%ation% "egin to "e %een, thi%
repre%ent% gro$th in #nder%tanding. .hen the $hole %en%e 'ield i%
&no$n diretly and ompletely a% it i%, thi% an a#%e an entrane into
-r#ition thro#gh one o' the Three Door%, and repre%ent% the 'ir%t %tage
o' a$a&ening.
.hen one appreiate% the yle% o' the proe%% o' a$a&ening and
ha% ompleted at lea%t one more ne$ progre%% yle, thi% i% the neFt
%tage. .hen one "egin% to appreiate the emptine%%, l#mino%ity,
enterle%%ne%%, agentle%%ne%%, et. o' phenomena in real8time and thi%
"eome% the 'o#% o' pratie rather than -r#ition, thi% i% the neFt %tage.
.hen the %en%e o' the $ather, o"%er!er, %#">et, ontroller, doer, et.
i% %een ompletely a% it i% and the &not o' pereption #ntangle%, that
%imple, '#ndamental $ay o' perei!ing thing% i% the neFt %tage o'
a$a&ening. .hen that #ntangling %tay% #ntangled, that i% the neFt %tage.
A% that #nder%tanding i% integrated into o#r li!e%, that i% the neFt pha%e,
tho#gh it i% more an ongoing proe%% than a %tage.
The pro"lem i% that the tradition% %eem to $ant to ma&e thi%
#nder%tanding into %o m#h more than it i%, %#h a% add ideal% o'
emotional per'etion onto thi%. There i% %ome tr#th in the model%
dealing $ith emotion%, "#t it ha% to do $ith thing% mo!ing thro#gh 'a%ter
and "eing %een more learly. It doe% not ha!e anything to do $ith "ad
emotion% not ari%ing. I hate to e!en go here, a% my goal i% to gi!e the
emotional model% the "a%hing they rihly de%er!e, "#t I al%o $ant to not
thro$ the "a"y o#t $ith the "ath$ater. Th#%, here it goe%.
293
A% the deep8%eated perept#al %en%e o' a %eparate, ontin#o#%,
permanent, o"%er!ing Agent %top% "eing eFtrapolated 'rom the %ame old
pattern% o' %en%ation% that %eemed to "e tho%e, there i% thi% $ider
inl#%i!e %omething that an ome into the on%io#%ne%% o' the
enlightened indi!id#al, depending on their le!el o' a$a&ening. There i%
al%o a %lo$ly gro$ing diretne%% o' pereption that ome% a% reality i% not
'iltered %o eFl#%i!ely thro#gh tho#ght. The%e t$o an om"ine to gi!e
the emotion% o' enlightened "eing% le%% %ti&ing po$er, %o that they may
mo!e thro#gh more )#i&ly than 'or tho%e that are not enlightened, and
al%o may "e %een more )#i&ly and learly a% they ari%e and !ani%h.
There may al%o "e le%% "lind ontration into tho#ght% and emotion%
and a $ider per%peti!e, th#% gi!ing the other part% o' the "rain more o'
a hane o' reating moderated re%pon%e% to the emotion%. That %aid,
e!en $hen %een thro#gh, there %eem% to "e a "iologial omponent to
ho$ emotion% mo!e thro#gh that an only "e eFpedited %o m#h.
Anyone $ho thin&% the%e highly )#ali'ied %tatement% are anything
li&e a !i%ion o' emotional per'etion or the elimination o' all negati!e
emotion% i% not paying attentionK That i% the la%t thing I $i%h to imply. I
merely $i%h to %ay that there i% %ome inrea%ed larity a"o#t o#r "a%i
h#man eFperiene and it an help, "#t that i% all. That %aid, yo# $o#ld
"e amaLed ho$ angry, l#%t'#l or ignorant enlightened "eing% an "e, and
they an %till do all %ort% o' %t#pid thing% "a%ed on the%e emotion%, >#%t
li&e e!eryone el%e. The a"ility to moderate re%pon%e% to emotion% an
%ometime% gi!e the impre%%ion that tho%e emotion% ha!e "een
atten#ated, "#t that i% not the %ame thing, and there i% my nie tran%ition
to the Ation Model%.
T(E ACTI*+ M*DE2,
The Ation Model% tend to in!ol!e ertain ation% that enlightened
"eing% annot ommit or ertain ation% they m#%t ommit. Both type%
o' model% are ompletely ridi#lo#%, and %o $e ome no$ to the 'ir%t o'
the model% that %imply ha% no "a%i% in reality. The traditional Thera!ada
model% ontain n#mero#% %tatement% a"o#t $hat enlightened "eing
annot do or $ill do that are %imply $rong. My 'a!orite eFample% o' thi%
in%anity inl#de %tatement% that arahat% annot "rea& the preept%
Cinl#ding &illing, lying, %tealing, ha!ing %eF, doing dr#g% or drin&ingE,
annot ha!e eretion%, annot ha!e >o"%, annot "e married, and annot
296
%ay they are arahat%. They al%o %tate that #nordained arahat% m#%tQ$ill
>oin the Thera!ada mona%ti order $ithin 7 day% o' their realiLation or
they $ill die. +eedle%% to %ay, all are %imply a"%#rd lie%, lie% that ha!e
#n'ort#nately o'ten "een perpet#ated "y arahat%.
There i% al%o another more %#"tle and %ed#ti!e !ie$, and thi% i%
that enlightened "eing %omeho$ $ill at in a $ay that i% "etter or higher,
tho#gh they $onIt de'ine $hat tho%e ation% might "e or $hat ation%
they might a!oid. I on%ider thi% !ie$ !ery dangero#%. .hile I $i%h to
promote the %hi't in pereption that I all a$a&ening and other name%, I
donIt $ant to ma&e o#t that %omeho$ thi% $ill %a!e anyone 'rom %t#pid
ation% or ma&e them %omeho$ al$ay% &no$ ho$ to do the right thing
or a!oid %re$ing #p. ,#h !ie$% are a %et#p 'or ma%%i!e "adne%% and
h#ge %hado$ %ide%, a% anyone $ho ha% %pent eno#gh time in a %pirit#al
omm#nity &no$% all too $ell. A% Sen %ay%, ;The "igger the 'ront, the
"igger the "a&.<
The li%t o' highly enlightened indi!id#al% $ho ha!e "itten the
pro!er"ial d#%t "y p#tting them%el!e% #p on high, %re$ing #p and then
"eing eFpo%ed a% at#ally "eing h#man i% remar&a"ly long, and the li%t
o' %pirit#al a%pirant% $ho ha!e 'ailed to dra$ the proper onl#%ion%
a"o#t reality 'rom the 'ail#re% o' the enlightened i% e!en longer. There
are many %hool% o' tho#ght on thi% i%%#e, and I $ill gi!e them 'ormal
name% here, tho#gh in reality they donIt thin& o' them%el!e% thi% $ay.
The (al'$ay Ap the Mo#ntain ,hool e%%entially "elie!e%, ;Tho%e
$ho %re$ed #p and a#%ed a %andal $ere only part $ay #p the
mo#ntain, only partially enlightened, a% anyone $ho $a% really
enlightened o#ldnIt po%%i"ly ha!e done tho%e terri"le thing%.< .hile
learly %ome $ere only partially enlightened, or perhap% not enlightened
at all in the tehnial %en%e, a n#m"er o' tho%e $ho %re$ed #p learly
&ne$ #ltimate reality in%ide and o#t, and %o thi% model mi%%e% many
important point%.
There i% the CraLy .i%dom ,hool that "elie!e%, ;Enlightened
"eing% tran%end ordinary reality and $ith it ordinary morality, %o that
they are the nat#ral mani'e%tation o' a .i%dom that %eem% raLy to #%
'ooli%h mortal% "#t i% really a higher teahing in di%g#i%eK< .hile not
entirely a"%#rd, a% there are many #lt#ral a%pet% and %oietal r#le% that
an %eem a "it hildi%h, arti'iial, #nnee%%ary, #nhelp'#l or nai!e in the
297
'ae o' realiLation, the CraLy .i%dom ,hool pro!ide% too ea%y an
eF#%e 'or plenty o' "eha!ior that ha% "een and i% >#%t plain "ad,
irre%pon%i"le, %t#pid and needle%%ly de%tr#ti!e.
Then there i% my %hool, 'or $hih I donIt ha!e a athy name, and
it promote% the !ie$ that, ;Enlightened "eing% are h#man, and
#n'ort#nately h#man%, enlightened or other$i%e, all %re$ #p
%ometime%. There i% nothing %peial or pro'o#nd a"o#t thi%.< In %hort,
my %hool ategorially re>et% the %pei'i li%t% and dogma% o' the
traditional Ation Model% in all 'orm%, 'rom the prepo%tero#% li%t% o' the
Thera!ada to the %#"tle %en%e that enlightened "eing% %omeho$ are
g#aranteed to perpet#ally at in ;enlightened< $ay%, $hate!er tho%e are.
That %aid, the a"ility to %ee thing% a% they are doe% allo$ 'or the
po%%i"ility o' more moderated re%pon%e% to %it#ation% and emotion%, a%
%tated earlier. That i% a !ery di''erent %ort o' a onept 'rom oming #p
$ith a li%t o' thing% that enlightened "eing ne!er $o#ld or o#ld do, and
it ertainly doe%nIt mean they $ill nee%%arily at the $ay $e thin& they
$ill. -#rther, $hile thi% i% not an eFha#%ti!e li%t, the "eha!ior o' any
"eing i% al$ay% a''eted "y the 'ollo$ing0
1. The %tandard la$% o' the nat#ral $orld
2. The limit% o' their le!el o' realiLation
4. The ingrained ha"it% o' the realiLed indi!id#al, inl#ding their
per%onality )#ir&% and ;%t#''<
3. The re%id#e o' the %hado$ %ide% o' the tehni)#e% and tradition%
they #%ed to attain their #nder%tanding CdonIt #ndere%timate the%eKE
6. The 'at that mind'#lne%% $aFe% and $ane% Cat lea%t in arahat% and
"elo$ and in all reali%ti de'inition% o' "#ddha%E
7. The 'at that on'#%ion and %t#pidity an %till o#r eFatly a% "e'ore
7. The limit% o' the relati!e &no$ledge and eFperiene% o' the realiLed
indi!id#al
9. The p%yhologial and phy%iologial i%%#e% that apply to the "rain
and "ody o' the realiLed indi!id#al
5. Their #lt#ral #p"ringing and the relati!e more% reated "y it.
Go# $ill notie that thi% i% )#ite a reali%ti and long li%t. Th#%, the
dogma% o' the %tandard ation model%, $hile ontaining a 'e$ grain% o'
tr#th, are %imply $ildly ina#rate, and generally repre%ent %ome o' the
$or%t o' the model% o' enlightenment.
297
A lo%ely related i%%#e i% the ten%ion% "et$een the ;tehnially
enlightened< model% and the limited po%%i"le ation model%. There are
%hool% o' tho#ght that %ay, ;*ne enlightened ation and one i% a
B#ddha, one del#ded ation and one i% an ordinary h#man "eing.<
The%e ha!e their !al#e 'rom a ertain "eha!ioral point o' !ie$, and an
%er!e a% a !al#a"le reminder to all that on!entional morality tend% to "e
an eFtremely good idea mo%t o' the time. I, 'or one, thin& that e!eryone,
regardle%% o' p#rported realiLation% or a la& thereo', %ho#ld "e held to
a high and 'airly traditional moral %tandard, tho#gh in %ome h#man, >#%t,
and 'orgi!ing $ay. (o$e!er, teahing% "a%ed on %ome ar"itrary ideal
alled ;enlightened ation< an "egin to dimini%h the importane o'
diret realiLation o' the tr#th o' thing% and rein'ore the mythial
gar"age o' the limited po%%i"le ation model% o' realiLation.
There are people $ho are ;tehnially< #nenlightened Cmeaning
that they ha!e ne!er ompleted e!en one progre%% o' in%ight or attained
to any diret #nder%tanding o' emptine%% or non8d#alityE $ho
nonethele%% li!e li!e% that $o#ld "e on%idered #nremittingly %aintly "y
e!en the !ery highe%t %tandard%. I ha!e "een 'ort#nate eno#gh to ha!e
met a 'e$ o' the%e people and ontin#e to %tand in a$e o' them. D#%t %o,
there are tho%e $ho are ;tehnially< !ery highly enlightened, perhap%
e!en arahat% or "#ddha%, $ho nonethele%% an appear eFeedingly
ordinary, %eem to "e o' di%tintly )#e%tiona"le moral !irt#e, or e!en
%ometime% "e do$nright de"a#hed and o#trageo#%. I ha!e met a good
n#m"er o' the%e al%o.
.hile the 'ail#re o' the limited or enlightened ation% model% and
limited emotional model% i% a h#ge di%appointment 'rom one point o'
!ie$, it al%o mean% that there i% hope 'or the re%t o' #%. *#r li!e% are it,
o#r emotion% are it, o#r ha"it% are it, o#r limitation% are it, o#r ne#ro%e%
are it, o#r i%%#e% are it, and o#r %hado$ %ide% are it. (o$ an $e attain
#nder%tanding i' $e do not %ee learly into reality a% it i%= (o$ an $e
%ee learly into reality a% it i% i' $e %pend mo%t o' o#r time thin&ing that
it i%nIt good eno#gh to e!en eFamine learly=
T(E /*.E: M*DE2,
*n a rather di''erent tangent, enlightened "eing% are o'ten "elie!ed
to ha!e !ario#% &ind% o' po$er%, typially eFtraordinary one%, and th#%
$e ha!e the /o$er Model%. The on!er%e o' thi% i% the "elie' that
299
people $ho ha!e eFtraordinary po$er% might "e or m#%t "e
enlightened. (o$e!er, the relation%hip "et$een the po$er% and
'#ndamental in%ight are %lim, tho#gh not non8eFi%tent. /%yhi po$er%
ome o#t o' %amatha or onentration pratie%, parti#larly the 'o#rth
%amatha >hana, tho#gh they al%o may ari%e in the %tage% o' the Ari%ing
and /a%%ing A$ay, (igh E)#animity, and %ometime% in other %tage% and
%tate% a% $ell. ,ome people >#%t %eem to ha!e them regardle%% o' their
onentration or in%ight a"ilitie%. I' yo# didnIt read the %etion on the
/%yhi /o$er% in the hapter on the ,amatha Dhana%, plea%e do %o no$.
+ote, nearly all o' the %tate% and %tage% $here the po$er% ari%e an
"e attained "y "eing% $ho ha!e not yet reahed the 'ir%t %tage o'
a$a&ening, and %o $e an %ee that there i% no lear onnetion "et$een
nearly all o' the po$er% and a$a&ening. The %hort8li%t o' po$er% that are
the eFl#%i!e domain o' the enlightened are attaining to -r#ition%,
attaining +irodha ,amapatti Ca deep %tate de%ri"ed in the AppendiFE,
and "eing a"le to tal& a"o#t the dharma 'rom their o$n diret
eFperiene o' it. There are %ome other thing% to "e %aid a"o#t ho$ the
%tage% o' realiLation ma&e a 'e$ other thing% a!aila"le, "#t thi% i% a
%#"tle, ompleF topi that I may ta&e on at %ome later time.
It i% tr#e that along the $ay to a$a&ening it i% hard to a!oid haning
into all %ort% o' eFperiene% that are de%ri"ed in the %tandard li%t% o' the
po$er%, and it i% al%o m#h ea%ier to de!elop the %amatha >hana% $hen
yo# are in the :e!ie$ pha%e o' a path than it i% i' yo# are not
enlightened. (o$e!er, de!eloping tho%e into po$er% that an "e
attained again and again i% a ompletely di''erent matter and %till
#nrelated to enlightenment eFept on thi% one 'ront0 there i% %omething
a"o#t the diret pereption o' the interonnetion o' thing% that doe%
lend a ertain %omething to #tiliLation and de!elopment o' the po$er%.
Th#%, $e %ee %ome hint o' $hy there are the%e model% o' a$a&ening.
(o$e!er, a% %tated a"o!e, the%e are a%%oiation% and nothing more. In
%#mmary, >#%t "ea#%e %omeone ha% po$er% doe%nIt mean they are
enlightened, and >#%t "ea#%e %omeone i% enlightened doe%nIt mean
they $ill ha!e any p%yhi po$er% that are not diretly related to their
lear pereption o' thing%.
295
T(E TIBETA+ TE+ B(AMI M*DE2
Thi% i% pro"a"ly a good time to introd#e the Ti"etan Ten
Bodhi%att!a Bh#mi Model. The $ord ;"h#mi< mean gro#nd, or
%omething li&e le!el. It i% a model o' progre%%i!e %tage% o' enlightenment
that get% !ery di''erent empha%e% depending on the a#thor, "#t one o'
tho%e empha%e% ha% to do $ith po$er% and ho$ many d#pliate% o'
oneI% %el' one an mani'e%t p%yhially. I at#ally li&e the Bh#mi model,
a% other ta&e% on it ha!e to do $ith gi!ing #p the notion o' per%onal
territory and realiLing %h#nyata or emptine%% and deeply integrating that
into o#r pereption, paradigm, pratie, and per%onality. It i% a model
that addre%%e% many 'ront%, only one o' $hih #n'ort#nately i% the
po$er%.
The detail% o' the Ten Bh#mi Model an "e 'o#nd in !ario#%
Mahayana teFt%, %#h a% ;The 2arge ,#tra on /er'et .i%dom< and
;The De$el *rnament o' 2i"eration<. Chogyam Tr#ngpa gi!e% a nie
de%ription o' it in The Myth o' -reedom. ,ome teFt% al%o li%t other
n#m"er% o' "h#mi%, %#h a% 7 or 14, "#t they all %hare %imilar element%.
I do not on%ider my%el' an eFpert on thi% model, tho#gh I do
#nder%tand the territory it o!er%. It i% a !ery ompleF model that
a%ri"e% a $ide range o' eFeedingly high and ompleF riteria in!ol!ing
emotion%, paradigm%, onentration a"ilitie%, pereption%, p%yhi
po$er% and a $hole ho%t o' other a%pet% to tho%e o' eah %tage. Th#%,
'rom my point o' !ie$, it i% 'ra#ght $ith pro"lem% and a%%#me%
%im#ltaneo#%, %ynhroniLed de!elopment on n#mero#% aFe%, a notion I
on%ider a "it naN!e and idealiLed. (o$e!er, li&e mo%t o' the teahing%,
it ontain% %ome !ery intere%ting point% made in $hat I on%ider !ery
#n'ort#nate $ay%. Th#%, I reommend yo# he& it o#t #m grano %ali%,
parti#larly i' yo# $ant to #nder%tand Ti"etan teFt% or do pratie% in
that tradition.
2ining the model o' the Bh#mi% #p $ith the -o#r /ath% al%o
in!ol!e% %ome ontro!er%y. That the 'ir%t "h#mi i% %tream entry i%
%traight'or$ard. Beyond that, thing% get di''i#lt. At point% I ha!e lined
anagamihood #p $ith any$here 'rom the 3
th
to the 7
th
"h#mi% and
arahat%hip $ith any$here 'rom the 7
th
to 10
th
"h#mi%. The%e are not
per'et orrelation%, and i' yo# %pend %ome time reading a"o#t the
model yo# $ill %ee $hy. I reommend that yo# he& o#t the %o#re%
250
li%ted a"o!e i' yo# are intere%ted in '#rther in'ormation a"o#t the
Bh#mi%.
The "igge%t pro"lem $ith thi% model i% that it delineate% the n#m"er
o' d#pliate% o' oneO% %el' that one %ho#ld "e a"le to mani'e%t a%
"odhi%att!a% at eah "h#mi, and a% the "h#mi% progre%% the n#m"er%
)#i&ly get %o large a% to "e a"%#rd. .hy %ome $ha&>o" inl#ded thi%
"iLarre ideal o' many8'old "i8loation in the model I ha!e no idea, "#t
%omeho$ no Ti"etan %ine ha% had the "all% to thro$ it o#t, and %o a
tho#%and year% later they are %till %t#& $ith it. A%ide 'rom the%e
pro"lem%, the teFt% that de%ri"e the "h#mi% ma&e% 'or !ery intere%ting
reading, parti#larly in the middle %tage% o' enlightenment.
T(E TIBETA+ -IHE /AT( M*DE2
.hile I am on the %#">et o' the Ti"etan Model%, I $ill pre%ent the
Ti"etan -i!e /ath Model. In thi% model, the detail% o' $hih an "e
'o#nd in !ario#% plae%, %#h a% Jhenpo Jarthar :inpoheI% "oo&
Dharma /ath% on ,no$ 2ion. A% that "oo& doe% %#h a good >o" o'
eFplaining the dogma and i% not eFpen%i!e, I $ill gi!e only a "rie'
treatment o' that model here.
-ir%t /ath o!er% the territory 'rom >#%t "eginning thro#gh the
Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay, and i% alled the /ath o' A#m#lation. In
the territory o' -ir%t /ath, one a#m#late% diret in%ight into the tr#e
nat#re o' %en%ation% "y diret in!e%tigation o' impermanene and the
%el'le%% nat#re o' phenomena, a% one doe% in the 'ir%t 'o#r Yana%.
,eond /ath, that o' Ani'iation, enompa%%e% the territory 'rom the
Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay, thro#gh the Dar& +ight, to (igh E)#animity
and the 'ir%t ta%te o' ,tream Entry. The%e are per'et orrelation% al%o,
and th#% ha!e already "een de%ri"ed. Third /ath i% the /ath o' ,eeing,
and enompa%%e% ,tream Entry, and then "egin% the -o#rth /ath, that
o' Meditation, $hih enompa%%e% the re%t o' the Ten Bh#mi%. Third
/ath i% de%ri"ed a% a plane ta&ing o'', and -o#rth /ath a% it 'lying
higher and higher. -i'th /ath i% that o' B#ddhahood. A% yo# an %ee,
the -i!e /ath Model doe% not really add anything to the other model%,
"#t &no$ing it $ill help yo# #nder%tand the orrelation% "et$een the
terminology $hen yo# are trying to ro%% o!er "et$een the $riting% and
oral teahing% o' !ario#% tradition%. Ba& to the generi model%P
251
T(E E+E:BETIC M*DE2,
In nearly the %ame !ein a% the /o$er Model% are the Energeti
Model%. They tend to in!ol!e ideal% that imply that enlightened "eing%
$ill ha!e all their energy hannel% lear, their ha&ra% or energy enter%
all the right %hape and olor and all %pinning in the orret diretion,
their a#ra large, reg#lar, and %ome nie olor %#h a% $hite, gold or
!iolet, and in general ha!e per'eted their energeti %y%tem, regardle%% o'
the parti#lar energeti %y%tem model "eing #%ed. The %imple 'at o'
m#ltiple model% and !i%ion% o' $hat a per'eted %y%tem %ho#ld loo& li&e
i% already a red 'lag 'or anyone paying attention, a% the !ario#% tradition%
anOt e!en agree on ho$ many ha&ra% there are, m#h le%% the re%t o'
the detail%. I ha!e notied that the%e thing% are !ery %ripta"le, meaning
that oneI% onept% o' $hat i% %#ppo%ed to "e happening an in'l#ene
$hat one perei!e% in the%e area%. The%e model% al%o lea!e m#h to "e
de%ired, and generally are re'erring to thing% that happen in the A?/
and the 'o#rth >hana, a% are the po$er% model%.
J#ndalini phenomena, $here all the energy Cprana, l#ng or hiE
"la%t% thro#gh the entral hannel C%h#%h#mnaE, are !ery ommon in
the A?/ E!ent. ,ome tradition% a%%oiate thi% e!ent $ith a$a&ening,
tho#gh I on%ider thi% erroneo#% and premat#re, tho#gh I an
#nder%tand $hy the%e %tage% impre%% people %o m#h. It i% d#ring the
A?/ that %ome pratitioner% $ith a "ent or talent 'or doing %o may
perei!e energy hannel%, %ometime% in o#trageo#% detail, and "e a"le
to %ee ha&ra% and the li&e. (o$e!er, anyone $ho an do thi% in a
%#%tained 'a%hion $ill note the 'ollo$ing0 that in the Dar& +ight the
hannel% are a me%% in mo%t people, and that in (igh E)#animity the
'o#% %hi't% to eFperiene it%el', not nearly %o m#h $hat i% in that 'ield
o' eFperiene, and th#% the hannel% an "e di''i#lt to perei!e or a
%eondary "a&gro#nd a%pet o' $hat i% going on. -#rther, enlightened
"eing% yle all the time, their mood% and health and other 'ator%
hange all the time, and %o $hat their hannel% are doing and ho$ they
perei!e them $ill hange all the time, leading to nothing re%em"ling the
%ta"le, lean, orderly, per'eted, predita"le energeti %tate promi%ed in
the energeti model%.
Th#%, the energeti model% are another eFample o' a tran%ient %ide
e''et o' %ome peopleI% pratie "eing inorporated into an ideal o'
252
a$a&ening. .hile energeti pratie% are !ery intere%ting and may lead
to lot% o' in%ight% and other nie e''et%, that i% not the %ame thing a%
enlightened "eing ha!ing %ta"le, per'eted energeti %y%tem%. My 'riend
Jenneth ha% a%&ed me to add that there i% %omething good that
progre%%i!ely a$a&ening doe% to the hannel% and energeti %y%tem, and
I ha!e to agree. (o$e!er, de'ining eFatly $hat po%iti!e hange% are
made i% di''i#lt, and none o' the model% I ha!e %een really do an
ade)#ate >o" or ontain eno#gh 'leFi"ility to aommodate ho$
dynami o#r energeti %y%tem% are. ,#''ie to %ay, thi% i% one more %et o'
model% that i% getting at %omething "#t ontain% m#h that need%
re!i%ion.
T(E ,/ECI-IC J+*.2EDBE M*DE2,
,pei'i Jno$ledge Model% "a%ially %tate or imply that
enlightenment $ill %omeho$ magially pro!ide hidden onept#al
in'ormation a"o#t all %ort% o' %pei'i thing% in li'e, %#h a% the $or&ing%
o' partile phy%i%, ho$ to "ring a"o#t $orld peae, $ho oneI% di%iple%
%ho#ld marry, and the li&e. ,ome go '#rther and %tate that
enlightenment progre%%i!ely "ring% omplete omni%iene, meaning the
a"ility to &no$ e!erything a"o#t the $hole #ni!er%e %im#ltaneo#%ly.
.hile the%e might %eem to %ome people li&e rea%ona"le thing%
enlightened "eing% %ho#ld %omeho$ &no$, letI% inl#de other thing% it
might "e good to &no$, %#h a% ho$ to reate %a'e, ineFpen%i!e lithi#m
ion "atterie% 'or eletri ar%, ho$ to on%i%tently "eat the ret#rn o' an
,?/ 600 indeF '#nd o!er the long ha#l, ho$ to "alane the 'ederal
de'iit $hile pro!iding e!eryone $ith good %oial %#pport "#t not rai%ing
taFe%, ho$ to in%tantaneo#%ly ma&e e!ery "l#e8ollar :ep#"lian realiLe
that they are !oting again%t their o$n %el'8intere%t, and ho$ to "#ild a
'#%ion reator that i% %a'e, ineFpen%i!e, prod#e% eno#gh energy 'or
e!eryone, and ha% no radioati!e di%po%al i%%#e%. .hen yo# loo& at
the%e, the onept o' %pei'i &no$ledge gained "y merely %eeing the
tr#e nat#re o' ordinary %en%ation% "egin% to %eem a% ridi#lo#% a% it
really i%.
The only %pei'i thing I did gain a little in%ight into $a% the "ea#ty
o' di''erential e)#ation% that di%#%% the o%illation 'rom the imaginary
)#antitie% CpotentialE to real )#antitie% Cmani'e%tationE, "#t thatI% a"o#t
it. *ther than a "#nh o' diret &no$ledge o' ho$ the mind $or&% and
254
a $hole lot o' &no$ledge a"o#t $hat a load o' rap mo%t religio#% and
my%tial dogma i%, and that inl#de% B#ddhi%t Dogma, I didnIt really get
any %pei'i &no$ledge o' anything el%e. ,o m#h 'or that ideaP
T(E /,GC(*2*BICA2 M*DE2,
(ere i% another thing that didnIt happen0 p%yhologial per'etion.
.hile the main%tream .e%tern B#ddhi%t $orld i% a"%ol#tely dro$ning
in notion that %omeho$ B#ddhi%t pratie $ill either eliminate all their
p%yhologial ;%t#''< or a#%e them to "eome %el'8at#aliLed in the
good old p%yhoanalytial %en%e, nothing o#ld "e '#rther 'rom the tr#th
eFept perhap% the Ation Model%. I thin& that I learned more a"o#t
rea%ona"le p%yhologial health 'rom reading one "oo& on
Tran%ational Analy%i% CHann Doine%I TA TodayE than I did 'rom o!er a
deade o' highly %#e%%'#l B#ddhi%t meditation. That doe%nIt mean
that I ha!e ahie!ed per'et p%yhologial health, not "y a long %hotK
-o#%ing on p%yhologial gro$th i% an epidemi di%ea%e in .e%tern
in%ight pratie. Many o' the ma>or retreat enter% that p#rport to 'o%ter
in%ight pratie in the A, and E#rope are at#ally "a%tion% o' the $or%t
pop p%yhologial "#ll%hit retro'itted $ith a "a%tardiLed B#ddhi%t 'ront.
Go# ha!e only to go to a 'e$ %mall gro#p meeting% on retreat%, a% I
mentioned in /art II, to hear that the !a%t ma>ority o' people $ho are
%#ppo%ed to "e doing in%ight pratie% are at#ally >#%t $allo$ing in their
o$n ne#roti rap. ,#re, they may "e highly intelligent, %#per
%ophi%tiated, 'anta%tially $ell8rationaliLed, p%e#do8B#ddhi%t
pratitioner% o' the Breat ,ared +e#roti Crap .allo$, "#t they are
$allo$ing >#%t the %ame.
A% I mentioned "e'ore, that thi% %ort o' "eha!ior i% tolerated on
meditation retreat% at all i% mind8"oggling, "#t that it get% rein'ored and
re$arded a% o'ten a% it doe% i% a rying %hame that re'let% a% "adly on
the teaher% a% it doe% the pratitioner%. I ha!e had in%ight teaher a'ter
in%ight teaher try to 'o#% on $hat I $a% 'eeling and ho$ my
relation%hip% $ere going $hen all I $anted to do $a% tal& a"o#t my
attempt% at in%ight pratie%, a% I a%%#med, o'ten $rongly, that they $ere
in%ight teaher%.
.hile the dharma i% !a%t, and the teahing% o' the $i%dom tradition%
ontain a lot o' material 'or helping gro$ p%yhologially, that doe%nIt
mean that it ha% anything to do $ith a$a&ening or in%ight pratie at all,
253
and letting people get %t#& there doe% them little %er!ie, i' yo# a%& me,
$hih yo# learly did, a% yo# are reading thi% "oo&. Again, a% I %aid
"e'ore, $or&ing on oneI% p%yhologial %t#'' an ha!e it% !al#e, "#t I
'irmly "elie!e that &eeping the line "et$een in%ight pratie and
p%yhologial $or& dra$n a% 'irmly a% po%%i"le i% e%%ential to doing
either $ell.
-#rther, it i% oh %o ea%y to imagine that the teaher% on the 'ront
#%hion o#ldnIt po%%i"ly "e a% ne#roti a% $e are, and "e'ore yo# &no$
it $e ha!e the "reeding gro#nd 'or ma%%i!e %hado$ %ide%, eFploitation,
i%olation, and %andal >#%t li&e $e had $ith the model% that p#rport
emotional per'etion. The Det ,et #lt#re o' teaher% popping in, getting
#p on the 'ront #%hion, %po#ting their "ea#ti'#l ideal%, and >etting o'' to
%ome$here el%e "e'ore anyone an %ee them a% the h#man% they really
are only goe% to rein'ore the%e dangero#% notion%. It i% >#%t %o ea%y to
pro>et all &ind% o' $ondro#% )#alitie% on to them $hen the dream i% %o
niely laid o#t and the opport#nitie% 'or reality te%ting %o 'e$. Clearly,
that %#it% mo%t o' them >#%t 'ine, or they $o#ld go more o#t o' their $ay
to o#nter tho%e notion%, "#t, a% they )#i&ly learn, o#ntering tho%e
notion% >#%t doe%nIt %ell, and getting a#ght #p in that %ort o'
tran%'erene 'eel% mighty 'rigginI nie.
