Theos-Talk Archives (January 1998 Message tt00012)

>Nicholas Weeks wrote:
>> "Compassion is no attribute, it is the Law of Laws." said the
>> VOICE.  Your beaming love approach can be and is used by real Bodhisattvas
>> towards other beings; but I have never heard it being used toward
>> themselves. Perhaps there is more to your practice than just love
>> towards your animal nature.

MK:
>Bingo.
>"Beaming love approach?" Geez, this is like pulling teeth!

N:
Then please be explicit. All you have written is "love". How exactly do
you go about it.

MK:
>It would seem odd to me that any "real Bodhisattva" would have
>compassion for others but expect them to hate themselves.

N:
It may, but Bodhisattva Shantideva, a pillar of Indo-Tibetan Mahayana
advised just that.  To hate, not our enemies or environment, but the only
real enemy our self-cherishing attitude.  Of course, there is more to it
than that.  The not so little idea of the unreality, the delusory nature
of the ordinary self, plays a major role in one's ability to be unloving
towards a chimera.

MK:
>>I think of Jesus saying, "Suffer the little children to come unto me."

N:
>> I recall "If a man wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self,
>> take up his cross, and follow in my steps." (MK, 8,34)

MK:
>Why does "self-denial" have to mean contempt?
>Can it not be an act of love?

N:
It must be; and I write below just that; but only love for the real.  The
Father is real and our suffering is real and the Christos is real.  But
the cause of our suffering is not. Experiences of sorrow in a
movie theater are certainly felt, but will loving discipline directed
towards the ax murderer about hack his way through 47 folk stop it?
Nope.   But to stand up, turn your back to it and walk out into the sunshine
of reality -- that will.

>> What is more loving than for Jesus to recommend that practice of
>> self-denial which will take one to His abode?  If love is "long-suffering"
>> does that only apply to putting up with outward trials?  Or could it also
>> mean bearing the cross of our always protesting, demanding, craving and
>> craven animal nature?  Eventually every soul must crucify the animal-man
>> and only then can there be a Resurrection.

MK:
>Do you believe Jesus' submission to crucifixion was an inward act of
>contempt or love?

N:
It was both -- contempt for his human weakness that asked for the "bitter
cup" to be removed; and vast love for His Father and His children.

--
Nicholas <> am455@lafn.org <> Los Angeles
  A life of sacrifice on the basis of morality and integrity is the
  Dharma of man.  Satya Sai Baba