Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
July 29, 2009
A CONTEMPLATIVE APPROACH
According to the ideas of my teacher, Jamgon Kongtrul, the only way to develop spiritual discipline is to accept chaos as well as orderliness. His suggestions are very profound and totally ecumenical. To develop genuine spirituality, one has to be dedicated to a contemplative approach, a meditative approach. That doesn't mean that everybody on this earth has to sit on a meditation cushion....We are not talking in terms of being good meditators. We are talking about actually, personally being able to identify with what you've studied, what you've heard, what you've learned, what you've read. It is bringing all of this into your personal experience.
From Talk One of "Jamgon Kongtrul," an unpublished seminar, Boulder, Colorado, November 1974.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Buddha and Christ
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
July 26, 2009
BUDDHA AND CHRIST
Student: What is the relationship between the Buddha and the Christ?
Chogyam Trungpa: I suppose, from the mahayana point of view of benevolence and the point of view of sainthood, that they are like saints talking to each other. Their relationship might be that of wakeful saints coming from different traditions. One, Christ, came from the Jewish tradition, and one, the Buddha, came from the Hindu tradition. Both were stepping out of their traditions and beginning to teach a new kind of truth, or an old truth in a new way. In some sense, what they were doing was very close.
From Talk Four of "Jamgon Kongtrul," an unpublished seminar, Karme Choling, Vermont, April 1975.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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July 26, 2009
BUDDHA AND CHRIST
Student: What is the relationship between the Buddha and the Christ?
Chogyam Trungpa: I suppose, from the mahayana point of view of benevolence and the point of view of sainthood, that they are like saints talking to each other. Their relationship might be that of wakeful saints coming from different traditions. One, Christ, came from the Jewish tradition, and one, the Buddha, came from the Hindu tradition. Both were stepping out of their traditions and beginning to teach a new kind of truth, or an old truth in a new way. In some sense, what they were doing was very close.
From Talk Four of "Jamgon Kongtrul," an unpublished seminar, Karme Choling, Vermont, April 1975.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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Thursday, July 23, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Egolessness Is Letting Go
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
July 23, 2009
EGOLESSNESS IS LETTING GO
"Egolessness" does not mean that nothing exists, as some have thought, a kind of nihilism. Instead, it means that you can let go of your habitual patterns and then when you let do, you genuinely let go. You do not re-create or rebuild another shell immediately afterward. Once you let go, you do not just start all over again. Egolessness is having the trust to not rebuild again at all and experiencing the psychological healthiness and freshness that goes with not rebuilding. The truth of egolessness can only be experienced fully through meditation practice.
From "The Meeting of Buddhist and Western Psychology," in THE SANITY WE ARE BORN WITH: A BUDDHIST APPROACH TO PSYCHOLOGY, page 10.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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July 23, 2009
EGOLESSNESS IS LETTING GO
"Egolessness" does not mean that nothing exists, as some have thought, a kind of nihilism. Instead, it means that you can let go of your habitual patterns and then when you let do, you genuinely let go. You do not re-create or rebuild another shell immediately afterward. Once you let go, you do not just start all over again. Egolessness is having the trust to not rebuild again at all and experiencing the psychological healthiness and freshness that goes with not rebuilding. The truth of egolessness can only be experienced fully through meditation practice.
From "The Meeting of Buddhist and Western Psychology," in THE SANITY WE ARE BORN WITH: A BUDDHIST APPROACH TO PSYCHOLOGY, page 10.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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Monday, July 20, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Heroism toward Yourself
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
July 20, 2009
HEROISM TOWARD YOURSELF
As a practitioner, some kind of heroism is necessary. That is to say, it's not trying to proclaim yourself as better than somebody else. At the same time, it seems to be good to have some kind of heroism within yourself. It's not so much based on the example of each president in the United States, who says, "I'm making history, and this is fantastic. I won the elections," or whatever. But some kind of heroism is needed, that you are doing what you are doing. It seems to be very simple. It's heroism toward yourself.
From "Trungpas Five through Ten," in THE MISHAP LINEAGE: Transforming Confusion into Wisdom, page 58. Newly published by Shambhala Publications.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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July 20, 2009
HEROISM TOWARD YOURSELF
As a practitioner, some kind of heroism is necessary. That is to say, it's not trying to proclaim yourself as better than somebody else. At the same time, it seems to be good to have some kind of heroism within yourself. It's not so much based on the example of each president in the United States, who says, "I'm making history, and this is fantastic. I won the elections," or whatever. But some kind of heroism is needed, that you are doing what you are doing. It seems to be very simple. It's heroism toward yourself.