Th#%, I thin& that the model% that rein'ore the notion that
p%yhologial per'etion or 'reedom 'rom o#r p%yhologial %t#'' $ill
ome %imply "y %eeing thro#gh the %en%e o' a %eparate, permanent agent
are a %erio#% pro"lem 'or the%e ma>or rea%on%0
1E They %imply arenIt tr#e.
2E They a#%e pratitioner% to get a#ght #p in their %t#'' rather than
'o#%ing on the Three Charateri%ti% or %omething e)#i!alent, th#%
%)#andering the !a%t ma>ority o' .e%tern B#ddhi%t pratitionerI% %ant
retreat and pratie time.
4E They allo$ teaher% to "e a"le to ride the hot air o' the%e
prepo%tero#% ideal% to dangero#% height%.
3E They ontri"#te to the erroneo#% %en%e o' the gap "et$een thi%
ordinary, h#man eFi%tene and a$a&ening "y reating #nreali%ti ideal%
and goal%.
Mo%t B#ddhi%t pratitioner% that I &no$ ha!e %omething li&e one o'
the 'ollo$ing "elie' %tr#t#re%0
256
1E That a$a&ening i% impo%%i"le, %o the "e%t thing to try 'or i%
p%yhologial or emotional health or per'etion.
2E That a$a&ening i% p%yhologial or emotional per'etion, %o "y trying
'or p%yhologial or emotional per'etion one i% doing the pratie% that
lead to a$a&ening.
4E That a$a&ening in!ol!e% p%yhologial or emotional per'etion, %o it
learly i% impo%%i"le, and "y %itting they are trying to aompli%h
%omething el%e, "#t i' yo# a%& them $hat that i% they are #%#ally #na"le
to an%$er learly.
.hat i% %o ironi i% that a$a&ening i% hard "#t learly not
impo%%i"le, and not nearly a% impo%%i"le a% ahie!ing p%yhologial or
emotional per'etion. In 'at, %eeing %en%ation% learly eno#gh to %ee
that they are all >#%t happening and oming and going i% eFtremely
%traight'or$ard one yo# 'inally realiLe that i% $hat yo# are %#ppo%ed to
"e doing. -#rther, $hen I thin& "a& on all the thing% I ha!e done,
inl#ding going to medial %hool, %pending a year in India $or&ing a% a
!ol#nteer there, and 'ini%hing a medial re%ideny, I m#%t %ay that the
$or& I $ent thro#gh to get tho%e thing% $a% %igni'iantly more than the
$or& it too& to get to %tream entry and e!en arahat%hip. It i% not that
getting %tream entry $a% ea%y, >#%t not a% hard a% plenty o' other thing% I
ha!e done. I attri"#te my %#e%% to a !a%t array o' 'ator%, "#t t$o that
are rele!ant here are a tolerane 'or pain and ha!ing a good $or&ing
model. That model $a% one that $a% "li%%'#lly 'ree o' the notion o'
emotional or p%yhologial per'etion.
.hen I thin& a"o#t $hat it $o#ld ta&e to ahie!e 'reedom 'rom all
p%yhologial %t#'', the re%pon%e that ome% i% thi%0 li'e i% a"o#t %t#''.
,t#'' i% part o' "eing ali!e. There i% no $ay o#t o' thi% $hile yo# are %till
li!ing. There $ill "e on'#%ion, pain, mi%omm#niation,
mi%interpretation, maladapti!e pattern% o' "eha!ior, #nhelp'#l
emotional reation%, $eird per%onality trait%, ne#ro%i% and po%%i"ly
m#h $or%e. There $ill "e po$er play%, t$i%ted p%yhologial game%,
people $ith ma>or per%onality di%order% C$hih may inl#de yo#E, and
raLine%%. The in>#rie% ontin#e right along $ith the healing and
e!ent#ally the in>#rie% $in and $e die. Thi% i% a '#ndamental teahing o'
the B#ddha. I $i%h the $hole .e%tern B#ddhi%t .orld $o#ld >#%t get
o!er thi% notion that the%e pratie% are all a"o#t getting to o#r (appy
257
/lae $here nothing an e!er h#rt #% or ma&e #% ne#roti and mo!e on
to at#ally ma%tering real B#ddhi%t pratie rather than ha%ing %ome
ideal that $ill ne!er appear.
All that %aid, there i% %ome de"ate a"o#t $hat 'ator% or progre%%
allo$% %ome people to >#%t notie the Three Charateri%ti% o' the
%en%ation% that ma&e #p their $orld in the 'at o' their %t#'' a% oppo%ed
to tho%e $ho >#%t 'lo#nder in their %t#''. ,ome $o#ld arg#e that yo#
ha!e to ha!e done eno#gh p%yhologial $or& and deal $ith eno#gh o'
yo#r i%%#e% to get to the plae $ere yo# an mo!e on to the neFt %tage. I
m#%t rel#tantly admit that there i% pro"a"ly %ome tr#th to thi%.
(o$e!er, I didnIt on%ider my%el' parti#larly p%yhologially ad!aned
$hen I %tarted in%ight pratie%, a% I had all &ind% o' %t#'' to deal $ith
and %till do, and yet %omeho$, perhap% thro#gh good in%tr#tion,
perhap% thro#gh %ome other 'ator% I ha!e yet to identi'y, I $a% a"le to
pratie $ell de%pite it all and ma&e the %hi't 'rom "eing lo%t in ontent
to notiing ho$ thing% at#ally are.
T(E T(*AB(T M*DE2,
,pea&ing %re$ed #p model%, $e ha!e the Tho#ght Model%. The%e
are model% that tend to 'o#% on %omething di''erent happening $ith
tho#ght% in tho%e $ho are a$a&ened, rather than %imply %eeing thro#gh
the tho#ght pattern% that reate a %en%e o' a enter point or %peial,
permanent, %eparate %el'. The%e idealiLed model% inl#de not thin&ing
ertain tho#ght%, %#h a% enlightened "eing% "eing #na"le to thin& the
tho#ght ;I< or ;I am<, not thin&ing at all and th#% %topping the proe%%
o' tho#ght, or %ome other modi'iation to tho#ght%, %#h al$ay% thin&ing
good tho#ght%, $hate!er tho%e are.
I got an email a $hile ago 'rom a %eemingly nie engineer $ho %aid
"a%ially0 ;I did %ome Taoi%t pratie%, got enlightened, and no$ am
inapa"le o' thin&ing any tho#ght% or !i%#aliLing, yet I %eem to '#ntion
normally. .hat do yo# thin& o' thi%=< I p#t a lot o' tho#ght into my
re%pon%e, and %o am inl#ding it here, in %lightly edited 'orm0
;*ne o' my dead teaher%, Bill (amilton, #%ed to tal& a"o#t ho$
peopleO% oneption% o' $hat $a% %#ppo%ed to happen $o#ld ha!e %ome
in'l#ene on %#"%e)#ent e!ent%, $ith %ome )#e%tion a"o#t $hat that
in'l#ene $a%. .e #%ed to di%#%% thi% o'ten, $ith po%%i"ilitie% inl#ding0
257
1E /eople $ith di''erent model% o' a$a&ening might at#ally ahie!e
di''erent re%#lt%. I am no 'an o' thi% propo%ition "#t admit the
po%%i"ility.
2E /eople $ith di''erent model% might ahie!e the %ame thing "#t
de%ri"e it di''erently. I "elie!e thi% one more than the 'ir%t.
4E ,ome om"ination o' the%e.
3E /eople might 'ail to ahie!e re%#lt% "#t "e %ripted to report or
"elie!e that they had ahie!ed %omething in line $ith their o$n $or&ing
model. Thi% i% a ommon o#rrene, one that I ha!e o"%er!ed in
my%el' more time% than I an o#nt and al%o in the pratie o' many
other 'ello$ dharma ad!ent#rer%. Bill $o#ld o'ten mention peopleO%
a"ility to %el' hypnotiLe into %emi8'iFed %tate% o' del#%ion. (e had a long
r#n o' hanging o#t in %ary #lt8li&e %it#ation% $ith p%yhopathi
teaher% and got to o"%er!e thi% 'ir%t hand in him%el' and other%0 %ee hi%
"oo& ,aint% and /%yhopath% 'or more on thi%.
6E /eople $ith di''erent model% and tehni)#e% might ha!e !ery
di''erent eFperiene% o' the path along it% $ay0 thi% i% learly tr#e in
%ome a%pet%, and yet the #ni!er%al a%pet% o' the path ontin#e to
impre%% me $ith their on%i%teny and reprod#i"ility regardle%% o'
tradition.
7E *ther po%%i"ilitie% $e hadnOt on%idered, in the %tyle o' Donald
:#m%'eldI% 'amo#% An&no$n An&no$n%P
The ;no tho#ght< )#e%tion i% an intere%ting one. It i% ommonly
#%ed in %ome tradition% a% "eing the goal, the%e inl#ding %ome %train%
and de%ription% o' (ind# Hedanta, m#ltiple non8aligned tradition%, and
other%. Sen %ometime% toy% $ith the idea on it% periphery. A% to
Taoi%m0 I did a "#nh o' reading o' the old Taoi%t ma%ter% %ome year%
ago, "#t I $o#ldnOt on%ider my%el' an eFpert on itO% #rrent pratie or
dogma.
B#ddhi%m doe% not generally on%ider not thin&ing or not "eing
a"le to !i%#aliLe among it% goal%, $hih "ring% #% to the point%
mentioned a"o!e. -or in%tane, the A$a&ened B#ddha o'ten %ay% thing%
in the old teFt% li&e, _It o#rred to me that I %ho#ld $ander "y %tage% to
`%#h and %#h a plaea._ *r, _Thi% %pontaneo#% %tanLa, ne!er heard
"e'ore, o#rred to me._ The%e o"!io#%ly are tho#ght%. -#rthermore, i'
$e note the old teFt% a% re'erene, all o' the enlightened di%iple% o' the
259
B#ddha and the B#ddha him%el' $ere de%ri"ed a% thin&ing tho#ght%.
-#rther, many o' the B#ddhaO% di%iple% o#ld !i%#aliLe, a% o#ld the
B#ddha, and i' $e loo& to modern time% yo# anOt "e a tantri ma%ter
$itho#t %ome %trong !i%#aliLation a"ilitie%.
-#rther, the notion that one an $rite an email or do engineering,
$hih inherently in!ol!e% a"%tration Cmathemati%E and other onept%
"eing on!erted into at#ality, or e!en %pea& and ha!e it not in!ol!e
tho#ght, i% one that I thin& i% merely a onept#al #nder%tanding it%el'
and th#% an ar"itrary de%ignation. -#rther, a% intention% 'all into the
realm o' tho#ght, and all phy%ial ation% are preeded "y intention% "y
the 'iFed mehani% o' the %y%tem, the notion that ation an o#r
$itho#t tho#ght 'all% into the %ame amp. Thi% al%o applie% to all %#h
thing% a% memory, $hih yo# learly demon%trate, a% thi% inherently
m#%t in!ol!e tho#ght e%%entially "y de'inition C$ith a!eat% a% a"o!eE.
Bi!en tho%e a%%#mption%, the )#e%tion I a%& i%0 ha!e yo# %imply
%topped alling tho%e proe%%e% _tho#ght_ %o a% to 'it $ith an ar"itrary
and dogmati model= /erhap% ha!e yo# 'ored yo#r%el' to %top notiing
that mental proe%%e% o#r a% yo# tho#ght that $a% %#ppo%ed to
happen= May"e yo# ha!e ahie!ed %omething real and "ea#%e o' yo#r
preoneption% hoo%e to de%ri"e it thro#gh that terminologial 'ilter,
or ha!e ahie!ed %omething ompletely di''erent 'rom tho%e that i% not
on my radar %reen 'or $hate!er rea%on, po%%i"ilitie% inl#ding my o$n
del#%ion or la& o' eFperiene, >#%t 'or the %a&e o' ompletion and
rea%ona"le %&eptial do#"t, $hih i% al$ay% a good idea.
The terminology that I am #%ed to in!ol!e% %eeing tho#ght% a% they
are, th#% ha!ing them "e >#%t a !ery %mall and tran%ient part o' the
nat#ral, a#%al 'ield o' eFperiene. (o$e!er, it m#%t al%o "e admitted
that, %ine tho#ght% an only "e eFperiened a% a%pet% o' the other 'i!e
%en%e door%, then la"eling tho#ght a% tho#ght i% al%o >#%t an a"%tration
and >#%t a% ar"itrary a% i% la"eling the other 6 %en%e door% a% %#h. The%e
are %imply on!enient de%ignation% Ctho#ght%E 'or the %a&e o' di%#%%ion.
.hen one notie% that all thing% %imply ari%e on their o$n,
inl#ding tho%e %en%ation% that may or may not "e de%ignated a%
tho#ght%, to "e empty o' a %el', a% they are and al$ay% ha!e "een, $ith
no %eparate or independent o"%er!er or ontroller or doer that i% not
>#%t a part o' the 'ield o' eFperiene or mani'e%tation, then one ha%
255
#nder%tood at %ome le!el $hat the B#ddha ad!oated that people
#nder%tand. Th#%, the model that I pre'er, a% it i% pratial, non8e%oteri
and diret, i% that0
1E ,en%ation% that an "e la"eled a% tho#ght% o#r.
2E Tho#ght% are nat#ral, a#%al, and e%%ential to nearly e!ery '#ntion
$e per'orm.
4E Tho#ght% are not %el', not other, part o' li'e, and empty in the good
%en%e.
3E They al$ay% ha!e "een thi% $ay, "e'ore and a'ter any %pirit#al
ahie!ement, and $hen their tr#e nat#re i% %een, they are %till a% they
$ere.
An e%%ential )#e%tion regarding enlightenment i%0 doe% it ma&e
thing% di''erent 'rom ho$ they $ere, or doe% it merely re!eal a tr#e and
a#rate pereption or per%peti!e on ho$ e!erything al$ay% $a%= I
ad!oate a moderated !er%ion o' the latter !ie$, a% I "elie!e it i% more
help'#l to pratie and more a#rate. Th#%, in thi% !ie$, $hih i% >#%t
one !ie$, anything that o#ld happen "e'ore, %#h a% tho#ght or
!i%#aliLation, an happen a'ter, $ith the only thing hanging "eing %ome
#ntangling o' the pre!io#%ly held &not o' tangled pereption.
In term% o' my eFperiene, another intere%ting onept#al
de%ignation, and #%ing relati!e and do$n8to8earth lang#age, I an ma&e
my inner !oie a% lo#d a% it o#ld "e "e'ore, it i% m#h more lear than
it $a% "e'ore, it i% perei!ed a% part o' the nat#ral 'ield o' a#%ality in a
$ay that it $a% not "e'ore, and mind'#lne%% ome% and goe% a% "e'ore.
In high >hani %tate% the inner !oie i% !ery %#"tle, "#t I an %till !i%#aliLe
a% "e'ore, %ometime% $ith e!en more larity depending on pratie
ondition%. In %hort, I ha!e not lo%t a"ilitie% nor ha!e I hanged m#h
a"o#t the $ay the %y%tem operate%. That %aid, %omething i% lear that $a%
not lear "e'ore, and the %en%e o' a %peial enter point %eem% %een
thro#gh, tho#gh the %en%ate pattern% that made it #p generally %eem to
%till o#r a% "e'ore, and it i% only the pereption o' them that i%
di''erent.< Cend o' emailE
A% yo# an %ee, I %ometime% $rite long email% 'or $orthy dharma
)#e%tion%, "#t m#%t admit I only ha!e the time to do thi% "ea#%e the
n#m"er o' people $ho a%& me )#e%tion% a% o' thi% point i% %o !ery %mall.
Any$ay, "a& to the model%P
400
T(E B*D M*DE2,
*n a !ery di''erent tangent, $e ha!e the Bod Model%. .hile
B#ddhi%m pretend% to "e an eFeption to the theologial tradition%,
many B#ddhi%t% e%%entially $or%hip the B#ddha a% a Bod >#%t a%
Chri%tian% $or%hip De%#% a% a Bod. -#rther, the !a%t ma>ority o' the
tradition% that promote a$a&ening in!ol!e %ome %ort o' theologial
"a&gro#nd or #nderpinning, inl#ding (ind# HedantaI% 'o#% on the
di!ine nat#re o' thing%, I%lamI% ,#'iI% 'o#%ing on The -riend or
di%%ol!ing in Allah, and Chri%tianityI% !ario#% di%%ol#tion in Bod
metaphor%, %#h a% the Di!ine Marriage. B#ddhi%m ha% the %ame
pro"lem at time% $ith the phra%e B#ddha +at#re. The%e are intere%ting
model% to tal& a"o#t, and "a%ially the )#e%tion ome% do$n to the
di%tane "et$een ;Bod< and oneI% li'e. Tho%e $ho "elie!e in a Bod that
i% a %eparate entity are already in tro#"le. Tho%e $ho "elie!e thi% entity
i% 'ar o'' in (ea!en or largely #na!aila"le are really in tro#"le. (o$e!er,
tho%e $ho "elie!e in a ;Bod< that i% right here, right no$, and pre%ent in
all thing%, inl#ding them%el!e%, ha!e a 'ighting hane, and thi% i% a%
pratial a model 'or a$a&ening a% any other, i' done orretly, $hih it
almo%t ne!er i%.
The pro"lem ome% 'or tho%e $ho "elie!e in Bod -ree Sone%, that
i%, tho%e plae% $here Bod i% not. The%e tend to "e people $ho "elie!e
in a limited, a"%trat Bod. Mo%t people $ho "elie!e in Bod ha!e not
ta&en the time to on%ider the )#e%tion o' $hether or not they "elie!e in
Bod -ree Sone% or a limited Bod. In 'at, mo%t people $ho "elie!e in
Bod in the monothei%ti %en%e $o#ld "e o''ended "y the notion that
their Bod $a% %omeho$ limited. (o$e!er, i' yo# )#e%tion them a"o#t
$hether or not Bod i% in their toilet paper or in a ro&, or perhap%
more %pei'ially I, the toilet paper, and i% the ro&, i% their $eird
poporn 'eti%h, i% the annoying ith in their armpit, and at#ally i%
e!erything el%e, e!en mo%t people $ho in theory "elie!e in an
omnipre%ent, #nlimited, all8po$er'#l Bod $onIt go that 'ar. Thi% i% too
"ad, "ea#%e i' they did, they $o#ld ha!e a good $or&ing model 'or
realiLing that T(I, I, IT, and %o $e are "a& to my original, %imple,
eFellent premi%e and te%t 'or good model% o' a$a&ening.
(ereI% ho$ thi% $or&%0 i' yo# "elie!e that yo# are trying to %ee Bod,
and yo# "elie!e that all reation i% a mani'e%tation not >#%t reated "y
401
Bod, "#t in 'at I, B*D, they yo# are "a& to "a%i in%ight pratie%0
%eeing the %en%ate $orld eFatly a% it i%, "ea#%e there yo# $ill 'ind
#ltimate reality, or ;Bod<, i' yo# $ant to all it that. .hen the enter
point i% %een thro#gh "y yo#r are'#l in!e%tigation o' all the%e
%en%ation%, or all the a%pet% o' Bod, then all that i% le't i% >#%t all the%e
%en%ation% a% "e'ore, that i%, all thi% Bod. Th#%, i' one i% $illing to really
"elie!e in a omnipre%ent Bod, then "y tr#ly, deeply, diretly perei!ing
all %en%ation% to "e >#%t part o' the a#%al, nat#ral #n'olding o' $hat they
la"el Bod, all the "o#ndarie% "et$een $hat $ere %el' and other an "e
%een thro#gh, and the phenomenal $orld i% le't doing it% thing, th#% the
pratitioner realiLe% they al$ay% $ere part o' Bod, in a %en%e, tho#gh
the%e de%ignation% are merely terminologial one $ay or the other.
Th#%, the pro"lem $ith Bod model% typially i% that people donIt
ta&e them 'ar eno#gh, "ea#%e i' they do they an get into %omething
really good, tho#gh they o#ld get their >#%t a% ea%ily $itho#t them. All
the other ideal% that are in!ol!ed in "eoming Bod or %eeing Bod are
>#%t more odd dream% and po%%i"le %ide e''et% o' %pirit#al pratie. I
ha!e a 'e$ 'riend% $ho %a$ !i%ion% $hile on 2,D in $hih ;Bod< told
them #%e'#l %t#'', and thi% i% 'ine, "#t thi% i% "a& in the realm o' the
po$er% and ha% nothing to do $ith a$a&ening and only a !ery limited
amo#nt to do $ith ;Bod< in the #ltimate %en%e.
T(E /(G,ICA2 M*DE2,
*n a ompletely di''erent tra& $e ha!e the /hy%ial Model%, $hih
tend to in!ol!e %ome &ind o' phy%ial per'etion or %tyliLation. The old
Thera!ada teFt% go to great length% to li%t the 42 intere%ting phy%ial
)#alitie% o' the B#ddha, %#h a% ha!ing 30 teeth and arm% %o long that
he o#ld to#h hi% &nee% $itho#t "ending do$n. It i% intere%ting ho$
thing% hange, a% in o#r modern onteFt that $o#ld ma&e him loo&
more to #% li&e a dentally hallenged Cro8Magnon than a %pirit#al
%#perhero, "#t I digre%%.
+#mero#% pop #lt#re %o#re% ma&e #% a%%oiate intere%ting
phy%ial )#alitie% or ideal% $ith %pirit#ality, parti#larly yoga magaLine%
and martial art% mo!ie%. There i% not m#h more to %ay a"o#t the%e
model% other than they are am#%ing and ompletely ina#rate. .e
may imagine that %omeho$ enlightenment in!ol!e% %ome &ind o'
phy%ial health, or thin& that a$a&ening or in%ight pratie may #re
402
%ome illne%%, "#t I $o#ldnIt "an& on anything li&e thi% at all. That %aid,
my 'riend% $ho reg#larly do pratie% li&e yoga and Tai Chi do tend to
loo& good, and thi% only ma&e% %en%e. (o$e!er, thi% i% not related to
#ltimate realiLation% eFept peripherally in that tho%e pratie% in!ol!e
mind'#lne%% and i' done $ell an lead to real in%ight%.
T(E :ADIA+CE M*DE2,
:elated to the /hy%ial Model% are the :adiane Model%, $hih
tend to in!ol!e imagining that enlightened "eing% $ill ha!e %ome &ind o'
remar&a"le pre%ene, #%#ally in!ol!ing radiating lo!e, hari%ma,
$i%dom, peae or e!en phy%ial light. A 'riend o' mine #%ed to >o&e
a"o#t thi% "y %aying that people in .e%tern Hipa%%ana at the In%ight
Meditation ,oiety tho#ght that an arahat $o#ld "e %omeone li&e Dipa
Ma Ca talented pratitioner o' !ipa%%ana and %amatha $ho died an
anagami "y her o$n admi%%ionE "#t $ith light %hining o#t o' their a%%.
Thi% i% a "it o' an eFaggeration, "#t it ma&e% the point that the%e ideal%
are %o ingrained in #% 'rom many tradition% that it i% hard to not imagine
that enlightened "eing% m#%t ha!e %omething remar&a"le a"o#t them
that yo# o#ld 'eel or %ee.
E!eryone &no$% that all %aint% ha!e light oming o#t o' their head%,
a% did De%#%. Go# ha!e only to loo& to medie!al painting% to on'irm
thi%. The %torie% o' the B#ddha are '#ll o' hi% mar!elo#% pre%ene. In
'at, hi% !ery 'ir%t interation $ith a h#man a'ter hi% a$a&ening $ent
%omething li&e thi%. The B#ddha had gotten #p a'ter eFploring the
depth% o' hi% realiLation and a"ilitie%. (e deided to go try to 'ind hi%
'i!e ompanion% $ho had "een $ith him d#ring hi% period o' gra!e
a%etii%m, and %#r!eying the $orld $ith hi% p%yhi po$er% 'o#nd they
$ere at Benare%. (e too& o'' $al&ing do$n the road "et$een Bodh
Baya and Baya, and the 'ir%t per%on the B#ddha tal&ed to a'ter hi%
a$a&ening that $a%nIt a god or a giant %na&e $a% the mon& Apa&a. I
)#ote the B#ddha a% he tell% the tale, a% rendered in Bhi&&h# Zanamoli
and Bhi&&h# BodhiI% The Middle 2ength Di%o#r%e% o' the B#ddha ,
,#tta 27, a% it i% %o priele%% and %#h a $ealth o' in'ormation a"o#t the
origin o' the%e model% and ideal%0
Àpa&a %aida M-riend, yo#r 'a#ltie% are lear, the olor o' yo#r
%&in i% p#re and "right. Ander $hom ha!e yo# gone 'orth,
404
'riend= .ho i% yo#r teaher= .ho%e Dhamma do yo#
pro'e%%=I
I `The B#ddhaa replied to the A>i!a&a Apa&a in the %tanLa%0
MI am one $ho ha% tran%ended all, a &no$er o' all,
An%#llied among all thing%, reno#ning all,
By ra!ingI% ea%ing 'reed. (a!ing &no$n thi% all
-or my%el', to $hom %ho#ld I point a% teaher=
I ha!e no teaher, and one li&e me
EFi%t% no$here in all the $orld
.ith all it% god%, "ea#%e I ha!e
+o per%on 'or my o#nterpart.
I am the Aompli%hed *ne in the $orld
I am the Teaher ,#preme.
I alone am a -#lly Enlightened *ne
.ho%e 'ire% are )#enhed and eFting#i%hed.
I go no$ to the ity o' Ja%i
To %et in motion the .heel o' Dhamma.
In a $orld that ha% "eome "lind
I go to "eat the dr#m o' the Deathle%%.I
Àpa&a replieda MBy yo#r laim% 'riend, yo# o#ght to "e the
Ani!er%al Hitor.I
MThe !itor% are tho%e li&e me
.ho ha!e $on to de%tr#tion o' taint%.
I ha!e !an)#i%hed all e!il %tate%,
There'ore, Apa&a, I am a !itor.I
The pa%%age i% remar&a"le in that it %et% o#t a large n#m"er o'
riteria and %pei'i% a"o#t $hat a$a&ening mean% to the B#ddha and to
B#ddhi%m in %#h a %hort %pae. -#rther, $hat i% intere%ting i% the
403
n#m"er o' time% the $ord ;I< appear%. In 'at, ;B#ddha< mean%
%omething li&e A$a&ened *ne, or ;I am a$a&e.< Th#%, $e %ee that the
B#ddha had no tro#"le tal&ing a"o#t $hat he had done and $ho he
$a%, nor did he ha!e tro#"le thin&ing the tho#ght ;I<.
.e note hi% remar&a"le pre%ene and %&in, and %o ha!e the 'ir%t o'
the B#ddhi%t :adiane Model% and /hy%ial Model%. .e note that he
%ay% he i% %#perior to the Bod%, $hih i% %ort o' a Bod Model in and o'
it%el', eFept one "etter. (e de%ri"e% "eing 'ree o' all the taint% and e!il
%tate%, $hih i% a ompleF miF o' Emotional and /%yhologial Model%.
(e al%o add% the dr#m o' the Deathle%%, and here $e ha!e hint% o' an
Immortality Model or an EFtintion Model, and $hile 'ormally
B#ddhi%m $o#ld re>et "oth o' the%e a%%oiation%, a%pet% o' "oth %ho$
#p o'ten in the teFt% any$ay. There i% al%o a Tran%endene Model, a%
he %ay% he i% #n%#llied "y all thing%, and al%o a ,pei'i Jno$ledge
Model, a% the B#ddha %ay% he i% a &no$er o' all. In %hort, he %ay% he ha%
aompli%hed %omething remar&a"le, and a%%ert% that he i% going to go
tell other% ho$ to do eFatly the %ame thing he did, or i% he=
The )#e%tion o' ho$ the B#ddhaI% realiLation relate% to $hat he $a%
trying to teaher other% i% a ompleF one. There are n#mero#% pa%%age%
$here he %ay% he i% )#ite di''erent 'rom and %#perior to all other
enlightened "eing%, and dra$% a lear line "et$een him%el' and arahat%.
Th#%, $e ha!e to loo& are'#lly at $hat hi% laim% a"o#t him%el' ha!e to
do $ith other%, and I de!ote the $hole neFt hapter to thi% ompleF
i%%#e. ,#''ie to %ay, the pro"lem ome% in $hen the ideal% the B#ddha
di%#%%e% a% applying to him%el', ho$e!er mythologiLed $e thin& they
are, are applied $itho#t are'#l in!e%tigation to enlightened "eing% o'
theoretially in'erior degree. Then there i% the %lippery )#e%tion o' the
Ti"etan% $ho p#rport to prod#e '#ll B#ddha% in one li'etimeP
Ba& to the i%%#e% o' $hether or not enlightened "eing% ha!e a
%peial pre%ene. I ha!e %een eFample% o' "oth, tho#gh I %#%pet that in
mo%t a%e% their pre%ene $a% largely that $ay "e'ore they %tarted doing
%pirit#al pratie. Many people $ho ha!e a%&ed me )#e%tion% a"o#t
pratie o!er the year% ha!e he%itantly a%&ed me i' there $a% %omething
remar&a"le a"o#t my pre%ene or ho$ I $a% a"le to &eep my
realiLation% hidden at $or&. I am "oth %orry and happy to report that I
ha!e no pro"lem% in thi% regard at $or& and a% 'ar a% I an tell ha!e
406
nothing $hat%oe!er that i% #n#%#al a"o#t my pre%ene that $a%nIt there
long "e'ore I got into all o' thi%, other than the on'idene and pa%%ion
$ith $hih I %pea& on the dharma. In %hort, the phy%ial model% and
radiane are >#%t nie propaganda and another trap that people 'all into,
"oth in their o$n pratie and $hen e!al#ating the po%%i"le le!el o'
realiLation o' other%.
T(E JA:MA M*DE2,
Jarma model% in!ol!e the promi%e that %omeho$ realiLation
eliminate%, eFha#%t%, anel% o#t or moderate% the 'ore% o' a#%ality
that $o#ld a#%e "ad thing% to happen to the realiLed "eing. Jarma
in!ol!e% ation and it% on%e)#ene%, and in it% %imple%t 'orm i%
e%%entially the %tatement that a#%e% lead to e''et% in a la$'#l $ay. The
%#">et i% impondera"le, a% the 'ore% and 'ator% in!ol!ed are %o !a%t
and ompleF that no mind an '#lly omprehend them. That %aid, many
model% and B#ddhi%t ideal% %#"tly or o!ertly pre%ent model% o'
a$a&ening that promi%e %ome %ort o' relie' or 'reedom 'rom ad!er%ity.
(o$e!er, i' $e loo& to the li'e o' the B#ddha, $ho "y de'inition i%
a% enlightened a% it get% in B#ddhi%m, lot% o' "ad thing% happened to
him, at lea%t aording to the teFt%. (e had hroni headahe% and "a&
pain, got illne%%e%, $a% atta&ed "y "andit%, people tried to &ill him, hi%
o$n order "ro&e into $arring 'ation%, people hara%%ed him, and %o
'orth and %o on. Th#%, it i% lear that e!en the B#ddha $a% not 'ree 'rom
the la$% o' &arma, and %o it $o#ld %eem naN!e to a%%#me that $e $ere
al%o.
(o$e!er, the &arma model% rai%e an intere%ting )#e%tion, that o' the
timing o' the '#l'illment o' the promi%e% o' enlightenment and $hat thi%
ha% to do $ith death. The Thera!ada laim% that the moment o'
omplete 'reedom 'rom %#''ering i% at the death o' an arahat or
B#ddha, a% it i% only then that there i% no more oming into '#rther
"irth and there i% the omplete e%%ation o' the %en%e% that a#%e pain
and di%om'ort. The Ti"etan% $o#ld di%agree, 'o#%ing on the perpet#al
li'e or ontin#ed %erie% o' re"irth% o' a B#ddha or Bodhi%att!a
thro#gho#t time to help a$a&en other "eing%. The%e on'lit% "ring #%
to other model%, "#t in 'at are paradoFe% reated "y mi%pereption.
