What is mind? How is it that it is capable of so much and, at the same time, that much of mind’s capacity is goes unknown and untapped?
Meditators, yogis and yoginis, have plumbed such questions for many thousands of years. Bodhi is a comprehensive Sanskrit term that indicates more than can be defined. The compound term bodhimind also is indicating, more than can be defined. And that’s instructive. Bodhimind, then, is an invitation to one to really look within, to also be present to all manner of emotion-mind-self arisings, clingings, joys and unpleasantness and wonder, “hmmm, what is this arising?”
Oneness is our essence: a shared wholeness with Wholeness of Being. Oneness is completely inclusive, like the sky, which cannot be divided or separated. One aspect of bodhi is oneness.
The topic of bodhimind is not new to us. This time ’round, however, our exploration of bodhimind (bodhichitta) is under the consideration of conscientiousness which, itself, has been within the scope of confidence. “Have confidence in your own state.”
This gift from Gareb Dorje was giving about 2000 years ago to those of the most sublime, good fortune in having the capacity of consciousness to realize the union of emptiness–compassion–awareness. Yet, like all statements given to us by bodhisattvas and buddhas, such statements can be used by any being at any stage of the Path for contemplation, instruction, and utilization for benefiting others and oneself.
In the truest sense, Gareb Dorje’s statement is a reminder that one’s true, natural state is pure awakeness replete with all powers of compassion and omniscience. It is this abiding truth of Being that we are to have confidence in, i. e. that one is already fully awakened. For those who don’t yet have such confidence in essence of being, this statement is an encouragement to recognize that any state of emotion, mind, or sensation is, in point of fact, an expression of Being. Our human challenge is that habits of consciousness, which are ever predicated on limitation, obscure the natural state like clouds obscure the sun.
So, we come back to bodhimind; and did so this morning with several synonyms related to this word and it’s meaning. The synonyms are familiar to us all and worthy of our exploration.
First two seed snails were rolled this morning for slow germinators: chard, cilantro, and parsley. I put all three kinds of seeds in one roll, plus one for cilantro alone. It also grows in the garden on its own.
Great joy erupted in the fact that the left arm and hand, compromised by MS, could do it. Joy with the end product thus far, also.
I learn from doing; especially mistakes.
mistake 1: Don’t use dark colored painter’s tape. Get light colored. Marking the snail with what’s seeded will show better on lighter colored tape.
mistake 2: When measuring the bubble wrap, 3 and 4 inches both looked too small. Looks are deceiving! So I did 2 two 6 inch snails. They are too big for the herbs that were seeded. But that’s all right. Then, as I thought about it, I reminded myself, that a flat of starters is 2 inches tall. Therefore, the next seed snail will be 3 inches tall.
Just wanting to let you know, in case anyone is purchasing painters’ tape or getting ready to measure and cut. Happiness to you!
A member of the greater group field sent me a text with her singing the melody she created for the prayer we’ve been using. We used it with this meditation!
This is it, isn’t it? Making one’s practice one’s own. No matter the tradition or the specific something being focused upon, without reflecting upon it and somehow owning it -even temporarily for experimental purposes- that method and its underlying focus cannot integrate or be of personal use.
So, here is an example of someone doing just that and, how doing something positive or joyful, affects others in a positive way and dominoes along. Yay!
Pausing, one feels conscientiousness arise and pervade a moment, a choice-point, a word-choice or hug. Pause is fresh; pause is open. Hmm. Sounds like heart words!
One might, then, wonder “what is the essence of conscientiousness? From whence does it come?
