I talk a lot about how human beings can improve their lives and our shared existence. Because of this I struggle with a contradiction that deep down it might be possible that You are already great - some might say perfect.
Breaking Through Limiting Beliefs
My goal writing this is to share the seed of a perspective that could expand & enrich your view of yourself & others - giving you more faith that you are a valuable person.
If you’ve ever met someone feeling down or find yourself wrestling with moments of questioning your worth - The story that follows will connect you to a hope that human beings invested lifetimes investigating the value of being alive - and discovered - it’s beyond worth it.
My Bias
This article shares insights that come from my exploring & investigations of Buddhism, philosophy, & having grown up in judaeo christian culture. I invested 6 months in India, plus years reading, meditating, and journaling about the philosophy of Buddhism. (A few reading recommendations - A Passage from Solitude, What the Buddha Taught, and Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand).
Dzogchen - The Great Completion / Perfection
Most of Buddhism (and my articles) cover the practice of improving life. Dzogchen does what Stephen Covey recommended - to Start with the End in mind. To practice Dzogchen an enlightened Lama will plant the seed of completion in your mind using a ritual. (But for kicks and giggles lets imagine that You’ve got this seed already). From this point forward your practice becomes to discover and continue the ultimate ground of being. (Beyond the concepts of one and many, Before time and after all endings, between and outside of edges and centers, etc…) A realization of reality.
This state of being is characterized as: A great bliss beyond speech, the source that pervades enlightenment. Perfect wisdom in the realm beyond effort.
The way I see this: being alive holds value. Within life - you and I - there’s a beautiful reality that answers all questions, and feels full, complete, and at peace.
The Practice
You begin with the premise that you are perfection, completion, powerful, valuable, worthy.
Then when you experience a state that feels out of alignment of that state, your task becomes to remove the causes of suffering, ignorance, and fears.
Also when you notice yourself thinking - judging - feeling - Then you might be caught in a state that is attached to limited outcomes or perspectives. And you have the opportunity to step back into the Being-ness beyond language and explanations… the “naked mind".” You can choose to abide in the Flow of life. (And yes I think the book Flow captures a similar state or one that is very close to this.) Or hold on to the awareness that whatever happens or does not happen is a part of the unity of worth and value in being. Connecting to a naturalness, spontaneity and simplicity in living.
My Reality
I aspire to practice this philosophy - yet - I find that my dualistic thinking governs most of my life. So on those days when I don’t wake up in an enlightened pool of blissful awareness, the good days will include an element of striving or effort to improve my situation, my mindset, my relationships, my circumstances etc… (Bad days I can get lost in reactions, feelings and unproductive ignorance, suffering, and fears.)
I hope that reflecting on the idea of this complete state of being inspires you - like it does me - to engage in activities that bring me closer to being the person you want to be.
I also find hope in knowing that others have experienced this state of being worthy, feeling value in their aliveness to know that if this state is possible for others then it is possible for me to perhaps experience moments of this state. (And because of this belief - I feel that I have experienced moments close to what these sages describe.)
Creating Lasting Real Value
How can you create more value in your life? How can you earn more wealth? Could you test an Affiliate link in your blog - sure - connecting people to products, services, and learning - in my opinion fits with the Buddhist concept of Right Actions. Listen to others to the point where they feel understood and valued by you?
I’m guessing there is some aspect of your life that you are holding back on. You might be holding back on meeting new people because you fear they won’t see your value. You might be holding back on publishing an article, giving a speech, or sharing a post on social media because you fear being judged. You might be holding back on asking for a raise, selling something, or starting a company because you are afraid of rejection or failure. Your fears are real, and there is a chance that they might happen - but would that really be so bad? If taking a chance on you would lead to harm of your self or others - then not doing it is probably the right choice.
If investing in actions that could lead to your growth, (even if it means failing) isn’t that a good thing?
I believe you are worth investing in. That’s why I write with you in mind. I want you to gain massive returns on your investments in your self - so that you can know and feel the value inside of you. If you can get there by reading this great, if you need more proof - then get out there and earn that proof. Find ways to increase your value, contribute to other people, invest in you wisdom, and practice living in ways that reduce harm and improve the experience of being alive.
BILL MOYERS: Do you ever have the sense of... being helped by hidden hands?
JOSEPH CAMPBELL: All the time. It is miraculous. I even have a superstition that has grown on me as a result of invisible hands coming all the time - namely, that if you do follow your bliss you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you can see that, you begin to meet people who are in your field of bliss, and they open doors to you. I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be.
May you live your bliss.