If we possess no
understanding of mind and how it works, we will be -- as the traditional
example describes -- like someone without limbs trying to ride a wild, blind
horse.
We need to work with
our minds particularly during difficult times, when our mind is not friendly,
when it frightens us to the point that we would rather not even associate with
it.
Shenpa is a
pervasive discomfort; it is the experience of "I, me, and mine" and
all the wants, needs, aversions, hopes, and fears that come out of that.
Shenpa comes alive
whenever there is a strong sense of self-importance.
Shenpa defines the
quality of our emotional life, and not in a positive way. It leaves us with only two choices in
relating to our emotions: we can either reject or vent.
Whenever there is
aversion, a story line is produced.
When we see clearly,
we can understand that shenpa, ego, and the emotions ego generates are all part
of the human mind, and we can work with them relating to emotions without the
rejection and indulgence of shenpa, we can freely examine them because they are
no longer personal. This is emotional
intelligence.
The jealous mind
wants what others have, be it physical attributes, wealth, intelligence,
someone else's spouse, their job, status, spiritual accomplishments, and so
on. Because it focuses on what it
doesn't have, it feels impoverished and discontent all the time.
The difference
between the clarity we believe we have when angry and the clarity that results
from actually seeing clearly is that aggression has its own narrow logic, which
does not take into account the deeper level of causes and conditions that
surround each situation.
People who have the
most aggression are the most paranoid of all.
Kindness naturally
provides others with a way to respond that is free of aggression and hatred.
Temporal pleasure is
samsara's dangling carrot.
Genuine renunciation
doesn't come from rejection or avoidance; it comes from letting go of grasping
and attachment.
The arrogant mind
never stops searching for identity, and this identity always defines itself
through attributes: "the beautiful one," "the smart one",
"the creative one", "the successful one".
Appreciation
unleashes all the inherent positive qualities of mind.
Stupidity is a mind
on cruise control. A mind enveloped in
stupidity is completely oblivious to the laws of cause and effect, seed and
fruit. It doesn't connect happiness with
the causes of happiness or suffering with the causes of suffering.
While ignorance is
simply the state of not knowing, stupidity is the dull state of mind that
allows us to repeat the same thing over and over again despite its negative
consequences.
When we are bound by
the emotional needs of others, or simply afraid of our own, how can we
entertain the idea of engaging a spiritual path?
If happiness could
be achieved through self-cherishing, we would certainly be happy by now. But when everything is in reference to
"me", we naturally become a victim of our own aggression,
attachments, and fears.
Doubt brings up
meaninglessness and despair. But rather
than being an emotion itself, doubt has to do with wrong views, and this makes
it especially difficult to overcome.