(o$e!er, the &arma model% are not entirely >#n&. By %eeing eah
tho#ght, %tate and emotion a% it i%, there i% an inrea%ed a"ility to %imply
407
$ath the%e ari%e and !ani%h on their o$n, th#% allo$ing 'or the a#%al
'ore o' them to not $a%h thro#gh to the '#t#re $itho#t %ome
moderation o' intelligene and $i%dom. In thi% $ay, pa%t a#%e%, ha"it%,
tendenie% and the li&e an "e mitigated thro#gh lear %eeing, and the
ation% $e ta&e "a%ed on the%e that reate '#t#re a#%e% an "e done
$ith more a$arene%%, larity, and a "roader, more inl#%i!e per%peti!e.
Thi% i% not the %ame thing a% eliminating all ;negati!e< &arma, "#t it i%
pratial, reali%ti and !eri'ia"le, and th#% repre%ent% the grain o' tr#th
'o#nd in the Jarma Model%.
T(E /E:/ETAA2 B2I,, M*DE2,
/erpet#al Bli%% Model% 'o#% on enlightenment "ringing on a %tate
o' ontin#o#% happine%%, peae, >oy, or "li%%. The%e are ommonly
'o#nd in (ind#i%m, tho#gh they are in '#ll 'ore in B#ddhi%m and
other tradition% a% $ell, e.g. Chri%tianityI% ;the peae that pa%%e% all
#nder%tanding.< B#ddhi%m o'ten de%ri"e% +ir!ana C+i""anaE a%
%ynonymo#% $ith the highe%t happine%% and the end o' %#''ering, and
thi% end o' %#''ering i% the nat#ral orollary o' the /erpet#al Bli%%
Model%. /erpet#al Bli%% Model% and their orollarie% are %o per!a%i!e in
the $orld o' a$a&ening a% to "e a entral, nearly #na%%aila"le tenant o'
mo%t peopleI% ore "elie'%. I am %orry to %ay, they need %erio#% re!i%ion.
The 'ir%t point i% that a"o#t impermanene. Bli%%, peae, happine%%,
a% $ell a% their o#nterpart% pain, hao%, and mi%ery, are all tran%ient
phenomena, %#">et to ondition%, ari%ing and pa%%ing li&e the $eather.
A% Sen %ay%, the ten tho#%and >oy% and the ten tho#%and %orro$% marh
thro#gh o#r li!e% aording to the la$% o' reality that ha!e al$ay% "een
in plae. Thi% ret#rn% #% to the great )#e%tion o' realiLation0 doe%
realiLation hange thing% or doe% realiLation re!eal ho$ thing% al$ay%
$ere= I ad!oate a modi'ied !er%ion o' the latter !ie$, "oth 'or pratie
and 'or ha!ing %ane model%, "#t the dogma and tho%e %elling %omething
o'ten %tray into the promi%e% o' a radially di''erent and "etter eFi%tene.
The %tandard B#ddhi%t arg#ment i% that "y remo!ing the ondition,
namely ignorane or mi%pereption, the %#''ering a#%ed "y thi%
ondition i% al%o remo!ed. The )#e%tion then i% ho$ m#h %#''ering i%
a#%ed "y that parti#lar ondition and ho$ m#h i% a#%ed "y >#%t
"eing ali!e. I a%%ert that mo%t o' o#r %#''ering i% a#%ed "y %imply "eing
ali!e, "#t m#%t onede that there i% %omething a"o#t hanging
407
%omething in the relation%hip to the ordinary 'at% o' li'e and h#manity
that doe% help, and $hy I am %o rel#tant to admit that there i% %ome
%ort o' peae that ome% 'rom realiLation i% a )#e%tion I am %till loo&ing
into. .hile I %trongly "elie!e that there are pratial rea%on% not to %ell
thing% in thi% $ay, I %#%pet that %ome re%id#al )#ir& o' my per%onality i%
al%o at play here, and yo# may ha!e already ome to that onl#%ion.
The other %ide o' the /erpet#al Bli%% Model% i% the notion that
%omeho$ one $ill enter into a permanent >hani %tate, %#h a% the 3th
>hana or %ome %ort o' +i""ani >hana. The%e !er%ion% o' the "li%%
model% imply per'et, ontin#o#% onentration #nto#hed "y
ir#m%tane or enhaned "y %ome %ort o' in"orn $ell%pring o' >hani
)#alitie%. A% noted a"o!e, all the onentration %tate% are temporary, not
related diretly to realiLation, attained "oth "y %ome $ho are
enlightened and %ome $ho are not, and th#% are a 'al%e promi%e.
(o$e!er, a% %o many people get a ta%te o' >hana and are %#re thi%
m#%t >#%t get "etter and more ontin#o#% a% they progre%%, they end #p
#lti!ating the%e %tate% again and again and get no$here in in%ight
pratie. -#rther, $hy $o#ld %omeone $ho $a% hanging onto a "li%%
model $ant to loo& into %#''ering= They donIt, and %o the hane% o'
them oming into real in%ight territory or handling the Dar& +ight $ell
are %lim. +o$, it i% tr#e that there i% %ome %ort o' relation%hip "et$een
the per%peti!e on thing% that o#r% in the 'ir%t 'o#r >hana% and the 'o#r
path%, and the panorami per%peti!e o' "oth the 'o#rth %amatha >hana
and the panorami per%peti!e o' arahat%hip %hare %ome po%iti!e a%pet%
in ommon, "#t they are not the %ame thing, and e!en mentioning the%e
pattern% and parallel% i% dangero#%, a% it an a#%e a lot o' mi%g#ided
e''ort and a%%e%%ment o' $here people are on the path. I thin& that thi%
i% a good plae to introd#e the Ti"etan onept o' the Three Jaya%, a%
it ha% %ome #%e'#l a%pet% that help ma&e %en%e o' the%e thing%.
T(E T(:EE JAGA,
Contrary to $hat %ome Ti"etan B#ddhi%t% $o#ld tell yo#, arahat%
ha!e a deep #nder%tanding o' $hat i% meant "y their teahing o' the
Three Jaya% or ;Bodie% o' Ander%tanding.< -or me, the Three Jaya%
are !ery lo%e in meaning and impliation to the %ope% o' the Three
Training%. Arahat% #nder%tand the '#llne%% o' the impliation% o' ha!ing
"een "orn and o' there %till "eing a "ody and mind Called the
409
;nirmana&aya< or ;mani'e%tation "ody<E, relating to training in morality.
All teahing% o' dependent ari%ing, interonnetion and
interdependene 'all into the realm o' the nirmana&aya.
Arahat% &no$ intimately the '#llne%% o' the ordinary realitie% o' the
h#man ondition0 %i&ne%% Cphy%ial and mentalE, health, %orro$, >oy,
on'lit, harmony, plea%#re, pain, larity and on'#%ion, %t#pidity and
"rilliane. All o' the%e mani'e%t aording to the %ame nat#ral la$% that
ha!e al$ay% "een in e''et, ontrary to pop#lar "elie'. A "ody $a% "orn
and it $ill get %i& and die. The Eight .orldly .ind% o' prai%e and
"lame, 'ame and ill rep#te, %#e%% and 'ail#re, and gain and lo%% %till
"lo$ imper%onally a% al$ay%. The la$% o' "iohemi%try, phy%i% and
phy%iology %till hold. .e %till ha!e to pay taFe%. -rom a yniI% point o'
!ie$, the nirmana&aya i% the mo%t di%appointing a%pet o'
enlightenment. Did one really imagine that %omeho$ it $o#ld "e
other$i%e= DonIt "elie!e the hypeK Another o' the great Bill (amilton
one8liner% $a%, ;,#''ering le%%, notiing it more.< The more $e $a&e #p,
the more $e notie eFatly $hat it mean% to ha!e "een "orn.
The nirmana&aya i% $hat i% meant "y thi% pa%%age pertaining to the
arahat0 ;The di%t#r"ane% re%#lting 'rom the taint o' "eing an no longer
"e 'o#nd here, the di%t#r"ane% related to the taint o' attration an no
longer "e 'o#nd here, the di%t#r"ane% related to the taint o' a!er%ion
an no longer "e 'o#nd here, and yet there remain% the di%t#r"ane%
inherent in the%e %iF %en%e door% that are dependent on a "ody and
onditioned "y li'e<, 'rom ,#tta U121, The ,horter Di%o#r%e on
Hoidne%%, in The Middle 2ength Di%o#r%e% o' the B#ddha. +otie that
thi% %ay%, ;%iF %en%e door%.< Arahat% %till thin&, ontrary to oa%ional
myth% a"o#t ;%topping tho#ght<, a% noted a"o!e. .hile the ontent o'
tho#ght% i% %till inherently d#al, the tr#e nat#re o' the $ay tho#ght%
mani'e%t i% a"%ol#tely non8d#al. Arahat% &no$ "oth a%pet% o' tho#ght
diretly, a "it li&e "eing a"le to %ee $a!e% on the oean and yet al%o that
the $hole thing i% made o' $ater and intimately onneted. +o $a!e
$o#ld e!er "e 'ooled into thin&ing that one $a!e $a% $athing,
ontrolling, or i%olated 'rom another.
The nirmana&aya i% al%o the a%pet o' #nder%tanding that ha% to do
$ith per%onality, ha"it% and i%%#e% o' harater. DonIt imagine that >#%t
"y #nder%tanding the '#ll #ltimate tr#th o' phenomena that the%e thing%
405
$ill %omeho$ lo%e their on%idera"le a#%al inertia. To paraphra%e Chi
+#l, a great Jorean Chan mon&, >#%t "ea#%e the ,#n i% %hining "rightly
doe%nIt mean that all the %no$ $ill in%tantly melt.
*n a related theme, the nirmana&aya al%o relate% to the 'at% o' the
phy%iologial inertia and "iologial onditioning o' the "odily a%pet% o'
the emotional li'e. The mind o' a tr#e arahat i% eFtremely re%ilient, "#t
the 'le%h $or&% aording to the %ame la$% that $ere in plae "e'ore.
The %paio#% mental re%iliene o' an arahat ha% %ome po%iti!e
on%e)#ene% 'or phy%ial li'e, "#t it doe% not ompletely tran%'orm it.
Th#%, phy%ial %en%ation% a%%oiated $ith h#nger, pain, tiredne%%, %eF#al
aro#%al, ner!o#%ne%%, 'ear and all the re%t are %till intimate realitie% 'or
the li!ing arahat $hen they ari%e and are not inon%e)#ential, tho#gh the
point% made a"o!e in the Jarma model a"o#t %eeing thing% ari%e and
!ani%h %till apply. The nirmana&aya inl#de% i%%#e% o' "iohemi%try and
ne#rohemi%try, and all o' the i%%#e% o' mental pathology that may go
along $ith the%e.
The nirmana&aya "ear% o#t the tr#th %o $ell arti#lated "y 2ao TL#
$hen he tal&ed a"o#t dar& and light ontaining one another and
di''i#lty and ea%e omplementing one another. +o le!el o'
enlightenment $ill allo$ one to >#%t pi& oneI% 'a!orite hal' o' reality or
h#manity and eradiate the re%t. Thi% %imply ne!er happen% and i% not
po%%i"le.
I thin& that e!eryone on the %pirit#al path %ho#ld oa%ionally %it
do$n $ith a piee o' paper and li%t their 'a!orite hal' o' reality that they
imagine or $i%h $o#ld "e le't i' they got '#lly enlightened, and then li%t
all the a%pet% o' reality that they $i%h or ;&no$< $o#ld !ani%h 'ore!er.
They %ho#ld then li%t the thing% that they imagine $o#ld %ho$ #p a% a
re%#lt o' '#ll realiLation that are not here no$. The di''erene% "et$een
the%e li%t% o'ten point diretly to $hat "lo&% the de!elopment o'
$i%dom 'rom lear aeptane and #nder%tanding o' reality.
E!en arahat% and "#ddha% ha!e a 'a!orite hal' o' reality a% $ell a%
dream% a"o#t ho$ thing% o#ld "e, %o the%e dream% are not the
pro"lem. The di''erene i% that highly realiLed "eing% #nder%tand
diretly that "oth the ;good< and ;"ad< hal!e% are o' the nat#re o'
#ltimate tr#th, inl#ding all tho#ght% a"o#t them, and thi% ma&e% all the
di''erene. The%e %en%ation% 'li&er e''ortle%%ly and !ani%h, getting no
410
more nor le%% on%ideration than they are d#e. The point I am trying to
ma&e here i% to inl#de the %en%ation% that ma&e #p yo#r $orld in yo#r
pratie, and donIt retreat into idealiLed 'anta%ie% o' $hat realiLation $ill
"e li&e, tho#gh notie %#h %en%ation% i' and $hen they o#r.
2a%tly, the nirmana&aya relate% to o#r ;%t#'',< o#r i%%#e%, o#r
hildhood tra#ma%, o#r dar& %eret%. I ha!e ro#tinely mentioned that
$hen doing in%ight pratie% one %ho#ld try to %ee the%e thing% at the
moment8to8moment le!el. (o$e!er, one m#%t al%o 'ind a $ay to deal
$ith o#r %t#'' in the traditional $ay%, or perhap% non8traditional one%.
D#%t do thi% $or& $hen not doing in%ight pratie%. .hile there are
onnetion% "et$een the%e t$o type% o' $or&, they are o'ten in diret
on'lit. Ma&e time 'or the maro%opi, $hen $e 'ae and learn a"o#t
ho$ to li!e $ell in the $orld in term% o' emotion%, i%%#e%, on'lit%,
tear%, >oy%, people, >o"% and relation%hip%. (o$e!er, al%o ma&e time
d#ring $hih yo# re%ol#tely p#t all o' that "ehind yo#, time $hen yo#
%tay at the le!el o' 'li&ering %en%ation%. Anhealthy 'iFation on either
per%peti!e i% g#aranteed to a#%e pro"lem%.
Arahat% al%o ha!e a $ondro#% #nder%tanding o' all o' thi% that i%
#ni)#e to them and "#ddha% Ctho#gh there may "e hint% o' it at third
pathE alled the ;%am"hoga&aya.< They &no$ that the '#ll range o'
phenomenal reality and e!en the '#ll range o' the emotional li'e an "e
deeply appreiated 'or $hat it i%. They %ee that the $orld o' onept%,
lang#age, %ym"ol%, !i%ion%, tho#ght% and dream% i% '#ndamentally the
%ame a% the $orld o' materiality, that they "oth %hare the %ame e%%ential
nat#re 'rom an eFperiential point o' !ie$. The 'ir%t line o' the Bo%pel o'
Dohn, ;In the "eginning there $a% the $ord, and the $ord $a% Bod,< i% a
nie $ay to p#t it. -or tho%e $ho 'ind thi% phra%e too rypti, I
paraphra%e it a%0 ;-rom the "eginning, onept%, $ord%, dream%, !i%ion%,
and the realm o' tho#ght ha!e al$ay% "een an a%pet o' #ltimate reality.<
-#rther, in %ome %trange $ay e!en the $or%t o' the $orld ha% a
rihne%% o' teFt#re that an "e deeply en>oyed, and a my%terio#% and
%ometime% a$e8in%piring glory miFed into it, inherent in it. .hat they
$ere loo&ing 'or $a% permeating all the %en%ation% $itho#t eFeption
that had made #p their $orld all alongK .hat %taggering irony thi% i%,
and $hat a %ilent >oy it i% to di%o!er thi% at la%t. Thi% i% $hat i% meant "y
411
;the "li%% o' +ir!ana.< It i% a more %#"tle #nder%tanding than the
nirmana&aya and in %ome largely my%terio#% $ay doe% not ontradit it.
Beyond e!en thi%, they al%o #nder%tand in real time $hat i% meant "y
the dharma&aya, that %omeho$ none o' thi% i% they, and that ;$hat they
are< annot "e '#ndamentally harmed, di%t#r"ed or a''eted "y the
$orld o' phenomena in any $ay. The dharma&aya %eem% to
%im#ltaneo#%ly per!ade all o' thi%, not "e all o' thi%, and "e #tterly
"eyond all o' thi%. It %eem% to "e permanent and yet #n'inda"le, "e
empty and yet a$are. E!en thi% paradoFial lang#age i% hopele%%ly r#de
and 'rom a ertain point o' !ie$ #nnee%%ary, tho#gh an arahat $o#ld
&no$ diretly $hat it i% pointing to. Thi% i% $hat i% meant "y ;going
"eyond "irth and death,< ;,am%ara i% +ir!ana,< ;the arahat i% traele%%
here and no$,< ;Tr#e ,el'< and ;no8%el'.< Intere%tingly, the
nirmana&aya al%o relate% diretly to "oth ;Tr#e ,el'< and ;no8%el'.<
There i% %omething "ea#ti'#l and yet tragi in thi%, a ;dar& omedy< a% a
'riend o' mine p#t it.
To e!en %ay that the dharma&aya i% a !ery %#"tle #nder%tanding
ma&e% no %en%e, a% the #nder%tanding o' dharma&aya ari%e% more 'rom
$hat i% a"%ent rather than a %en%e o' the pre%ene o' %omething. *n the
other hand, the pre%ene o' e!erything "ear% $itne%% to it.
All three #nder%tanding% Cthe nirmana&aya, the %am"hoga&aya, and
the dharma&ayaE are ae%%i"le to the arahat at any time "y the mere
inlination to$ard% them, $hih i% to %ay the%e per%peti!e% ari%e
dependent on a#%e% in their o$n time. They are three omplementary
per%peti!e% on the %ame thing. It i% li&e "eing a"le to %ee the !alidity o'
the per%peti!e o' all o' the three people in the la%%i Taoi%t painting
alled ;The Hinegar Ta%ter%,< $ith Con'#i#% and hi% la$% 'or li!ing in
the $orld relating to the nirmana&aya, 2ao TL# and hi% deep
appreiation o' li'e relating to the %am"hoga&aya, and the B#ddha and
hi% empha%i% on +ir!ana and going "eyond %#''ering, "irth and death
relating to the dharma&aya. Mo%t people thin& o' thi% painting a% a
Taoi%t %lam on the other t$o tradition%, "#t I thin& that the deeper
meaning i% m#h more #%e'#l.
The teahing o' the Three Altimate Dharma% o' materiality,
mentality and +i""ana that I arti#lated earlier i% lo%ely related to the
Ti"etan onept% o' the Three Jaya% or a%pet% o' the '#lly enlightened
412
ondition. The nirmana&aya relate% to 'orm, the %am"hoga&aya relate%
to the en>oya"le, )#iet and %paio#% peae o' the '#lly enlightened mind
that #ni'ie% the mental and phy%ial into the %ame 'ield o' eFperiene,
and the dharma&aya relate% to +i""ana.
.ere only the nirmana&aya tr#e, $e o#ld %ay that #niti!e
eFperiene% are the an%$er and that $e are the $hole 'ield o'
eFperiene. .ere only the dharma&aya tr#e, $e o#ld %ay that
tran%endent ;eFperiene%< are the an%$er, that $e reate and &no$ the
$hole 'ield o' eFperiene, that $e do not eFi%t, and that $e are the
deathle%% or Bod. +either o' the%e 'rame$or&% an learly eFplain
thing% on their o$n, and %o, a% mentioned in the hapter alled +o8%el'
!%. Tr#e ,el', none o' the%e de%ription% really hold% #p to reality te%ting
on it% o$n.
/re%enting the Three Jaya% al%o allo$% me to ontin#e to hammer
relentle%%ly on the point a"o#t people $anting to 'ind %ome %pirit#al
reality other than thi% one. The h#ge temptation $hen $al&ing the
%pirit#al path i% to try de%perately to 'ind a $ay to get the %imple ea%e o'
the %am"hoga&aya and the inde%tr#ti"le, tran%endent and deathle%%
l#mino%ity o' the dharma&aya $hile %eretly hoping that the do$n to
earth, m#ndane, intimate, !i%eral, !#lnera"le, and o'ten em"arra%%ing
nirmana&aya $ill >#%t %ort o' ra$l a$ay and die or at lea%t radially
re'orm it%el'. The nirmana&aya i% o'ten treated a% tho#gh it $ere the
"a%tard %tephild o' the '#lly enlightened ondition, "#t yo# anIt ha!e
one $itho#t the other%. Intimay $ith reality i% "o#ght at the prie o'
attaining tran%endene "eyond reality. Tran%endene i% "o#ght at the
prie o' attaining intimay $ith reality. The%e ine%apa"le 'at% %ho#ld
not "e 'orgotten.
The all too ommon temptation o' tho%e $ho ad!erti%e and %ell
%pirit#ality i% to %ing the prai%e% o' the %am"hoga&aya and dharma&aya
$hile trying to glo%% o!er the pro'o#nd yet do$n to earth impliation% o'
the nirmana&aya. B#yer "e$areK I' enlightened "eing% didnIt 'eel the
'#llne%% o' their h#manity and the ordinary $orld, ompa%%ion 'or
them%el!e% and other% $o#ld "e ompletely impo%%i"le. -rom a Ti"etan
point o' !ie$, it i% "ea#%e enlightened "eing% progre%%i!ely lo%e their
arti'iial de'en%e% again%t the nirmana&aya that they ha!e no hoie "#t
to "e "odhi%att!a%, $hih "ring% #% niely to o#r neFt modelP
414
T(E IMM*:TA2ITG M*DE2,
The Immortality Model% are %igni'iantly more pre!alent in Ti"etan
B#ddhi%m than the other %train%, tho#ght they al%o appear in /#re 2and
B#ddhi%m and are 'o#nd el%e$here. .hile all %train% o' B#ddhi%m on
the one hand ategorially deny immortality a% the goal "a%ed #pon the
%tandard tenant% o' B#ddhi%t logi, plenty then t#rn aro#nd and %ell
immortality li&e #%ed ar %ale%men. ,o many B#ddhi%t% $ant to "e #p in
the (ea!en alled +ir!ana a% empty yet %eparate "eing% $ho donIt eFi%t
and yet li!e 'ore!er a% Bodhi%att!a% %a!ing the $orld.
.hile there are lot% o' good point% in the Bodhi%att!a Ho$%, thi% i%
yet another a%e o' "ait and %$ith $here the re%#lt% $ill "e a "it more
do$n to earth than mo%t people are "argaining 'or. (o$e!er, many
B#ddhi%t% are %o "rain$a%hed into the ideal o' "eoming AmaLing
,#per Being% that they readily gi!e #p the notion that they o#ld really
#nder%tand anything in thi% li'etime in eFhange 'or the dream that
%ome Lillion li'etime% do$n the road they may get to "e ,pirit#al
,#per%tar%. (o$e!er, a% their mentality an "e e%%entially li&e people
$ho ha!e "o#ght into %ome $eird #lt, I donIt reommend trying to
on!ine them other$i%e, a% it generally >#%t pi%%e% them o''. D#%t do
yo#r pratie, ta&e are o' yo#r o$n #nder%tanding, and then %ee $hat
yo# an do 'rom there.
+o$, a% "e'ore, there i% %ome $eird tr#th to the immortality model%
on t$o 'ront%. -ir%t, 'rom a tehnial point o' !ie$, $hat i% traditionally
alled the Dharma&aya, Deathle%%, +ir!ana, Tao, Hoid, B#ddha
+at#re, et. i% inde%tr#ti"le, timele%%, et., "#t thi% i% "ea#%e it i% not
anything %pei'i. Thi% ha% already "een di%#%%ed, and %imply %tated,
'rom thi% point o' !ie$ the notion o' death or impermanene %imply
doe% not apply. The 'lip %ide o' thi%, that o' the ordinary, tran%ient
$orld, +irmana&aya, et., i% that a#%ality ring% on inde'initely. Thi% i%
an intere%ting $ay to loo& at thing%, and a !ery pratial, in%ight8oriented
$ay.
-rom the point o' !ie$ o' time, a#%e and e''et, thing% ripple o#t
into the #ni!er%e li&e drop% o' $ater a#%e ripple% in $ater. Thi%
proe%%, that i% to %ay the $orld and #%, ha% al$ay% "een empty. I' $e are
anything, it i% a pattern o' rippling %en%ation% ari%ing 'rom a#%e% and
e''et% and leading to a#%e% and e''et%. Th#%, $e %end ripple% o'
413
$hate!er and ho$e!er $e are o#t into the a#%al '#t#re. I' $e are
enlightened, that i% one a%pet o' $hat ripple% o#t into the pattern% $e
all time, and the%e ripple% go on $itho#t de'ina"le end. Teahing% o'
reinarnation are getting at thi% point in their %ome$hat pro"lemati
$ay. Th#%, $e %ee that there i% %omething to the Immortality Model%,
"#t they are not !ery help'#l 'or doing in%ight pratie% eFept to help
one appreiate a#%ality. I thin& they are m#h more #%e'#l 'or training
in morality, de%pite their o"!io#% paradigmati pro"lem%.
*ne great traditional analogy goe% a% 'ollo$%0 I' yo# lit a andle,
then lit another andle $ith that andle and then "le$ o#t the 'ir%t one,
$hat i% tran%mitted= Thi% i% a#%ality $itho#t a permanent entity,
re%onane $itho#t ontin#ity, an arti'iial "#t #%e'#l reognition o' a
pattern, and nothing more.
T(E T:A+,CE+DE+CE M*DE2,
:elated to the Immortality and Bli%% Model%, $e ha!e the
Tran%endene Model%. The%e e%%entially promi%e that yo# $ill ha!e
the "e%t o' "oth $orld%0 yo# $ill get to "e in the $orld $hile not o' the
$orld, "e a"le to en>oy all plea%ant thing% $hile "eing imm#ne to pain
and di''i#lty, and th#% li!e in a proteted %tate o' partial, %eleti!e
tran%endene. A lot o' people try to em#late %#h a %tate in their
pratie0 $hen pre%ented $ith %#''ering they either loo& a$ay 'rom it or
try to ma&e their attention %o $ide or !ag#e that they donIt notie it, and
$hen plea%ant thing% ari%e they try to hang on to tho%e eFperiene% and
eFpand them. .hile %#h a per'etly nat#ral thing to do, thi% i% the
eFat re!er%e o' in%ight pratie, and yet they may deeply 'eel that thi% i%
pratiing 'or the tran%endene they ha!e "een promi%ed.
A% %tated earlier, the predita"le and o"!io#% tr#th i% that
tran%endene i% "o#ght at the prie o' a !ery deep, diret intimay $ith
li'e, all o' li'e, "oth good and "ad. ,imilarly, thi% deep intimay $ith li'e
i% "o#ght at the prie o' tran%endene. .hile e!eryone nearly
a#tomatially loo&% to the good %ide o' "oth, 'e$ on%ider that
realiLation "ring% a deep, diret eFperiene o' all that i% pain'#l and al%o
the rel#tant #nder%tanding o' ho$ empty and ephemeral plea%#re i%.
*ne m#%t "e are'#l here, and I donIt ad!oate "#ying into either
eFtreme. *#r ordinary li!e% ha!e all thi% already, %o donIt loo& 'or
%omething that i% di''erent 'rom $hat i% going on. In%tead, loo& into yo#r
416
li'e a% it i% and %ee the Three Charateri%ti% o' it diretly, in%tant "y
in%tant. Thi% i% the gate$ay to the an%$er to the %trange paradoF that all
thi% i% pointing to.
T(E EXTI+CTI*+ M*DE2,
*n the 'lip %ide o' the Immortality Model%, and %ome$hat ontrary
to the Tran%endene Model%, $e ha!e the EFtintion Model%. The%e
are e%%entially a promi%e that in%ight pratie% $ill either ha!e yo# ne!er
"e re"orn again or $ill ma&e yo# non8eFi%tent %omeho$ in %ome
ordinary %en%e. The 'ir%t "a%i 'la$ in the%e model% i% that they pre%#me
an entity to $hih the%e thing% an o#r, $hih 'rom an in%ight point o'
!ie$ i% already a pro"lem. In%ight pratie% at their "e%t pre%#me
emptine%% a% al$ay% ha!ing "een the a%e, and %o to po%it that there i%
%omething that $a% re"orn 'lie% diretly again%t their root premi%e%.
Th#%, the notion that there i% %omeone $ho either $ill not "e re"orn
again or $ill %omeho$ ea%e to "e Ca%%#ming they $ere ;"eing< "e'oreE,
i% a"%#rd and doe%nIt "elong in the lang#age o' #ltimate $i%dom.
(o$e!er, page a'ter page, B#ddhi%m promi%e% that there $ill "e no
more oming into any %tate o' "eing, no more re"irth, no more %el', and
that %omeho$ thi% $ill get %omeone o'' o' the $heel o' %#''ering.
(ere $e get into a% gray an area a% it get% in %pirit#al lang#age.
Bet$een the $eird promi%e% o' the Immortality Model% and the $eird
promi%e% o' the EFtintion Model%, $e an really get into paradigmati
tro#"le. ,omeho$ $e are %#re that one o' the%e m#%t "e right, or may"e
"oth are, or perhap% neither are, or %ome other om"ination $e
#rrently anIt onei!e o' m#%t "e the orret one. (o$e!er, all o'
the%e model% are "a%ed #pon a '#ndamental 'la$, the mi%pereption o'
%en%ation% and the onl#%ion "a%ed on thi% mi%pereption that there
$a% %ome %eparate, permanent #% that all the%e d#ali%ti onept% an
apply to. There i% not, nor ha% their e!er "een, tho#gh %en%ation% o#r
any$ay. It i% a on!enient, pratial, $or&ing a%%#mption, a on!ention,
a $ay o' %pea&ing, "#t nothing more. Th#%, all o' the%e #rio#% notion%
%imply do not apply. ,imply pratiing and perei!ing %en%ation% learly
re!eal% the $ay o#t o' the%e paradoFe%.
417
T(E 2*HE M*DE2,
*n a ompletely di''erent note, there are the 2o!e Model%. The%e
are hard to relate to any pre!io#% ategory eFept perhap% the
Emotional Model%, "#t they e%%entially in!ol!e %ome om"ination o' #%
lo!ing e!eryone, 'eeling lo!e all the time, "eoming 2o!e it%el', "eing
lo!ed "y e!eryone, or %ome om"ination o' the%e. The 'ir%t t$o are
ommonly 'o#nd in !ario#% re'erene%, %#h a% ,ri +i%argadatta
Mahara>I% 'amo#% )#ote, ;.i%dom tell% me I am nothing. 2o!e tell% me
I am e!erything. Bet$een the%e t$o my li'e 'lo$%.<
Thi% i% really not a "ad )#ote a% )#ote% go, a% it trie% to enompa%%
the apparent paradoFe% o' %pirit#al #nder%tanding. It i% "a%ially a
re%tatement o' the Ti"etan onept o' "alaning emptine%% and
ompa%%ion, and I li&e it 'or thi% rea%on. (o$e!er, lot% o' people thin&
that enlightened "eing% $ill "e radiating lo!e all the time, $al&ing
aro#nd %aying lo!ing thing%, 'eel pro'o#nd lo!e 'or all thing% at all time%,
and the li&e. An'ort#nately, thing% o#ldnIt "e '#rther 'rom the tr#th.
.hile it doe% get %ometime% ea%ier to ta&e the $ider $orld o' "eing%
into on%ideration a% the enter point i% %een thro#gh, thi% i% !ery
di''erent 'rom $al&ing aro#nd in a %tate o' ontin#o#% lo!e.
More %ini%ter, deep, rarely arti#lated and yet ompelling i% the
notion that %omeho$ $e $ill get enlightened and then people $ill not
>#%t li&e #%, they $ill lo!e #%. .o$, doe% that one not $ith%tand reality
te%ting. Ta&e the hi%tory o' any o' yo#r 'a!orite %pirit#al %#perheroe%,
the B#ddha, De%#% Chri%t, ,t. Dohn o' the Cro%%, :#mi, et. and notie
the reation% people had to them. The notion that %omeho$ yo# $ill "e
em"raed, aepted, appreiated, re%peted, adored, ared 'or, or e!en
li&ed "y anyone >#%t "ea#%e o' realiLation i%, tragially, >#%t another
"ea#ti'#l, del#%ional dream. In %hort, thin& t$ie "e'ore )#itting yo#r
day >o" or $al&ing do$n the middle o' the %treet in yo#r g#r# o#t'it
prolaiming yo#r realiLation 'or all to lo!e.
