Middle Way Buddhism Blog: Debunking the Wave-Ocean Metaphor

Note: The problem is not to identify with ‘this’ instead of ‘that’;
the problem is the ‘identification’ itself, the reification itself.]

𝗗𝗲𝗯𝘂𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘃𝗲-𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗿

Of the four possible extreme positions in each duality:

– 𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙣, 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙣𝙚𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧?

– Are we the m̲a̲n̲i̲f̲e̲s̲t̲a̲t̲i̲o̲n̲s̲, the G̲r̲o̲u̲n̲d̲ / Awareness / Brahman, b̲o̲t̲h̲ together, n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲?

– Are we a̲p̲p̲e̲a̲r̲a̲n̲c̲e̲s̲ [T1], e̲m̲p̲t̲i̲n̲e̲s̲s̲ [T2], b̲o̲t̲h̲ together, n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲?
– Are we the r̲e̲l̲a̲t̲i̲v̲e̲ [T1], the a̲b̲s̲o̲l̲u̲t̲e̲ [T2], b̲o̲t̲h̲ together, n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲?
– Are we the o̲b̲j̲e̲c̲t̲ ̲/̲ ̲p̲h̲e̲n̲o̲m̲e̲n̲a̲, the s̲u̲b̲j̲e̲c̲t̲ ̲/̲ ̲m̲i̲n̲d̲, the r̲e̲l̲a̲t̲i̲o̲n̲ ̲/̲ ̲a̲c̲t̲i̲o̲n̲ ̲/̲ ̲k̲a̲r̲m̲a̲, b̲o̲t̲h̲ ̲/̲ ̲a̲l̲l̲ together, n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲ ̲/̲ ̲n̲o̲n̲e̲?

– Are we ‘t̲h̲i̲s̲’, ‘n̲o̲n̲-̲t̲h̲i̲s̲’, b̲o̲t̲h̲ together, n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲?

– 𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 / 𝙨𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚, 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 / 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙, 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙤𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧?
– Are the m̲a̲n̲i̲f̲e̲s̲t̲a̲t̲i̲o̲n̲s̲ and the G̲r̲o̲u̲n̲d̲ / Awareness
different / separate /many / dual, identical / united / one / non-dual, both together, or neither?
– Are the a̲p̲p̲e̲a̲r̲a̲n̲c̲e̲s̲ [T1] and e̲m̲p̲t̲i̲n̲e̲s̲s̲ [T2]
different / separate /many / dual, identical / united / one / non-dual, both together, or neither?

– Are the r̲e̲l̲a̲t̲i̲v̲e̲ [T1] and a̲b̲s̲o̲l̲u̲t̲e̲ [T2]
different / separate /many / dual, identical / united / one / non-dual, both together, or neither?

– Are the u̲n̲r̲e̲a̲l̲ ̲/̲ ̲i̲l̲l̲u̲s̲o̲r̲y̲ [T1] and r̲e̲a̲l̲ [T2]
different / separate /many / dual, identical / united / one / non-dual, both together, or neither?

– Are the t̲w̲o̲ ̲t̲r̲u̲t̲h̲s̲
different / separate /many / dual, identical / united / one / non-dual, both together, or neither?

– Are the s̲u̲b̲j̲e̲c̲t̲ / mind, the r̲e̲l̲a̲t̲i̲o̲n̲ ̲/̲ ̲a̲c̲t̲i̲o̲n̲ ̲/̲ ̲k̲a̲r̲m̲a̲, and the o̲b̲j̲e̲c̲t̲ / phenomena,
different / separate /many / dual, identical / united / one / non-dual, both together, or neither?
– Are the ‘t̲h̲i̲s̲’ and ‘n̲o̲n̲-̲t̲h̲i̲s̲’
different / separate /many / dual, identical / united / one / non-dual, both together, or neither?

The same for movement-vs.-stillness, clouds-vs.-sky, things-vs.-space, sound-vs.-silence, thoughts-vs.-awareness, etc.

– Is one aspect / truth more important, real, prior, the container of the other(s)?
– Can one aspect / truth exist without the other(s)?
– Can we reduce everything to only one aspect / truth
(ex. Subject, Ocean, Ground / Awareness / Brahman, Emptiness, Stillness, Sky, Space)?
.

