At the moment of death, to rely on our minds?

When we die we leave everything behind, especially this body we have cherished so much and relied upon so blindly and tried so hard to keep alive.

But our minds are no more dependable than our bodies.

Just look at your mind for a few minutes.

You will see that it is like a flea, constantly hopping to and fro.

You will see that thoughts arise without any reason, without any connection.

Swept along by the chaos of every moment, we are the victims of the fickleness of our minds.

If this is the only state of consciousness we are familiar with, then to rely on our minds at the moment of death is an absurd gamble.

- Sogyal Rinpoche

Fundamentalism means loss of innocence

We are living in a world that keeps growing crazier.

When we see 'sin' in everything.

When we discover 'abuse' even in the most ordinary of happenings.

When we forget what innocence and freedom means.

When we sacrifice our God-given intelligence to mouldy religious texts.

Our spiritual growth grinds to a halt.

Conflict happens.

War errutpts.

Jihad will be followed by Crusade.

Crusade will be countered by Hinduditva.

Drop everything.

Get naked.

Return to innocence.

Legacy

My legacy -

What will it be?

Flowers in spring,

The cuckoo in summer,

And the crimson maples

Of autumn ...

- Ryokan (1758-1831)

Dewdrops on a maple leaf

p.143

Translated by John Stevens

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