Everybody
takes Refuge. Sometimes in things like good food, rest and exercising. Sometimes
not so good things like alcohol and drugs and pornography. All of these have
their ups and downs and when we place our trust in them our life in mind go up
and down two. Emotions can be refuges also. Responding with anger and
self-righteousness and looking for someone to blame can become a bad habit,
armor, and a place to hide. It's good to know what refuges you already have
because this can inspire you to others that are truly beneficial.
You can learn to deal with difficulties in new
ways and protect us from confusion and despair. We can use these difficulties
to turn obstacles into opportunities. With outer relative Refuge we see the
teachers teachings and the community is outside ourselves. This is better than
conventional refuges but with limited benefits. Eventually we come to see these
in our own hearts and Minds. With inner absolute Refuge The Duality evaporates.
Can we come to rely on our own inner teachers, teachings, and communities.
Even the
simple desire for happiness is an expression of Buddha nature. Something deep
inside is reaching for the light from the dark from the depths. We know our
true self is worthy of happiness. Our internal compass is always pointing to
true north no matter how far off course we go. It's like a the nature of water
isn't changed even when rock hard as ice or as an invisible vapor. Floating,
flowing, or frozen it still water. This is good news for us because we may seem
trapped in greed, anger, and ignorance but generosity, kindness, and
discernment are always there, always our true nature.
If the teacher
can rest his mind in God, Christ Consciousness, and Buddha nature and teaches
from that place it will be expressed, communicated, and transmitted to the
student. His body language, words, tone of voice, and attitude embody The View.
Our outer teacher puts us in touch with our inner teacher and the natural
wisdom of our true self that we take refuge in. This is the source of our love,
peace. joy, and beauty as well as wisdom, equanimity, and compassion. The outer
teachers is the key. When we open the door we find ourselves. Our true teacher
is our true self. Master Teachers like Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and the Dalai
Lama put us in touch with that aspect of ourselves. Similarly the archetypical
lover, wizard, king, warrior, jester, monk, and others help us embody those
aspects of our selves.
We embody The Compassion of Mother Teresa,
wisdom and calm of The Dalai Lama, and the peacemaking and non-violence of
Gandhi, and the strength and steadfastness of Churchill. As we see this in
others we illuminate it within ourselves. Outer teacher becomes the inner. We take
on the clothes, the garb of our masters and adjust them to fit ourselves. The
armor and weapons of truth, justice, freedom, and love. Likewise mighty trees,
rivers, oceans, and mountains reflect qualities we find within ourselves. We
seek refuge in any skilful means. In a teacher, the teachings, and in the
community I will receive many other benefits such as loving kindness,
compassion, and meditation.
The goal is
to recognize her own potential and awareness and nurture it. Imagination can
take you anywhere. We make connections with reliable sources of protection,
courage, and strength. We discover the missing pieces in our sick, sad, and
dysfunctional pursuit of happiness as find them within. We at last see
beneficial, positive, wise refugees in the distance and gain ground on them. We
become familiar with them, embrace them, take them on, and take them in so they
shine from within.