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– 𝙃𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙢 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙖𝙮: 𝙔𝙚𝙨! For them the Ground is real, while the manifestations are unreal.
– Buddhists grasping at ‘emptiness’ seem to say: Yes! Only emptiness is true.
– Cittamātra Buddhism (mind-only school) seems to say: Yes! Only the mind is real.
– 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗵𝘆𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗺 / 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀: 𝗡𝗼!
𝗪𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝘆 ‘𝗮𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁 / 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 / 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆’;
𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘆 '𝗢𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻 / 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 / 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀 / 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 / 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗵𝗮-𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 / 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲-𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 /
𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 / 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗻 / 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 / 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 /
𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗘𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 / 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 / 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗶𝘀-𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 /
𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 / 𝗔𝘁𝗺𝗮𝗻 / 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳 / 𝗢𝗻𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 / 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 / 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 / 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲.
.

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– 𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 ‘𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙣-𝙙𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮’ – 𝙗𝙚𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙨 & 𝙢𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚(𝙨) – 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙮, 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙚 …:
– We are not really e̲x̲i̲s̲t̲e̲n̲t̲, not completely n̲o̲n̲-̲e̲x̲i̲s̲t̲e̲n̲t̲, not b̲o̲t̲h̲ together, not n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲.
– We are not d̲i̲f̲f̲e̲r̲e̲n̲t̲ ̲/̲ ̲s̲e̲p̲a̲r̲a̲t̲e̲ ̲/̲ ̲m̲a̲n̲y̲ ̲/̲ ̲d̲u̲a̲l̲, not i̲d̲e̲n̲t̲i̲c̲a̲l̲ ̲/̲ ̲u̲n̲i̲t̲e̲d̲ ̲/̲ ̲o̲n̲e̲ ̲/̲ ̲n̲o̲n̲-̲d̲u̲a̲l̲, not b̲o̲t̲h̲ together, not n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲.
– We are not i̲m̲p̲e̲r̲m̲a̲n̲e̲n̲t̲ ̲/̲ ̲d̲i̲s̲c̲o̲n̲t̲i̲n̲u̲o̲u̲s̲ ̲/̲ ̲a̲n̲n̲i̲h̲i̲l̲a̲t̲e̲d̲, not p̲e̲r̲m̲a̲n̲e̲n̲t̲ ̲/̲ ̲c̲o̲n̲t̲i̲n̲u̲o̲u̲s̲ ̲/̲ ̲e̲t̲e̲r̲n̲a̲l̲, not b̲o̲t̲h̲ together, not n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲.

– We are not ‘t̲h̲i̲s̲’, not ‘n̲o̲n̲-̲t̲h̲i̲s̲’, not b̲o̲t̲h̲ together, not n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲ – for whatever ‘this’ is.

– 𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮, 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮, 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧.

– We are not the m̲a̲n̲i̲f̲e̲s̲t̲a̲t̲i̲o̲n̲s̲ only, not the G̲r̲o̲u̲n̲d̲ / Awareness only, not b̲o̲t̲h̲ together, not n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲.
– We are not a̲p̲p̲e̲a̲r̲a̲n̲c̲e̲s̲ only, not e̲m̲p̲t̲i̲n̲e̲s̲s̲ only, not b̲o̲t̲h̲ together, not n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲.

– We are not the r̲e̲l̲a̲t̲i̲v̲e̲ only, not the a̲b̲s̲o̲l̲u̲t̲e̲ only, not b̲o̲t̲h̲ together, not n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲.

– We are not the u̲n̲r̲e̲a̲l̲ ̲/̲ ̲i̲l̲l̲u̲s̲o̲r̲y̲ only, not the r̲e̲a̲l̲ only, not b̲o̲t̲h̲ together, not n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲.

– We are not the m̲o̲v̲e̲m̲e̲n̲t̲ only, not the s̲t̲i̲l̲l̲n̲e̲s̲s̲ only, not b̲o̲t̲h̲ together, not n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲.

– We are not the c̲l̲o̲u̲d̲s̲ only, not the s̲k̲y̲ only, not b̲o̲t̲h̲ together, not n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲.

𝙈𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 & 𝙙𝙮𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙘 𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 / 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚, 𝙗𝙚𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙨 / 𝙙𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨; beyond all extremes & middle, beyond all dualistic conceptual proliferations, beyond all defining limitations, beyond all conditioning / karma; beyond all description / conceptualisation, differentiation / discrimination, causality / production / laws, form / matter-energy, space & time.

– To reduce everything to the w̲a̲v̲e̲s̲ is an extreme;
to reduce everything to the o̲c̲e̲a̲n̲ is another extreme;
to reduce everything to b̲o̲t̲h̲ together and in opposition is also an extreme;
to reduce everything to n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲ as if identical / one is also an extreme;
The Middle Way is freedom from all extreme & middle views.
.

