Goodness belongs to all, inherently. In fact, we are goodness itself, in our bones and in our heart. We possess natural warrior-ship, bravery and gentleness. However, we are often obscured from our own goodness and innate, warrior virtues; in such moments, we cannot see our goodness, and we do not feel it. The greatest task we could undertake in this life is to bring out our basic goodness and warriorship, to manifest truly and to be of service to others. The sitting practice of meditation, accompanied by the secular Shambhala vision, equips us to discover and bring out the best within us, on a gradual path of discipline and sudden path of wakefulness.
This book outlines the Shambhala discovered-treasure teachings topically—meaning experientially, one topic at a time. In experience, we pass certain landmarks on the journey of eliciting our warriorship. We go through certain tribulations and have certain insights. Learning the landmarks confirms our journey, which is internal at its core, and external in its unfolding contribution to the world. So we grow from the inside out. This style of growth also shows us our inborn dignity and confidence because it is not reliant on external factors. As we explore more and more deeply, with greater and greater trust in ourselves, we see finer detail of our perceptual, intellectual and emotional landscape. With growing trust also comes freedom of mind and expression, as well as increasing discipline. We cannot ignore our own death or the difficulties of others; facing them bravely, it is possible more and more to witness the sacredness of the world, which is known as the radiance of the Great Eastern Sun.
Homage
I salute the great enlightened ones, who did and do and will exist,
Who live among us as the teachings and the practices,
Who are the glory of the world.
As far as our having met them, perhaps we did or we did not,
Yet even nameless, true warriors are not to be forgotten.
I say to myself: find them in the confines
Of the heart that beats within this very chest.
Make them live through this person; there is no choice,
We must find ourselves, stand up,
Head out into the world and make it right—
There is no choice at all.
We must unearth our strength and sanity,
Build a palace on this very spot,
Welcome all beings to flourish, offer them our life.
Now for the brilliance, which cannot be denied,
Like so many storm clouds at sunset,
Twirling into space before our eyes.
All that is given up is gone. All that is kept propels
To the next stage, where who we thought we were is not recalled.
For the dying, this is no tragedy at all—only experience.
It is the living left behind who feel it.
To warriors of all ages, cultures, habits, personalities,
It is the same challenge. Each of us bears a unique visage,
Particular genius; each treads a solitary path.
Each moment begins here, with oneself alone.
This is the raw truth, celebration, spark of life,
Torch that lights the way, horse that carries far, eyes that see—
This is the brilliance of the world.
Featured image provided by the author.
Excerpted from Like a Snow Lion in Its Prime: The Path of Basic Goodness, by Bill Karelis.