In Buddhist scripture and commentary, sickness often refers to the ills of both mind and body. Vimalakirti said, "As long as there is ignorance and craving for the existents, there will be sickness in me."
So much of our troubles are created by not realizing who we are and what our true place is in the ever-changing universe. The physicist Albert Einstein, pioneer of the theory of relativity, knew something about the place of the human being in the universe.
While the self in the following quote probably was intended to mean "ego," Einstein clearly was aware of the merit in loosening the grip upon narrow-mindedness and cherished concepts when he wrote, "The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and the sense in which he has attained liberation from the self."
If common sense and religious tradition tell us to loosen our grasping attitudes, how can we do this? One way is meditation. In the guided meditations that come later, a primary technique is to visualize the body as filled with light, which shines outward to the universe. It can be very positive to imagine the body as boundless. This can help ease the grasping of the mind.
However, sometimes we are so mired in our suffering that it's hard to see a way out. We need to find a focus point, any positive feeling, image, or idea that can light the path before us and give us a glimpse of peace.
Boundless Healing - - Copyright © 2000 Tulku Thondup Rinpoche
So much of our troubles are created by not realizing who we are and what our true place is in the ever-changing universe. The physicist Albert Einstein, pioneer of the theory of relativity, knew something about the place of the human being in the universe.
While the self in the following quote probably was intended to mean "ego," Einstein clearly was aware of the merit in loosening the grip upon narrow-mindedness and cherished concepts when he wrote, "The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and the sense in which he has attained liberation from the self."
If common sense and religious tradition tell us to loosen our grasping attitudes, how can we do this? One way is meditation. In the guided meditations that come later, a primary technique is to visualize the body as filled with light, which shines outward to the universe. It can be very positive to imagine the body as boundless. This can help ease the grasping of the mind.
However, sometimes we are so mired in our suffering that it's hard to see a way out. We need to find a focus point, any positive feeling, image, or idea that can light the path before us and give us a glimpse of peace.
Boundless Healing - - Copyright © 2000 Tulku Thondup Rinpoche
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