From "Trungpas Five through Ten," in THE MISHAP LINEAGE: Transforming Confusion into Wisdom, page 58. Newly published by Shambhala Publications.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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Friday, July 17, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Sentient Beings Are Limitless
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
July 17, 2009
SENTIENT BEINGS ARE LIMITLESS
Sentient beings are limitless;
We vow to save them.
Maybe the world is filled with aggression, passion and ignorance
And other inconvenient kleshas, inconvenient emotions.
Still the dawn of sanity, and being skilled in working with others,
Will continue.
Let us drive further,
And work harder with gentleness,
To proclaim the dharma, the wisdom of the Buddha,
Throughout the universe.
If practitioners are like the bow,
Then devotion is like the bowstring.
Working for others with intelligence
Is the arrow, adorned with three feathers
Of threefold purity,
As well as the sharp point of doubtlessness.
Thus we perform such archery.
Let us go further, and shoot further.
Let us shoot in the atmosphere of the dharmadhatu, the space of dharma.
Excerpted, with slight changes, from "Sad Archer Shoots Happily by Gazing at the Splendid Moon," an unpublished poem composed 14 November 1981 at the Keltic Lodge, Ingonish, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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July 17, 2009
SENTIENT BEINGS ARE LIMITLESS
Sentient beings are limitless;
We vow to save them.
Maybe the world is filled with aggression, passion and ignorance
And other inconvenient kleshas, inconvenient emotions.
Still the dawn of sanity, and being skilled in working with others,
Will continue.
Let us drive further,
And work harder with gentleness,
To proclaim the dharma, the wisdom of the Buddha,
Throughout the universe.
If practitioners are like the bow,
Then devotion is like the bowstring.
Working for others with intelligence
Is the arrow, adorned with three feathers
Of threefold purity,
As well as the sharp point of doubtlessness.
Thus we perform such archery.
Let us go further, and shoot further.
Let us shoot in the atmosphere of the dharmadhatu, the space of dharma.
Excerpted, with slight changes, from "Sad Archer Shoots Happily by Gazing at the Splendid Moon," an unpublished poem composed 14 November 1981 at the Keltic Lodge, Ingonish, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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Tuesday, July 14, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Realizing Chaos
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
July 14, 2009
REALIZING CHAOS
No one can save us from the state of chaos or samsara unless we understand the meaning of chaos and confusion, unless we have experienced it and suffered from it. Otherwise, although we may be in the midst of chaos, we don't notice it. You don't begin to notice chaos until you are already on the path. Then you begin to feel uncomfortable. You feel that something is a nuisance. Something's bugging you constantly. You realize the chaos when you are already making the journey.
From "The Fourth Moment," in THE SHAMBHALA SUN, March 2006, page 46
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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July 14, 2009
REALIZING CHAOS
No one can save us from the state of chaos or samsara unless we understand the meaning of chaos and confusion, unless we have experienced it and suffered from it. Otherwise, although we may be in the midst of chaos, we don't notice it. You don't begin to notice chaos until you are already on the path. Then you begin to feel uncomfortable. You feel that something is a nuisance. Something's bugging you constantly. You realize the chaos when you are already making the journey.
From "The Fourth Moment," in THE SHAMBHALA SUN, March 2006, page 46
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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Saturday, July 11, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Life Just Is
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
July 11, 2009
LIFE JUST IS
Life on the practical level does not contain any subtle philosophy or subtle mystical experience. It just is. If we are able to see that isness, so to speak, then there is a sense of realization. We experience sudden enlightenment. Without a sense of hopelessness, there is no way to give birth to sudden enlightenment. Only giving up our projects brings about the ultimate, definite, positive state of being, which is the realization that we are already enlightened beings here and now.
From "Hopelessness and the Trikaya," in CRAZY WISDOM page 95.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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July 11, 2009
LIFE JUST IS
Life on the practical level does not contain any subtle philosophy or subtle mystical experience. It just is. If we are able to see that isness, so to speak, then there is a sense of realization. We experience sudden enlightenment. Without a sense of hopelessness, there is no way to give birth to sudden enlightenment. Only giving up our projects brings about the ultimate, definite, positive state of being, which is the realization that we are already enlightened beings here and now.
