Enlightenment is the ability to freely transact within the ten thousand states of mind without a continuous self or awareness
It is possible to move to an enlightened state of mind from a lower bardo or level of awareness. It can happen, but it is extremely unlikely.
Enlightenment doesn't simply mean being in heavenly states of mind. It doesn't mean being a saint.
Once you have mastered the ten thousand states of mind, it's paranirvana, the absorption into the stillness forever.
Death doesn't change anything. It just gives you a new location. The physical mind dissolves. But the overriding state of mind that you die in is the state of mind that you are born into.
Anything that ends with death isn't really mind, just the things that pass through a mind.
Your mind is filled with thoughts and desires. Your moods shift constantly. You are not sure what it is you want, it changes from moment to moment; there is little or no continuity in your life.
When we practice mindfulness, our nonphysical side merges with the nonphysical side of that which we are experiencing.
Thinking is usually a waste of time and energy, since thinking is essentially a rehashing of what we already know. As a matter of fact, thinking is an easy way to confuse yourself. The more you think, the less you know.
We are so absorbed in our thoughts that every thought that comes through is a reality. We have to start to detach ourselves from thought and become aware that there are things beyond thought.
Mindfulness is the ability to do physical things in a harmonious way; it is a way to remain centered in a physical world that is out of balance.
You don't have to do anything to meditate. That's what makes it so difficult. Everybody wants to do something.
There is no fanaticism in any of this. There is intensity. You have to make it happen. You have to put your will into perfecting your daily life, into monitoring your thoughts.
Thought control is the ability to direct mind and attention anywhere.
The best form of meditation is the sitting meditation. But work is next. Work is a great way to meditate.
What we do outwardly will only interrupt the flow of our perfect attention is it is not in harmony with the dharma.
Sitting around idly contemplating doesn't produce much. In work you can discipline your attention, forget about your misery.
Personal power, knowledge and fun come from how you approach something, not what you approach.
If you are just spaced out and you have no purpose in life, you pick everything up. Everybody else's thoughts will come into your mind, everyone else's desires.
Mindfulness is when you are engaged in activities but the mind is set into the meditative state all the time. Meditation is to be aware of many different levels. It's not just the absence of thought.
Your mind is turbulent because you're filled with desires, frustrations. You want too many things. You are afraid of too many things. It is necessary to overcome both attraction and repulsion to still the mind.
In the beginning, when you are meditating, just ignore thought. Shine it on. Then after you are comfortable sitting there, try selectively eliminating negative thoughts, thoughts that agitate the mind.
Meditation, in the beginning, is just replacement thinking. Instead of having the usual negative things that wander around in your mind, you are replacing those with very bright images.
You can be locked away in prison and be free if your mind is not a prison. Or you can be walking around with lots of credit cards and be in a prison, the prison of your own mind, the prison of your illusions.
The reason a person is in a particular state of mind is primarily because of attraction and aversion. Attraction and aversion cause us to format a mental or intellectual program.
