I am breaking from my usual practice today. I feel my limits more than usual.
This morning I read a passage from The Path To Bliss written by the Dalai Lama in which he points out that the universal only appears in particulars in our experience, that this applies to teachers and students of awakening as much as anything else. Thus the presence of God Incarnate on the planet, even that, is ever and always deniable by those who cannot see. He points out that the message delivery, being particular even if the message is perfectly universal, can only succeed with those already prepared to receive it in just the way it is given. He calls this preparation the karmic bond between souls.
That is why there must be many teachers of enlightenment. It is not enough that I am ready to receive, in itself miraculous. As well there must be a teacher or a teaching intimate enough that the message would seem to rise up from within me, as if a memory.
This morning I read a passage from The Path To Bliss written by the Dalai Lama in which he points out that the universal only appears in particulars in our experience, that this applies to teachers and students of awakening as much as anything else. Thus the presence of God Incarnate on the planet, even that, is ever and always deniable by those who cannot see. He points out that the message delivery, being particular even if the message is perfectly universal, can only succeed with those already prepared to receive it in just the way it is given. He calls this preparation the karmic bond between souls.
That is why there must be many teachers of enlightenment. It is not enough that I am ready to receive, in itself miraculous. As well there must be a teacher or a teaching intimate enough that the message would seem to rise up from within me, as if a memory.
Hard Pressed
He cast his salt on
the seasons of nearby souls,
knowing only some
would receive from him,
those who have traveled in his
company, dancing
with him through ages.
Though my heart's universal
my armor is stone,
my salt has true grit,
and I'm hard pressed against my
limited presence.
October 31, 2009 7:33 AM
this was beautiful... the salt and stone, the rendering and readiness of teachable souls... a lovely message in commentary and poetic.
ReplyDeleteOh yes.
ReplyDeleteI can't pick a line, they are all wonderful.
xxx
Harlequin, thanks for your continued presence here. I am happy you like my work.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, you are much kinder with me than I am with myself :)
Ah Christopher, isn't that what we are here for? To bounce off?
ReplyDeletexxxx
Sadly true. The message, the delivery...completely lost to those who cannot see. Seasons of nearby souls. Your reception is beautiful, as is your preparation. Live open.
ReplyDeleteand of course, you are very kewl.... just like Alex Chilton.....
ReplyDeleteIf he was from Venus, would he feed us with a spoon?
If he was from Mars, wouldn't that be cool
Standing right on campus, would he stamp us in a pile?
Hangin' down in Memphis all the while
Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing "I'm in love. What's that song?
I'm in love with that song."....
The Replacements
Very earthy and real....lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks, W&W, Ghost, Cherie.
ReplyDeleteAm I from another planet? Maybe.