– To reduce everything to e̲x̲i̲s̲t̲e̲n̲c̲e̲ is an extreme;
to reduce everything to n̲o̲n̲-̲e̲x̲i̲s̲t̲e̲n̲c̲e̲ is another extreme;
to reduce everything to b̲o̲t̲h̲ together is also an extreme;
to reduce everything to n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲ as if identical / one is also an extreme;
The Middle Way is freedom from all extreme & middle views.

– To reduce everything to the m̲a̲n̲y̲ is an extreme;
to reduce everything to the o̲n̲e̲ is another extreme;
to reduce everything to b̲o̲t̲h̲ together and in opposition is also an extreme;
to reduce everything to n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲ as if identical / one is also an extreme;
The Middle Way is freedom from all extreme & middle views.
.

– To reduce everything to a̲p̲p̲e̲a̲r̲a̲n̲c̲e̲s̲ [T1] is an extreme;
to reduce everything to e̲m̲p̲t̲i̲n̲e̲s̲s̲ [T2] is another extreme;
to reduce everything to b̲o̲t̲h̲ together and in opposition [2T] is also an extreme;
to reduce everything to n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲ as if identical / one [1T] is also an extreme also;
The Middle Way is freedom from all extreme & middle views.[U2T / U3S / Uopp / U2T-2T / UGM].

– To reduce everything to t̲h̲e̲ ̲u̲n̲r̲e̲a̲l̲ ̲/̲ ̲i̲l̲l̲u̲s̲o̲r̲y̲ [T1] is an extreme;
to reduce everything to t̲h̲e̲ ̲r̲e̲a̲l̲ [T2] is another extreme;
to reduce everything to b̲o̲t̲h̲ together and in opposition [2T] is also an extreme;
to reduce everything to n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲ as if identical / one [1T] is also an extreme also;
The Middle Way is freedom from all extreme & middle views.[U2T / U3S / Uopp / U2T-2T / UGM].

– To reduce everything to o̲b̲j̲e̲c̲t̲s̲ ̲/̲ ̲p̲h̲e̲n̲o̲m̲e̲n̲a̲ is an extreme;
to reduce everything to s̲u̲b̲j̲e̲c̲t̲ ̲/̲ ̲m̲i̲n̲d̲ is another extreme;
to reduce everything to b̲o̲t̲h̲ together and in opposition is also an extreme;
to reduce everything to n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲ as if identical / one is also an extreme also;
The Middle Way is freedom from all extreme & middle views.[U2T / U3S / Uopp / U2T-2T / UGM].

– To reduce everything to m̲a̲n̲i̲f̲e̲s̲t̲a̲t̲i̲o̲n̲s̲ is an extreme;
to reduce everything to the G̲r̲o̲u̲n̲d̲ / Awareness / Brahman is another extreme;
to reduce everything to b̲o̲t̲h̲ together and in opposition is also an extreme;
to reduce everything to n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲ as if identical / one is also an extreme also;
The Middle Way is freedom from all extreme & middle views.[U2T / U3S / Uopp / U2T-2T / UGM].

– To reduce everything to '̲t̲h̲i̲s̲'̲ is an extreme;
to reduce everything to '̲n̲o̲n̲-̲t̲h̲i̲s̲'̲ is another extreme – whatever ‘this’ is;
to reduce everything to b̲o̲t̲h̲ together and in opposition is also an extreme;
to reduce everything to n̲e̲i̲t̲h̲e̲r̲ as if identical / one is also an extreme also;
The Middle Way is freedom from all extreme & middle views.[U2T / U3S / Uopp / U2T-2T / UGM].

– We are the Union of the two aspects in all metaphors [Uopp].
– 𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 / 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙮 / 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙣 [UWO].
– 𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 / 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙮 / 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 / 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙣 [UGM].
– 𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 / 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙮 / 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙨 [𝙐2𝙏].
– We are the inconceivable Inseparability / Harmony / Union of a̲p̲p̲e̲a̲r̲a̲n̲c̲e̲s̲ and e̲m̲p̲t̲i̲n̲e̲s̲s̲ [U2T].
– We are the inconceivable Inseparability / Harmony / Union of the r̲e̲l̲a̲t̲i̲v̲e̲ and a̲b̲s̲o̲l̲u̲t̲e̲ [U2T].
– We are the inconceivable Inseparability / Harmony / Union of the u̲n̲r̲e̲a̲l̲ ̲/̲ ̲i̲l̲l̲u̲s̲o̲r̲y̲ and the r̲e̲a̲l̲ [U2T].
– We are the inconceivable Inseparability / Harmony / Union of a̲p̲p̲a̲r̲e̲n̲t̲ ̲o̲p̲p̲o̲s̲i̲t̲e̲s̲ [Uopp].