From "Hopelessness and the Trikaya," in CRAZY WISDOM page 95.
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http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-57062-894-8.cfm
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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Saturday, July 4, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Square One Is Basic Goodness
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
July 4, 2009
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SQUARE ONE IS BASIC GOODNESS
Basic goodness does not mean that we can con others because we have basic goodness. We are talking about personal basic goodness which we don't have to proclaim or advertise. It does not depend on advertisement or on introductions from somebody else. Instead, basic goodness means being on the spot -- right here. With that might come lots of fear, lots of confusion, and a lot of loneliness, nonetheless....When we are here by ourselves, we are constantly freaked out, haunted by ourselves. If you yourself breathe heavily, you might think somebody else is behind you breathing down our neck. "Who's that?" "Who said that?" What's that?" And we are also afraid of others. Difficult situations like that can actually bring out our tremendous goodness, a sense of basic goodness. And in fact, we might be able to bring out the notion of fearlessness as well. It's possible. It's feasible....Everything is back to square one, which is basic goodness.
Compiled from "Conquering Comfort," in THE COLLECTED WORKS OF CHOGYAM TRUNGPA, Volume Eight, pages 439-442.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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July 4, 2009
Please Note: Ocean of Dharma will be on vacation until July 12th.
SQUARE ONE IS BASIC GOODNESS
Basic goodness does not mean that we can con others because we have basic goodness. We are talking about personal basic goodness which we don't have to proclaim or advertise. It does not depend on advertisement or on introductions from somebody else. Instead, basic goodness means being on the spot -- right here. With that might come lots of fear, lots of confusion, and a lot of loneliness, nonetheless....When we are here by ourselves, we are constantly freaked out, haunted by ourselves. If you yourself breathe heavily, you might think somebody else is behind you breathing down our neck. "Who's that?" "Who said that?" What's that?" And we are also afraid of others. Difficult situations like that can actually bring out our tremendous goodness, a sense of basic goodness. And in fact, we might be able to bring out the notion of fearlessness as well. It's possible. It's feasible....Everything is back to square one, which is basic goodness.
Compiled from "Conquering Comfort," in THE COLLECTED WORKS OF CHOGYAM TRUNGPA, Volume Eight, pages 439-442.
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http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-032-9.cfm
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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Wednesday, July 1, 2009
[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Transcending Spiritual Materialism
Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
July 1, 2009
TRANSCENDING SPIRITUAL MATERIALISM
Developing basic sanity is a process of working on ourselves in which the path itself rather than the attainment of a goal becomes the working basis. The path itself is what constantly inspires us, rather than, in the style of the carrot and the donkey, promises about certain achievements that lie ahead of us....The difference between spiritual materialism and transcending spiritual materialism is that, in spiritual materialism, promises are used like a carrot held in front of a donkey, luring him into all kinds of journeys. In transcending spiritual materialism, there is no goal. The goal exists in every moment of our life situation, in every moment of our spiritual journey. In this way, the spiritual journey becomes as exciting and as beautiful as if we were buddha already. There are constant new discoveries, constant messages, and constant warnings. There is also constant cutting down, constant painful lessons -- as well as pleasurable ones. The spiritual journey of transcending spiritual materialism is a complete journey rather than one that is dependent on an external goal.
From "The Trikaya," in CRAZY WISDOM page 15.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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July 1, 2009
TRANSCENDING SPIRITUAL MATERIALISM
Developing basic sanity is a process of working on ourselves in which the path itself rather than the attainment of a goal becomes the working basis. The path itself is what constantly inspires us, rather than, in the style of the carrot and the donkey, promises about certain achievements that lie ahead of us....The difference between spiritual materialism and transcending spiritual materialism is that, in spiritual materialism, promises are used like a carrot held in front of a donkey, luring him into all kinds of journeys. In transcending spiritual materialism, there is no goal. The goal exists in every moment of our life situation, in every moment of our spiritual journey. In this way, the spiritual journey becomes as exciting and as beautiful as if we were buddha already. There are constant new discoveries, constant messages, and constant warnings. There is also constant cutting down, constant painful lessons -- as well as pleasurable ones. The spiritual journey of transcending spiritual materialism is a complete journey rather than one that is dependent on an external goal.
From "The Trikaya," in CRAZY WISDOM page 15.
Order your copy at:
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Ocean of Dharma now has 7,439 subscribers.
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Teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE, unsubscribe, see the quotes online or read the Ocean of Dharma blog, visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
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