+o$, it i% tr#e that yo# an "orro$ a lot o' pre8programmed re%pet
'rom %ome people >#%t "y ordaining, $hih, !ie$ed another $ay, mean%
that ordination might get yo# the re%pet that yo#r realiLation %ho#ld, in
%ome idealiLed #ni!er%e, pro!ide 'or yo#. (o$e!er, thi% $ill "e to a
%trangely %elet a#diene, and the game% yo# ha!e to partiipate in to "e
a part o' that gro#p are %igni'iant. Go# an al%o get a lot o' re%pet "y
417
getting on %ome %enior teaher li%t, "#t there are %#"tle 'ore% that then
ome to "ear that $ill ha!e yo# denying a lot o' yo#r o$n h#manity
$hen in p#"li, th#% leading to the %hado$ %ide% I mentioned a"o!e.
The%e point% al%o hint at the ,oial Model% that $ill 'ollo$ in a "it.
T(E A+ITG M*DE2,
:elated to the 2o!e Model% are the Anity Model%, tho%e that
promi%e a palpa"le %en%e o' yo#r onnetion to e!erything el%e. Thi% i%
another one o' tho%e model% that ontain% %ome %ort o' tr#th, "#t i% in
'at one 'ar eFtreme %ide o' the #nityQeFtintion paradoF. .hat $e
generally imagine i% that $e $ill %tay an agent, a %eparate, on%io#%, in8
ontrol "eing and yet $ill "e part o' e!erything in %ome my%terio#% $ay,
%#h a% either 'eeling e!erything el%e at all time% or e!en more l#diro#%,
"eing in ontrol o' e!erything el%e at all time%. I ha!e already %pent a lot
o' time on thi% model in the %etion alled +o8,el' !%. Tr#e ,el' and in
pre!io#% model%, %o $ill mo!e on $ith the %imple %tatement that tho%e
that "elie!e in #niti!e model% are mi%%ing %omething '#ndamental.
T(E ,*CIA2 M*DE2,
In the %ame !ein a% the 2o!e Model% are the ,oial Model%. The%e
tend to in!ol!e all %ort% o' %oial impliation% or i%%#e% aro#nd
enlightenment. -or in%tane, $e may imagine that enlightenment $ill
a#tomatially ha!e ertain de%ira"le %oial impliation%, %#h a% "eing
aepted in a parti#lar %oial role, %#h a% that o' a teaher, g#ide,
mentor, %pirit#al 'riend, g#r#, leader, a!atar, et. Thi% #%#ally in!ol!e%
%ome poorly de'ined gro#p o' people aepting #%. .hile %pirit#al
attainment% and #nrelated )#alitie% an %ometime% in%pire people to
!ie$ #% in the%e $ay%, there are a"%ol#tely no g#arantee%.
A% I ha!e pointed o#t "e'ore, plenty o' people $ith $i%dom ha!e
"een ridi#led, o%traiLed, per%e#ted, atta&ed, >ailed and m#rdered
$hen they %po&e 'rom that plae. In %hort, any %oial impliation% o'
oneI% realiLation Ca%%#ming one i% orret in laiming or "elie!ing itE $ill
"e at the mery o' ordinary a#%al reality, >#%t a% $ith e!erything el%e,
and ordinary a#%al reality an really %#& %ometime%. -#rther, the !a%t
ma>ority o' people donIt really ha!e any l#e $hat enlightenment i%
a"o#t, donIt thin& that enlightenment really eFi%t% today, may not ha!e
enlightenment a% part o' their !ie$ o' $hat po%%i"le or e!en de%ira"le,
419
or may e!en 'ind the notion that yo# thin& yo# are enlightened to "e a
threat to their religio#% "elie'% or an indiation o' yo#r grandio%ity,
arrogane, del#%ion, or p%yho%i%. (a!ing li!ed $ith the%e i%%#e% 'or
o!er a deade, I an tell yo# that the%e reation% are a% li&ely to "e
'o#nd in the %oial irle% o' B#ddhi%m a% they are in the %oial irle%
o' any other meditati!e or non8meditati!e religio#% or non8religio#%
tradition.
*ther ,oial Model% in!ol!e enlightenment ha!ing %omething to do
$ith other peopleI% opinion% regarding $hether or not $e are
enlightened, meaning that enlightenment i% p#rely a %oial on!ention
or olleti!e de%ignation and ha% nothing to do $ith reality or the
indi!id#al% pereption o' it. In thi% model, >#%t a% $e may elet a
pre%ident Cor at lea%t "elie!e $e are a%ting !ote% 'or oneE, %o it i% $ith
enlightenment. Thi% i% at#ally 'airly ommon in a n#m"er o' .e%tern
B#ddhi%t irle%, inl#ding %ome ma>or retreat enter%, in $hih they all
"o$ to the %enior teaher li%t and yet hold the paradigm that no one
really get% enlightened. .hile all "a%ially the ne#ro%i% o' %pirit#al
hildren, there are at#ally %ome real, pratial tr#th% hidden in thi%
model.
.hile o#r diret pereption o' reality $ill depend on o#r pratie
and in%ight%, any attempt% at diretly promoting %imilar in%ight% in other%
$ill "e greatly helped or hindered "y $hat people thin& o' #%, $hether
or not $e are gi!en %ome title, $hether or not a lineage aept% #% a% a
teaher in that lineage, and $hether or not the onept% and lang#age
$e #%e to de%ri"e and %ell o#r realiLation 'it in $ith the #lt#ral
eFpetation% and norm% o' o#r %oial irle%. -#rther, there are tho%e
$ho 'al%ely thin& they are enlightened "ea#%e %omeone el%e thin&% they
are, and plenty o' people on %enior teaher li%t% that pro"a"ly %ho#ldnIt
"e there.
*ne $ay or another, it i% $orth eFamining o#r deepe%t "elie'%
regarding the %oial impliation% $e imagine $ill o#r $hen $e get
enlightened or more enlightened. The%e an ha!e a "ig impat on o#r
pratie, o#r moti!ation to pratie, and $hat &ind o' %#e%%e% and
'ail#re% $e ha!e in %preading in%ight% aro#nd one $e ha!e in%ight%
o#r%el!e%. An'ort#nately, mo%t o' o#r "elie'% are li&ely to "e %ome$hat
#nreali%ti, %pringing 'rom the #nder%tanda"le h#man need 'or
415
reognition, role, and %oial %tat#%. Again, the '#rther $e 'ind o#r
dream% 'rom o#r #rrent reality, the more $e need to loo& at $hat i%
happening right no$, $ith tho%e dream% and need% "eing one %mall part
o' the tran%ient, a#%al %en%ation% that are ari%ing and !ani%hing.
,tated in pratial term% and "y $ay o' eFample, yo# o#ld "e a
'oreign medial grad that had trained $ell in %ome 'oreign %hool,
ompleted a good 'oreign re%ideny, "e per'etly )#ali'ied to pratie
'rom the point o' !ie$ o' &no$ledge, eFperiene and talent, and yet not
"e allo$ed to pratie in the Anited ,tate% #ntil yo# had >#mped
thro#gh all the hoop%. The %ame pro"lem an ari%e $hen people go
o#t%ide o' a tradition or partially o#t%ide it and yet do !ery good in%ight
$or&. They ha!e the &no$ledge "#t not the %oial de%ignation. 2i&e the
Tin Man in the .iLard o' *L $ho la&% a diploma, tho%e $ho are
enlightened $ho ha!e not gone thro#gh %tandard hannel% an r#n into
pro"lem%. That %aid, it al%o gi!e% the 'reedom to %pea& o#t $itho#t
$orrying a"o#t tho%e hannel% li&ing $hat yo# %ay, and there i% m#h
a"o#t the %tandard hannel% to %pea& o#t a"o#t.
I my%el' eFi%t in a gray area li&e thi%, a% do many modern teaher%. I
ha!e aompli%hed m#h #%ing the tehni)#e% o' the Thera!ada, a
tradition that eFpliitly %ay% that only mon&% an &no$ $hat I &no$ and
#%#ally only reogniLe% mon&% a% lineage holder%. Thi% i% a #lt#ral and
%oial pro"lem, and highlight% the tr#th em"odied in the %oial model%.
I %#%pet there $ill "e a lot more o' thi% a% the dharma mo!e% into the
modern era and more people are %#e%%'#l. .e need to ome #p $ith
%ol#tion% to thi% pro"lem that neither arti'iially ele!ate people nor
arti'iially pre!ent them 'rom %haring $hat i% they &no$ that i% o' "ene'it
to other%.
T(E T(:EE GA+A,
.hile I am generally a die8hard 'an o' the Thera!ada, I ha!e a great
appreiation 'or m#h o' the re%t o' B#ddhi%m and the $orldI% other
great my%tial tradition%. In that %pirit, I o''er the 'ollo$ing. Traditional
Ti"etan training i% "ro&en do$n into Three Gana% or !ehile%0 the
(inayana, the Mahayana and the Ha>rayana. The%e orre%pond !ery
niely to the need% o' pratitioner% at !ario#% %tage% o' the ,imple Model
pre%ented a"o!e.
420
The (inayana i% a %et o' tehni)#e% and pratie% that lo%ely
re%em"le% many o' the traditional training% o' the Thera!ada, and the%e
are o'ten on'#%ed 'or thi% rea%on. CThere are %ome hi%torial
relation%hip% "et$een the t$o that I do not $i%h to go into.E The
(inayanaI% empha%i% i% on "a%i morality, %ta"iliLing the mind, and
loo&ing into the Three Charateri%ti%, i.e. all o' the '#ndamental
pratie% and empha%e% that I mentioned in /art I. It i% de%igned to get a
per%on to the 'ir%t %tage o' a$a&ening, i.e. 'ir%t path, $hih the Ti"etan%
$o#ld all third path in the Ti"etan -i!e /ath Mode, or attaining the
'ir%t "h#mi.
Betting to the neFt %tage o' the %imple model or third path in!ol!e% a
deep appreiation o' interonnetedne%% in real time and a $illingne%%
to %#rrender to it. The Mahayana path pro!ide% method% 'or
#nder%tanding thi% in a"#ndane $ith it% %trong empha%i% on helping
other% and on the intrin%i emptine%% C;%h#nyata<E o' phenomena. The
Bodhi%att!a Ho$, a '#ndamental part o' the Mahayana path, not only
eFpre%%e% a deep $illingne%% to %#rrender to and #nder%tand
interonnetedne%%, "#t it% empha%i% on not "eoming a '#ll "#ddha an
help people get a$ay 'rom the temptation o' p#rely '#t#re8oriented
goal% and grandio%e !i%ion% o' per'etion that an %till "e )#ite a
hallenge at thi% %tage.
To get to the neFt %tage, one m#%t ompletely #nder%tand the
intrin%i l#mino%ity o' all phenomena $itho#t eFeption. The Ha>rayana
path, $ith it% empha%i% on intrin%i l#mino%ity and Tantri tehni)#e%
that $or& $ith the a$a&ened nat#re o' the '#llne%% o' the emotional
range, 'it% !ery $ell $ith the need% o' one trying to gain the 'inal
#nder%tanding that emptine%% i% 'orm. DLoghen teahing% al%o eFpliitly
empha%iLe inherent l#mino%ity and that all thing% are o' the nat#re o'
tr#th.
I am %till a "ig 'an o' the Thera!ada, o"!io#%ly, "#t I ha!e a %trong
appreiation 'or the tailored "ea#ty o' the Three Gana %y%tem o' the
Ti"etan%. It ha% an #nanny %ophi%tiation to it and i% part o' $hat
happen% nat#rally e!en i' yo# are 'ollo$ing Thera!ada tehni)#e%. I am
al%o a "ig 'an o' Sen, parti#larly it% %trong empha%i% on &eeping thing%
do$n to Earth, e.g. ;A'ter enlightenment, the la#ndry.< I' yo# learn any
o' the%e tradition% $ell, yo# $ill ome to %ee that they eah ontain the
421
other%. A% al$ay%, it i% not the tradition that i% important, "#t that it $or&
'or yo#.
In %hort, the non8d#ality model% are the only model% o' a$a&ening
that hold #p $itho#t apology, )#ali'iation or eFeption. The re%t o' the
model% ha!e %erio#% pro"lem%, tho#gh eah may ontain %ome amo#nt
o' tr#th in it, ho$e!er poorly on!eyed. Bi!en %#''iient eFperiene o'
the real $orld, tho%e $ho "elie!e in literal interpretation% o' %#h
on'#%ed model% a% the limited emotional range model% and limited
po%%i"le ation model% $ill either0
1E Be 'ored to ome to the onl#%ion that no li!ing "eing meet%
their de'inition% o' enlightenment,
2E Be 'ored into a dar& orner o' "orderline8p%yhoti
rationaliLation% o' $hat at#ally happen%, or
4E Be headed 'or a !ery r#de a$a&ening indeed, to ma&e a "it o' a
"ad p#n.
There i% only one thing $or%e in my mind than %t#dent% getting
a#ght #p in the dogma o' the $or%t o' the model%, and that i% realiLed
teaher% getting a#ght "y them. D#%t a% it i% di%appointing $hen tho%e
$ith long retreat re%#me% "#t no '#ndamental in%ight $ant to eno#rage
'aith in their "ea#ti'#l tradition "y appearing to &no$ more than they
at#ally do, it i% do#"ly di%appointing $hen realiLed "eing% an get
a#ght in the%e 'allaio#% model%, ating a% i' they $or&ed in the 'anta%y8
land $ay that mo%t people thin& they do. I &no$ eFatly $here they are
oming 'rom and ho$ tempting thi% i%, "#t I dream o' a day $hen %#h
thing% ne!er happen. The dharma $orld $o#ld "e %o m#h "etter o'' i'
teaher% $ere hone%t a"o#t $hat realiLation i% and ainIt, "oth $ith their
%t#dent% and al%o $ith them%el!e%. DonIt thin& thi% %ort o' di%hone%ty
doe%nIt o#r. I ha!e %een %ome o' my !ery "e%t and mo%t realiLed
teaher% 'all into thi% trap and ha!e al%o done %o my%el' more time% than
I an o#nt. 2earn 'rom tho%e $ho ha!e had to learn the hard $ay and
are $illing to admit thi%.
DITC(I+B *A: ;,TA--< H,. DITC(I+B T(E ,/2IT
.hile the%e t$o model% are %tated impliitly a"o!e, I tho#ght I
$o#ld %#mmariLe them again to ma&e %#re that I ha!e made thi%
important point lear. There are model% o' a$a&ening that in!ol!e
getting rid o' all o' o#r ;%t#''<, i.e. o#r i%%#e%, 'la$%, )#ir&%, pain%,
422
negati!e emotion%, tra#ma%, per%onalitie%, #lt#ral "aggage, hildhood
%ar%, relation%hip di''i#ltie%, in%e#ritie%, 'ear%, %trange notion%, et.
,#h model% #nderlie mo%t o' the main%tream !i%ion% o' %pirit#al
attainment.
.hat i% '#nny i% that lot% o' people %pend %o m#h time $or&ing %o
hard to get rid o' all their %t#'' "#t thin& that enlightenment, i.e. dithing
the ill#%ion o' the d#ali%ti %plit, i% largely #nattaina"le. I ha!e eFatly the
oppo%ite !ie$, that dithing the %plit i% !ery attaina"le "#t getting rid o'
all o' o#r %t#'' i% ompletely impo%%i"le. .hen I hear a"o#t tho%e $ho
$i%h to attain a type o' B#ddhahood that i% de'ined "y not ha!ing any
%t#'', I #%#ally thin& to my%el' that the o#ntle%% eon% they #%#ally laim
are nee%%ary to aompli%h thi% are a gro%% #ndere%timation. The real
$orld i% a"o#t %t#'', and enlightenment i% a"o#t the real $orld.
.hat i% !ery nie a"o#t dithing the %plit, a%ide 'rom the 'at that it
an "e done, i% that no$ $e an "e 'riend% $ith o#r %t#'' nat#rally, e!en
i' it %#&%. .e an $or& $ith it a% $ell a% an "e eFpeted and 'rom a
plae o' great larity and #nder%tanding. ,tage "y %tage, dithing the %plit
ma&e% all the %lo$ "#t nee%%ary healing %o m#h ea%ier or at lea%t more
tolera"le. Th#%, ta&e the time to $or& $ith yo#r %t#'', or try not to, a%
yo# li&e. *#r %t#'' i% here and "eing dealt $ith any$ay. (o$e!er,
%erio#%ly on%ider al%o doing the pratie% that an dith the %plit, i.e.
tho%e that a%& #% to %ee the tr#e nat#re o' the %en%ation% that ma&e #p all
o' o#r %t#'' and o#r attempt% to deal $ith it.
Try the%e t$o %enario% on 'or %iLe and %ee $hih %eem% to 'it $ith
yo#r goal% 'or yo#r li'e, $ith yo#r !i%ion o' a li'e $ell li!ed. In the 'ir%t,
imagine $or&ing $ith yo#r %t#'' a% "e%t yo# an 'or mo%t o' yo#r li'e,
ne!er really &no$ing $hat i% >#%t needle%% mind noi%e and mental d#re%%
a#%ed "y a la& o' "a%i larity. In yo#r old age yo# do the pratie%
that lead to realiLation. The "ene'it% o' that le!el o' #nder%tanding may
then "e #%ed 'or yo#r%el' and other% d#ring the remaining year% o' yo#r
li'e.
In the %eond %enario, yo# ta&e the time early in yo#r %pirit#al
pratie to attain to realiLation, 'ollo$ing the prei%e in%tr#tion% and
reommendation% o' a $ell8de!eloped in%ight tradition. Go# then #%e
that le!el o' inrea%ed larity, aeptane, intimay $ith li'e and
tran%endene to $or& on yo#r %t#'' and "ene'it other% 'or the re%t o'
424
yo#r li'e. The %eond approah %eem% !a%tly %#perior to me, "#t it i% %till
po%%i"le that the%e thing% are a matter o' ta%te. *ne $ay or the other,
ta&e re%pon%i"ility 'or the hoie yo# ma&e.
T(E ;+*T(I+B T* D*< A+D ;G*A A:E A2:EADG T(E:E< ,C(**2,
*n a %ome$hat di''erent note, I 'eel the need to addre%%, $hih i% to
%ay %hoot do$n $ith e!ery "it o' rhetorial 'ore I ha!e, the notion
promoted "y %ome teaher% and e!en tradition% that there i% nothing to
do, nothing to aompli%h, no goal to o"tain, no enlightenment other
than the ordinary %tate o' "eing, no pratie or tradition that i% o' !al#e,
no tehni)#e that $ill help. The other %ide o' thi% %ame oin i% the point
o' !ie$ that yo# already are realiLed, already there, already ompletely
aompli%hed, and yo# e%%entially %ho#ld "e a"le to >#%t "e told thi% "y
them to #nder%tand it 'or yo#r%el', $hih, $ere it tr#e, $o#ld ha!e "een
!ery nie o' them, eFept that it i% omplete "#ll%hit. The +othing To
Do ,hool and the Go# Are Already There ,hool are "oth "a%ially
!ile eFtreme% on the %ame "a%i notion that all e''ort to attain to ma%tery
i% already mi%%ing the point, an error o' ra!ing and gra%ping. They "oth
ontradit the '#ndamental premi%e o' thi% "oo&, namely that there i%
%omething amaLing to attain and #nder%tand and that there are %pei'i,
reprod#i"le method% that an help yo# do that.
(ere i% a detailed analy%i% o' $hat i% $rong $ith the%e and related
per%peti!e%. ,ome de'ender% o' the%e !ie$% $ill laim that they are the
mo%t immediate, mo%t omplete, highe%t and mo%t diret teahing% that
one o#ld promote, "#t I $ill laim that they do not lead to m#h that i%
good that annot "e attained "y onept#al 'rame$or&% that are not
nearly %o pro"lemati or ea%ily mi%on%tr#ed.
-ir%t, the%e notion% eno#rage people to not pratie. The de'ender%
an %ay $hat they li&e, "#t again and again I %ee people $ho %#"%ri"e to
the%e %ort% o' notion% re%ting on their le!erne%% and grand po%terior%
and not at#ally getting it in the %ame $ay that my aompli%hed
meditator 'riend% get it. It %eem% %o om'orting, thi% notion that yo# are
already %omething that yo#, in 'at, are not, or that there i% nothing that
yo# o#ld do that $o#ld "e #%e'#l.
The notion that people already are %omething "eg% the )#e%tion0
.hat are they= The%e !ie$% tend to imply that they are already
%omething %#h a% per'et, enlightened, realiLed, a$a&ened, or
423
%omething e!en $or%e %#h a% A$arene%%, Co%mi Con%io#%ne%%, The
Atman, an a%pet o' The Di!ine, et. all o' $hih annot at#ally "e
'o#nd. .hile B#ddhi%m doe% %ometime% go there, %#h a% #%ing term%
%#h a% Dharma&aya and B#ddha +at#re, the%e are !ery %lippery, high
onept% that $ere added later and re)#ire a ton o' eFplanation and
pratie eFperiene to &eep them 'rom "eoming the mon%ter% they
nearly al$ay% "eome in le%% eFperiened hand%.
A$a&ening in!ol!e% learly perei!ing #ni!er%al harateri%ti% o'
phenomena. .hile one an attempt to re%t om'orta"ly in the
intellet#al notion that the%e #ni!er%al harateri%ti% are there any$ay
and "e om'orted "y teahing% %#h a% ea%ily mi%on%tr#ed %tatement%
li&e, ;I ha!e gained nothing "y omplete and #n8eFelled
enlightenment,< the $hole, ore, e%%ential, root point o' all thi% i% that
there i% %omething to "e gained "y "eoming one o' the people that an
at#ally diretly perei!e the tr#e nat#re o' thing% learly eno#gh to
'#ndamentally hange the $ay reality i% perei!ed in real8time. The
%traight tr#th i% that the !a%t ma>ority o' people do not %tart o#t "eing
a"le to do anything e!en lo%e to thi%, and mo%t are l#&y to "e a"le to
%tay $ith three "reath% in %e)#ene "e'ore $andering o'' into their
ne#roti rap, m#h le%% #nder%tand anything li"erating a"o#t tho%e
"reath%. The notion that e!eryone already i% %omeone $ho an perei!e
reality the $ay the ma%ter% do $itho#t e''ort in real8time i% a 'anta%ti
'al%ehood, lie, #ntr#th, and in %hort, one great load o' apathy8reating
in%anity.
I' one goe% aro#nd a%&ing people $itho#t !ery good in%ight into
the%e thing%, i.e. the #nenlightened, a"o#t "a%i dharma point%, point%
that are o"!io#% to tho%e $ho ha!e learned to pay attention $ell, one
doe% not 'ind that e!eryone already i% a per%on $ho i% perei!ing thing%
at the le!el that ma&e% the di''erene the dharma promi%e%. -#rther,
e!en tho%e o' lo$er le!el% o' enlightenment generally ha!e a hard time
%aying they really are a"le to perei!e the emptine%%, l#mino%ity,
%el'le%%ne%%, a#%ality, tran%iene, ephemerality, et. o' reality in real8
time at all time% $itho#t ha!ing to really do anything. In %hort, the
notion that thi% i% a% ea%y a% >#%t "eing $hat yo# already are i% $ildly o''
the mar&, a% the !a%t ma>ority o' people are $oe'#lly #nderde!eloped on
the perept#al 'ront in )#e%tion.
426
Th#%, all reality te%ting re!eal% that the t$o %hool% are mi%%ing a
!ery '#ndamental point0 $hile the #ni!er%al harateri%ti% are al$ay%
mani'e%ting in all thing% and at all time%, there are tho%e $ho an
perei!e thi% $ell and tho%e $ho annot, and meditati!e training,
onept#al 'rame$or&%, tehni)#e%, teaher%, teFt%, di%#%%ion% and the
li&e an all ontri"#te to de!eloping the internal %&ill% and $iring to "e
a"le to '#lly realiLe $hat i% po%%i"le, a% tho#%and% o' pratitioner%
thro#gho#t the age% ha!e notied. I my%el' ha!e &no$n "e'ore and a'ter,
meaning that I &no$ $hat I $a% apa"le o' perei!ing and
#nder%tanding "e'ore I #nder$ent meditati!e training and a'ter, and no
amo#nt o' "eing 'ed the onept that I $a% already a% de!eloped a% I
o#ld "e, $a% already enlightened, $a% already there, had nothing to do,
nothing to de!elop, $a% already a% lear a% I o#ld "e, $a% already
per'etly a$a&e, et. $a% going to ma&e the di''erene that pratiing 'or
tho#%and% o' ho#r% o!er many year% did.
It $o#ld "e li&e %aying0 yo# are already a onert piani%t, yo# >#%t
ha!e to realiLe it, or yo# already are a n#lear phy%ii%t, yo# >#%t ha!e to
realiLe it, or yo# already %pea& e!ery lang#age, yo# >#%t ha!e to realiLe it.
It $o#ld "e li&e %aying to a t$o8year old0 yo# already #nder%tand
e!erything yo# need to &no$ %o %top learning ne$ thing% no$, or to a
%e!ere paranoid %hiLophreni0 yo# already are a% %ane a% anyone and
do not need to ta&e yo#r mediine% and %ho#ld >#%t 'ollo$ the !oie%
that tell yo# to &ill people, or to a per%on $ith heart di%ea%e0 >#%t &eep
%mo&ing and eating 'ried por& %&in% and yo# $ill "e healthy, or to an
illiterate per%on $ith no math %&ill% $ho &eep% ha!ing a hard time
na!igating in the modern $orld and i% on%tantly ripped o''0 no need to
learn to read and do math, a% yo# are >#%t 'ine a% yo# are, or %aying to a
greedy, orr#pt, orporate8raiding, $hite8ollar riminal, -a%i%t,
aloholi $i'e8"eater0 hey, D#de, yo# are a li&e, "ea#ti'#l per'et 'lo$er
o' the +o$ Moment, already enlightened ìn%ert to&e herea, yo# are
doing and not8doing >#%t 'ine, li&e $o$, %o &eep #p the good $or&,
Man.
.o#ld yo# let a "lind and partially paralyLed #ntrained %tro&e
!itim per'orm open8heart %#rgery on yo#r hild "a%ed on the notion
that they already are an aompli%hed %#rgeon "#t >#%t ha!e to realiLe it=
.o#ld yo# 'ollo$ the dharma teahing% o' people $ho 'eed other
427
people thi% &ind o' rap= Tho%e $ho imagine that e!eryone %omeho$ in
their de!elopment already "eame a% lear and perepti!e a% they o#ld
"e >#%t "y "eing ali!e i% mi%%ing %omething !ery pro'o#nd. Do they
imagine that yo# an >#%t remind people o' the%e thing% and %#ddenly all
$i%dom and larity $ill %#ddenly appear= Thi% i% mind8"ogglingly nai!e.
I ha!e gained %o m#h that i% good and lo%t %o m#h that i% "ad "y
learning to pratie $ell, learning to onentrate, learning the theory,
learning in%ight pratie%, going thro#gh the organi proe%% o' the %tage%
o!er deade%, reading the %torie%, reading a"o#t the li!e% o' the great
pratitioner%, ha!ing dharma on!er%ation% $ith dharma 'riend%,
de"ating point%, $re%tling $ith di''i#lt onept% and ho$ to apply them
to my at#al li'e, teahing, learning, %t#dying, playing $ith the po$er%,
$riting, realiLing ho$ thing% are, and del!ing deeply into the %en%ate
$orld that I am a%to#nded that anyone $o#ld $ant to try to red#e
%omething %o grand, $onder'#l, deep, rih, amaLing and pro'o#nd to
%#h a paltry, ridi#lo#% onept a% the notion that all that i% already in
plae in e!eryone regardle%% o' $hat they ha!e done or not done. All
tho%e "ene'it%, %&ill%, a"ilitie%, po$er%, %tate%, %tage%, eFperiene%,
in%ight%, and '#ndamental perept#al hange% %imply $ere not a!aila"le
#ntil I did the $or&, too& the time, partiipated in the proe%%, and no
amo#nt o' anyone telling me it $a% other$i%e $o#ld ha!e helped or
made it %o.
I &no$ o' no eFample% $here the nee%%ary and %#''iient a#%e% 'or
the ari%ing o' the%e "ene'it% did not in!ol!e %ome &ind o' $or&. In %hort,
I %ay to tho%e $ho per%i%t in promoting the +othing To Do ,hool and
the Go# Are Already There ,hool0 ,T*/ ITK Go# are %preading
raLine%%, and thi% i% raLine%% that many people $ill not "e a"le to tell i%
raLine%%, and that appear% to inl#de tho%e $ho promote the%e 'allaie%.
.hile I #%#ally do not go %o 'ar a% to tell people that there i% %omething
%o deeply $rong $ith $hat they thin& and ho$ they omm#niate it that
they %ho#ld %top it immediately and 'ore!er, thi% parti#lar point i% a
great eFample o' %omething I on%ider a"horrent and $orthy o'
pro'o#nd re!i%ion.
:egardle%% o' any &ind intention%, the teahing% o' the%e %hool%
ta&e a hal'8tr#th that %eem% %o !ery nie and %ed#ti!e to #% ne#roti
pratitioner% $ho >#%t an "arely %tand another ahie!ement trip and
427
ha!e %#h a hard time $ith %el'8aeptane and t#rn that di%tortion into
%#gary poi%on. There i% no need to tie the three #%e'#l onept% o' 1E
no8%el', 2E %el'8aeptane in the ordinary %en%e, and 4E the notion that
the %en%ation% that lead to #nder%tanding i' learly perei!ed o!er and
o!er again are mani'e%ting right here, right no$, to %#h a per!er%ely
t$i%ted yet %eemingly "enign and %imilar onept% a% the one% they
#n'ort#nately promote.
-I+A2 /*I+T,
,pirit#ality that ignore% or o!er% #p o#r ine!ita"le dar& or
#nde%ira"le %ide% i% doomed to "e "itten and "#rned "y them. Model%
o' realiLation that in!ol!e high ideal% o' h#man per'etion ha!e a#%ed
%o m#h de>etion, de%pair and mi%g#ided e''ort thro#gho#t the age%
that I ha!e no )#alm% a"o#t doing my !ery "e%t to try to %ma%h them to
piee% on the %harp ro&% o' reality. They are not ompletely #%ele%%,
and there i% %ome !al#e in &eeping the %tandard% to $hih $e a%pire
high a% $e $ill %ee in the neFt hapter, "#t mo%t o' the time are ta&en
$ay too %erio#%ly to "e help'#l at all.
It i% lear that tho%e $ho adhere the mo%t rigidly to the %el'8
per'etion model% o' enlightenment are al%o !ery o'ten tho%e $ho
"elie!e enlightenment i% the lea%t attaina"le and 'eel the mo%t
di%empo$ered in their pratie and %pirit#al li'e. +ot %#rpri%ingly, tho%e
$ith the highe%t %tandard% 'or $hat realiLation $ill entail o'ten ha!e the
lo$e%t %tandard% 'or their o$n pratie and $hat they hope to at#ally
attain in thi% li'etime. They are the armhair )#arter"a&% o' the
%pirit#al path. Beoming grandio%e a"o#t a%piring to a high ideal %eem%
to "e a ommon oping mehani%m 'or dealing $ith a la& o'
on'idene and in%ight. A% Chri%topher Titm#%%, one o' my "e%t and
mo%t hone%t teaher%, o'ten %ay%, ;.e do not ome 'rom a %el'8
per'etion lineage.< There are tho%e $ho do eFpliitly ome 'rom %el'8
per'etion lineage%. I $i%h them good l#&. TheyIll need it.
