Residing in Dharmakaya
Sojong Reminder from Anam Thubten
Dear Dharma friends,
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A myriad of waves are continually arising and receding back into the sea. Watching them from the beach can enchant us and also give rise to powerful feelings like amazement and joy. There is something magical about seeing the aliveness of nature through their movement. Those waves are emerging, with the forces of traveling winds as their company, in a powerful, symbiotic relationship.
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In the traditional writings, this movement of the sea is used as simile for the internal movements of our being, as in the waves of thoughts and emotions. These inner forces are like waves, and our consciousness is like the sea. We experience the constantly morphing and changing thoughts and emotions as alive and dynamic. Just like waves created by wind, countless unknown factors have caused them, and the truth is that we have little control over them.
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If we just pause, let go of all of our thoughts with a long, deep breath, and wait to see what might arise in our mind and body, there is often a sense of the unknown, accompanied by curiosity. What thought and emotion might occur? A pleasant one or an unpleasant one? This inquiry is not about trying to control our internal experience, but to just witness it with an attitude of non-judgment. It’s about being rooted in a place that is unshakable.
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The place where we can reside has a name; the Dharmakaya, the primordial Buddha. If we’re experiencing lovely thoughts and emotions, our true nature is the same. If fear and confusion fill our mind, our true nature also remains the same. All we need to do is remember that our true nature is always Dharmakaya, in all situations within and without.
There is a sacred remembrance that can help our mind to be free - to remember to be the primordial Buddha in a moment when challenging thoughts and emotions try to throw us off balance. Whenever we’re conflicted or contracted inside, it just takes a moment of intention to return to the very center of our being. Then we’re simply a Buddha who is feeling sadness, or Buddha who is savoring joy.
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During this Sojong, let’s take some time to review our experience, and what the state of our mind is. Let’s see our habitual patterns as well as inner changes. Let me invite everyone to hold the intention to be the Buddha while swimming through the interior sea of life filled with powerful waves.
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With palms joined,
Anam Thubten
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