I've already written about the first of the five strengths that teach us how to prepare for death and how to live our lives. Now let me share about what I understand about "familiarization". It is the second of the five.
To familiarize oneself in this context (the Five Strengths) is to constantly be aware (mind-full) that everything we need is already inside us, whirling around, waiting to be recognized (or discovered). Everything. It's what the Dharma teaches us. It is exactly what Buddha found out. We don't have to be witty or even educated. We don't have to be urbane or pretty. We don't even have to be innocent. We don't have to be anything but who and what we are. Enlightenment is the sudden and total realization of exactly that. Simply that.
Whew.
Of course, being familiarized means believing this totally. Familiarization means constantly referring back to that point. Knowing the Dharma to be the escape route of our own story-lines. Freedom from the drama-rama prison we construct and insist on remaining in. Familiarization means living from where we are right now and believing this wakefulness, this mindfulness, this presence is exactly who we are. It means trusting that, with every breath. (Realizing that every being shares in this.)
Namaste.
To familiarize oneself in this context (the Five Strengths) is to constantly be aware (mind-full) that everything we need is already inside us, whirling around, waiting to be recognized (or discovered). Everything. It's what the Dharma teaches us. It is exactly what Buddha found out. We don't have to be witty or even educated. We don't have to be urbane or pretty. We don't even have to be innocent. We don't have to be anything but who and what we are. Enlightenment is the sudden and total realization of exactly that. Simply that.
Whew.
Of course, being familiarized means believing this totally. Familiarization means constantly referring back to that point. Knowing the Dharma to be the escape route of our own story-lines. Freedom from the drama-rama prison we construct and insist on remaining in. Familiarization means living from where we are right now and believing this wakefulness, this mindfulness, this presence is exactly who we are. It means trusting that, with every breath. (Realizing that every being shares in this.)
Namaste.
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