Finding Inner Truth

     "The Buddha's message is to test the teachings and see if they work or fit our lives. His teachings emphasize a process of self-exploration and self-realization that does not take on institutionalized truths but rather finds inner truth. Even the essential principle of Buddha nature rests not on salvation by some outer agency or god but on a genuine awakening to our own true nature."

       Preece R. "The Wisdom of Imperfection. The Challenge of Individuation in Buddhist Life." Snow Lion Publications, Ithaca NY, 2006.

 

daysatsea   www.dpreview.com

What Works, What's Practical Right Now?

     Isn't it mind-boggling, when we look objectively, at the incredibly foolish things that supposedly mature, educated, intelligent people - including ourselves - have done?
     From the third-person observer's perspective, or our own 20-20 hindsight, the act is incomprehensible. Yet obviously, to the perpetrator, at the time, it was the best or even the only conceivable option!  
     This is why it's so easy to be harshly judgmental towards others as well as ourselves. With a clear, balanced perspective, a situation will appear radically different than through the ego's frosted lenses. And when our ego is threatened, we feel precisely as if our very life is in mortal danger - rational perspective can instantly vanish - welcome to the land of "temporary insanity" - "crimes of passion" - "that wasn't me" - "I don't know what got into me" - "the devil made me do it".

     “We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.”      Anais Nin

     So here's a very practical question: when we're in deep trouble, whose advice should we listen to, an objective third party's - OR - someone who supports our current perspective?

Dalhousie University campus - February 13, 2014

 

Approaching Reality with Courage, Curiosity, Skillful Guidance & Perseverance

     "It is not easy to face the dissatisfactory conditions of one's own life. In fact, people often do whatever they can to avoid these unpleasant facts. They sometimes turn to worldly diversions, immerse themselves in studies or work, or even lose themselves in mind-dulling drugs or alcohol. But the teaching of the Buddha is that if one truly and courageously faces reality and sees the truth about his or her life, indeed about life itself, with time and guidance, one can find the cause of the discontent, heal it, and realize a new and truly satisfactory life."

       Mitchell DW. Buddhism - Introducing the Buddhist Experience. ed2, Oxford University Press, 2008. 

See also: http://www.johnlovas.com/2013/03/buddhist-psychology-abhidharma.html

Dingle tower, Halifax, NS, Oct 5, 2013

Teaching for ... Wisdom ?!?

     "... intelligence is the flexible capacity to learn from experience and to adapt to one’s environment (using the skills required by and acquired through a specific cultural and social context). ... intelligence can be developed, whether through formal explicit instruction or in informal educational situations (depending on the types of abilities considered). ... everyone has some initial abilities, and these can be honed into expertise. ... these initial abilities depend in part on genetic heritage, but the manner and degree to which this genetic endowment is realized depends on the individual’s environment. ... the key to success in the classroom – and in life more broadly – lies in a combination of intelligence, creativity, and wisdom ...

      ... there is an urgent need to teach to all abilities, and to match the assessment of achievement to such broad teaching. The time has come to capitalize on the variety of human resources because students’ talents do not happen to correspond to the skills that schools traditionally have emphasized. Creativity and practical abilities are certainly as important in life as are memory and analytical abilities, and they can be as important in school if a school chooses to emphasize these abilities.”

       Sternberg RJ, Grigorenko E, Jarvin L. “Teaching for Wisdom, Intelligence, Creativity, and Success.” Corwin Press Inc, 2009.