429
41.SO WHAT#S FULL ENLIGHTENMENT? *
Thi% ha% "een a %o#re o' on%idera"le de"ate, on'#%ion and
di!i%ion in B#ddhi%m, parti#larly "et$een the three main tradition% o'
the Thera!ada, Ti"etan, and Sen. I am going to >#mp into the 'ray, a% i%
my typial %tyle, "#t realiLe that it i% going to "e a me%%y "#%ine%%. The%e
de"ate% tend to "oil do$n to arahat% !%. "#ddha%, a di%tintion I hope to
ma&e lear %hortly. Sen i% largely on the %ide o' "#ddha%, tho#gh their
intrig#ing !ag#ene%% on the %#">et an at time% ma&e it %ome$hat
#nertain $hat they mean "y ;"#ddha.< Mo%t o' the time the Sen &id%
at#ally %eem to mean ;arahat< $hen they %ay ;"#ddha,< tho#gh I
$o#ldnIt go aro#nd %aying that i' yo# $ant to "e li&ed. In my more
ynial moment%, I thin& their model% end at %tream entry. *n the other
hand, the mo%t mythologial de%ription% o' arahat% in the Thera!ada
are o'ten lo%er to the %tyliLed de%ription% o' "#ddha%, %o the pro"lem
i% o"!io#%ly $ide%pread and goe% "oth $ay%. All &ind% o' a"%#rd
ten%ion% and di!i%ion% ha!e ari%en aro#nd thi% one point "et$een the
Thera!ada and the Mahayana $hen, at lea%t in term% o' at#al dogma,
there i% really no on'lit. (o$ the%e ideal% relate to non8B#ddhi%t
tradition% i% ompleF, and I o''er the %imple notion that the%e thing% all
on!erge rather than di!erge at thi% le!el.
The Thera!ada learly a&no$ledge% that an arahat i% a %tage "elo$
"#ddhahood, and no#!ea# Ti"etan% %eem parti#larly glee'#l at thi%.
CTo digre%% again 'or >#%t a moment, there i% an aporyphal and a"%#rd
%tory in ir#lation that $hen the teahing% on emptine%% $ere 'ir%t
gi!en, a large n#m"er o' arahat% dropped dead o' heart atta&%. Thi%
tend% to a#%e oneited la#ghter and %mile% on the 'ae% o' no#!ea#
Ti"etan B#ddhi%t%, $hih i% a"o#t a% %i& a reation a% I an imagine.
.hen $ill thi% %ort o' !ile and a"%#rd de'amation o' other !al#a"le
tradition% end=E The arahat ha% attained to the omplete and #tter
elimination o' the ill#%ion% o' permanene, %ati%'atorine%%, and d#ality
C%eparate %el'E, and no$ perei!e% reality non8d#ali%tially. They &no$
the >oy and larity o' 'reedom, a% $ell a% the '#llne%% o' their h#manity.
Th#%, the notion that an arahat i% ;%el'8realiLed< i% an oFymoron
perpet#ated "y reg#lar moron%.
,o .hatI% ;-#ll Enlightenment<=
Arahat%hip may orrelate $ith the 7
th
"h#mi or the 9
th
"h#mi in the
Ti"etan model, depending on the %o#re% o' in'ormation. There are
al%o rea%on% to a%%oiate it $ith the 10
th
"h#mi, "#t I digre%%. ,ome
Ti"etan B#ddhi%t% $ill tell yo# that the 'o#r path% and the ten "h#mi%
are t$o di!ergent tra&% o' a$a&ening, "#t thi% i% a load o' e)#ine
eFrement. Dithing the %plit i% dithing the %plit, and the re%t i% gra!y.
Enlightenment i% eFatly the %ame regardle%% o' the tradition one
'ollo$ed to attain it. Thi% i% non8negotia"le, and tho%e $ho %ay other$i%e
are merely doing %o 'or rer#iting p#rpo%e% or "ea#%e they donIt &no$
any "etter or "oth.
(o$e!er, it i% learly %tated "y "oth tradition% that arahat% may not
ha!e ompletely integrated their #nder%tanding into their li'e and %o
may not ha!e eliminated all ;#n%&ill'#l< re%id#al ha"it%, altho#gh
de'ining ;#n%&ill'#l< here i% a% pro"lemati a% de'ining ;appropriate.<
There are many %torie% in The Hinaya and in modern time% a"o#t
arahat% "eha!ing in %trange $ay%, and thi% goe% ten time% 'or "#ddha% in
the Mahayana and Ha>rayana literat#re and today.
:egardle%% o' ho$ yo# de'ine ;#n%&ill'#l,< eliminating all ;#n%&ill'#l<
re%id#al ha"it% i% %ometime% %een a% %#h an #nderta&ing that many
%hool% o' B#ddhi%m hold it to "e an a"%#rd and impratial ideal.
(o$e!er, there i% %ome plae 'or %#h high %tandard% i' they are
%#pplemented $ith a !ery "ig do%e o' reality, patiene and a %en%e o'
h#mor.
B#ddha% are de'ined a% ha!ing ma%tered all o' the onentration
%tate% and p%yhi po$er%, $herea% arahat% may or may not ha!e. CIt
%ho#ld "e noted that e!en #nenlightened "eing% an ma%ter almo%t all o'
the p%yhi po$er% and all o' the onentration %tate%.E B#ddha% are
de'ined a% ha!ing #nder%tood the teahing% and the tr#th o' thing% ;to
the !ery end,< $herea% arahat% ha!e >#%t '#lly #nder%tood the%e. The
di%tintion here i% lo%t on me.
-#rther, "oth %ide% al%o %tate learly that there are "odhi%att!a% that
may one day "eome "#ddha%. Again, to %ti& aro#nd re)#ire% "eing
nothing "#t empty a$arene%% or dharma&aya Cin Tr#e ,el' term%E, a%
thi% i% all that i% permanent "#t not a thing or loaliLed in a %pei'i
plae, et. a% "e'ore. Thi% #nder%tanding i% learly pre%ent in arahat%,
"odhi%att!a% o' the 9th "h#mi and a"o!e, and "#ddha%. Th#%, thi%
440
$hole "odhi%att!a thing and all the tal& o' the B#ddha mani'e%ting a% a
"odhi%att!a i% >#%t a %&ill'#l Tr#e ,el' or dharma&aya teahing, a% "e'ore,
and not at#ally in on'lit $ith the Thera!ada eFept to tho%e $ho
mi%#nder%tand $hat the%e teahing% are really tal&ing a"o#t.
It i% thi% %ort o' on'#%ion that %tart% all %ort% o' a"%#rd and
ompletely #%ele%% on!er%ation% a"o#t re"irth that ta&e a$ay time 'rom
real pratie and #%e'#l in)#iry. All tal& o' B#ddha +at#re i% at#ally
thi% %ame Tr#e ,el' teahing, a% "e'ore. Balaned and %trong
#nder%tanding o' "oth emptine%% and ompa%%ion i% !ital 'or
#nder%tanding the Middle .ay and 'or "ene'iting other%, and thi% point
i% 'o#nd in all the B#ddhi%t tradition% o' $hih I am a$are.
:emem"er ho$, in the "eginning o' /art II, I %tated that the point o'
all o' thi% i% to "eome a ma%ter o' the relati!e and the #ltimate= .hen
one "eome% an arahat, $hih o#ld 'rom one point o' !ie$ "e
on%idered "eoming a ma%ter o' the #ltimate, then the relati!e $orld o'
phenomena i% '#lly #nder%tood to al%o "e the #ltimate. Thi% then
nat#rally "ring% in the ideal o' B#ddhahood a% the neFt logial %tandard
to a%pire to, a% %#ddenly one annot tr#ly "e a ma%ter o' the #ltimate
$itho#t al%o "eing a ma%ter o' the relati!e. Bo "eome an arahat and
%ee 'or yo#r%el' $hat onl#%ion yo# dra$ 'rom yo#r eFperiene.
There i% a %tory o' a Thai arahat that too& Bodhi%att!a Ho$%. In
doing %o, he pi%%ed o'' lot% o' die8hard Thera!ada 'an%, and many "egan
to thin& that he m#%t not ha!e at#ally "een an arahat. Again, thi% i% a
'airly %i& reation to a "ea#ti'#l and no"le a&no$ledgement that $e
an al$ay% learn more a"o#t ho$ to ma&e a po%iti!e di''erene in thi%
$orld.
:emem"er long ago $hen I mentioned that the 'ir%t training $a%
al%o the la%t training= .e m#%t ontin#e to 'ind %&ill'#l $ay% to li!e in
the $orld a'ter realiLation%, >#%t li&e e!eryone el%e. *n the other hand,
the attainment o' arahat%hip i% the 'inal #nder%tanding that the $hole
proe%% i% %imply happening "y it%el', %o $hate!er progre%% o#r%
to$ard% "#ddhahood and li!ing $ell in the $orld, ho$e!er de'ined, i%
'rom that point on ompletely nat#ral and ine!ita"le. *n reading the
old teFt%, it "eome% !ery lear that not only do arahat% ha!e lot% le't to
learn a"o#t li!ing in the ordinary $orld, "#t %o did the B#ddha. (e $a%
on%tantly learning more and more a"o#t teahing, dealing $ith people,
441
and r#nning a "ig organiLation. In %hort, donIt imagine that yo# $ill e!er
"e %a!ed 'rom ha!ing to learn ho$ to li!e $ell in the $orld. It i% an
endle%% #nderta&ing.
In the end, it m#%t rel#tantly "e oneded that 'inal and '#ll
enlightenment in!ol!e% the death o' a highly enlightened "eing,
%omething alled ;paranir!ana< or ;nir!ana $itho#t remainder.< I donIt
mean to "e needle%%ly mor"id, "#t $hile there i% %till a "ody and a mind
there i% %till %#''ering a% o#r old 'riend ,id the B#ddha de'ined it, and
th#% it i% not #ntil a highly enlightened "eing die% that the $hole proe%%
i% ompleted. Thi% i% not meant in any $ay to promote the %#iide o'
highly enlightened "eing%, "#t %imply to a&no$ledge the impliation% o'
"eing "orn and to "e dotrinally orret.
(o$e!er, thi% again 'all% prey to the interonnetedne%% !%.
omplete tran%endene de"ate% >#%t a% the arahat !%. B#ddha de"ate%
do, %o 'rom a ertain point o' !ie$ the )#e%tion o' $hat i% '#ll
enlightenment annot "e an%$ered $itho#t all "eing% getting enlightened
and then dying. Thi% i% o"!io#%ly #nli&ely to o#r any time %oon.
(o$e!er, 'rom another point o' !ie$ all "eing% are already enlightened
"#t ha!e yet to realiLe it, and th#% the de"ate i% meaningle%%. Th#%, yo#
no$ ha!e %ome #nder%tanding o' $hy the%e ridi#lo#% de"ate% ha!e
"een aro#nd 'or %o long and $hy I o"!io#%ly am not going to re%ol!e
them here. A% $ith all logial %y%tem% that in!ol!e 'al%e a%%#mption% o'
d#ality C$hih they all doE, any arg#ment ta&en 'ar eno#gh either goe% in
irle%, ontradit% it%el' or "oth. /#t yo#r time into lear pratie and
not into thin&ing a"o#t the%e thing% too m#h.
442
42.INTEGRATION*
A 'riend o' mine read thro#gh an earlier !er%ion o' thi% $or& and
ommented that there $a% !ery little in thi% "oo& on integration, the
proe%% "y $hih oneI% li'e ome% to "e a nat#ral re'letion o' oneI%
in%ight%. I replied that I $o#ld $rite %omething a"o#t integration $hen I
&ne$ %omething a"o#t it, $hih he tho#ght $a% '#nny, parti#larly
&no$ing me. (o$e!er, o!er the year% I ha!e learned a 'e$ thing% a"o#t
the endle%%ly ompleF, my%terio#% and yet %trangely ordinary topi o'
integration and a"o#t li!ing in the $orld d#ring and in the $a&e o'
in%ight%. There are many %o#re%, %#h a% A /ath .ith (eart and A'ter
the E%ta%y, the 2a#ndry, "oth "y Da& Jorn'ield, that do a m#h "etter
treatement o' the i%%#e than $hat 'ollo$%, "#t hope'#lly %ome o' the%e
%imple point% $ill "e o' #%e.
The 'ir%t point i% one that I ha!e made impliitly a"o!e, "#t $ill
ma&e eFpliit here0 Bo ahead and get %ome deep in%ight to integrate in
the 'ir%t plae. I ha!e lot% o' 'riend% on the %pirit#al path that %eem to "e
doing $or& that I a%%oiate $ith integration $hen they donIt yet ha!e any
'#ndamental in%ight to integrate. Thi% %eem% to "e !ery %trange $ay to
go, i' yo# a%& me. They %eem to "e $or&ing on their %t#'' $itho#t the
larity and per%peti!e that ome% 'rom realiLation% into the tr#th o'
thing%. Bo get enlightenedK Beome a %tream enterer at the !ery lea%t
and pre'era"ly "eome an arahat. .itho#t the%e realiLation%, it i% !ery
hard to determine $hat need% $or& and $hat i% >#%t eFe%%i!e del#%ion
and mind noi%e reated "y the ill#%ion o' d#ality that %till remain%.
Th#%, $hen on retreat or doing 'ormal pratie, thin& are'#lly
a"o#t $hat yo# $ant to ahie!e. Do yo# $ant to $or& on yo#r %t#'' or
$or& on '#ndamental in%ight%= :ealiLe that it might not "e ea%y to do
either, and %o might "e !ery hard to do "oth %im#ltaneo#%ly. Do yo#
$ant to gain deep in%ight% and then $or& on yo#r %t#'' 'rom that
'o#ndation o' "a%i larity, or do yo# $ant to $or& on yo#r %t#'' #ntil,
#ntil, #ntil $hen= Antil yo# donIt ha!e any %t#''= Bood l#&K
That "ring% me to the %eond point, $hih i% to pi& yo#r "attle%.
.e anIt do e!erything. .e anIt ha!e it all. .e %imply donIt ha!e the
time or the energy. ,pirit#al tehnology $ill not hange the%e %imple
'at% o' li'e. .e an only "e $or&ing on %o many thing% at one and %till
Integration
do any o' them $ell. .e need "rea&%, do$ntime, and "alane.
(o$e!er, i' $e are $i%e and di%erning, $e an ra't a %et o' prioritie%
'or o#r%el!e% that honor% o#r #ni)#e %pirit#al need%, relation%hip need%,
areer need%, rereational need%, and 'amily need%, a% $ell a% the need%
o' other%. .e an do thi% in a $ay that i% reali%ti and allo$% #% to &eep
ma&ing good #%e o' o#r li'e $itho#t "#rning o#t or %tagnating. +o one
an e!er tell yo# eFatly ho$ to do thi%. Go# ha!e yo#r o$n need% and
li'e %it#ation. .or& $ith it a% "e%t yo# an.
The third point a"o#t integration and li!ing in the $orld that I ha!e
had to learn the hard $ay i% a onept that I reently heard arti#lated
!ery $ell "y my 'riend Tom in the phra%e, ;:ight plane, right time,<
$hih $a% hi% $ay o' %aying, ;A%e the orret onept#al and
paradigmati 'rame$or& 'or the orret %it#ation.< 2i&e the %imple li%t%
o' /art I, thi% phra%e o#ld "e the "a%i% o' an entire "oo& C%ee the
di''i#lt "#t eFellent The ,petr#m o' Con%io#%ne%%, "y Jen .il"er,
$hih %pend% a lot o' time eFplaining ho$ to &eep o#r paradigm%
%traight and not miF them #pE. -rom the point o' !ie$ o' integration, it
"a%ially mean% that one generally %ho#ld #%e a $ay o' approahing a
%it#ation or pro"lem that 'it% $ith that %it#ation or pro"lem. *ne %ho#ld
"e on%io#% o' the onept#al 'rame$or&% that one #%e% $hen
approahing eah a%pet o' oneI% li'e, a% %ome onept#al 'rame$or&%
or $ay% o' "eing may not "e help'#l or appropriate 'or ertain %it#ation%.
I $ill ill#%trate thi% "y $ay o' %ome eFample%.
.hen doing in%ight pratie%, i% it #%e'#l to a%%#me a 'e$ thing%.
*ne %ho#ld a%%#me that no %#h thing a% a "ody eFi%t%, nor doe% a mind
eFi%t, nor are there nat#ral "o#ndarie% inherent in %en%ation%. There are
%en%ation% that ari%e and pa%% )#i&ly, are not a"le to %ati%'y d#e to the
ill#%ion o' d#ality, and are ;empty,< meaning that they imply no %el' or
%eparatene%% that i% in ontrol. It i% not all that #%e'#l to get o!erly
onerned $ith $hat the%e %en%ation% at#ally are or $hy they aro%e.
.hen doing >#%t a"o#t e!erything el%e, thi% $ay o' proeeding may
a#%e giganti pro"lem%. -or in%tane, $hen dri!ing a ar, one m#%t
a%%#me that oneI% ar i% a %eparate entity, one that %ho#ld not ollide
$ith the other ar% on the road. *ne m#%t a%%#me %olidity and that one
i% in ontrol o' oneI% ar, one m#%t pay attention to the edge% o' %pei'i
thing%, and "e are'#l a"o#t the detail% o' oneI% dri!ing en!ironment,
443
Integration
oneI% de%tination, and the r#le% o' the road. -or ;real $orld< pro"lem%,
I ha!e 'o#nd that ;real $orld< %ol#tion% are the $ay to go. :ight plane,
right time. It m#%t al%o "e %aid that paying more attention to o#r %en%ate
$orld help% "oth $ith in%ight pratie% and the ;daily li'e.<
Another eFample to ontra%t $ith the paradigm #%e'#l in in%ight
pratie% i% in h#man relation%hip%. Imagine %omeone %aying to yo#,
;Go# are %o empty. Go# are %o #n%ati%'atory. Go# are %o tran%ient.< It
>#%t doe%nIt $or&. Imagine going into a "an& at $hih yo# ha!e reently
o!erdra$n yo#r ao#nt and %aying, ;I do not eFi%t a% a %eparate entity.
There i% no MII or MmineI that an "e 'o#nd. Th#%, all o' thi% tal& o' me
o$ing yo# %omething i% non%en%e. .e are interdependent l#mino%ity.<
Thi% >#%t doe%nIt 'ly. :ight plane, right time. The%e are ridi#lo#%
eFample%, "#t i' yo# hang o#t in %pirit#al %ene% and pay attention to the
onept#al 'rame$or&% people #%e and $hen they #%e them, yo# $ill
'ind n#mero#% %imilar error% in >#dgment.
The%e eFample% al%o ill#%trate the important onept o' "eing
are'#l $hen tal&ing a"o#t oneI% pratie. Cho%e the orret $ord% or
degree o' %ilene 'or the people aro#nd yo# and the %it#ation% in $hih
yo# 'ind yo#r%el', parti#larly %oon a'ter dramati o#rrene%. I anIt
tell yo# the n#m"er o' time% I ha!e loo&ed li&e a ompletely
inon%iderate n#ta%e $hen I opened my "ig 'lapping pie8hole to the
$rong people %oon a'ter %ome inten%e in%ight or rapt#re had o#rred.
A% a dead -renh o#lti%t one %aid, ;To tell %omeone %omething they
anIt #nder%tand i% a% "ad a% telling them a lie.< .i%e $ord%. C#lti!ate a
net$or& o' 'riend% $ith $hom yo# an %hare the%e thing%, or &eep a
diary i' thi% i% not pratial, or "oth. There i% %omething help'#l a"o#t
"eing a"le to tal& a"o#t #n#%#al thing% in a %a'e and appropriate onteFt.
It i% not #nommon 'or people $ho get deeply into pratie to
eno#nter t$o i%%#e%0 that it i% di''i#lt to learn to go ea%ily "et$een one
$ay o' "eing and another, 'rom one onept#al 'rame$or& and another,
and that pratie and ;the $orld< %eem to "e in diret on'lit. Bi!en
o#r "a%i d#ali%ti ill#%ion, it o'ten %eem% that $e m#%t let thing% go in
%ome %ort o' literal %en%e, %#h a% )#itting a >o", in order to ;let it go< in
the in%ight %en%e, to %ee the tr#e nat#re o' the %en%ation% that ma&e #p
the proe%%. Thi% i% o"!io#%ly not tr#e, "#t %#h erroneo#% logi an "e
!ery tempting.
446
Integration
A% to the re%t o' integration, $ell, i' $e ha!e in%ight% to integrate, it
>#%t %eem% to happen. ThatI% a"o#t the "e%t I an do. 2i'e happen% a%
"e'ore, and %o it goe%. .e gro$, $e learn, $e get %i& and $e die. To
)#ote a %ong 'rom a Bogart mo!ie, ;The '#ndamental thing% apply a%
time goe% "y.< Bo and read %ome eFten%i!e "oo& on the %#">et and tell
me $hether or not it "a%ially %aid the %ame thing $hile #%ing a $hole
lot more $ord% to do %o. ,till, %#h "oo&% an "e help'#l.
447
44.IT IS POSSIBLE$
,o $hy am I mentioning all o' the%e %tate% and %tage% that are
tho#ght "y many to "e largely mythial and #nattaina"le= Bea#%e they
are a"%ol#tely other$i%e, thatI% $hy. /eople do attain the%e %tate% today,
tho#gh they tend to only tal& a"o#t them to their teaher% and to lo%e
'riend% $ho ha!e eno#gh eFperiene in thi% %t#'' to #nder%tand and not
ha!e odd reation% to the%e di%lo%#re%. I a%%#re yo# that I $o#ldnIt
ha!e "othered $riting all o' thi% i' I didnIt thin& that it $a% po%%i"le 'or
tho%e reading thi% "oo& to ma%ter thi% %t#''.
A 'riend o' mine $a% on a retreat in B#rma and had attained to
%eond path a% on'irmed "y A /andita. (e $a% 'inally done $ith hi%
retreat and $a% ta&en to the airport "y one o' the people $ho helped to
r#n the mona%tery, $ho inidentally $a% a %tream enterer. A% my 'riend
$a% lea!ing, he yelled to him aro%% the terminal, ;Come "a& 'or
n#m"er threeK< meaning, ;Come "a& and attain third pathK< +ote the
many $ay% in $hih $hat #nderlie% thi% %tatement di''er% 'rom the
paradigm yo# $o#ld li&ely 'ind in yo#r "a%i .e%tern B#ddhi%t.
-ir%t, mo%t .e%tern B#ddhi%t% donIt really "elie!e that a'ter a 'e$
month% o' good pratie yo# o#ld get enlightened or more
enlightened. They do not "elie!e it i% %imply a matter o' 'ollo$ing
%imple in%tr#tion%, mo!ing thro#gh the learly de'ined in%ight% and
tagging a path. In 'at, I o'ten tell thi% %tory to .e%tern B#ddhi%t%, many
o' $hom ha!e "een on n#mero#% in%ight retreat% lead "y teaher%
trained "y the "e%t B#rme%e ma%ter%, and they %ay thing% li&e, ;.hat do
yo# mean, Mthird pathI=< It ma&e% me $ant to %ream $hen they donIt
e!en &no$ the "a%i dogma o' enlightenment, m#h le%% anything
pratial a"o#t it. Mo%t .e%tern teaher% $o#ldnIt ha!e the g#t% to
%tand #p and %ay, ;Geah, he did it, he got %eond path< Ca%%#ming they
$o#ld e!en "een in a po%ition to e!al#ate %#h a per%onI% pratieE.
E!en i' they did, it $o#ld li&ely "e a h#ge, ta"oo %eret. (ereI% my
point0 it an "e done, it i% done, it an "e done, and there are people
$ho an help yo# do itK
/ratie, pratie, pratieK Thi% i% the "ig di''erene "et$een tho%e
$ho are merely into gi!ing lip %er!ie to B#ddhi%m and tho%e $ho really
get $hat the old "oy $a% tal&ing a"o#t. Bo on retreat% and at#ally
It i% /o%%i"leK
'ollo$ the in%tr#tion% to the letter all day long. -ind people $ho &no$
ho$ it i% done and hang o#t $ith them. Jeep it %imple. A!oid magial
thin&ing and a"andoning ommon %en%e.
The %imple 'at that yo# ha!e read thi% "oo& mean% that the "all i%
no$ in yo#r o#rt. There i% more than eno#gh in'ormation pre%ented
here on %traight'or$ard tehni)#e% that ha!e a great tra& reord o'
per'orming a% ad!erti%ed. A% a large and $i%e he' in a go#rmet %ea'ood
re%ta#rant one %aid to me, ;I ha!e t$o $ord% 'or yo#0 per%e!erane
'#rther%.<
449
43.MORE ON THE MUSHROOM FACTOR*
*ne o' the rea%on% that more people $ho ma&e progre%% do not tal&
a"o#t progre%% o#ld "e the 'at that, a% pratie deepen%, the
eFaggerated importane to the meditator o' tho#ght% o' ;my
attainment,< ;I am enlightened,< et. grad#ally 'all% a$ay and a%%#me% it%
proper proportion, it% proper plae in thing%. (o$e!er, thi% doe% not
mean that %#h lang#age annot "e #%ed. .hile there may ro#tinely "e
no good rea%on% to tal& a"o#t attainment%, or e!en good rea%on% not to,
there i% a long and glorio#% tradition o' ompa%%ionate meditation
ma%ter% and enlightened "eing% $ho "ra!ed the on%e)#ene% and told
the $orld that it o#ld "e done, that they had done it, and they $ere
going to tell all o' tho%e $ho hadnIt ho$ they o#ld do it too. The
re%#lt% o' thi% !aried 'rom 'o#nding ma>or religion% to "eing eFe#ted or
"oth, "#t %#h are the aprie% o' reality.
It i% intere%ting that B#ddhi%m %tarted o#t !ery m#h a% a tradition in
$hih tho%e $ho $ere highly attained $ere o'ten lo#dly prolaimed to
"e %o "y them%el!e% and other% $ith the %pei'i detail% o' their %&ill%
and #nder%tanding% made lear. The moti!ation 'or thi% $a% that %#h
indi!id#al% $ere !al#a"le re%o#re% 'or other% and thi% %ho#ld "e &no$n
'or the "ene'it o' all. Thi% $ide%pread #lt#ral phenomenon o'
meditation ma%ter% "eing ;o#t< i% a"#ndantly lear in the anient teFt%,
and o#r% to !arying degree% in A%ian o#ntrie% today.
In the .e%t, the %it#ation i% o'ten remar&a"ly di''erent 'rom thi%
early pratie. There %eem to "e t$o "a%i %tyle% o' ode #%ed $hen
ad!erti%ing dharma teaher%. The 'ir%t i% to %imply #%e a grand title %#h
a%, ;.aLoo T#l&#, ,#preme and 2#mino#% Dharma Jing.< The
%eond type o' ode i% in the %tyle o' a re%#me 'or a >o", ;Dane :ain"o$
i% the a#thor o' three "oo&%. ,he ha% "een teahing meditation 'or 17
year% internationally and i% a mem"er o' the B#ddhi%t -lo$er ,oiety.<
+otie that neither o' the%e "io% tell% yo# anything a"o#t0
$hat they may at#ally &no$
$hih tradition% they dra$ 'rom
their attit#de to$ard% %holar%hip and the %tandard dogma%
$hih tehni)#e% they are ma%ter% o' or teah
$hat they ha!e attained or laim to ha!e attained
More on the ;M#%hroom -ator<
$hat their per%onality i% li&e
$hat their %trength% and $ea&ne%%e% a% a teaher and per%on are
$ho trained them
the lineage or lineage% "y $hih they are laimed
their le!el o' a!aila"ility to their %t#dent% Ctho#gh ;teahe%
internationally< i% o'ten an omino#% l#eE
$hy it i% that they teah
$hat they eFpet 'rom their %t#dent%, parti#larly a% regard%
money, !o$% and eFl#%i!e loyalty
ho$ many %t#dent% they already ha!e
$hether or not they $ill tal& a"o#t real pratie diretly
i' yo# r#n into tro#"le $ith them, i% there a go!erning
organiLation that an addre%% thi%
.hat i% a%to#nding i% ho$ 'e$ %t#dent% $ill e!er a%& their teaher%
a"o#t any o' the%e %pei'i pratial i%%#e%. The%e are the )#e%tion% that
%ho#ld "e initially on%idered $hen %ee&ing a teaher, and yet yo#
almo%t ne!er %ee them addre%%ed on a retreat enter "roh#re. Imagine
a #ni!er%ity $here none o' the pro'e%%or% $o#ld tell yo# a"o#t their
re%earh, $ho '#nd% their $or&, $here they got their degree, $hat
o#r%e% they teah, $ho ta#ght them, $hat their %peialty i%, or e!en $hy
they li&e "eing pro'e%%or%. That $o#ld "e >#%t a "it %trange, $o#ldnIt it=
Thi% %ort o' in'ormation i% typially a!aila"le 'or p#"li on%#mption on
the #ni!er%ity $e" page.
There i% %omething !ery "alaned and rea%ona"le a"o#t thi%. .hen
I %ee a pre%entation at the %hool I #rrently attend, %omeone generally
tell% yo# eFatly $ho the per%on i%, $hat they are $or&ing on, highlight%
o' $hat they ha!e p#"li%hed in the pa%t, and $hat po%ition% and degree%
they #rrently hold, and $hy they are )#ali'ied to %pea& on the topi o'
the day. /erhap% I am parti#larly naN!e and ideali%ti, "#t I imagine a
%pirit#al $orld $here thi% $o#ld "e %tandard pratie a% $ell. I dream
that thi% $o#ld %im#ltaneo#%ly #t do$n on other$orldly %pirit#al ideal%,
pro!ide 'aith that it an "e done, demy%ti'y the proe%% o' a$a&ening,
and "ring the $hole thing "a& do$n to earth. There i% o"!io#%ly a long
$ay to go "e'ore %#h a dream i% li&ely to "e a reality, "#t hope'#lly thi%
little "oo& $ill "e one %mall %tep to$ard% that. There are ool thing% o#r
430
mind% an do and perei!e, and there are de'ina"le tehni)#e% that lead
to tho%e ool thing%. .hy doe% i% ha!e to "e more ompleF than that=
In my more ynial moment%, I ha!e %ometime% tho#ght that
.e%tern teaher "io% o#ld >#%t a% ea%ily read, ;Dane i% a ,agittari#% 'rom
Cali'ornia. (er 'a!orite olor i% t#r)#oi%e and %he i% a mediore he',<
or ;.aLoo i% old and o' %#"%tantial girth. (i% 'a!orite mo!ie i% MAnimal
(o#%e.I< The%e $o#ld gi!e yo# a"o#t a% m#h pratial in'ormation a%
mo%t teaher "io% do in the .e%t.
*"!io#%ly, the a%%#mption i% that i' they ha!e "een pratiing 'or %o
many year%, ha!e a 'any name, or i' %omeone let them p#"li%h a "oo&
or teah internationally, then they m#%t "e in %ome generi $ay a good
teaher o' %omething. There may al%o "e the #n%po&en a%%#mption that
there i% %ome #nnamed "#t relia"le "ody o' e!al#ator% o' teaher%
%ome$here that ha!e he&ed the per%on o#t. Either o' the%e may or
may not "e tr#e, and %ome tradition% do a m#h "etter >o" o' "eing
lear and hone%t a"o#t the%e thing% than other% do.
,ome other rea%on% that more people donIt tal& a"o#t ma%tery
$hen it at#ally happen% or learly ad!erti%e them%el!e% are that they
donIt $ant to ma&e other% >ealo#% or intimidated. Al%o, tal&ing a"o#t the
%tage% o' in%ight pratie an %o#nd )#ite o#trageo#% and "iLarre.
