Awareness into Self-knowledge
Whenever we find our own limitations, such discovery can sometimes discourage those of us on the path. This is the time we want to cultivate total acceptance and self-compassion. Finding our own tendencies will help us to evolve and grow rather than them becoming obstacles.
Sojong Reminder from Anam Thubten 10/2016
Dear dharma friends,
Recently someone sent me an article stating that consciousness is not a mystery. Matter it turns out is more unfathomable. Such an idea can be kind of shocking because we might cherish the notion that consciousness is a great mystery that only exceptional yogis and mystics can fully understand.
In some ways you can say that the statement in this article corresponds to Buddhist thought. There is a very famous saying in Tibetan Buddhism, “One’s own mind is not hidden to oneself.” This means that we all really understand our own mind or consciousness more than anyone else.
The moment we bring attention inside to see what is happening in our mind or consciousness without any judgment, then we can be quite clear about what experience we are having in each moment; the very nature of our thoughts, feelings, emotions and even psychological factors such as motivations, along with our ego’s subtle games. From that point acquiring self-knowledge is not that difficult.
Usually when we go to meditation retreat and sit in silence for a week in an environment where we’re no longer distracted by daily responsibilities, we are left alone with our own mind so we begin to see our mental and psychological patterns. Not only that but we might be able to experience something profound inside ourselves. Such is the luminous nature of mind. It is a place inside where we no longer are ruled by our unconscious tendencies and where we feel unconditional love.
Whenever we find our own limitations, such discovery can sometimes discourage those of us on the path. This is the time we want to cultivate total acceptance and self-compassion. Finding our own tendencies will help us to evolve and grow rather than them becoming obstacles. Self-knowledge is perhaps the most important thing on the path for anyone who is seeking genuine inner transformation.
Remember it’s not very difficult to acquire self-knowledge because all we really need is to remember to observe and study our own mental experience, and then through that we’ll naturally know not to get stuck in them.
When there is no more introspection towards oneself, then unawareness takes root and takes over our whole being. And then we become something like a slave to our own neurotic tendencies. So self-knowledge can be sometimes humbling, but in the end it is what really changes who we are.
The sojong is coming again on the 15th of this month. This would be a wonderful time to restore our sacred vows, and to cultivate the intention to continuously acquire self-knowledge and continue shedding our old habits so our mind becomes less burdened.
With palms joined, Anam Thubten