Who am I, Paragraph 40

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Paragraph 40

 

There are not two minds, one good and the other evil. It is only the

vasanas or tendencies of the mind that are of two kinds, good and

favorable, evil and unfavorable. When the mind is associated with the

former it is called good, and when associated with the latter it is

called evil. However evil-minded other people may appear to you, it

is not proper to hate or despise them. Likes and dislikes, love and

hatred, are equally to be eschewed. It is also not proper to let the

mind often rest on objects or affairs of mundane life. As far as

possible one should not interfere in the affairs of others.

Everything offered to others is really an offering to oneself; and if

only this truth were realized, who is there that would refuse

anything to others?

 

COMMENTS

 

Here is "Not two" in action: "Everything offered to others is really

an offering to oneself." There are not two minds within us, not two

selves within us, not "good or not good." There are not two selves,

an "inner self," and a "God self," there is just the Self, nondual

reality.

To hate another person is like one hand being upset at the other

hand. What is given to another is given to the Self. It is from

this understanding that we should relate to others.

The Third Patriarch of Ch'an, Seng-Tsan wrote in his classic, FAITH

MIND,

 

The Great Way is not difficult

for those who have no preferences

 

When love and hate are both absent

everything becomes clear and undisguised

 

Make the smallest distinction however

and heaven and earth are set infinitely apart

 

If you wish to see the truth

then hold no opinions for or against anything

 

To set-up what you like against what

you dislike is the disease of the mind

 

When the deep meaning of things is not understood

the mind's essential peace is disturbed to no avail

 

The Way is perfect like vast space

where nothing is lacking and nothing is in excess

 

Indeed, it is due to our choosing to accept or reject

that we do not see the true nature of things

 

(This continues and is one of the greatest spiritual writings that I

know of. Here is one on-line source for it:

http://truthisone.org/docs/insights/faith-mind-by-seng-tsan.htm )

 

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This nears the end of this commentary, only one more paragraph to

go. When all have been posted individually, the whole document (with

further proof reading and editing) will be posted.

 

Your comments are invited.

 

We are Not two,

Richard