-#rther, $ith larity ome% my%tery, and %ometime% it an %eem
inappropriate to tal& a"o#t %omething that an %ometime% %eem %o
%lippery and %ometime% e!en #nertain. The late, great Ahaan Chah
one %tated that e!en arahat% o#ld %ometime% "e #n%#re a"o#t $hether
or not they are arahat%. C*ther%, inl#ding one o' my 'a!orite teaher%,
ha!e %aid that all arahat% are al$ay% %#re they are arahat%. Thi% %eond
!ie$ i% a "it eFtreme, and i% a limited po%%i"le tho#ght model. Go#
&no$ $hat I thin& o' tho%eKE
Th#%, a ma>or rea%on 'or %erey or ode% %eem% to "e %el'8
pre%er!ation, tho#gh not in the %en%e o' ;ego< pre%er!ation. The%e are
&ind moti!e%, "#t they al%o perpet#ate the atmo%phere o' %erey and
on'#%ion %o pre%ent in the modern my%tial $orld. The #n'ort#nate
tr#th i% that tal&ing a"o#t attainment% tend% to a#%e many more
#nhelp'#l reation% than help'#l one%. It tend% to i%olate the per%on $ho
ha% attained the%e thing%, a#%e people to thin& o' them a% $ay too
$onder'#l or ompletely n#t% Cor "othE and generally pro>et all %ort% o'
431
naN!e and #nhelp'#l thing% onto them, %#h a% a limited emotional range
model or e!en $or%e a limited po%%i"le ation model. Thi% an reate
%it#ation% that 'o%ter the a"#%e o' %eF, money, dr#g%, and po$er that
%eem to plag#e g#r#% and other %pirit#al teaher% $ith %ome reg#larity.
-re#d $o#ld ha!e had a 'ield day $ith thi%.
A% regard% the "iLarre and 'anta%ti pro>etion% that are ommonly
a%%oiated $ith teaher%, g#r#%, and all other potentially enlightened
"eing%, they tend to ari%e "ea#%e there i% not eno#gh $ide%pread
in'ormation on ho$ mi%leading the limited emotional range model% are
and $hat prepo%tero#% >#n& the limited po%%i"le ation model% are, not
to mention the la& o' in'ormation on the a"%#rdity o' the $ide range o'
other magial attri"#te% that are imagined to ari%e 'rom %imply ea%ing to
identi'y $ith ordinary phenomena. I on%idered $riting a $hole hapter
alled ;Ad#lt% in -anta%yland,< "#t hope'#lly the preeding %entene $ill
do the tri&.
Thi% la& o' in'ormation on the ordinarine%% o' realiLed indi!id#al%
reate% a !i%o#% yle in $hih tho%e $ho &no$ donIt %ay, ;I am
enlightened and ordinary,< "ea#%e i' they do then they $ill "e !ie$ed
in !ery %trange $ay% de%pite $hat they %ayR and, "ea#%e they donIt tell,
no one "#t them &no$%. Th#%, the %trong potential 'or non%en%ial
pro>etion% and reation% remain%. .hile %ometime% the ma%%e% are 'ed
man#re and &ept in the dar&, i' they are 'ed nothing at all then they $ill
o'ten in!ent man#re to 'eed them%el!e%. +o one i% happy to learn that
per'etion in %ome ordinary %en%e i% impo%%i"le, and %ome $ill ontin#e
to %ee& the per'et g#r#, omm#nity or e!en %el' 'or year% de%pite the
'at that %#h thing% do not eFi%t.
I ha!e 'e$ )#alm% a"o#t "laming tho%e $ho #rrently do &no$ 'or
not doing more to de"#n& the%e myth% and 'or not "eing $illing to
%pea& o#t lo#dly again%t the large amo#nt o' non%en%ial, magial
thin&ing that i% o#t there, tho#gh I an >#%t a% ea%ily #nder%tand $hy they
may not "e in any mood to ta&e the heat. A% thing% #rrently %tand, all
the attention and on'#%ion that an ome 'rom re!ealing oneI% $i%dom
and #nder%tanding an o'ten not %eem to "e $orth it, de%pite ho$ m#h
one may $ant to help other%. Thi% an "e parti#larly tr#e i' one doe%
not $ant to "e a g#r# or mem"er o' the Dharma Det ,et "#t >#%t $ant% to
432
help people learn thi% %t#'' $itho#t "eoming %ome &ind o' odd o">et
o' o"%e%%i!e adoration or ritii%m.
It %eem% that yo# an only help tho%e $ith !ery lear, %trong, and
no"le moti!ation% $ho are $illing to at#ally li%ten and al%o "e
intelligent and reali%ti a"o#t their relation%hip to yo# a% a 'ello$ h#man
"eing and $ith $hom yo#r per%onality %eem% to 'it 'airly $ell. -#rther,
yo# an only help tho%e $ho $ill at#ally pratie, engage and in)#ire.
Thi% t#rn% o#t to "e a !ery %mall gro#p mo%t o' the time. Go# o#ld al%o
%ay that yo# an only teah tho%e $ho didnIt really need yo# to teah
them in the 'ir%t plae, a% they $ere going to do it any$ay.
It i% po%%i"le, tho#gh not nee%%arily ad!i%a"le, to drop all &ind% o'
really glaring and e!en ta&y hint% that one ha% attained to ma%tery o'
%ome a%pet o' the amaLing %tate% and %tage% o' the %pirit#al path and yet
ha!e no one %ho$ e!en the %lighte%t %ign that they ha!e pi&ed #p on
them. E!en more "iLarre i% ho$ 'e$ people, ha!ing "een diretly and
#nam"ig#o#%ly told that they are aro#nd %omeone $ho ha% attained to
%ome deep le!el o' ma%tery o' thi% %t#'' "y %tandard method%, $ill
at#ally a%& rea%ona"le )#e%tion% a"o#t ho$ they o#ld do the %ame.
E!en more %#rpri%ing i% ho$ 'e$ o' tho%e $ho do a%& good )#e%tion%
$ill then #%e thi% pratial in'ormation $i%ely. A% Bill (amilton p#t it, ;I
ha!e a trea%#re o' in'inite !al#e that no"ody $ant%.< (e $a% only "arely
eFaggerating, e!en a% regard% many o' tho%e $ho on%ider them%el!e%
;meditator%< and ;B#ddhi%t%.<
Th#%, o#t o' pratial %el'8pre%er!ation and a rel#tant re%pet 'or
the 'at that mo%t people %eem not to $ant to hear a"o#t at#al ma%tery
o' thi% %t#'', the ma>ority o' tho%e $ho do ma%ter onentration andQor
in%ight pratie% tend to not tal& a"o#t it, or only to a !ery 'e$ C%ee
,aint% and /%yhopath%, "y Bill (amilton, 'or an intere%ting di%#%%ion
o' %ome o' the%e i%%#e%, parti#larly the eti)#ette o' enlightenmentE. All
thi% ontri"#te% to the ;M#%hroom -ator.<
2a%tly, there %eem% to "e a %ome$hat odd la& o' %#pport 'or #p8
and8oming potential teaher%. *ne o' my 'riend% ha% ommented that
it an "e m#h ea%ier to get enlightened than to get ;lineaged,< i.e.
o''iially a&no$ledged that yo# are a )#ali'ied teaher and a rea%ona"le
eno#gh per%on to "e allo$ed to teah, ha!e %t#dent% re'erred to yo#, "e
a part o' the monitoring proe%% that &eep% teaher% on the #p and #p,
434
and that %ort o' thing. T$o o' my !ery "e%t, mo%t dediated and
ae%%i"le teaher% $ere not o''iially %antioned, de%pite their high
attainment%, great teahing a"ility and eFten%i!e &no$ledge o' %pirit#al
pratie. Al%o, there o'ten %eem% to "e little lear arti#lation o' role%
that o#py the middle gro#nd, little $ell de!eloped %en%e o'
apprentie%hip, little %en%e o' intermediate territory "et$een '#lly
lineaged teaher and %t#dent. The degree o' the%e i%%#e% !arie% "y
tradition.
It i% tr#e that there are %ome good rea%on% $hy the %enior teahing
e%ta"li%hment% are %lo$ or rel#tant to allo$ ne$ teaher% into the
are'#lly g#arded inner irle%. There are ertain indi!id#al% $ho
po%%e%% the ma%tery needed to "e a teaher "#t are not good hoie% 'or
other rea%on%, $ith mental pathology and odd per%onality trait% "eing
hie' among them. There are tho%e $ho%e politial %&ill% ha!e "een %#h
that they ha!e managed to get %antioned de%pite the 'at that they $ere
not )#ali'ied to teah at the le!el they laimed they o#ld, $ith
predita"le a%%oiated pro"lem% 'ollo$ing %#it.
(o$e!er, #rrent %enior teaher%, many o' $hih are the 'ir%t
generation o' .e%terner% to "e %o, do not yet %eem to "e )#ite a%
om'orta"le gi!ing %antion to ne$ teaher% a% their A%ian teaher%
tended to "e gi!ing %antion to them. /erhap% thi% $ill orret it%el'
gi!en time, a% there i% a lot o' #n#%ed talent o#t there and a lot o' #nmet
demand 'or a#thenti teaher%. *n the other hand, ma&ing a li!ing a% a
teaher an "e hard, and $ho need% more ompetition 'or %are
donation% or %eat% on the 'ront plat'orm at o!er"oo&ed meditation
enter%=
It i% al%o tr#e that n#mero#% meditation tradition% that ha!e ome to
the .e%t ha!e many people teahing in them $itho#t the 'oggie%t idea
that they are not at all )#ali'ied to do %o. The old teFt% %tate that one
%ho#ld ha!e at lea%t ro%%ed the A?/ E!ent to teah, tho#gh in the
tradition I ome 'rom they on%ider %eond path a% the %tandard
minim#m re)#irement 'or any %ort o' teahing. Ba%ially, haning into
a path i% impre%%i!e, "#t "eing a"le to tag another one demon%trate%
reprod#i"le ompetene. I again "lame the M#%hroom -ator 'or thi%,
a% I %#%pet that i' people &ne$ $hat rea%ona"le %tandard% are 'or
teaher% and that there are at#ally tho%e $ho meet the%e, many $o#ld
433
then realiLe that they %imply %ho#ldnIt "e teahing and "o$ o#t
grae'#lly.
Beyond thi%, there are al%o good rea%on% to )#e%tion the !ery
onept% o' ;teaher< and ;%t#dent< and the di%t#r"ing and o'ten
#n)#e%tioned rigidity $ith $hih they are %ometime% applied. *ne
per%on may ha!e an #nder%tanding that they %hare $ith %omeone el%e
and then t#rn aro#nd and a%& them a )#e%tion a"o#t %omething that the
per%on $ho $a% a ;%t#dent< >#%t moment% "e'ore i% %&illed in. I ha!e
ome to the onl#%ion that %ome o' the "e%t teahing happen% in
on!er%ation% "et$een 'riend% and not in the onteFt o' !ery %hort,
'ormal inter!ie$% $ith lineaged teaher% $ho ha!e >#%t 'lo$n in 'or the
$ee&.
The limate o' %erey %#rro#nding on!er%ation% a"o#t ma%tery o'
the%e thing%, re%triti!e lineage i%%#e% and the rarity o' engaging in long,
deep on!er%ation% $ith harried and o!er ommitted Det ,et Dharma
Teaher% om"ine to reate $hat I term the ;Dharma Andergro#nd.<
Thi% re'er% to loo%e a%%oiation% o' tho%e $ho are ;in the &no$< "#t not
o''iially %antioned $ho a#tio#%ly %ee& one another o#t, %#pport one
another, and eFhange idea% a"o#t ho$ to go deeper in $ay% that ha!e
e!erything to do $ith 'riend%hip and empo$erment and little to do $ith
'ormal lineage% or rigid onept% o' ;teaher< and ;%t#dent.<
*'ten %#h on!er%ation% o#r in ;%ilent< retreat enter% or in other
$ay% that in!ol!e "rea&ing %ome o' the r#le% that may "e help'#l 'rom
one per%peti!e "#t al%o de'end the %emi8ar"itrary pri!ilege% o' the
lineaged elite $hile di%empo$ering and marginaliLing other% $ith
!al#a"le and a#rate &no$ledge and eFperiene to %hare. Intere%tingly,
$hen reading the old teFt% I o'ten get the 'eeling that a %igni'iantly more
egalitarian, "alaned, and 'riendly %tyle $a% m#h more the model that
o#rred in the early B#ddhi%t omm#nity, and I o'ten long 'or it%
ret#rn.
It i% intere%ting that, #nli&e Tantri tradition% and many other%, the
Thera!ada doe% not ha!e any 'ormal !o$% o' %erey regarding the
detail% o' ma%tery o' it% pratie%. /erhap% they $o#ld >#%t "e needle%%
o!er&ill.
436
46.SO WHO THE HEC% IS DANIEL M. INGRAM?
I %#ppo%e that i' I am going to rant a"o#t ho$ mo%t dharma teaher%
do not do a good >o" o' learly %tating $hat they &no$, $hat they teah,
et. then I %ho#ld try to a!oid "eing a omplete hyporite and th#%
an%$er %ome o' tho%e )#e%tion% here.
(ereI% my .e%tern Teaher Bio the $ay I $o#ld ha!e it on a
retreat enter "roh#re0 ;Daniel i% a Do#"le A)#arian 'rom +orth
Carolina $ho pre'er% to "e alled MDharma Dan,I Md#deI or %imply
M(onored Arhmy%ti, ,ir.I (i% 'a!orite mo!ie i% M:ai%ing AriLona.I< D#%t
&iddingK
2etI% try that again0 ;Daniel i% an eFtro!erted Ben X intellet#al. (e
i% &no$n 'or hi% prono#ned enth#%ia%m, lip8'lapping, grandio%ity,
eentriity, and alling people on their %t#'' and %hado$ %ide%
regardle%% o' $hether or not thi% i% help'#l or e!en a#rate. (e i% an
arahat and ha% a %olid ma%tery o' the "a%i onentration %tate% 'rom the
'ir%t >hana to +irodha ,amapatti, inl#ding the /#re 2and Dhana%. (e
al%o ha% a %olid &no$ledge o' B#ddhi%t theory and the teFt%, and
"ea#%e o' the%e three area% o' eFperti%e on%ider% him%el' a )#ali'ied
teaher. (e $a% al%o a#thoriLed and eno#raged to teah "y a lineaged
a""ot o' the Maha%i ,ayada$ tradition. .hen it ome% to in%ight
pratie%, he ha% %tandard% %o high, eFating, and #nompromi%ing that
only tho%e $ho are dediated pratitioner% are li&ely to 'ind them
help'#l. *n the other hand, he i% a 'irm "elie!er that i' people %imply
pratie the "a%i tehni)#e% reommended "y the B#ddha they an "e
!ery %#e%%'#l and a$a&ened meditator%. (e i% one o' the rare teaher%
$ho $ill tal& a"o#t in%ight diretly and an%$er nearly any )#e%tion a"o#t
dharma pratie $itho#t #%ing ode, o!ering thing% #p or $atering
thing% do$n. Daniel i% a diehard Maha%i ,ayada$ 'an, tho#gh he i% !ery
happy $hene!er he %ee% people trying to ma%ter any o' the $orldI% great
my%tial tradition% and th#% on%ider% him%el' a pan8my%tial e!angeli%t.
(e i% al%o a hroni map8monger and tehni)#e 'rea& "ea#%e he ha%
had them $or& !ery $ell 'or him. (e doe% not laim to ha!e any %peial
&no$ledge o' ho$ to li!e %&ill'#lly in the on!entional $orld, "#t ha%
'o#nd that a po%iti!e attit#de, non8pretentio#% &indne%%, and a %en%e o'
h#mor $ill ta&e yo# a long $ay. I' yo# imagine that yo# $ant to "#%t o#t
,o .ho The (e& I% Daniel M. Ingram=
%ome hardore pratie "#t are in 'at >#%t loo&ing 'or a daddy, %hrin&,
%oial $or&er, or %omeone to help yo# prop #p yo#r %el'8e%teem, Daniel
i% #nli&ely at thi% %tage in hi% de!elopment to "e the "e%t per%on to help
yo# meet yo#r need%. (e on%ider% him%el' to "e one "ada%% Dharma
Co$"oy and pre'er% %imilar ompany or at lea%t tho%e $ho a%pire to "e
%o.<
I dare, no, I do#"le dare any other teaher to "e that hone%t $hen
$riting their neFt "io, not that they are li&ely to "e gi!en eno#gh %pae
to di%lo%e anything re%em"ling thi% m#h hone%t and pratial
in'ormation. A 'e$ more thing%0 I ro%%ed the Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay
$hen I $a% a"o#t 16 and did it again a"o#t 3 more time% "y my
reolletion o!er the neFt 10 year% $itho#t 'ormal pratie, tehni)#e or
g#idane. I attained to %tream entry at the end o' the 'ir%t $ee& o' my
'o#rth retreat on Dan#ary 14
th
, 1557 in Bodh Baya, India, in the Thai
Mona%tery. I al%o ro%%ed the Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay o' %eond path
on that retreat. I attained %eond path in daily li'e $hile $or&ing at the
+ational AID, (otline $ith the CDC in D#ly, 1557. I $a% in the "rea&
room >#%t hanging o#t. I attained to Third /ath to$ard% the end o' 1557,
al%o in daily li'e, a'ter a retreat a 'e$ $ee&% "e'ore $here I ro%%ed the
Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay o' that yle. I attained to +irodha ,amapatti
C%ee the appendiFE one month later, "#t it $o#ld ta&e me a more 'e$
year% to really nail do$n hard %amatha >hana% and the 'ormle%% realm%
%o that I o#ld ae%% them o'' retreat.
I $a% an anagami 'or almo%t 7 year%, going thro#gh yle a'ter yle
o' progre%%i!e appreiation o' the emptine%% o' ordinary phenomena,
$ith my total o#nt o' $hat 'elt li&e '#ll ne$ path% "eing a"o#t 27. I
$rote mo%t o' thi% "oo& d#ring that time. I al%o earned a t$o8year
Ma%ter% o' ,iene in /#"li (ealth in In'etio#% Di%ea%e Epidemiology
at A+C Chapel (ill and then $ent on to omplete medial %hool
there.
Then, on April 17
th
, 2004, on a 218day retreat at the Malay%ian
B#ddhi%t Meditation Center "et$een medial %hool and my re%ideny,
I attained to arahat%hip. It happened $hile I $a% doing $al&ing
meditation on that glorio#% ,pring morning. I $a% %i& o' the yle% o'
in%ight and pro'o#ndly in%pired "y the %teady and gentle in!itation o' the
teaher, ,ayada$ A /andita, D#nior, to %imply %ee thro#gh the $hole
437
thing a% he had done. (i% alm %mile %eemed %ay, ;Go# an do it. Come
onK Any day no$.< Al$ay% %it $ith arahat% i' yo# po%%i"ly an. ThatI% my
ad!ie, any$ay.
I deided that I $o#ld allo$ no %en%ation any$here in the entire
$ide %en%e 'ield to go "y $itho#t it "eing learly &no$n a% it $a% d#ring
e!ery %ingle %eond o' the day. It $a% a high %tandard, "#t %trangely
eno#gh an at#ally "e !ery lo%ely approFimated. It $a% %#''iient to do
the tri& a'ter a"o#t a $ee& o' doing that %ome 20[ ho#r% per day. I
remem"er attaining to a -r#ition, and a 'e$ %eond% later I notied
%omething a"o#t the entrane to it and the re8'orming o' the %en%e o' a
perei!er on the "a& %ide o' it, and then %#ddenly the &not o'
pereption 'lipped open, e!erything $a% the %ame and yet the
per%peti!e on it $a% ompletely di''erent, and my !ipa%%ana pro"lem,
one I had %ta"iliLed in that #nder%tanding, $a% %ol!ed.
I had "arely ta#ght in the pre!io#% 7 year% a% my o$n pratie ha%
on%#med mo%t o' the %ant 'ree time I had, "#t a 'e$ day% a'ter %eeing
it I told my teaher I $a% thin&ing o' teahing again. (e %hot me an
#nharateri%tially %harp glane and %aid in a 'ore'#l and ommanding
!oie, ;BoodK<
I ha!e learned all %ort% o' #%e'#l and intere%ting thing% %ine then,
"#t %eeing thro#gh the enter point $a% the e%%ential thing. Many, many
than&% to e!eryone and e!erything that made all o' thi% po%%i"le, 'rom
the people $ho ta#ght the B#ddha to tho%e $ho arry hi% &no$ledge
'or$ard today, 'rom the people $ho oo&ed in the meditation enter% I
%tayed in to the #%#rio#% redit ard ompanie% that loaned me the
money to &eep going on retreat%, and 'or e!erything el%e in thi% $ide
$orld that made it happen0 Than& yo#, than& yo#, than& yo#K
In addition to my %#e%%e%, I 'elt !ery om'orta"le $riting a"o#t the
many $ay% that one an %re$ #p on the %pirit#al path, either "ea#%e I
had done %o my%el', "ea#%e one or more o' my re%peted dharma
ompanion% had done %o or, mo%t o'ten, 'or "oth rea%on%. I anIt tell
yo# ho$ many %t#pid thing% I tho#ght, %aid and did along the $ay $hile
in de%perate p#r%#it o' %omething that $a% right there all along, and I
ontin#e to ma&e o#ntle%% error% $hen trying to %pread the dharma
and li!e my li'e. The only %tate, %tage or attainment I $rite a"o#t 'rom
theory rather than eFperiene i% B#ddhahood.
439
There are a 'e$ pratial #%e% 'or %#h in'ormation. It i% potentially
#%e'#l to di%lo%e that I ha!e made o#ntle%% error% on the %pirit#al path
%o that thi% may o#nter the notion that I am oming 'rom %ome #%ele%%
;holier than tho#< po%ition and al%o to try to o#nter in other% the %en%e
that they are the only one% $ho ma&e n#mero#% error% on the %pirit#al
path. I hope it $a% not nee%%ary. A% %omeone $i%e one %aid, ;The li'e
o' a Sen Ma%ter i% one ontin#o#% mi%ta&e,< and that goe% e)#ally 'or
the re%t o' #%.
I 'eel that the mo%t important po%iti!e re%#lt that an ome 'rom
%tating, ;I &no$ that o' $hih I $rite,< i% the hane that thi% might
reate the %en%e that eFtraordinary thing% may "e #nder%tood and
attained "y other$i%e ordinary people %#h a% and inl#ding my%el' and
yo#r%el'. II!e done thi% %t#'' $hile holding do$n >o"%, ha!ing
relation%hip%, and p#r%#ing grad#ate %t#die%. I did it on a 'e$ $ee&% or
month% o' retreat time here and there $ith a lot o' daily pratie. My
total retreat time 'rom "eginning to arahat%hip $a% a"o#t 9 month% $ith
the longe%t %it "eing 27 day%. The point that I am trying to ma&e i% that
the%e tehni)#e% and pratie% are po$er'#l and e''eti!e 'or tho%e $ho
ta&e the time to 'ollo$ them. I' I an on!ey the %en%e that thi% i% tr#e "y
going on and on a"o#t $hat ;I< ha!e aompli%hed, then doing %o
%er!e% a #%e'#l '#ntion.
Another po%%i"le po%iti!e o#tome i% the %en%e that might "e reated
in %ome people that thi% i% not a dead and theory8"a%ed tradition that
%imply reha%hed the %emi8mythial glory o' long dead g#r#% and anient
$riting%, "#t a li!ing tradition $ith !alidity in o#r modern time%. The la%t
#%e'#l point that might ome 'rom %omeone $ho ha% )#ite o"!io#%ly
ahie!ed nothing e!en lo%e to %el'8per'etion %aying, ;I ha!e %trong
ma%tery o' the ore teahing% o' the B#ddha,< i% that it might %er!e to
help "ring the $hole notion o' %pirit#ality "a& do$n to earth. I am
)#ite $illing to loo& ridi#lo#% and grandio%e i' there i% %ome hane o'
it '#rthering that proe%%, tho#gh I realiLe that it o#ld ea%ily "a&'ire.
Con%ider are'#lly the di''erene% and %imilaritie% "et$een on'idene,
arrogane, and empo$ering other% to realiLe that they an do it al%o.
The $ord to the $i%e i%0 donIt "elie!e me or anyone el%eK Ta&e the
time to !eri'y the%e thing% 'or yo#r%el' 'rom yo#r o$n diret eFperiene.
I o#ld ea%ily "e 'ooling my%el', yo# or "oth o' #% on n#mero#% point%
435
and 'or all %ort% o' rea%on% 'rom innoent to e!il. There ertainly i% a
$ell8de!eloped and anient tradition o' doing %o. (o$e!er, ;my<
attainment% %ho#ldnIt matter %o m#h to yo#, a% the only per%onI%
#nder%tanding that $ill really help yo# i% yo#r o$n.
My per%onal eFperiene% $ith the ;p%yhi po$er%< are not yet a%
'#lly de!eloped a% the more '#ndamental area%, "#t I ha!e eno#gh
eFperiene to "e a"le to help all "#t the mo%t ad!aned pratitioner o'
them. A% to %holar%hip, I 'eel that reading $idely and really on%idering
the meaning o' $hat one read% and ho$ it might at#ally "e applied i% a
!ery good idea, and ha!e my%el' read aro#nd 160 dharma "oo&%, "oth
traditional and modern. .hile I ha!e "een a#thoriLed and eno#raged
to teah "y a 'ormal lineage, thi% i% a mere 'ormality and not a %#re %ign
in anyone o' real #nder%tanding or attainment, m#h le%% teahing
a"ility. 2#&ily, realiLation% are not dependent on ondition% %#h a%
'ormal aeptane into a lineage. I ha!e ho%en a l#rati!e areer path
that ha% little to do $ith meditation, and thi% eliminate% my 'inanial
dependene on the dharma and the temptation to $ater thing% do$n 'or
ma%% on%#mption or pop#lar appeal, a% i% %o ommonly done.
I ha!e 'o#nd that i' I repeatedly a%& tho%e $ho %tart tal&ing $ith me
a"o#t dharma pratie the )#e%tion%, ;.hat do yo# really $ant and
$hy=< and, ;.hat $o#ld yo# "e $illing to do to get that=< I #%#ally
ome to the onl#%ion that they are not really intere%ted in the thing% I
am intere%ted in Ci.e. the thing% mentioned in thi% "oo&E, and th#% I an
t#rn the on!er%ation to other topi% and a!oid $a%ting o#r time. Tho%e
'e$ $ho do %hare %ome o' my intere%t% are my dear ompanion% in $hat
I all The Dharma Andergro#nd, and 'or them I am eFtremely grate'#l.
B#t eno#gh a"o#t me, let me tell yo# a"o#t my "oo&K I thin& that I
ha!e made my in'l#ene% and ;h#m"le< opinion% on a $ide !ariety o'
other %#">et% !ery lear thro#gho#t thi% $or&. To "e tr#th'#l,
%ometime% I ha!e pi&ed #p thi% "oo& and tho#ght, ;Boodne%%
graio#%, $hat a har%h rant. .hat a heap o' red#tioni%t dogma, 'al%e
ertainty, pretentio#%ne%% and my o$n ne#roti %t#''. I pity the poor,
innoent, and pathologially nie, main%tream, rit#ali%ti, di%empo$ered
B#ddhi%t% #n'ort#nate eno#gh to ha!e pi&ed thi% thing #p and %imply
"een &i&ed in their %o't and 'la""y po%terior% "y it to little good e''et.<
460
*n other day% I ha!e pi&ed it #p and tho#ght, ;.o$, thi% really i%
the "oo& that I $i%hed I had read all tho%e year% ago $hen I deided to
really go 'or it. It $o#ld ha!e "een %o eFtremely help'#l to ha!e had %o
many detail% a"o#t high8le!el pratie laid o#t thi% learly, %o many
myth% di%pelled, %o m#h hone%ty a"o#t $hat the path i% and i%nIt.
.hat a >oy it i% that there are "oo&% that on!ey %#h an enth#%ia%ti
and empo$ering !ie$ on the%e pratie%. May"e there $ill "e a 'e$
people o#t there $ho >#%t needed a little prodding to realiLe their '#ll
potential a% great and po$er'#l meditator%. .o#ldnIt it "e great i' I an
'ind a $ay to get thi% "oo& into their hand%.< I hope that yo# had
%omething li&e "oth reation%, a% I thin& that "oth point% o' !ie$ ha!e
%ome !alidity.
T$o intere%ting and pratial )#e%tion% 'or yo# are, ;.ho are yo#
in diret eFperiential term%=< and ;.ho i% it that &no$%=< An%$er
the%e, and yo# $ill ome to &no$ all o' thi% diretly 'or yo#r%el'. The
'ir%t and la%t >o" o' anyone $ho teahe% meditation %ho#ld "e to ma&e
her%el' or him%el' red#ndant. Thi% "oo& i% the "e%t I ha!e "een a"le
ome #p $ith to help aompli%h thi%, a% I ha!e tried my "e%t to pa& it
$ith e!erything #%e'#l that I &no$.
461
47.CONCLUSION AND BEST WISHES
I do hope that people $ill not %ettle 'or "eoming lo%t in the dogma
o' thi% $or&, B#ddhi%m, or o' any my%tial tradition. I hope that they
learn to at#ally do the pratie% that lead to 'reedom and to the deep
integration o' that 'reedom into their li!e%. I hope that they ha!e 'aith
that ma%tery an "e attained. I hope that they $ill learn to a%& good
)#e%tion% that $ill help them to aompli%h thi%. I hope that the #lt#re
o' B#ddhi%m and the $orld in general $ill "eome le%% %etarian in%tead
o' more. I hope that %t#dent% o' meditation $ill #%e %pirit#al onept#al
'rame$or&% a% tool% and not $or%hip them a% %ared dogma. I hope that
the h#ge amo#nt o' magial and 'anta%ti thin&ing that aompanie%
%pirit#al tradition% $ill immediately !ani%h 'rom thi% planet 'ore!er.
I hope that tho%e on the path $ill learn to tal& $ith eah other in
$ay% that are ond#i!e to lear pratie. I hope that any ontro!er%ial
point% made in thi% little "oo& $ill promote %&ill'#l de"ate and real
in)#iry rather than ontration into 'ear and dogma. I hope that people
$ill $or& to$ard% at#al ma%tery o' the path %o that they $ill no longer
need $riting% %#h a% thi% one. I hope that people $ill not %pend their
li!e% lo%t in ontent "#t $ill al%o del!e deeply into the li"erating tr#th o'
the Three Charateri%ti%. I hope that the le!el o' eFpetation a"o#t
$hat i% po%%i"le $ill "e rai%ed in a $ay that i% help'#l, and that any
>ealo#%y or 'r#%tration that re%#lt% 'rom thi% $ill "e %&ill'#lly hanneled
into prei%e pratie and the >oy that it an "e done.
May all o' thi% "e 'or the "ene'it o' all "eing%. ,ho#ld yo# realiLe
that yo# $i%h to a$a&en, &no$ that it i% $ithin yo#r apa"ilitie% and do
%o.
APPENDI"& THE CESSATION OF PERCEPTION AND FEELING
(NIRODHA SAMAPATTI
The e%%ation o' pereption and 'eeling, +irodha %amapatti in /ali,
i% the highe%t o' the temporary attainment%. A% i% traditional in the
ommentarie%, I ha!e inl#ded it la%t. It i% di%#%%ed in a n#m"er o'
plae%, inl#ding ,#tta U33, The ,horter ,erie% o' T#e%tion% and
An%$er%, The Middle 2ength Di%o#r%e% o' the B#ddha, in a tal& gi!en
"y a 'emale arahat named ;Dhammadinna,< and /ath to Deli!erane "y
+yanatilo&a, $hih dra$% 'rom that 'ine teFt. Thi% attainment an
neither "e %aid to "e a %tate or not a %tate, nor an it "e %aid to "e p#rely
a onentration attainment or an in%ight attainment, a% it la&% a "a%i% 'or
analy%i%, meaning that a% there i% no eFperiene that an "e analyLed.
The $ord ;+irodha< Cmeaning ;Ce%%ation<E i% al%o %ometime% #%ed
$itho#t the )#ali'ier ;%amapatti< to re'er to -r#ition, %o "e are'#l to
&eep yo#r term% %traight $hen reading the old teFt% or %pea&ing $ith
other% a"o#t the%e thing%. I al$ay% mean the e%%ation o' pereption and
'eeling $hen I #%e the $ord ;+irodha,< "#t other% may not.