– We are the inconceivable Inseparability / Harmony / Union of t̲h̲e̲ ̲t̲h̲r̲e̲e̲ ̲s̲p̲h̲e̲r̲e̲s̲ [U3S].

So we say that everything is Non-existent / Emptiness / the Ground / Awareness / Brahman / U2T,
but these are just tools / adapted skillful means / antidotes / counterpoints.

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– 𝘼𝙥𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙨 – like existence & non-existence, permanence & impermanence, many & one –
are inseparable / interdependent <==> thus both/all empty of inherent existence [Uopp / U2T-opp].
– 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙨 – dependent-origination / appearance and emptiness –
are inseparable / interdependent <==> thus both empty of inherent existence [U2T / U2T-2T].

– 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 / 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨
are inseparable / interdependent <==> thus both empty of inherent existence [UGM / U2T-GM].

– 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙨 – subject, object and their inter-relation / action / karma –
are inseparable / interdependent <==> thus all empty of inherent existence [U3S / U2T-3S].
.

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𝙎𝙤, 𝙙𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙥 𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢.

𝘿𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚.

𝘿𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙙 / 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚 / 𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙗𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙨,
𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 / 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙮 / 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧-𝙨𝙪𝙗𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙮.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 / 𝘽𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙨 / 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚 / 𝘽𝙪𝙙𝙙𝙝𝙖-𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 / 𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙚-𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙝𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 & 𝙙𝙮𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙘 𝙤𝙛 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 / 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵𝘀 // 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙣 / 𝙋𝙪𝙧𝙚-𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚-𝘽𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 / 𝙋𝙪𝙧𝙚-𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚-𝙀𝙭𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 / 𝙋𝙪𝙧𝙚-𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚-𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / 𝘼𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙣 / 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙚-𝙎𝙚𝙡𝙛 … 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙞𝙣𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙚𝙭𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 [𝙏2-𝙂𝙈] <==> 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩 / 𝙙𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙘𝙤-𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙣 [𝙏1-𝙂𝙈], 𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙙 / 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙙 / 𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙 [𝙐2𝙏-𝙂𝙈] [𝙐𝙂𝙈].
𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙙𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩-𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 / 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚.

𝙀𝙣𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙤𝙢 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬𝙨, 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙨, 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙠𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙖;

𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 / 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 / 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 / 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙗𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙨.

[𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙧: In all Madhyamaka Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta teachings, we talk about ‘the True nature & dynamic of Reality’ as being an inconceivable unique all-pervasive timeless limitless unborn unconditioned unchanging unceasing pristine 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 / Basis / Source / Buddha-nature / Genuine-emptiness / Pure-Mind / Unconditioned-Knowing / Primordial-𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / Pristine-𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙣 / Atman / Self / Pure Being / Suchness / 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙨 [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T], etc.
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𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙥 / 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 — 𝙣𝙤 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 '𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙚-𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨'.
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Why? Because the true nature & dynamic of the Ground / Awareness / Brahman / U2T … is also like
a Union of being e̲m̲p̲t̲y̲ ̲o̲f̲ ̲i̲n̲h̲e̲r̲e̲n̲t̲ ̲e̲x̲i̲s̲t̲e̲n̲c̲e̲ [T2-Ground] <==>
because of being conventionally d̲e̲p̲e̲n̲d̲e̲n̲t̲l̲y̲ ̲c̲o̲-̲a̲r̲i̲s̲e̲n̲ ̲(̲i̲n̲t̲e̲r̲d̲e̲p̲e̲n̲d̲e̲n̲t̲)̲ ̲r̲e̲l̲a̲t̲i̲v̲e̲l̲y̲ ̲f̲u̲n̲c̲t̲i̲o̲n̲a̲l̲ ever-changing impermanent appearance / tool / adapted skillful means / antidote / counterpoint [T1-Ground],
m̲e̲r̲e̲l̲y̲ ̲l̲a̲b̲e̲l̲e̲d̲ ̲/̲ ̲i̲m̲p̲u̲t̲e̲d̲ ̲/̲ ̲i̲m̲a̲g̲i̲n̲e̲d̲ ̲b̲y̲ ̲t̲h̲e̲ ̲m̲i̲n̲d̲ in dependence of its past experience / conditioning / karma [U3S-Ground].
And vice versa; one aspect / truth implies / proves / enables / supports / is in harmony with the other aspect / truth [U2T-Ground].
The Ground / Awareness / Brahman / U2T … is also l̲i̲k̲e̲ ̲s̲p̲a̲c̲e̲,̲ ̲i̲l̲l̲u̲s̲i̲o̲n̲s̲, reflections, mirages, dreams, echos, rainbows, magical tricks: ‘There, but not there.’ [U2T-Ground]
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The Ground / Awareness / Brahman / U2T … is also
not really arisen / caused / e̲x̲i̲s̲t̲e̲n̲t̲ / changing /ceasing,
not completely non-arisen / non-caused / n̲o̲n̲-̲e̲x̲i̲s̲t̲e̲n̲t̲ / non-changing / non-ceasing,
not both together, not neither;
not purely s̲u̲b̲j̲e̲c̲t̲i̲v̲e̲ / mind, not purely o̲b̲j̲e̲c̲t̲i̲v̲e̲ / phenomena,
not purely r̲e̲l̲a̲t̲i̲o̲n̲a̲l̲ / process / action / karma, not a combination of them, not none of them;
not equal / p̲u̲r̲e̲ / perfect / divine / complete / free / enlightened,
not unequal / i̲m̲p̲u̲r̲e̲ / imperfect / ordinary / incomplete / bounded / unenlightened,
not both together, not neither;
not p̲e̲r̲m̲a̲n̲e̲n̲t̲ / continuous / eternal, not i̲m̲p̲e̲r̲m̲a̲n̲e̲n̲t̲ / discontinuous / annihilated,
not both together, not neither;
not ‘this’, not ‘non-this’, not both together, not neither – for whatever ‘this’ is [Tetralemma-Ground].
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Meaning the true nature & dynamic of the Ground / Awareness / Brahman / U2T … is
indescribable / inconceivable for our flawed conditioned dualistic conceptual mind(s);
it is beyond all opposites / dualities;
beyond all extremes & middle, beyond all dualistic conceptual proliferations,
beyond all defining limitations, beyond all conditioning / karma (individual, collective, cosmic);
beyond all description / conceptualisation, differentiation / discrimination,
causality / production / laws, form / matter-energy, space & time.
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𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 / 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙣 / 𝙐2𝙏
is NOT really one, all-pervasive, timeless, limitless, eternal, unborn, unconditioned, unchanging, unceasing, pristine.
Because it is even beyond all of these dualistic concepts: it is not ‘this’, not ‘non-this’ …
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𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 / 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙣 / 𝙐2𝙏 is inseparable / interdependent / co-defined / co-relative / co-dependent / co-emergent / co-evolving / co-ceasing / co-transcended with its 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 / 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨.
That is the Union of the relative and absolute; the Union of the illusory and real;
𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨,
𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 [𝗨𝗚𝗠 / 𝗨𝟮𝗧-𝗚𝗠].
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So, please, do not get stuck at the level of “𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 / 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙣 / 𝙐2𝙏.”
It is not the real true nature & dynamic of Reality as it is;
it is merely a concept-pointer to the inconceivable.
And a better concept-pointer is
𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 / 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙣 / 𝙐2𝙏 … 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 [𝙐𝙂𝙈 / 𝙐2𝙏-𝙂𝙈].
-
There is no 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 / 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙣 / 𝙐2𝙏 without any 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 / 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨; and vice versa. One cannot exist without the other, or prior to the other, or finally without the other.
-
(i.e. [The two models of the Two Truths: U2T / UGM:] ‘The True nature & dynamic of Reality as it is’ is more like an indescribable / inconceivable unique permanent non-dual all-pervading timeless limitless unborn unconditioned unchanging unceasing Ground / Basis / Source / Buddha-nature / Genuine-emptiness / Awareness / Consciousness / Knowing / Brahman / Atman / Self / Being / Suchness / Union of the Two Truths (i.e. Union of appearances [T1] and emptiness [T2] [U2T / U3S / Uopp / U2T-2T].) inseparable from its spontaneous unceasing unobstructed natural impermanent manifestations / appearances / display.
So ‘Reality as it is’ is not not mere-appearances [T1], not mere-emptiness [T2], not the mere-Ground / mere-Awareness / mere-U2T … but the inseparability / interdependence / non-duality / harmony / Union of the Ground / Awareness / U2T and its manifestations [UGM]. Meaning: the Ground / Awareness / U2T and its manifestations are themselves both empty of inherent existence <==> because conventionally dependently co-arisen (interdependent) relatively functional ever-changing impermanent appearances / tools / adapted skillful means / antidotes / counterpoints, merely labeled / imputed / imagined by the mind in dependence of its past experience / conditioning / karma. They are inseparable / interdependent / co-defined / co-relative / co-dependent / co-emergent / co-evolving / co-ceasing / co-transcended / in harmony / non-dual – not many, not one … –.)
-
So we can use these concept-pointers – like an inconceivable unique all-pervasive timeless limitless unborn unconditioned unchanging unceasing pristine 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 / Basis / Source / Buddha-nature / Genuine-emptiness / Pure-Mind / Unconditioned-Knowing / Primordial-𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / Pristine-𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙣 / Atman / Self / Pure Being / Suchness / 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙨 [U2T / U2T-3S / U2T-opp / U2T-2T] – conventionally / relatively / inter-subjectively, but never in absolute terms; using them without apprehending / differentiating / opposing anything in absolute terms; using them without falling into one extremes or middle: Extremes like eternalism, nihilism, dualism / pluralism, monism / oneness, subjectivism / idealism, objectivism / materialism, relationism, processism, etc.

