Limitless Realm of Possibilities
You’ve heard me teach that what you experience in your “external world” is a mirror-reflection of your interior condition at any given time. When everything seems chaotic, out-of-control, drama-ridden, that is an indication that our interior state of mind is out-of-control, chaotic and over-dramatised.
It’s similarly important to remember that when external things seem to be smooth, harmonious and productive, what you are experiencing is likewise a reflection of your interior state. We have to remember this, because it will free us from becoming attached to the experiences themselves.
The moment we start grasping at perceived external solutions to internal challenges, we will give rise to suffering.
Within you, right now, the realm of possibility is in a constant state of expansion. Everything you perceive as “real” was once nothing more than an idea or thought within the realm of possibility. Deepak Chopra notes that when we live our lives with an appreciation for the seeming coincidences and their meanings, we “connect with the underlying field of infinite possibilities.”
It’s essential to understand that what is known as the Law of Equivalent Exchange is operational in our experiences, whether we know it or not, accept it or not, or recognise it or not. Put simply, the Law of Equivalent Exchange states that in order to gain or attain anything, something of equal or greater value must be given. The moment you let go of all of the things, ideas, desires and cravings you have… the moment you give it all up… you free yourself to receive that and more.
The person who hungers after Enlightenment will never attain it. The person who yearns for power will never have it. Ram Dass reminds us that “The minute you don’t want power, you’ll have infinitely more than you ever dreamed possible.” There is simple, yet great truth in that.
There have been many, including some of my teachers, who have responded to my unwillingness to be quiet about social injustice, discrimination and abusing the intentions of the Dharma to advance political agendas.
Several people pointed out to me that one teacher insists that it’s foolish to adopt the spiritual approach that we have taken, which draws deeply from many traditions and teachers, and refuses to buy into the superstition, dogmatism and exclusivism of any one trandition, lineage or teacher.
They are certainly entitled to voice their opinions on such matters, as accomplished and highly attained teachers. And I respect, love and thank them for the advice, which I take seriously.
I do not agree with them, and reasoning, intelligence and my personal path demonstrate that their approach is neither appropriate for, nor the most efficient, effective and productive path for me — or for my students.
Throughout history, the Dharma has had its share of sectarian Buddhists, and elitism from various monastic sects and lineage holders. And I am fairly confident that throughout history, those same traditions have been responsible for a lot of good and a lot of less-than-good. And it will continue to be so.
Master Shinran perceived this struggle and elitism in the Buddhist sects of his day, and out of it Shin Dharma arose.
Similarly, we choose to express the Dharma in ways that are postmodern, more relevant and hopefully, more accessible, particularly for those in the West.
That doesn’t mean that a more traditionalist approach won’t work for Westerners. It will continue to work for anyone with whom such an approach resonates. And for those persons, it is entirely possible that our approach will not be useful or beneficial to their spiritual journeys and that is certainly fine too.
Your spiritual practice should incorporate a conscious awareness and affirmation that everything you need to live a healthy, balanced, prosperous and Awakened life already exists within you, and is, in fact, expressing itself as you right now. All of the happiness… all of the peace… all of the ease and calm we seek have always been ours; and they are ours right now.
This apparent condition of non-enlightenment, dullness, suffering… what Buddha called “dukkha” or “unsatisfactoriness” is nothing more than our faulty and deluded perception that anything could ever separate us from our Awakened (Buddha Mind/christ Consciousness) and Inherent Nature.
In progressive thought, we express this truth as the realisation that there is One Infinite Mind — or Energy — which is empty of inherent “existence” or “condition” — This One Intelligence or Energy governs, guides and creates all things… and it exists wholly within your mind.
So we learn to let go. We engage in spiritual practices – sadhanas – which underscore our desire to be free from self-cherishing, selfishness, greed, fear and grasping. We strive to increase a sense of loving-kindness and generosity in all that we do.
When we truly achieve this practice… when we begin to generate real Bodhicitta — real Compassion and Awareness — we don’t have to criticise the paths of others. We don’t say things that are ego-centric, useless and hurtful about other paths, other traditions and other practices. We don’t subscribe to the superstitious, petty and ego-centric idea that the only way to attainment is through one particular lineage or path… and we let go of absurd ideas that our way is “the best way”.
Instead, we don’t worry about such things. We concern ourselves with one thing and one thing only… and that is to become more aware of suffering, it’s causes and what we can do to alleviate that sufferinfg wherever and whenever we encounter it.
Our lives become about service to others…
And when we’ve let go of all of those other things, they are abundantly available to us.
Our interior generosity, kindness and well-spring of compassion become manifest in our external experiences.
Today, I am meeting with individuals who are seriously committed to making things happen for the good in their world, and because their focus is on bettering the world, they will experience an amazing transformation in their personal lives as well. They affirm with me that “everything necessary to manifest the perfect and complete expression of the joy, the light and the abundance that is life itself is available to us, expressing itself through us, and our very nature now.
I invite you to begin studying the simple and uncomplicated truth of the Dharma with us.
Within the next four weeks, we will begin teaching a 46 week-long course on the Dharma of Compassion, based on the traditions transmitted from teacher-to-student, all the way back to the great masters themselves. I encourage you to consider becoming part of that course, and allowing the ideas we share to wash over you. If they work for you — fantastic.
Whatever doesn’t work for you… fantastic. You will know what is useful and what is not, and will be able to find your own balance, your own practice and your own centre.
I will look forward to sharing more with you once I return from South Florida, later this week.
Namasté
khenpo gurudas sunyatananda
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“Chenrezig, Treasure of Objectless Compassion;
Manjushri, Lord of Stainless Wisdom;
Vajrapani, Destroyer of all adversarial forces;
O Je Tsong Khapa – Losang Drakpa –
Crown Jewel of the Sages of the Land of Snows,
Humbly at Your Lotus Feet I ask your blessing.”
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Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project. He can be reached at: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com
Copyright ©2008, Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.
Your spiritual practice should be a balanced path. If it’s intense and rigourous, it may be time to do some gentle course-correction. If it’s too relaxed and unstructured, you’ll similarly want to evaluate ways in which you can bring it closer to the Middle Way.
On January 18th, 2004, I was consecrated as the bishop-protector of the Franciscan Community (Servitores Franciscan Immacolatae), and became the exarchos (highest ranking patriarch) of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Congregational Church, then operating throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the European Union. 
From 1983, when I began my contemplative life as a vowed monastic, until 2006, I was fortunate to be able to financially provide for the vast majority of the Order’s needs, and many of the expenses of the church itself. Until 2001, I personally covered the rent or mortgage on six convents/monastic houses, and our only fundraising outreach was to cover the growing costs of feeding the poor on the streets of the cities in which we were present.
I know a lot of folks are preparing for their families’ holiday gatherings, and the next few days will be hectic for them.
You see… 
So let me get this straight… because you chose to spend money on gifts (which is part of your particularly distorted religious tradition), you feel you have no reason to thank someone for wishing you a “happy holiday”, but rather arrogantly assume it gives you the right to ignore whatever tradition that person might honour, and ram your superstitions down their throat. How charitable and Christian of you!
The story of the Christ, as Athanasius pointed out, was that in the mythos of the Incarnation, “the Divine became human, so that humanity could become gods.”
So when someone greets you with “Happy Holidays!”, I would think that unless you are certain of that person’s particular spiritual tradition, the most appropriate, compassionate and kind response would either be to say, “Thank you,” or to extend the same greeting to them. 
