Nowadays, in daily living, I try to experience the intensity of
luminosity. In some ways it is pretty much like mindfulness
practice.
It may sound like I am doing a very dualistic practice... as if
awareness is not here, and I am trying to 'reach' a state of
awareness.
This is not what I mean.
Awareness is already shining in full view Right Here, Right Now,
couldn't be anywhere else... It is what you already are, so stop
looking elsewhere. It is just about relaxing the focus on the mind
and letting Luminosity/Presence-Awareness reveal itself in its
fullness and richness.
Just that our focus (by habit) goes so often into mental stories
and mental noise that we totally miss out the aliveness and wonder
of life itself. We have overlooked the power and intensity of
Presence to put it in Eckhart Tolle's terms...
You cannot experience intensity of Presence by trying to seek a
'better' state... it is not about having a 'better' state... it is
about experiencing Presence-Awareness in its fullness in the
Here-Now (as it cannot be anywhere else)... be careful not to fall
into subtle traps of thinking there is a better experience in the
future.
Simply be brightly aware of what is... Whatever Is, Is! You just
have to be brightly aware of it. Even if you are feeling sleepy,
being brightly aware of that sensation of sleepiness will bring you
back into the intensity of Presence... Whatever you are
experiencing at that moment, whether it is apparent clarity or
non-clarity, you can always be brightly aware of What Is and bring
the intensity of Presence into focus. In sports term, it is 'being
in the zone' - except that you don't have to be doing something
dangerous to be 'in the zone', it can simply (and only) be Right
Here, Right Now!
Life becomes miraculous, wonderful, 'paradisiacal' (yes this is
how it feels like - like walking in a magical wonderland even in
your ordinary neighbourhood), radiating all over...
p.s. here's an excerpt from Ch'an Master Wei Chueh:
http://ctzen.org/sunnyvale/enUS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=219&Itemid=59
Five kinds of bodhi
The ancients say, “One
may cultivate for billions of kalpas, but enlightenment takes only
an instant.” Knowing this, we still need to make efforts everyday
to bring forth the bodhi mind. To fully realize the bodhi mind
there are five stages: “give rise to the bodhi mind,” “taming the
mind,” “awaken to the bodhi mind,” “progressive realization of the
bodhi mind,” and “ultimate bodhi
mind.”
The first stage is “give
rise to the bodhi mind.” This means we make a great resolve to
cultivate the Way, vow to realize the bodhi mind, attain
buddhahood, and liberate all sentient beings. We constantly work in
this direction, to do no evil, to perform all good, and to purify
our mind. Whether practicing gradual cultivation or sudden
enlightenment, in motion or in stillness, busy or idle, our every
thought must be clear and in command. We should adhere to
Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha’s great vows, Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara’s
great compassion, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra’s great conduct,
Bodhisattva Manjushri’s great wisdom, and incorporate these into
our daily lives. This is the beginning of the bodhisattva
way.
The second stage is “taming
the mind” – this means we resolve to study hard, constantly examine
and reflect inwardly, harbor a mind of repentance, and work to
gradually gain a control of our delusive thoughts and afflictions.
For example, if we reflect and find that we have been angry, we can
immediately subdue it and not create bad karma. If greed arises, we
can also detect it and subdue it. Or, as soon as sensual desires
and lust arise, we immediately subdue them. This is “taming the
mind.”
The third stage is
“awaken to the bodhi mind.” Due to the power resulting from
practicing “taming the mind,” we can finally attain awakening.
“Awakening” is to awaken the deluded mind and see its true nature.
When we see our original self, we will realize that our mind is
inherent, unborn, and undying.
A Chan patriarch said,
“The darkness of a thousand years is shattered instantly by a
single lamp.” If we awaken to this present mind, always abide in
right mindfulness, all our past karmic obstacles can be totally
swept away. For example, after a thousand years in a dark room, if
we suddenly turn on the light, the room is instantly filled with
brightness. But if we lose our right mindfulness, it is like
turning the light off; then everything will again be filled with
darkness. Therefore, once we are enlightened, we still must
constantly maintain right mindfulness in our daily lives, abide in
pure awareness, be totally clear in every thought, and always be
master of
ourselves.
The ancient sages say,
“When hungry, eat; when drowsy, sleep.” Also, “Eating all day, one
has not chewed a single grain of rice; fully dressed, one has not
put on a single thread.” What does this mean? It means to know yet
not cling, and to firmly abide in right mindfulness. For example,
when eating, do not daydream. The “knowing” that can differentiate
among the sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy always exists. Neither
overeat when the food is tasty, nor complain when it is unsavory.
Whether facing pleasant or unpleasant circumstances, we know yet do
not cling, and do not give rise to greed or anger. This is to truly
abide in right mindfulness.
The aim of cultivation
is to attain right mindfulness. Right mindfulness is a mind of
clarity and purity; it is liberation; it is the buddha. Right
mindfulness is the place of enlightenment; it is also the Pure
Land. Therefore, “Hauling wood and carrying rice is the Way.” In
our daily lives, in our eating, dressing, working, and moving,
always maintain right mindfulness. Maintain the existence of this
“knowing” mind. Thus maintaining inner peace and rightful conduct
in life is to cultivate the Way.
The fourth stage is
“progressive realization of the bodhi mind.” After we know where
our mind is, we must continue to practice after enlightenment,
continue to abide firmly in right mindfulness, and maintain our
pure awareness, so that ignorance is totally eradicated and the
Dharma body fully manifests. This process is the progressive
realization of the ultimate bodhi mind.
After we have eradicated
the last traces of ignorance, afflictions, and delusions, we arrive
at “ultimate bodhi mind.” This is the perfection of our awareness
and conduct, the perfection of benefiting others and ourselves.
This is the ultimate stage.