It i% %aid that +irodha an only "e attained "y anagami% and arahat%
Ctho%e o' 4
rd
and 3
th
pathE $ho ha!e %ome ma%tery o' the 'ormle%%
realm%. (o$e!er, a% Bill (amilton one %aid, i' yo# are an anagami or
arahat, yo# are "o#nd to r#n into +irodha ,amapatti e!ent#ally. There
are %ome rea%on% to )#e%tion $hether or not tho%e o' the lo$er %tage% o'
a$a&ening might "e a"le to attain thi%, or ho$ the a"ility to attain thi%
relate% to the n#m"er o' %tage% o' a$a&ening. (o$e!er, thi% i% not a
%#">et that I am in a mood to p#r%#e in detail, a% I ha!e learned the
hard $ay that %#h )#e%tion% do not help in the end. I' yo# manage to
attain +irodha, I $o#ldnIt 'iFate on the idea that yo# ha!e attained at
lea%t 4
rd
path. That %aid, $ith a 'e$ month% o' are'#l $or& and 'o#%ed
intent, I $a% a"le to attain it a'ter ompleting my third yle o' in%ight.
*ne attain% +irodha "y '#%ing in%ight pratie% and onentration
pratie% in a 'airly gentle $ay that i% m#h le%% 'o#%ed and prei%e than
one $o#ld do i' one $anted to attain -r#ition. I 'ind it ea%ie%t to attain
$hen relining, "#t the 'ir%t time I attained it I $a% %itting. There i%
nothing that an really "e %aid a"o#t thi% attainment, eFept 'or
mentioning thing% a"o#t the entrane, eFit, and the on%e)#ene% o' the
attainment. *ne ri%e% thro#gh the %amatha >hana% in a !ery lo$8&ey
'a%hion $ith %ome $ea& a$arene%% o' their tr#e nat#re Cthe Three
Charateri%ti%E, enter% the eighth >hana Cneither pereption nor yet non8
pereptionE, and then emerge% 'rom that %tate. ,ometime %hortly
therea'ter, and $itho#t $arning or !ery reent premeditation, one may
%#ddenly enter the e%%ation o' pereption and 'eeling. It m#%t "e noted
that pre!io#% intere%t in attaining thi% d#ring the preeding day% or
$ee&% tend% to inrea%e the hane% o' thi% attainment %ho$ing #p. A%
one get% "etter at attaining thi%, one an %lip in the inlination
Cre%ol#tionE to attain it a'ter emerging 'rom the 9
th
>hana and then 'orget
a"o#t it "e'ore dropping in.
A% my dear old meditation 'riend Jenneth %o rightly point% o#t,
"et$een the 9
th
>hana and +irodha there are a n#m"er o' %tate% !ery
$orth mentioning, tho#ght the %tandard teFt% %trangely donIt 'or rea%on%
I anIt 'athom. .e ha!e ome to all them /#re 2and *ne and /#re
2and T$o, a% thi% %eemed a% good a thing to all them a% anything, th#%
ma&ing a total o' 10 >hana% and +irodha. Both ha!e a% their
o!er$helming )#ality the 'eeling o' deep gratit#de in the p#re%t and
mo%t pro'o#nd %en%e, $ith /#re 2and T$o "eing a deepening and
%trengthening o' /#re 2and *ne, tho#gh it i% al%o a "it $ider and more
di''#%e. The%e are remar&a"ly healing, omplete, per!a%i!e, %ati%'ying
and heart'elt %tate%, and the $ord ;p#re< applie% )#ite niely. Early on I
"arely notied them and $o#ld >#mp a% 'a%t a% I o#ld 'rom the 9
th
>hana
to +irodha. +o$ I &no$ "etter and ta&e the time to en>oy them. They
$rite gratit#de, "ea#ty, larity, and ontentment onto the mind.
There i% al%o a %tate %ome$here in that territory that %eem% "a%ially
li&e p#re pre%ene, li&e "eing a %#per8per!ading .ather, $ith the
)#ality o' perei!ing or a$arene%% it%el' "eing the dominant )#ality. Thi%
ha% a !ery di''erent )#ality 'rom the 7
th
>hana Bo#ndle%% Con%io#%ne%%,
and in my opinion i% 'ar %#perior, more '#ndamental, and o#ld "e
arg#ed a% the highe%t o' the %tate% that in!ol!e eFperiene. (o$e!er, the
'at that %tate% that are %o lear to me ontin#e to %ho$ #p that $ere
ne!er de%ri"ed in the old teFt% %o 'ar a% I an tell "ring% #p another
important point0 the territory o#t there pa%t the 'o#rth >hana and
parti#larly the eighth >hana i% !ery mallea"le. Jenneth and I ha!e
463
%pe#lated that the limit% to the %tate% attaina"le o#t there are limited "y
o#r imagination and onentration %&ill only, and I ha!e imagined
%taging a 'riendly onte%t among high8le!el pratitioner% to dream #p
%tate% that are e!en "etter than the one% I &no$ %o that $e an play
aro#nd $ith attaining them and %eeing i' there are any limit% to the thing.
The large li%t o' all the eFoti hea!en realm% 'o#nd in the old teFt% add%
redene to thi% "elie'. I realiLe thi% may %eem li&e a ontradition to
earlier %tatement% I ha!e made a"o#t "eing a"le to ma%ter onentration
pratie% a"%ol#tely. It i%. Ba& to de%ri"ing +irodhaP
The teFt% rightly %ay that, on the entrane to +irodha, !er"al
'ormation% ea%e 'ir%t, then "odily %en%ation%, then the $hole o' mental
'#ntioning ea%e% $hen the attainment i% 'inally entered. Thi% i%
traditionally eFplained a% orrelating to the 'ir%t >hana, 'o#rth >hana and
then the entrane into +irodha re%peti!ely. (o$e!er, it may "e notied
that in the three moment% "e'ore e%%ation o' pereption %et% in Cd#ring
the omplete po$er 'ail#re8li&e entraneE the !er"al 'ormation%, "odily
'ormation% and mental 'ormation% ea%e in that order al%o in three
on%e#ti!e and de'ina"le moment%, $ith the $hole thing ta&ing a"o#t
1Q4 o' a %eond. Th#%, the teFt% may ha!e a do#"le meaning, or $ere
mi%interpreted "y %holar% $ho had not e!er attained +irodha
,amapatti. I %ay thi% "ea#%e it i% %till typial 'or many "odily and !er"al
'ormation% to ari%e "et$een the eighth >hana the entrane to +irodha,
and th#% the traditional interpretation doe% not hold #p.
The teFt% al%o %ay that thi% attainment may la%t %e!en day% or e!en
longer, "#t I donIt per%onally &no$ o' anyone $ho ha% admitted to
ha!ing thi% happen. That doe%nIt mean it anIt happen, "#t $o#ld
pro"a"ly re)#ire a long and %#%tained retreat "e'ore hand. The d#ration
o' %#h attainment% $ill "e related diretly to oneI% onentration
a"ilitie%, and the%e are !ery dependent #pon loal pratie ondition%
and the amo#nt that they ha!e reently "een eFeri%ed.
Anli&e -r#ition, one eFit% thi% attainment in the re!er%e o' the $ay
one ame in, $ith mental 'ormation% ari%ing 'ir%t, )#i&ly 'ollo$ed "y
phy%ial and then !er"al 'ormation% in the harateri%ti analog#e $ay o'
the entrane and $ith the %ame timing. A'ter lea!ing thi% attainment, the
mind tend% to "e deeply peae'#l and !ery lear, and oneI% "ody tend%
to "e !ery relaFed. The longer the attainment la%ted, the %tronger and
466
more d#ra"le thi% e''et $ill "e. Th#%, I $o#ld not reommend attaining
thi% immediately "e'ore entering into %it#ation% that re)#ire high8%peed
dei%ion% or ation%. The teFt% %ay that one inline% to %olit#de or )#iet
a'ter attaining thi% %tate, and in general I agree.
I mention thi% attainment "ea#%e it i% one more o' tho%e thing% that
i% 'o#nd today "#t ha% o'ten "een relegated to the realm o' myth and
legend or ha% "een 'orgotten entirely. It i% not that +irodha i% nee%%ary,
"#t it de'initely i% a good and #%e'#l thing to "e a"le to attain. In 'at, I
ha!e not yet %po&en $ith anyone $ho had attained it $ho didnIt
on%ider it among the a"%ol#te Jing Daddy o' meditation attainment%
other than arahat%hip, a% the depth o' it% a'terglo$ ne!er 'ail% to impre%%
and amaLe. (ope'#lly, mentioning it $ill rai%e the %tandard to $hih
people 'eel they an rea%ona"ly a%pire, $hih i% "a%ially the $hole goal
o' thi% "oo&.
*ne more little mor%el 'or yo# "ra!e ad!ent#rer%P I ha!e notied
that the ea%ie%t time to attain +irodha i% #%#ally a 'e$ $ee&% a'ter
attaining a path, $hen the !ipa%%ana >hana a%pet o' the progre%% o'
in%ight i% "eoming lear and a nie degree o' ma%tery ha% "een attained
in that :e!ie$ pha%e. (o$e!er, it ha% thi% nieQna%ty ha"it o' helping to
preipitate a ne$ progre%% yle, a% the le!el o' larity gained in it% $a&e
i% impre%%i!e. Th#%, one may go 'rom the "e%t high% o' a :e!ie$ pha%e
and +irodhaI% glorio#% a'terglo$ to the 4
rd
Yana, A?/ and the Dar&
+ight )#i&ly. In 'at, thi% %eem% to "e a !ery nat#ral part o' many yle%
o' anagami% $ho al%o &no$ the %amatha >hana% and 'ormle%% realm%.
Be%t o' l#& and pratie $ell,
Daniel
467
IndeF
INDE"
1.A?/ E!ent..........................................249
a% minim#m attainment 'or teahing
....................................................433
di''i#lty o"taining -r#ition a'ter.....266
mimi&ing enlightenment................239
%orting o#t 'rom -r#ition.................230
A?/QA?/ E!ent....................................175
a"andonment...............................................
o' altered %tate%...................................12
o' morality..........................................12
a"%orption..............................................144
aeptane....................................................
eFploration $ith.................................21
ae%% onentration..........................5, 145
'o#ndation o' in%ight pratie%.........171
near enemy o' 'ir%t >hana..................131
Ahaan Chah...............................................
on arahat%.........................................431
ad!aned pratitioner..................................
eFample o' pratie..................125, 140
a'terglo$.......................................................
o' enlightenment..............................214
a'ter%ho&%...................................................
o' -r#ition........................................212
agenda%......................................................4
'or Morality..........................................7
altered %tate%............................5, 14, 62, 64
a"andonment o'.................................12
in%ight% "eyond...................................12
ordinary pratie and.......................117
%e!ere...............................................116
%leep depri!ation and.......................116
anagami........................................................
anagami............................................273
mat#re..............................................291
analogy.........................................................
o' a raear dri!er..............................22
o' on'etti...........................................23
o' Damnitall.....................................242
o' dog ha%ing o$n tail.......................74
o' hor%e trainer...................................32
o' ,hootinO Alien%...............................32
o' the andle.....................................416
o' the art...........................................43
o' the -errari....................................247
o' the hill Cand 'ratal%E....................226
o' the %tin&ing dr#n&........................201
o' the toothle%% dog..........................156
o' the t$o $a!e%...............................405
o' the #n'ini%hed operation..............201
the "o#lder and the hill......................75
anaolgy.........................................................
o' Agean ,ta"le%...............................127
angel%...........................................................
!i%ion% o'..........................................136
anger......................................................120
ompa%%ion in..................................121
arahat.....................................215, 425, 464
arahat...........................................................
and ego.............................................277
"elo$ "#ddhahood..........................425
ma%ter o' #ltimate............................441
re!i%ed model...................................292
ta&ing "ohi%att!a !o$%....................441
traditional de'inition.........................273
t$o type%...........................................294
.i%dom Eye....................................292
arahat%..........................................................
&no$ing the Three Jaya%................409
limited ation model%.......................296
%till thin&...........................................405
tehnially enlightened.....................299
!%. "#ddha%.......................................440
$hih "h#mi=...................................440
arahat%hip.....................................................
de'ilement% and................................276
arrogane.....................................................
and ego.............................................276
a% map %ide e''et.............................170
o' arahat%..........................................276
o' the Mahayana...............................219
a%eti%.........................................................
ne#roti..............................................72
a%tral plane.............................................139
attahment...............................................72
and %#''ering door............................232
%eeing learly....................................157
to right% and rit#al%.............................57
attention.......................................................
'o#% o'...................................................
in 9th >hana
..................................................
174
in 'ir%t >hana
..................................................
130
IndeF
in 'o#rth >hana
..................................................
134
in the 7th >hana
..................................................
172
in %eond >hana
..................................................
131
in third >hana
..................................................
132
miro%opi !%. maro%opi...........100
mo!ing !%. %ta"le................................77
narro$ !%. "road.................................77
attration......................................................
eliminating........................................274
'ormal de'inition................................74
a#ra........................................................252
a!er%ion........................................................
and emptine%% door..........................232
eliminating........................................274
'ormal de'inition................................74
%eeing learly....................................157
to 'ormal pratie.............................153
a$a&ening....................................................
de'ined...............................................40
%ynonym% 'or......................................16
a$arene%%.....................................................
and %#''ering door............................232
a% not nothingne%%............................172
a% not %pae......................................170
de'ined.............................................166
not "o#ndle%% on%io#%ne%%...........171
%pae8li&e..........................................171
"a&%liding...................................................
"et$een path%...................................267
"eyond 'ir%t path..............................267
"h#mi.....................................................250
"h#mi...........................................................
arahat% and.......................................440
'ir%t....................................................211
"h#mi%...................................................262
re'erene% 'or...................................250
Big I%%#e................................................127
Bill (amilton.................................215, 257
Bill (amilton...............................................
great one8liner%.........................405, 434
model o' !ipa%%ana >hana%................215
on +irodha %amapatti......................464
$hy get enlightened=........................272
"leedthro#gh................................................
and the Dar& +ight..........................196
in the Dar& +ight.............................201
"lin&ing..................................................209
"li%%..............................................................
o' third >hana....................................132
!%. in%ight..........................................111
Bli%% Model%..........................................407
"li%%8>#n&ie...................................................
"eoming a.........................................37
"li%%8>#n&ie%..............................................35
Bodhi%att!a Ho$....................................421
arahat that too&................................441
a% Tr#e ,el' teahing........................167
mi%interpretation o'............................76
mi%#nder%tanding.............................106
po%tponing enlightenment...............117
Bodhi%att!a Ho$%..................................413
"odhi%att!a%.................................................
immortality model%..........................277
o' 9th "h#mi and a"o!e...................440
"ody.............................................................
a% not %el'............................................25
'eeling %#''ering in..............................73
image o' in >hana..............................132
ta&eing are o'..................................117
t$i%ting..............................................173
"oo&%...........................................................
'riendly................................................!ii
limit% o'.................................................!
my !ery 'a!orite................................177
thro$ing o#t the $indo$..................229
!%. teaher%.........................................90
$riting po%t A?/..............................191
"o#ndle%% on%io#%ne%%.......................170
"reath...........................................................
a% onentration o">et.........................5
a% ontin#o#% entity..........................145
a% mere %en%ation%............................107
a% phy%ial o">et................................76
impermanene o'...............................24
in!e%tigation o'...................................21
>er&y or rathet8li&e..........................172
o">et o' onentration pratie%.....147
"#ddha.........................................................
a% %ometime% meaning arahat..........425
B#ddha........................................................
"a%i me%%age.......................................2
on%tantly learning............................441
de'ining %#''ering..............................442
enlightened ation and.....................299
la%t $ord%............................................17
ma%ter o' relati!e=............................441
merging $ith.....................................232
prai%ing %amatha ma%ter%..................146
IndeF
repre%enting dharma&aya.................412
%#mmary o' teahing%.........................70
!%. B#ddhi%m.....................................52
B#ddha +at#re......................................167
Tr#e ,el' teahing............................441
"#ddha%.......................................................
"eha!ing in %trange $ay%..................440
de'inition o'......................................440
tehnially enlightened.....................299
!%. arahat%.........................................440
B#ddhi%m....................................................
early..........................................445, 436
lip %er!ie to.....................................447
B#ddhi%t%.....................................................
not $anting enlightenment...............434
B#rme%e B#ddhi%m..............................117
Cardinal :#le...............................................
o' attainment%...................................239
Carlo% Ca%tanada...................................135
a#%e and e''et............................................
a% interdependene............................73
ele"ay........................................................
'a%ination $ith.................................154
ele"ration...................................................
o' attainment%...................................213
Ce%%ation................................................464
e%%ation o' pereption and 'eeling.............
appendiF on.....................................464
a% Jing Daddy o' attainment%..........467
higher than 9th >hana.......................174
ha&ra%...................................................252
Cha&ra%........................................................
energeti model% and.......................277
hange......................................................19
Charateri%ti%......................4, 17, 105, 227
Charateri%ti%..............................................
a% 44
'o#ndation..........................................17
tho#ght%..............................................24
hi 252
Chi...............................................................
Chi....................................................277
Chi +#l..........................................127, 410
hoiele%% a$arene%%................................76
Chri%tianity...................................................
a% Tr#e ,el' tradition.......................164
Chroni Dar& +ight Gogi%.....................159
ogniti!e re%tr#t#ring............................126
'rom (ell.........................................157
ommitment................................................
po$er o'.............................................26
ompa%%ion..................................................
a% moti!ation......................................74
on'#%ed...........................................112
in negati!e emotion%........................120
&no$ing ordinary h#manity and......414
mi%direted.........................................74
%en%ation% o'.....................................121
ompetition..................................................
danger o'..........................................175
oneit..........................................................
in non8d#ality term%.........................276
onentration...............................................
and Di%%ol#tion................................241
a% 'ator o' 'ir%t >hana.......................130
a% 'ator o' %eond >hana..................131
#niti!e eFperiene%...........................167
Conentration..............................................
and tran)#ility....................................37
and $al&ing........................................73
a% ontent.........................................107
a% -ator o' Enlightemnent................49
a% ,pirit#al -a#lty.............................43
"alaning $ith energy.........................46
di%po%a"le 'o#ndation........................10
eFe%% and de'iieny.........................46
'ir%t goal................................................5
'ormal in%tr#tion%...............................5
ho$ long=...........................................10
limit% o'.............................................111
momentary.........................................37
not li"erating......................................11
o">et% o'..............................................5
p%yhologial in%ight% and................141
%hado$ %ide%.......................................11
the e%%ential point.................................5
The ,eond Training...........................5
!%. old "eer.......................................66
!%. in%ight pratie%.............................31
onentration pratie%................................
"le%%ing and hindrane.....................146
endle%%ly intere%ting.........................144
'o#ndation o' in%ight pratie%.........143
in :e!ie$..........................................264
inertia o'...........................................264
#%e'#l in%tr#tion%............................145
onentration %tate%...............................144
onept%.......................................................
>#!enile 'iFation on...........................163
Con'#i#%.....................................................
repre%enting nirmana&aya................412
on'#%ion.....................................................
and b.................................................297
d#e to M#%hroom -ator.................431
in!e%tigation o'.................................120
relating to /ath%................................267
IndeF
on%io#%ne%%...............................................
a% mental eho....................................19
r#de mental impre%%ion..................15
ontent.........................................................
a% %pirit#al 'o#%.................................57
"#ying into........................................127
enlightened "eing% and.....................103
%pinning in........................................104
to in%ight...........................................127
!al#e o'...............................................67
o#h potato %tage.................................150
ra%h.............................................................
po%t A?/..........................................179
ra!ing......................................................72
CraLy .i%dom ,hool..........................297
Crim%on and Clo!er................................23
ri%i%.............................................................
o' identity.................................196, 200
Cro$ley, Alei%ter...........................160, 227
#lt leader%.............................................159
#lt#re..........................................................
limiting b...........................................297
#%hion.........................................................
on the, de'ined...................................74
Damnitall...............................................242
Daniel M. Ingram........................................
"io437
donOt "elie!e meK..............................435
'a!orite mo!ie...................................437
dar& omedy..........................................412
death............................................................
'ear o'...............................................207
re'letion on.......................................17
de'ilement%..................................................
a% empty...........................................112
negati!e emotion%.............................115
repre%%ing.........................................123
right% and rit#al%.................................57
del#%ion...................................................73
del#%ion.......................................................
de'ined...............................................40
depre%%ion....................................................
and the Dar& +ight..........................150
in :e8o"%er!ation.............................157
one a#%e o'.......................................37
de%ire...........................................................
and ompa%%ion.................................72
a% ,eond +o"le Tr#th......................72
ompa%%ion in..................................121
dangero#% term..................................72
in!e%tigation o'...................................29
ne#ro%i% and.......................................72
de%pair.........................................................
and model% o' per'etion.................429
Dhammadinna.......................................464
dharma om"at........................................57
Dharma Eye.................................................
Dharma Eye.....................................279
Dharma Det ,et......................................432
Dharma Andergro#nd..........................436
dharma&aya...........................................412
and tran%endene...........................414
Dharma&aya.....................................426
%ti&ing aro#nd.................................440
Dipa Ma.................................................404
di%appointment............................................
nirmana&aya and..............................405
o!er reality o' enlightenment...........299
di%ipline......................................................
!al#e o'...............................................79
di%empo$erment.........................................
high %tandard% and...........................429
di%hone%ty....................................................
a"o#t realiLation...............................422
di%%ati%'ation...............................................
and %#''ering.......................................29
di!ine apathy..........................................210
di!ore.........................................................
in the Dar& +ight.............................157
dogma..........................................................
and religion........................................52
a% pratie...........................................56
B#ddhi%m a%......................................52
Chri%tianity a%.....................................52
rigid adherene to................43, 96, 120
donation%...............................................106
do#"le8dip #n&no$ing e!ent 190, 207, 237,
235
dr#g%............................................................
a"#%e o' "y teaher%.........................432
'a%t or dangero#%=............................117
dry in%ight $or&er%.................................143
d#ality..........................................................
logi al$ay% a%%#ming.......................442
re%ol#tion o' paradoF.......................209
dyana......................................................144
dLoghen................................................144
-#ndamental /ereption Model%....270
mi%ta&ing 'ormle%% realm% 'or. 170, 171,
173
e''ort............................................................
and non8e''ort..................................106
and %#rrender.....................................42
applied and %#%tained.......................131
applied and %#%tained C 'ator o' 'ir%t
>hanaE..........................................130
IndeF
heroi...............................................157
heroi, de'ined.................................117
*ne -ort#nate Attahment..............107
tho#ght% o'........................................122
too m#h..........................................117
$hen it really pay% o''.......................173
ego................................................................
and de%ire...........................................72
and %el'8pre%er!ation........................431
and %#''ering.......................................71
a% 'ilter 'or ompa%%ion......................74
"r#i%ing o' enlightened "eing% ........216
elimination o'...................................163
'logging %el' $ith...............................277
-re#dian de'inition..........................277
high my%tial %en%e...........................277
pop p%yhology meaning..................276
proe%% o'...................................40, 112
proe%% o'...............................................
%topping
..................................................
76
%trength.............................................277
three meaning% o'.............................276
egole%%ne%%...............................................29
Eight .orldly .ind%............................405
em"arra%%ment............................................
o' o!errating attainment%..................265
emotional per'etion...................................
%imple model and............................293
emotion%......................................................
and %ripting.....................................243
a% '#el 'or pratie............................115
a% It...................................................299
dar&, in 4rd in%ight %tage..................174
in!e%tigation o'.................................120
negati!e...................................................
model% o' eliminating
..................................................
424
per'etion o'.....................................274
repre%%ing.........................................274
$a%ting po$er o'...............................122
emptine%%.................................................29
a% not 9th >hana................................174
a% not nothingne%%....................172, 173
hapter on........................................236
he&li%t 'or......................................237
de'ined...............................................29
mi%#%e o' term..................................101
%h#nyata............................................421
teahing% o' and myoardial in'artion%
....................................................425
Energeti Model%...................................252
energy...........................................................
and in!e%tigation.................................33
and the A?/.....................................240
a% -ator o' Enlightenment................49
a% ,pirit#al -a#lty.............................43
"alaning $ith onentration.............46
"lo&age o'.......................................173
e''et% o' po%t#re on...........................74
eFe%% and de'iieny.........................46
'r#%tration and..................................114
o' emotional li'e...............................115
re%ol#tion% and...................................75
%&ill'#l #%e o'......................................76
enlighenment...............................................
'ormal de'inition................................67
three #%e% o' term...............................66
enlightened..................................................
tehnially !%. 8ation........................299
enlightened "eing%.................................239
'eeling '#llne%% o' h#manity.............414
getting a#ght in 'al%e model%..........422
%trange %torie% a"o#t.........................440
enlightenment..............................................
a year and a day................................262
A?/ mimi&ing................................241
a"%ol#tely po%%i"le...........................447
and a a!e in Ti"et.............................76
and lineage tran%mi%%ion..................434
he&li%t 'or......................................239
ompletely #npratial.....................271
danger o' de%ri"ing.........................271
de%ire 'or..........................................120
non8negotia"le..................................440
one "eing, all "eing%=.......................442
%#dden and grad#al..........................127
%ynonym% 'or......................................16
tal&ing a"o#t.....................................445
!%. omni%iene................................103
en!y............................................................9
e)#animity...................................................
and mind'#lne%%.................................39
a% 'ator o' third >hana.....................132
#lminating in 'o#rth >hana..............134
de'ined...............................................37
in 'ormle%% realm%............................165
in the Dar& +ight.............................241
!%. indi''erene...................................60
e!angeli%m....................................................
po%t A?/..........................................191
eFeri%e........................................................
eliminating %t#'' !%. %plit...................424
IndeF
eFeri%e%.......................................................
'ront and "a& o' head.......................22
in!e%tigating emotion%......................120
in!e%tigating tho#ght%.........................24
in!e%tigation o' "reath........................24
in!e%tigation o' %#''ering.....................27
o#r 'a!orite hal' o' reality.................410
t$o 'inger%..........................................22
eFi%tene.......................................................
ontin#ity o'.......................................17
eFperiential reality........................................
de'ined...............................................17
EFtintion Model%.................................417
eyelid% 'li&ering....................................147
'aith..............................................................
and the map%....................................175
a% ,pirit#al -a#lty.............................43
"alaning $ith $i%dom.......................43
eFe%% and de'iieny.........................43
la& o'...............................................110
'anta%y..........................................................
getting lo%t in....................................150
'anta%y8land..................................................
and model% o' enlightenment a%......422
'a%ting.....................................................116
'ear...............................................................
and arahat%.......................................410
a% in%ight %tage..................................151
a% moti!ation....................................114
ompa%%ion in..................................121
in!e%tigation o'...................................29
o' madne%% and death......................207
relating to /ath%................................267
'eeling%.........................................................
eFtreme% o' in Dar& +ight...............157
reating to %trong one%.....................202
'ir%t "h#mi.............................................250
-i!e B#ddha -amilie%....................121, 227
-i!e /ath Model....................................251
'i!e %en%e%................................................19
-i!e ,pirit#al -a#ltie%.................................
alternate order....................................47
and The Three Training%..................47
a#%e 'or a$a&ening...........................47
de'ined...............................................43
'or& in the road......................................266
hard to 'ind po%t A?/......................266
'ormation%..............................................207
and !ipa%%ana >hana map%................229
a% gate$ay to the The Three Door%.209
#lmination o' in%ight %tage%............209
in the 'ormle%% realm%......................209
noting and........................................247
on my third retreat...........................247
'ormle%% realm%......................................165
and +irodha %amapatti.....................464
po%t 'r#ition......................................140
-o#r +o"le Tr#th%......................................
de'ined...............................................70
de%ire, a#%e o' %#''ering....................72
+o"le Eight'old /ath.........................77
-o#r /ath Model.........................................
pro"lem% $ith...................................275
'o#rth path...................................................
de'ilement% and................................276
'ratal%....................................................177
and Jha""ala...................................227
and the -o#r /ath Model................227
o"%e%%ion $ith..................................267
T$el'th /ath and..............................267
!ipa%%ana >hana% and........................226
-r#ition........................................................
attainment% mimi&ing.....................237
po%t A?/..........................................266
%orting o#t 'rom A?/ E!ent............230
!%. +irodha %amapatti.......................466
-r#ition%.......................................................
#na!oida"ility o' in enlightened "eing%
....................................................239
'r#%tration...............................................120
ompa%%ion in..................................121
in De%ire 'or Deli!erane.................154
in Di%%ol#tion...................................150
'#n9, 23
onentration %tate% and.............69, 144
epi#reani%m and.............................126
'ir%t >hana a%......................................130
in :e!ie$..........................................213
#n%ati%'atorine%% and.......................144
'#t#re............................................................
%en%ation% o'.....................................114
8mind................................................113
Bene%i% 1.2............................................232
goal...............................................................
danger% o'.........................................113
good !%. "ad.....................................114
la& o'...............................................111
method !%. re%#lt..............................113
.e%tern ne#ro%e% and.....................117
Bod..............................................................
and dharma&aya...............................414
-r#ition and......................................211
Bod Model%.....................................277
Bod Model%...........................................401
gold %tandard...........................................17
'or Conentration...............................14
IndeF
'or in%ight pratie%....................14, 127
'or morality.........................................14
'or progre%% in in%ight.......................170
'or reality............................................17
golden hain%.........................................173
good li'e.....................................................9
Brae.....................................................114
grandio%ity..............................................269
a"o#t high ideal%..............................429
in the Dar& +ight.............................157
in!e%tigation o'...................................29
Breat ,ared +e#roti Crap .allo$....253
Breat ,pirit#al Ba%&et Ca%e...................204
Breat ,tream Enterer, The...................247
greed........................................................73
eliminating........................................274
'o#rth de'ilement.............................276
gro#nding do$n...........................................
a'ter p%yhi po$er%.........................137
g#ilt............................................................9
g#r#..........................................................75
not deorated "y..............................216
g#r#%............................................................
plag#ed "y %andal...........................432
ha"it%............................................................
elimininating #n%&ill'#l.....................440
(al'$ay Ap the Mo#ntain ,hool.........297
hall#inogen%...........................................11
happine%%.....................................................
all "eing% $anting.............................141
a% 'ator o' %eond >hana..................131
'ator o' 'ir%t >hana...........................130
in!e%tigation o'.................................131
plan 'or...............................................66
%earh 'or............................................73
three a#%e% o'....................................62
(appy /lae..........................................257
hatred.......................................................73
eliminating........................................274
'i'th de'ilement.................................276
healing..........................................................
dithing %plit and..............................424
health...........................................................
$re&ing in the Dar& +ight..............200
heart atta&%.................................................
teahing% on emptine%% and.............425
heat..............................................................
%en%ation% o'.....................................173
(er#le%................................................127
(igh E)#animity...................................174
higher path%.................................................
and the Three Door%.......................233
(inayana........................................105, 420
%imilar to Thera!ada........................421
hindrane%...................................................
and mind'#lne%%.................................31
(ind#i%m.....................................................
a% Tr#e ,el' Tradition......................164
hot oal..................................................231
ignorane.....................................................
and impermanene door.................232
a#%e o' %#''ering................................27
'ormal de'inition................................74
ill#%ion o' a %eparate %el'..............................
de"#n&ing..........................................24
ill#%ion o' ontin#ity....................................
reation o'..........................................19
de"#n&ing..............................22, 24, 26
ill#%ion o' d#ality.........................................
and the non8d#ality model%.............273
and Tr#e ,el'...................................167
inherent pain o'..................................27
ill#%ion o' %eparate %el'................................
reation o'........................................112
ill#%ion o' %olidity.........................................
onentration pratie and...............144
'o#ndation o' onentration pratie
....................................................145
Immortality model%...............................413
impermanene.............................................
and %#''ering.......................................27
de'ined...............................................17
door..................................................231
indi''erene..................................................
!%. e)#animity.....................................35
in%ight...........................................................