[i.e. The important point is to connect with the Permanent / Awareness / Ground / Basis / Source / Suchness / True nature & dynamic of Reality as it is / true nature & dynamic of our mind and of all phenomena / the Union of the Two Truths about all dharmas [U2T / U3S / Uopp / U2T-2T] … which is inseparable from its spontaneous unceasing uninterruptible natural pristine manifestations [UGM].]

(i.e. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙭𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙚𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙤𝙗𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙗𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙣𝙩 / 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 / 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 & 𝙙𝙮𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙘 / 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙨 / 𝙐2𝙏 / 𝙐3𝙎 / 𝙐𝙤𝙥𝙥 / 𝙐2𝙏-2𝙏 / 𝙐𝙂𝙈 – recognising the true permanent non-dual Self, our true nature and the true nature & dynamic of everything, the inconceivable unique all-pervasive timeless limitless unborn unconditioned unchanging unceasing pristine 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 / 𝘽𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙨 / 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚 / 𝘽𝙪𝙙𝙙𝙝𝙖-𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 / 𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙚-𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙡-𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙝𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 & 𝙙𝙮𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙘 𝙤𝙛 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 / 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙨 / 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙮-𝙙𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩-𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 / 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙮-𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 / 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙮-𝙛𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 / 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙮-𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 / 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙮-𝙘𝙤𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙯𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 / 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙮-𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙮-𝘽𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 / 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙮-𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 / [𝙐2𝙏 / 𝙐3𝙎 / 𝙐𝙤𝙥𝙥 / 𝙐2𝙏-2𝙏] … which is inseparable from its spontaneous unceasing uninterruptible natural pristine manifestations [UGM]– with its innate qualities. It is like, instead of identifying with the ever-changing impermanent illusory appearances / objects / ex. thoughts …, we identify with the inconceivable non-dual permanent Awareness / Consciousness / Ground / Brahman / Atman / Self / U2T … which is inseparable from its spontaneous unceasing uninterruptible natural pristine manifestations [UGM]. It is like non-dualistic self-awareness: it is like the Ground / Awareness spontaneously non-dualistically non-conceptually directly recognising its own inconceivable true nature & dynamic as it is in all of its spontaneous unceasing unobstructed natural pristine manifestations / appearances.)

=======================================================

The shadow of reality ~ Shunryu Suzuki

"As long as you seek for something

[i.e. some absolute Truth / Reality / Ground / Awareness / Universal Principle / Oneness / Emptiness],

you will get the shadow of reality and not reality itself."

– Shunryu Suzuki

Via: Just Dharma Quotes

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1103022190536077&set=a.994588341379463

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The union of samsara and nirvana ~ Padmasambhava

When samsaric existence is freed in itself,
there is no awakened state to accomplish apart from that.
Once you realize this, samsara and nirvana are not two [not one …].
.

– Padmasambhava

Via: Gems of Wisdom - Buddhist Masters of Ancient India
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=224771306576612&set=a.198412109212532

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“Dzogchen does not point to anything.”

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"Realization is not acquisition of anything new nor is it a new faculty. …
It is only removal of all camouflage”
.

~ Ramana Maharshi

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From the Book “MIPHAM ON BUDDHA-NATURE

The Ground of the Nyingma Tradition

Douglas S. Duckworth:

.
Chapter 1. Buddha-Nature and the Unity of the Two Truths
.
What is the Ground / Basis / Source / True nature & dynamic of Reality as it is?
The Buddha-nature / Divinity / Awareness / Brahma or Emptiness?
Mipham proposed an integrated model for Reality as it is
as the Union of the Buddha-nature (from the third turning of the Wheel of Dharma) [T1]
and Emptiness (from the second turning of the Wheel of Dharma) [T2].
– The second turning of the Wheel insists on the ‘emptiness as absence / not real existence / T2’ aspect as the Ground, but this emptiness doesn’t deny valid conventional truths / causality / relativity / functionality / qualities [T1] [U2T].
– The third turning of the Wheel insists on the ‘Buddha-nature as Spontaneous Divine Presence / not complete non-existence / T1’ aspect as the Ground, but concedes that it is also empty of inherent existence – not something to grasp [T2] [U2T].

