The Path of Wisdom #3
by Lama Jigme Rinpoche

Lectures given at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling in October 1997

"our goal is enlightenment"
Many people come to receive teachings, but they are not quite sure what it is they are looking for. They may wish to gain an understanding of life for instance. But, it is much better to resolve that the enlightened state of mind is our goal; then between now and until we are enlightened, all our actions will be directed at this goal. As always, when we practise, there will be some result. The result benefits us and our minds will become clearer. For instance, one result is that we will realize how important the ultimate goal really is to us, we will then be more committed. We will want to start the preliminary practices. For now, we simply try to keep a more open mind. This will bring us more understanding that in turn will benefit others and ourselves. Gradually, we will become clearer about ourselves.

"keep an open mind"
Up until now, we are used to our own thinking, thinking for ourselves and for our own benefit. This comes easy to all of us. But when we are asked to broaden our current thinking, we find that our minds are very limited with respect to our attitudes and ideas. When we want something, we push to achieve the result. We move on, pushing to achieve result one after another. We have been like this all along. But to achieve enlightenment, or to achieve a clear mind is quite different. It is not just one fixed result that we can obtain. We say that the Path (to enlightenment) encompasses many qualities and extensive knowledge. Each of us individually has to discover for oneself a clear understanding of one's existence and of this world. In the meantime, we need to maintain an open mind, a broad vision, and not to lose track of the ultimate goal.

"a clear mind"
A clear mind is a mind without veils and without ignorance. The adjective clear does not mean clear as in light. It can be misunderstood. To clear our mind of veils does not mean to reject all the nice things, for example. There is no need to reject the positive feelings, the nice appearances, etc. They are a part of normal living, a good way of living, but they are not our main goal in life. Clarity of mind will come on its own. Everything will clear by itself. This is the meaning of San Gye. This explanation is limited by words. The deeper meaning of San Gye has to be seen or experienced for oneself. But first we prepare by listening to the teachings. There are a lot of explanations that we can receive from teachers or we can read them in the written text. This is referred to as listening to the teachings.
Next, we need to focus on our goal. This is what practising the teaching means. We always try to be clear in mind. The opposite is to be unclear which means being connected with ignorance. We may think we are seeing clearly when in fact the seeing is not right. This is one form of ignorance. Ignorance does not mean stupid. It means that there is no clear understanding as opposed to San Gye. In San Gye, there is no blockage. We cannot see that the earth is round, for instance, so we say that our vision is blocked. We can only see from here until the wall. We cannot see beyond the wall, it blocks our view. When the mind is clear, there is nothing to block our view. There is no ignorance. There are no mental veils. Mind is clear and it sees limitlessly. This is often very difficult for us to relate to because right now, we are limited by this physical body, by this physical world. But mind's nature is without blockage. We keep emphasizing this clarity aspect of mind because we have to become familiar with it. Otherwise, in the next moment, clarity is forgotten and we are back in our usual ways.

 

<<<

>>>