'#ndamental.......................................12
in%ight meditation........................................
de'ined...............................................17
in%ight pratie%............................................
and The ,e!en -ator% o'
Enlightenment..............................37
"a%i a%%#mption% o'..........................27
"a%i in%tr#tion%..............................171
Big I%%#e and....................................129
di''i#lt and di%onerting................144
eFample o' great %&ill in...................140
'#&ing #p yo#r li'e..........................196
great pratie......................................15
in a'terglo$ o' >hana.........................134
inertia o'...........................................264
in!e%tigation o' no8%el'........................41
irrele!ane o' o">et...........................15
limit% o'...............................................13
not 'or e!eryone...............................110
%amatha >hana% a% o">et o'..............130
IndeF
%lo$ing do$n....................................146
tho%e $ho %ho#ld not do them........197
t$o8'inger eFeri%e..............................22
#%ed to "rea& #p %iddhi%..................137
#%e'#l a%%#mption% o'.................17, 443
!al#e o' retreat%..................................79
!%. onentration pratie%.........31, 111
!%. ontent........................................107
$hen and $here.................................77
LaLen.................................................105
integration....................................................
hapter on........................................444
lo!ing8&indne%% and............................76
intention%.....................................................
$al&ing meditation and......................73
interonnetedne%%....................................7
and the Mahayana............................421
interdependene..........................................
and &arma..........................................73
inter!ie$%.................................................91
intimay........................................................
and tran%endene...........................414
in!e%tigation.................................................
and in%ight %tage 4............................240
de'ined...............................................30
o' ertainty, on'#%ion, et...............267
o' ompari%on..................................269
o' hindrane%......................................31
o' nothingne%%..................................172
o' %amatha >hana%.............................130
o' %pae............................................170
Dame% Bond...........................................203
>ealo#%y..................................................120
>hana.............................................................
on'#%ing term..................................143
'ir%t....................................................143
%amatha......................................10, 144
a!oiding li&e plag#e
..................................................
134
"a%i pattern o' progre%%
..................................................
147
"eing 'ooled "y
..................................................
143
"ene'it% o'
..................................................
143
"o#ndle%% on%io#%ne%% C7th >hanaE
..................................................
170, 171
"o#ndle%% %pae C6th >hanaE
..................................................
140, 165
B#ddhaO% prai%e o'
..................................................
146
hapter on
..................................................
145
'ir%t >hana
..................................................
145
'ir%t >hana0'i!e 'ator% o'
..................................................
130
'ir%t >hana0importane o'
..................................................
130
'ormle%% realm%0getting lo%t in
..................................................
173
'o#rth >hana
..................................................
134
getting 'ooled "y
..................................................
132, 133
getting %t#& in
..................................................
130, 165, 172
in!e%tigating
..................................................
130
mimi&ing -r#ition
..................................................
237
neither pereption nor yet non8
pereption C9th >hanaE
..................................................
174, 237
neither pereption nor yet non8
pereption C9th >hanaE0pre8
+irodha %amapatti
..................................................
463
nothingne%% C7th >hanaE
..................................................
171, 172, 212, 237
progre%% o' in%ight in "a&gro#nd o'
..................................................
235
IndeF
%eond >hana
..................................................
131, 240
%o't !%. hard
..................................................
147
third >hana
..................................................
132
!alid !aation
..................................................
146
!ipa%%ana..........................................217
Bill (amiltonO% model o'
..................................................
215
'ir%t
..................................................
171
'o#rth
..................................................
191
'o#rth0'ormation%
..................................................
207
%eond
..................................................
176
third
..................................................
179
Hi%#ddhimagga model
..................................................
229
>hana8>#n&ie%..........................................173
>o"%...............................................................
di%%ati%'ation $ith............................156
>#dgment....................................................9
in!e%tigation o'...................................29
Jal# :inpohe.......................................167
&arma...........................................................
la$ o'..................................................73
Jarma Model%.......................................407
&a%ina...........................................................
pratie.............................................147
&indne%%.....................................................9
&nee%............................................................
pre%er!ation o'...................................73
Jno$ledge% o' ,#''ering........................191
&oan.............................................................
"eyond philo%ophy.............................43
rea%on it $or&%.................................112
relation to noting pratie..................30
a% onentration o">et........................5
&#ndalini......................................................
and the A?/.....................................179
>#n&ie................................................240
%pontaneo#%.....................................175
J#ndalini...............................................252
lang#age.......................................................
limit% o'.............................................164
2ao TL#.......................................................
repre%enting %am"hoga&aya.............412
la#ndry.........................................................
po%t8enlightenment...........................421
leading on$ard.......................................263
let it go.........................................................
and e)#animity...................................39
limit% and #%e% o'................................17
literal !%. in%ight................................446
tal&ing a"o#t.....................................101
light%.............................................................
!i%ion% o'..................................177, 206
limited po%%i"le ation model%..............299
lineage..........................................................
tran%mi%%ion.....................................434
lineage%.........................................................
%el'8per'etion...................................429
little m#%h demon%........................206, 247
long8term !ie$........................................269
lot#% po%ition...........................................73
lo!e...............................................................
radiating............................................277
2o!e Model%..........................................417
2,D...............................................116, 402
2,D.............................................................
8e%)#e in%ight %ide e''et%.................146
l#mino%ity....................................................
and the Ha>rayana.............................421
dharma&aya a% deathle%%..................414
o' %pae............................................170
l#ng........................................................252
l#%t..........................................................120
and the A?/.....................................175
eliminating........................................274
maro%opi.................................................
!al#e o'.............................................411
madne%%.......................................................
'ear o' in E)#animity.......................207
to#hing in the Dar& +ight..............157
magi......................................................136
Maha%i ,ayada$........................................!i
Mahayana...............................................420
Mahayana.....................................................
propaganda.......................................219
Mandala%......................................................
IndeF
a% pit#re% o' 'ratal%........................227
mantra..........................................................
map%.............................................................
and %ripting.....................................243
danger% o'.........................................175
la#ghing at........................................269
ta&ing to eFtreme..............................269
#%e% o' in%ight map%.........................175
Ma%ter /o%er%........................................236
meditation....................................................
and &id%..............................................77
de!otional...........................................56
'o#% o'...............................................76
imitation o'.........................................56
lingo o'...............................................90
mental !%. phy%ial o">et%.................77
narro$ !%. "road.................................77
on %ight%..............................................77
on %o#nd%...........................................77
one8pointed........................................77
porta"le..............................................77
preditor% o' progre%%........................75
mental illne%%...............................................
and the Dar& +ight..........................155
Middle .ay...........................................169
Middle .ay.................................................
"et$een no8%el' and Tr#e ,el'.........164
mind.............................................................
de'ined...............................................19
mirror8li&e nat#re.............................232
no8mind..............................................44
mind moment%............................................
'roLen...............................................179
mind noi%e.......................................35, 100
and o#r %t#''.....................................444
de'ilement% and................................126
eFtreme% o'.......................................153
in Di%g#%t..........................................152
retreat% ampli'ying............................106
$i%h 'or end o'.................................152
mind reading..........................................137
mind'#lne%%..................................................
and Ca#%e and E''et.......................225
and e)#animity...................................39
and Mind and Body.........................225
a% 'ator o' third >hana.....................132
a% ,pirit#al -a#lty.............................43
"alaning e''et o'..............................47
de'ined...............................................47
o' mind and "ody.............................171
#%e% o'................................................49
!%. b.....................................................47
mind'#lne%% meditation...........................31
on'#%ing term....................................31
model%.........................................................
danger% o' 'iFation on.......................267
limited emotional range.........................
literal interpretation o'
..................................................
422
pro>eting
..................................................
432
limited emotional range model........277
limited emotional range model%......274
limited po%%i"le ation...........................
literal interpretation o'
..................................................
422
pro>eting
..................................................
432
limited po%%i"le tho#ght...................431
non8d#ality.............................................
"e%t model
..................................................
422
o' enlightenment..............................271
o' per'etion.....................................429
partile..............................................231
%tream entry......................................279
$a!e..................................................231
model% o' enlightenment.............................
Ation Model%..........................277, 296
"a%i ategorie%.................................276
Emotional Model%...................277, 272
Energeti Model%.............................277
e%%ential priniple.............................274
EFtintion Model%............................277
-ir%t /ath..........................................273
-o#r /ath Model..............................273
-o#rth /ath......................................273
-#ndamental /erept#al Model%.....276
Bod Model%.....................................277
(eart ,#tra Model...........................294
Immortality Model%.........................277
Jarma Model%.................................277
2o!e Model%....................................277
+e!er :et#rner................................273
+on8D#ality Model..................279, 293
+on8D#ality Model%........................276
*ne :et#rner.................................273
/erpet#al Bli%% Model%....................277
IndeF
/hy%ial Model%...............................277
/o$er Model%..................................299
/o$er% Model%.................................277
/%yhologial Model%.......................277
:adiane Model%.............................277
:e!i%ed -o#r /ath Model................275
,eond /ath.....................................273
,imple Model..................................294
,oial Model%...................................277
%o#re%..............................................274
,pei'i Jno$ledge Model%.............277
,pei'i /ereption Model%.............271
,pei'i /erept#al Model%.............276
,tream Entry....................................273
,#dden ,hool% o' A$a&ening........275
,#dden !%. Brad#al..........................279
The -i!e /ath Model.......................279
The -o#r /ath Model......................279
The Ten Bodhi%att!a Bh#mi%.........279
Third /ath........................................273
Tho#ght Model%..............................277
Tran%endene Model%...................277
Aniti!e Model%.................................277
mona%ti%.....................................................
ne#ro%i% and.......................................72
Morality........................................................
and &arma..........................................73
on!entional, !al#e o'......................299
'ir%t training..........................................3
good li'e................................................6
intent....................................................7
&indne%%...............................................7
re'erene%.............................................7
!al#e o' ontent................................107
moron%.........................................................
oFy8 !%. reg#lar..................................425
moti!ation....................................................
and #ltimate ompa%%ion.................112
ompa%%ion and on'#%ion...............115
loo&ing 'or it%el'...............................114
pro'#ndity o'....................................111
right..................................................122
to not li%ten.......................................103
M#%hroom -ator........................................
and Dar& +ight Gogi%......................155
and %tandard% 'or teaher%...............433
a#%e o' do#"t..................................110
hapter on........................................445
on'#%ion a#%ed "y.........................144
M#%hroom Theory................................102
my%tery.........................................................
and larity.........................................239
+argar>#na...................................................
"orro$ing 'rom................................166
near mi%%................................................210
neither pereption nor yet non8pereption
..........................................................174
ne#ro%e%.......................................................
a% It...................................................299
right %peeh a%..................................100
%pinning in........................................100
+i""ana.......................................................
a% dharma&aya..................................414
a% Altimate Dharma.........................167
nirmana&aya..........................................405
+irodha %amapatti.................................464
+irodha ,amapatti.................................295
+ir!ana....................................................16
and -r#ition......................................211
"li%% o'..............................................412
hapter on........................................236
'ir%t and %eond meaning%................290
immortality model%..........................277
$itho#t remainder............................442
no 'ree l#nh..........................................135
no mind...................................................19
no8%el'..........................................................
and Tantra........................................105
and Tr#e ,el'...................................164
a% dharma&aya or nirmana&aya.......412
a% Third Charateri%ti.......................29
danger% o'...........................................40
door..................................................232
'ormation% demon%trating................207
#%e'#l theory on...........................25, 40
+o"le Eight'old /athC%E...............................
right tho#ght.....................................123
+o"le ,ilene........................................100
non8d#al.......................................................
one o' my 'a!orit e $ord%................167
non8d#ality...................................................
a% 'reedom........................................114
+othing To Do ,hool.........................423
nothingne%%............................................171
noting...........................................................
and the map%....................................170
a% 'o#ndation pratie........................33
help'#l motto%....................................34
my 'a!orite pratie............................45
on retreat, eFample o'......................246
pratie o'...........................................45
#%e% in Di%%ol#tion...........................150
$hen thing% are too 'a%t....................174
+o#!ea# Ti"etan B#ddhi%t%..................219
o">et%..........................................................
&a%ina...............................................147
IndeF
o' meditation..........................................
hoo%ing
..................................................
147
omni%iene...........................................254
on the ride.............................................191
again.................................................267
*ne "y *ne a% They *#rred............219
*ne Tehni)#e -rea&.............................26
*riginal -ae.........................................232
o#t o' "ody eFperiene%..............................
a% "a%i% 'or in%ight............................160
in A?/.............................................177
#%e% o'..............................................137
pain..............................................................
and po%t#re........................................73
and %#''ering.......................................29
'rom in%ight %tage%............................172
ne&, "a&, >a$.................................174
o' ne$ progre%% o' in%ight.................263
ret#rning in Di%%ol#tion...................150
pan%y riti%..................................................
dropping dead....................................32
paranir!ana............................................442
paranoia.......................................................
and -ear...........................................151
and the Dar& +ight..........................150
partile model..........................................19
pa%%ion.........................................................
po$er o'...........................................120
/ath o' A#m#lation............................251
/ath o' Meditation.................................251
/ath o' ,eeing........................................251
/ath o' Ani'iation................................251
/athC%E..........................................................
a% o">et o' 'a%ination.....................262
attaining higher path%.......................262
danger o' o#nting...........................265
'ir%t....................................................211
a% goal o' (inayana
..................................................
421
ho$ many=.......................................267
limit% o'.............................................214
%eond....................................................
minim#m %tandard 'or teahing
..................................................
433
third........................................................
and +irodha %amapatti
..................................................
464
$hat to do a'er$ard%........................247
perept#al thre%hold....................................
inrea%ing............................................21
per'etion, ideal% o'...............115, 154, 429
not ompletely #%ele%%.....................429
permanene.................................................
a% ill#%ion............................................29
/erpet#al Bli%% Model%..........................407
per%onality....................................................
a% nirmana&aya.................................405
philo%opher%................................................
on par $ith la$yer%...........................164
philo%ophy...................................................
po%t A?/..........................................191
!%. in%ight............................................17
/hy%ial Model%.....................................402
po%iti!e attit#de..........................................9
po%t#re.........................................................
ommentarie% ad!ie on..................147
o"%e%%ion $ith..........................174, 263
po%t#re%....................................................74
relining..............................................74
%itting..................................................74
%tanding..............................................73
$al&ing................................................73
prana......................................................252
prana............................................................
/rana................................................277
/reept%,....................................................7
progre%% o' in%ight........................................
ontrolling........................................261
de'ined.............................................177
in'l#ene on the enlightened............235
la& o' hone%ty a"o#t.......................247
pratie% leading to...........................144
%lo$ing do$n....................................217
%tage% o'..................................................
1. Mind and Body
..................................................
171
10. :e8o"%er!ation
..................................................
154, 246
10. :e8o"%er!ation0!%. %tage 4
..................................................
154
10. :e8o"!%er!ation0a% di%tint entity
..................................................
192
11. E)#animity
..................................................
204
IndeF
11. E)#animity0'ormle%% !i"ration%
..................................................
174
11. E)#animity0p%yhi po$er% and
..................................................
160
12. Con'ormity
..................................................
211
14. Change o' 2ineage
..................................................
211
13. /ath
..................................................
211
16. -r#ition
..................................................
211
16. -r#ition0!%. A?/ E!ent
..................................................
190
17. :e!ie$
..................................................
214, 264
2. Ca#%e and E''et
..................................................
172
4. The Three Charateri%ti%
..................................................
174, 225
3. The Ari%ing and /a%%ing A$ay
..................................................
176
3. The Ari%ing and /a%%ing
A$ay0A?/ E!ent
..................................................
175
A$ay0mimi&ing -r#ition
..................................................
237
A$ay0mi%ta&ing 'or %tage 11.
..................................................
177
A$ay0p%yhi po$er% and
..................................................
160
A$ay0The Ten Corr#ption% o'
In%ight and
..................................................
177
6. Di%%ol#tion
..................................................
191
9. Di%g#%t
..................................................
152
5. De%ire 'or Deli!erane
..................................................
152
and !ipa%%ana >hana%
..................................................
229
Dar& +ight
..................................................
191
Dar& +ight0ad!ie 'or
..................................................
196, 157
Dar& +ight0"a&%liding into
..................................................
247
Dar& +ight0"eing ha#nted "y
..................................................
157
Dar& +ight0"eyond 'ir%t path
..................................................
267
Dar& +ight0haning into
..................................................
157
Dar& +ight0on!ergene o'
..................................................
154
Dar& +ight0di%lo%ing detail% o'
..................................................
242
Dar& +ight0hanging o#t in
..................................................
264
Dar& +ight0on or o'' retreat=
..................................................
249
Dar& +ight0timing o'
..................................................
267
Dar& +ight0!i"ration% in
..................................................
193
getting %t#& in
..................................................
241
IndeF
gold %tandard 'or
..................................................
243
rolling #p mat %tage
..................................................
156
tendeny to %#&
..................................................
227
tal&ing a"o#t.....................................431
taped de%ription o'.........................246
pro>etion.....................................................
o' 'al%e model% onto enlightened "eing%
....................................................431
o' negati!ity in Dar& +ight...............196
pro>etion%...................................................
onto g#r#%, et..................................432
p%yhi po$er%.............................................
7th >hana a% "a%i% 'or........................170
and The Three Door%.....................231
"#ddha% ma%tering...........................440
ethi% o'............................................137
'o#rth >hana a% "a%e 'or....................133
hint% 'or o"taining............................160
lo!e8hate relation%hip to...................136
madne%% and.....................................137
po$er model%...................................295
real=..................................................133
%etion on.........................................133
%ee&ing g#idaneK.............................137
%iddhi hango!er................................137
%&ill'#l #%e o'....................................139
%pontaneo#% and 'rom in%ight %tage%160
/%yhologial Model%............................253
p%yhologial per'etion........................253
p%yhotherapi%t%...........................................
and the Dar& +ight..........................199
!%. meditation teaher%.....................106
p%yhotherapy..............................................
!%. meditation...................................103
p#re land one...............................................
*ne..................................................463
p#re land t$o...............................................
, 463
)#e%tion%......................................................
la& o' good......................................434
t$o pratial.....................................461
:adiane Model%...................................404
rage........................................................120
rapt#re.........................................................
and the A?/.....................................240
a% 'ator o' %eond >hana..................131
danger o'............................................36
de'ined...............................................33
'ator o' 'ir%t >hana...........................130
in -ear..............................................151
in!e%tigation o'.................................131
rapt#re%..............................................36
reality...........................................................
and the p%yhi po$er%....................136
reality te%ting............................................90
realiLation.....................................................
danger% o' de%ri"ing.......................265
early or late in li'e=...........................424
'ading=..............................................266
re"irth..........................................................
enlightement and..............................273
'iFation on........................................101
red 'lag%..................................................267
re'erene point.............................................
and 'ormation%.................................205
de%ri"ing a"%ene o'.......................277
re'letion......................................................
danger% o'...........................................15
relation%hip%.................................................
and in%ight ind#ed mood %$ing%....203
enlightenment and...........................272
$re&ing in the Dar& +ight..............200
relaFation.....................................................
permi%%ion 'or..................................145
%amatha >hana% and..........................146
ren#niation.................................................
and enlightenment.............................64
and '#n.............................................213
and in%ight %tage%..............................154
and the 4rd in%ight %tage...................174
three di%tint type%..............................64
re%ol#tion%....................................................
and the p%yhi po$er%....................137
'or the Dar& +ight...................196, 200
to %lo$ progre%%................................146
!al#e o'...............................................79
re%ol!e......................................................79
re%pon%i"ility................................................
'or progre%%......................................175
retreat%...................................................447
retreat%.........................................................
ro%%ing thre%hold% $ith.....................75
dr#g% and..........................................117
my "e%t e!er.....................................246
o!erdoing it......................................116
poor #%e o'.........................................57
!al#e o'...............................................79
right %peah..................................................
po%t8in%ight.......................................446
IndeF
rite% and rit#al%.............................................
%tream entry and...............................279
%adne%%.........................................................
ompa%%ion in..................................121
in Mi%ery..........................................151
%aint%............................................................
enlightened ation and.....................299
%a&adagami...................................................
%a&adagami.......................................273
%al!ation.......................................................
%o#re o'.............................................69
%amadhi..............................................5, 144
%amatha......................5, 144, 203, 205, 237
%am"hoga&aya........................................411
%ample plan............................................249
,am%ara........................................................
a% +ir!ana.........................................412
,arip#tta.......................................................
my hero............................................219
%holar%hip.............................................460
%ripting........................................................
a danger o' the map%........................243
in the Dar& +ight.............................204
%eond attention.....................................139
%eond path..................................................
de'ilement% and................................276
re!i%ed model...................................290
%el'
a% re'#ge.............................................72
de%ire and...........................................72
%el'8oppre%%ion...........................................9
%el'8realiLed..................................................
and arahat%.......................................425
%en%e o' h#mor............................................
in%ight and........................................141
la& o'.................................................65
reo!ering.........................................266
#%e o' po%t8identi'iation $ith
realiLation...................................270
!al#e o'...............................................36
,e!en -ator% o' Enlightenment...4, 49, 33,
37, 77, 240
,e!en -ator% o' Enlightenment..................
and Conentration.............................60
and Morality.......................................60
a% pyramid..........................................49
a#%e 'or a$a&ening...........................60
orrelation $ith the progre%% o' in%ight
....................................................225
de'ined...............................................49
im"alane% o'.....................................35
%eF#ality.......................................................
i%%#e% and in%ight %tage%....................179
%hado$ %ide%................................................
o' tehni)#e% re......................................
realiLation
..................................................
297
,ha&e%peare.....................................96, 164
%hamani path$or&ing...........................135
%h#nyata.................................................421
%h#nyata.......................................................
%h#%h#mna.............................................252
%iddhi "leedthro#gh...............................135
%iddhi hango!er.....................................137
%ila3
%ilene..........................................................
in!e%tigating......................................170
%itting............................................................
'or long period%................................116
,iF :ealm%.............................................122
%iF %en%e door%.............................................
a% nirmana&aya.................................405
de'ined...............................................42
inl#ded in 'ormation%.....................207
%leep.............................................................
retreat% and.......................................116
%leeping........................................................
relining and.......................................74
%tanding and.......................................73
%oap"oF........................................................
%etariani%m........................................96
%oial ommentary.......................................
danger% o'...........................................!ii
,oial Model%........................................419
%olidity..........................................................
and impermanene............................20
a% ill#%ion............................................29
%otapanna.....................................................
%otapanna.........................................273
%pae............................................................
'li&ering.............................................44
8a%e....................................................69
,pei'i Jno$ledge Model%..................254
%peeh..........................................................
immoderate po%t in%ight%.................216
%pirit animal%..........................................137
%pirit $orld.............................................139
%pirit#al path................................................
a% Big (oly Deal..............................206
%re$ing #p on.................................439
temptation on...................................414
%pirit#al )#e%t...............................................
and De%ire 'or Deli!erane..............154
danger% o'...........................................16
IndeF
%pirit#al trapping%......................................2
!al#e o'...............................................56
%plit...............................................................
dithing.....................................424, 440
,ri +i%argadatta Mahara>.......................417
%tage% o' in%ight......................................177
%ti''ne%%.........................................................
'rom in%ight %tage%............................173
%tream entry...................................211, 247
de'ilement% and................................276
ho$ m#h pratie #ntil...................249
re!i%ed model...................................290
%tre%%.............................................................
%amatha >hana% and..........................146
%t#''. .11, 193, 204, 225, 257, 424, 444, 434
%t#''..............................................................
and appropriatene%% ........................297
and integration.................................444
a% 'o#% o' pratie.............................76
a% nirmana&aya.................................411
"ringing #p.......................................146
"#""ling to the %#r'ae.....................266
"#""ling #p in Dar& +ight...............196
dar&, #%e'#lne%% o' ego %trength and277
elimination impo%%i"le.....................424
elimination o'...................................277
'li&ering.............................................25
in the Dar& +ight.............................197
in%ight into..........................................69
in%ight oriented ta&e on....................129
limit% o' in%ight and............................65
model% o' eliminating.......................422
o#t8o' "ody eFperiene% and............141
p%yhi po$er% and..........................135
teaher% and.......................................55
$hining a"o#t.....................................59
$or&ing thro#gh in the Dar& +ight. 155
!%. Three Charateri%ti%...................17
%t#pidity........................................................
and b.................................................297
%#"%#">hana%..........................................227
%#hne%%.................................................209
%#''ering.......................................................
and onentration %tate%.....................63
and d#ality..........................................63
and no8%el'..........................................27
A% ,eond Charateri%ti...................27
door..................................................231
end o', 4rd +o"le Tr#th....................76
'lip %ide o' ompa%%ion=.....................71
'#ndamental !%. p%yhologial..........200
'#ndamental, de'ined.........................27
in!e%tigation o'...................................27
moti!ation 'or pratie.......................70
o' '#lly realiLed "eing%.....................442
ordinary..............................................63
o!er$helming.....................................73
re>etion o' in%ight% into.....................71
Tr#th +#m"er *ne...........................70
tr#th o'................................................27
.heel o' ,#''ering...........................277
%#iide..........................................................
o' highly realiLed "eing%...................442
%#rrender.....................................................
and e''ort............................................42
ta"le tenni%...............................................24
ta"oo %eret%................................................
o' -r#ition........................................237
tantra............................................................
origin% o'...........................................206
Tantra..........................................................
at it% "e%t...........................................160
teaher.........................................................
danger o' role...................................101
teaher%....................................................75
ad!erti%ing %tyle%...............................445
and p%yhi po$er%..........................160
and role re!er%al%.............................216
a%&ing )#e%tion o'..............................91
dangero#% paternali%m and..............242
e!al#ator% o'.....................................431
getting a#ght in 'al%e model%..........422
gi!ing ontraditory in%tr#tion%......247
identi'ying attainment%.....................262
Det ,et...............................................436
limit% o'...............................................96
limit% o' "io%.....................................445
lineage and.......................................433
ma&ing a li!ing a%.............................433
ma&ing %el!e% red#ndant..................461
ma%tery threatening............................59
minim#m %tandard% 'or....................433
not hearing.........................................57
rea%on to $or& $ith..........................179
rog#e teaher%..................................215
%ome$hat ar"itrary term..................436
tr#e teaher%.....................................220
#ndergro#nd....................................436
#p and oming.................................434
!al#e o'...............................................77
!al#e o' in Dar& +ight.....................159
!%. p%yhotherapi%t%..........................106
$ith no in%ight..................................107
teahing........................................................
$ho yo# an reah...........................434
Ten Bh#mi Model................................250
IndeF
Ten Corr#ption% o' In%ight...................177
and A /anditaO% model.....................227
Ten De'ilement%..........................................
-o#r /ath Model and.......................276
The Dar& +ight o' The ,o#l.................179
The Ti"etan Boo& o' the Dead............179
The Hinaya..................................................
%trange "eha!ior o' the enlightened. 440
Thera!ada....................................................
on %ide o' arahat%.............................425
thin&ing........................................................
magiial............................................135
third path.....................................................
de'ilement% and................................276
l#mino%ity.........................................291
re!i%ed model...................................290
Tho#ght Model%....................................257
tho#ght%.......................................................
and arahat%.......................................405
a% 'i!e %en%e door%............................210
a% not %el'............................................25
ir#lar..............................................129
eFperiene o'......................................23
'ormal in!e%tigation o'........................24
getting lo%t in......................................77
good and "ad.....................................26
not getting lo%t in................................21
o"%e%%i!e.............................................46
o' attainment....................................266
:emo!al o' Di%trating.....................123
right tho#ght.....................................123
%topping......................................67, 205
%#iidal.............................................152
Three Charateri%ti%...................................
and the end o' %#''ering.....................74
a% "a%i% 'or in%ight %tage%..................171
a% only $ay.......................................109
-#ndamental /ereption Model......270
heroi in!e%tigation o'......................117
non8onept#al #nder%tanding o'... .176
o' di''i#lt i%%#e%...............................125
o' hindrane%......................................31
ro%e "y any other name....................105
%hado$ %ide% o'................................213
Three Charateri%ti%.......................270
!%. ontent..........................................57
Three Door%................................................
and 'ormle%% realm%.........................231
and the A?/ E!ent..........................190
a% %iF door%.......................................234
hapter on........................................230
eFample o'........................................140
not proeeding 9th >hana.................173
only three.........................................109
Three Ill#%ion%......................................144
and the Three Door%.......................231
Three Jaya%...........................................409
Three Jaya%.................................................
nirmana&aya.....................................405
Three Training%.........................................2
one at play on...................................67
re!i%ited..............................................62
%#mmary.............................................93
tal&ing $ith teaher% and....................91
ten%ion% "et$een................................65
Three Altimate Dharma%......................167
and the Three Jaya%........................412
Three Gana%..........................................420
Ti"etan B#ddhi%m.......................................
a% olor'#l and ompleF...................117
Ti"etan Model%.............................250, 251
Titm#%%, Chri%topher.............................429
tran)#ility.....................................................
de'ined...............................................37
in Di%%ol#tion...................................241
teaher% and.......................................90
Tran%ational Analy%i%...........................253
tran%endene..............................................
and dharma&aya...............................414
and intimay.....................................414
Tran%endene Model%.........................416
tran%'erene...........................................256
tri8ality....................................................207
Tr#e ,el'......................................................
a% dharma&aya or nirmana&aya.......412
a% no8%el'...........................................103
'ormal di%#%%ion o'.........................164
pratial appliation o'.....................167
teahing% in B#ddhi%m.....................167
TH %no$............................................19, 20
T$el'th /ath..........................................267
T$el'th /athC%E.............................................
%#''ering d#e to................................269
A /andita...............................................447
#ltimate "odhihitta...............................231
Altimate :eality...........................................
#%e o' teahing% on...........................166
#ltimate tr#th...............................................
good and "ad a%...............................410
#ltimate $i%dom.......................................13
#nder$ater...................................................
'eeling o' "eing.................................177
#niti!e eFperiene%......................................
and nirmana&aya..............................414
not the an%$er..................................167
IndeF
Anity Model%.........................................419
#n%ati%'atorine%%.....................................27
Apa&a....................................................404
Ha>rayana...............................................420
!edena..........................................................
de'ined...............................................36
!i"ration%.....................................................
and inter'erene pattern%.................177
and the pha%e o' the "reath.............151
a% predominant eFperiene..............207
"eing torn to piee% "y.....................153
'ir%t harateri%ti................................17
'ormle%%............................................207
good in!e%tigation o'........................140
in Dar& +ight...................................193
in%tant pereption o' "y enlightened
"eing%..........................................235
in!e%tigation a% %port..........................21
mind moment%.................................104
no magi 're)#enie%.........................20
%peed o'..............................................20
!ie$%.............................................................
"eoming %ared..............................271
Him#ttimagga.................................147, 135
Hinaya......................................................52
Hinegar Ta%ter%, The.............................412
!ipa%%ana......................................................
de'ined...............................................17
!i%ion............................................................
o' Big I%%#e.......................................140
!i%ion8)#e%t............................................116
!i%ion%..........................................................
a% "a%i% 'or in%ight............................160
in E)#animity...................................206
%leep depri!ation and.......................116
!i%#aliLation..................................................
Hi%#ddhimagga..............147, 135, 177, 229
Hoid, The..............................................232
Hoid, The....................................................
a% not nothingne%%............................172
$al&ing.........................................................
>er&y or rathet8li&e..........................172
$al&ing $o#nded...................................155
$ather.........................................................
and 'ormation%.................................207
and Mind and Body.........................171
and The Three Door%.....................230
a% non8eFi%tent o"%er!er...................167
a$arene%% a% not...............................167
not %eparate or thing..........................29
#n'inda"le..........................................25
$a!e model..............................................19
.aLoo...................................................431
.e%tern B#ddhi%t%......................................
!ery lo$ %tandard% o'........................447
.illiam Bla&e.......................................117
.i%dom.......................................................
a% ,pirit#al -a#lty.............................43
"alaning $ith 'aith.............................43
danger o' di%#%%ing.........................104
eFe%% and de'iieny.........................43
'#ndamental in%tr#tion%....................14
ordinary..............................................13
radiating............................................277
relati!e !%. #ltimate.............................13
%ho$ing la& o'...................................57
The Third Training...........................12
!ital a%%#mption%................................12
.i%dom Eye................................................
"lin&ing.............................................292
.i%dom Eye....................................279
$i%e remor%e..............................................9
yoga8"#tt.......................................................
yoga8"#tt...................................277, 277
Go# Are Already There ,hool............423
LaLen......................................................144
Sen.........................................................421
a$arene%% o' in%ight %tage%...............175
#lt#re o'..........................................117
on %ide o' "#ddha%...........................425

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