– Both teachings cover both aspects of Reality as it is (but insists on one aspect): they both cover the inseparability of the relative / appearance [T1] and the absolute / emptiness [T2] [U2T] from two different points of view.

– So both turnings of the Wheel, as two different paths, converge to the same inconceivable unique all-pervasive timeless limitless unborn unconditioned unchanging unceasing Ground / Basis / Source / Suchness / True nature & dynamic of Reality as it is:
the Union of the Two Truths [U2T] – conventionally dependently co-arisen relatively functional appearances and emptiness of inherent existence – free from all extremes & middle about all dharmas;
or the Union of Buddha-nature and Emptiness [U2T];
or the Union of authentic versus inauthentic experience [U2T];
or the Union of presence / construction and absence / deconstruction [U2T].
The Ground / Basis / Source then is not just Buddha-nature / Awareness [T1],
not just Emptiness [T2], not both together and in opposition [2T],
not neither as if identical / one cosmic something [1T];
but the inconceivable Union of the Two Truths; Union of Buddha-nature and Emptiness,
Union of presence and absence; Union of the relative and absolute.
It is called the Ground / Buddha-nature / Genuine-emptiness free from all extremes & middle.

– Problems arise only when one reifies either ‘Emptiness’ or ‘Buddha-nature / Awareness’; when one separate / opposes these two, and prefers one over the other; or when one tries to reduce one to the other; or when one tries to prove that they are the same Cosmic Unity / Oneness.
The Middle Way is freedom from all of these extremes & middle(s).

The point is that seemingly opposite spiritual approaches are seen as complementary, and should be combined. Possible examples: Integrating the two turnings of the Wheel of Dharma, Yogacara & Prasangika; subjective spirituality and objective science; Advaita Vedanta & Madhyamika Buddhism (?); etc. But it will not work if one is grasping at his position in absolute terms.

================================

Without mastering the 'tetralemma'
it is easy to fall into one extreme view or another without even knowing it.
.

Examples: Grasping at non-existence, nothingness, emptiness, stillness ...

Grasping at the mind-only view ...

Grasping at an ultimate truth / reality -- like Oneness / Brahman / Self / Awareness / Consciousness ...

Grasping at the Ground / Union of the Two Truths [U2T].

For more see:
https://www.facebook.com/dharmata/posts/pfbid036N2HKR73YgJfWc4GC58m2GtC9u4fCXB742dMNw4ScLLNv5hGe5vYCdJZ6aEEjUzfl

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.
.
[Are we the waves, the ocean / water, both together, neither?]

The story of a little wave approaching the shore.
.
… Teaching of a Vedanta Wave: “There is something called ‘water’. It is immortal, all-pervading, in all waves. It is One with everything. And You are that water.” …
Then the little wave becomes One with the water / ocean.
The little wave identifies with / becomes the infinite.
And it loses all of its fear of dying.

.
Similarly:
We are one ‘pure unchanging undivided infinite-existence (empty) consciousness bliss’’.
We are not just our body , speech and mind, our five aggregates;
We are this inconceivable ‘pure unchanging undivided infinite-existence (empty) consciousness bliss’ shining through the body, speech and mind.

And this inconceivable ‘pure unchanging undivided infinite-existence (empty) consciousness bliss’’ is all-pervading / omnipresent / permanent / timeless / limitless, the same in all beings all the time, in all things, in all dharmas (positive, negative, neutral; physical, conceptual, mental.

it isn’t born, it does not change, it doesn't die;
it doesn’t increase or decrease; it doesn’t get defiled / conditioned or purified / unconditioned.
(Note: In fact, it is beyond all dualistic concepts like these:
ex. not permanent, not impermanent, not both, not neither.)

The entire universe emanates from the immutable Akshara ("imperishable, indestructible, fixed, immutable") (the Ground / Brahman / Awareness / Consciousness / Union of the Two Truths [U2T]). There is no need for anything else for a whole universe to emerge / appear effortlessly.
The one who realizes this reality becomes that reality, realizes that we are already that (self-awareness – the Ground directly recognizes its own true nature & dynamic in all of its inseparable manifestations).
The whole existence of all beings, of all things, all paths, are aimed at this one unique spontaneous realisation: “I am Brahman manifesting in all of these appearances. –
I am an immortal infinite-existence (empty) consciousness bliss’.“
.

More precisely:
We are the ocean / water inseparable from its waves;
inseparable movement and stillness;
inseparable impermanent and permanence;
the Ground / Brahman / Awareness / Consciousness / U2T inseparable from its manifestations / appearances [UGM].

