Suicide

DHS 56/100




Heard something on an mp3 while out and about this afternoon that deserves to be quoted:

Buddhism is not a self help program.

Adyashanti

Love it. Who would have ever thought there was a need to point that out. But, being a teacher, he's probably seen all types of students.

Indeed it's not a self help program. In fact, it's a training program for those that hope to commit suicide! Really. But, read on before shouting at me. You see, the whole purpose of studying Buddhism is to learn that the ego is not real, you are not who you think you are, the egoic life you live is a sham. The purpose of studying Buddhism is to see behind that ego, to see the pure awareness that we really are. The purpose of studying Buddhism is to commit suicide by killing that ego that has defined you up to now and to reclaim a life free of conditioning, free of delusion, open to everyone and everything, identical to everyone and everything. To reclaim the life that is, simultaneously, the life of everyone and everything. To reclaim your Life. To reclaim everyone's Life at the same time.

So, when you have that ego down for the count, with a choke hold strong enough to squeeze every ounce of life out of it, let it die, but then, just as it does, resuscitate it. Breath life back into it — and from then on, use it as the tool it is and not as if it were who you are.