The Royal Escort

The Royal Escort
Foundations of the Path

As we try to approach an understanding about the spiritual path, reflect about the spiritual dimension to life, or undertake a journey for spiritual awakening, no matter which exact path we chose or enter, we need to stand on a firm foundation. In the particular case of Atiyoga, Mahasandhi, we speak a lot of realizing the non-dual nature that is beyond effort, and abides beyond causes and is spontaneously present.

We also explain that awakening is itself the natural state, ever-present and ever-free, right now, not dependent on any constructions or developments. However, as the normal personal mind is engrossed in confusion, chasing after all sorts of projections, judging, thinking, totally unaware of its own real condition, that natural state of awakening is not recognized. As we approach the path, in order to try to discover this natural condition, we have no choice but to do so from that state of the dualistic normal personal mind. So as we approach the path, this mind should have an attitude suitable to engage with the path in a healthy and productive direction. If the normal personal mind is turned fully in selfish and deluded behaviors, then to engage the path is not really possible, and many obstacles will arise. So in order to have a firm foundation that can support this journey of discovery of the real condition of the mind, we should first of all have a firm understanding of the four points that turn the mind, and the four boundless attitudes.

The four points that turn the mind and the four boundless attitudes, are really the foundation, the way to prepare the mind for such a journey, and they are truly the friends and companions of the spiritual seeker all through the journey and should never be neglected. When the actual realization of the ultimate nature starts to dawn the mind, these points will actually manifest spontaneously as a realization of wisdom. What is presented here is crucial for aspiring beginners, and perhaps of equal if not greater importance, to more veteran spiritual practitioner, where a continuous refresh and introspection of these points is vital to prevent the path from becoming stale.

The four points that turn the mind

These points are said to turn the mind, because they turn the mind of the person from a mere worldly, limited view, towards a new direction, and the person starts to see clearly what is important and what is not. The mind is turned into a new direction.

The first one is the point of impermanence. We look, reflect, and understand that everything in the world and in life is impermanent. There is not a single thing in this world that is fixed, permanent, or long-lasting. Life situations change from moment to moment, health to sickness, and sickness to health. Good conditions turn to bad conditions and vice-versa at any moment unexpectedly. Life and the world is in continuous change, and trying to hold on to anything or situation, is like trying to hold water between our fingers. The tendency to take the world, things and situations, as fixed or long-lasting, is really a great mistake, and it does not correspond to reality. Ultimately, our own life, is impermanent, and we do not really know when our last moment will come. How much should we invest, and how much effort should we put in trying to hold on and build things in this life? Anything that we build in this world, being material things, projects, wealth, houses, businesses, etc, is like building sand castles in the beach during the low tide. With this understanding we should gain some perspective and relax a little, while at the same time turning our view towards something greater, and invest our time in trying to discover the truth about what we are.

The second point is that of the principle of cause-and-effect, or Karma. From the point of view of the relative appearing world and living beings, everything that manifests, that appears and happens, is the result of an inconceivable network of causes and conditions. Every time someone enters into action, with a deluded dualistic mind, then everything we do, think and speak is a cause that will produce a future result - this is unfailing. With this understanding we should take responsibility for our actions, thoughts and words - for our life.

The third point is that no matter how we look at life, and living beings, we can see that nothing that we do resolves the problems we have in a permanent way. Living beings are naturally unsatisfied. Always seeking something. And once they obtain what they seek, soon after they feel something else is missing, or they feel fear to lose what they obtained. If I work hard to get what I want, I am anxious, hoping to get it. Once I get it, I hold on, fearful of losing it. There is no peace to be found, all this forms of happiness and enjoyment are temporary, fleeting and also impermanent. Human beings in particular, after they are born, they spend their lives seeking, searching for something, one thing after another, bouncing around between hope and fear. Should we not invest in trying to attain something that is beyond these limitations? To free ourselves from this?

The fourth point is the recognition of the precious change for freedom. There are over 7 billion people in this planet, and countless other living beings. From all of these, how many even have interest in a spiritual level to life? And from those, how many actually have the opportunity and possibility to receive proper and the rare teachings and instructions that lead to total awakening in this very life, and to actually engage with the path to freedom? And from those, how many actually do it? To have all the conditions to be able to realize the nature of this mind is something very rare. It is something truly precious. To have such a possibility and waste it, to not really take it up with a total surrender of heart and mind, is like throwing piles of food away when you, and everyone else around you, is starving. Sometimes it is easy to fall for thoughts such as: "ah maybe someday, I am busy now, my life situation is difficult", but this will turn to bitter regret when old age arrives, and either health or other conditions truly do not allow us to take up the path, and finally laying in our death bed we understand we wasted the most precious chance this life had given us.

If we reflect deeply using these four points as guides, then without fail our minds will gradually turn around towards awakening and compassion towards all beings will arise.

The four boundless attitudes

Once we have reflected in the four points explained before, and our minds start to turn to the path, we then look within and check with ourselves if we have an attitude that is in accordance with the path to freedom, and if not, we try to reflect and cultivate this attitude. The attitude is explained as the four boundless attitudes. They are boundless because ultimately they have no limits and in the end they will shine as realizations of the path.

The first one is Love. In this case Love has a very specific meaning, it means the feeling that wishes others to be happy. However this wish is not just the wish for worldly happiness and well-being, it is the wish that all living beings find ultimate happiness, the happiness that comes from realizing the ultimate nature of the absolute condition.

The second is compassion. Great Compassion here means that we have the wish that all living beings should be released from suffering. Again here we do not mean just worldly suffering such as hunger or illness, but the suffering that is all pervasive, the suffering that comes from the lack of satisfaction that drives discontentment, which is the result of not knowing one's true nature as totally awakened wisdom.

The third is Joy. Great Joy, which is the joy that arises from doing virtuous positive actions, in particular is having joy to engage with the path to freedom. It is also to rejoice from everyone else's positive qualities, actions and virtue. It is to rejoice when seeing someone going to meditate, to apply their own path to awakening.

The fourth is equanimity. Great Equanimity, means that in regards to the previous three points, love, compassion and joy, we do not discriminate between friend and enemy, family and stranger. We cultivate a boundless attitude of love, compassion and joy equally for all without discrimination.

The four points that turn the mind, and the four boundless attitudes are the foundation of the path. If we spend the time to examine and cultivate these aspects, then without a doubt our minds will turn towards freedom; love, compassion and joy will grow in our hearts, and a great equanimity will pervade our minds. In this way if we apply ourselves to the path, we will do it with a solid basis, a strong mind based on an incredible motivation, and our path is sure to go well. On the other hand, if these points are not well balanced, even if we try very hard to learn and apply the path, we will find many difficulties.

Even though the view of Atiyoga is beyond any thoughts, ideas or efforts, until the ultimate state is attained, we should be like a king who never leaves the palace alone. The king going out of the palace goes always surrounded by his entourage. Atiyoga is the king of views, the four points that turn the mind and the four boundless attitudes are a most excellent entourage.

with love

aja das

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