We are like an indescribable / inconceivable unique permanent non-dual all-pervading timeless limitless unborn unconditioned unchanging unceasing Ground / Basis / Source / Buddha-nature / Genuine-emptiness / Awareness / Consciousness / Knowing / Brahman / Atman / Self / Being / Suchness / Union of the Two Truths (i.e. Union of appearances [T1] and emptiness [T2] [U2T / U3S / Uopp / U2T-2T].)
inseparable from its spontaneous unceasing unobstructed natural impermanent manifestations / appearances / display. [UGM]

But we should not grasp this Ground / / Consciousness / Knowing / Brahman / U2T. Because, both the Ground / Awareness / Consciousness / Knowing / Brahman / U2T and its Manifestations are empty of inherent existence, not really existent <==> because of being inseparable / interdependent, merely labeled / imputed by the mind, not completely non-existent. [U2T-GM]

And we should not think that this means that everything is completely non-differentiable / One;
or that everything is from the mind-only – with no objectivity whatsoever –.
Reality as it is is not many, not one, not both together, not neither;
not purely objective / phenomena-only, not purely objective / mind-only,
not purely relational / relation-only / process-only, not a combination of them, not none of them;
not ‘this’, not ‘non-this’, not both together, not neither – for whatever ‘this’ is.
So, we should try not to fall into any of these extremes or middle(s).

We should become fearless, not because we identify with the Ocean / Water / Ground / Awareness / Consciousness / Knowing / Brahman / U2T instead of identifying with the waves / manifestations, but because we are aware of the inconceivable true nature & dynamic of both the waves / manifestations and the ocean / water / Ground / Consciousness / Brahman / U2T. [UGM / U2T-GM]

The important point is to connect with the Permanent / Awareness / Ground / Basis / Source / Buddha-nature / Genuine-emptiness / Awareness / Consciousness / Brahman / Atman / Self / Suchness / True nature & dynamic of Reality as it is / true nature & dynamic of our mind and of all phenomena / the Union of the Two Truths about all dharmas [U2T / U3S / Uopp / U2T-2T] … which is inseparable from the impermanent, the spontaneous unceasing uninterruptible natural pristine manifestations / appearances of the Ground [UGM].

We are not just the impermanent waves / manifestations, not just the permanent Ocean / Water / Ground / Awareness / Consciousness / Brahman / U2T, not both together, not neither.

We are the permanent Ocean / Water manifesting as dependently arisen relatively functional impermanent apparent Waves. These two aspects are inseparable; one cannot exist without the other, or prior to the other.
We are the inconceivable inseparability / harmony / Union of the Ground / Awareness / Brahman / U2T and its Manifestations [U2T / UGM]. These two aspects are inseparable; one cannot exist without the other, or prior to the other.

.
“OM (pointing up) that is infinite, the higher one.
This (pointing around) is also infinite, what we experience.

The infinite (pointing around) arises from that infinite (pointing up).
In this infinite (pointing around), if you can recognize that infinite (pointing up),
that infinite alone (pointing up) remains.
Om peace peace peace.”

.
Via Youtube: Ocean and waves parable by swami Sarvapriyananda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THn5HwNHz1o

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UNCONDITIONED PURE AWARENESS / GROUND / AWARENESS

AND ITS INSEPARABLE MANIFESTATIONS

What we call “essence of mind” is the actual face of unconditioned pure awareness, which is recognised through receiving the guru’s blessings and instructions.

If you wonder what this is like,

[THE THREE INSEPARABLE CHARACTERISTICS

OF THE GROUND / AWARENESS / REALITY AS IT IS:]

-- it is 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙮 in essence, beyond conceptual reference [T2];

-- it is 𝙘𝙤𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙯𝙖𝙣𝙩 [functional] by nature, spontaneously present [T1];

-- and it is all-pervasive and unobstructed in its 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙮 [U2T].

This is the rigpa in which the three kayas are inseparable.

(i.e. Union of the three kayas [U3K].)

[Conclusion:

(i) The 'inseparabitity of the two first points is the Union of the Two Truths [U2T], which is the third point: compassionate energy.

(ii) The 'inseparability' of the three points is the Union of the Ground / U2T and its manifestations [T1] [UGM / U2T-GM].

(iii) So the 'real Ground' is the Ground / Awareness / Brahman / U2T and its inseparable manifestations [UGM]. The Union of the three kayas.]

~ Ju Mipham Rinpoche

From the book: "Beyond the Ordinary Mind: Dzogchen, Rimé, and the Path of Perfect Wisdom"

translated by Adam Pearcey

Sunday, February 19, 2023

Debunking the Wave-Ocean Metaphor