Archive Result

Teacher – Student Relationship NL 1997

19970507GRJHNLTS01

There’s a nice Dutch lady who I met in Dharamsala in India and she was doing Vajrayogini retreat and then she came down to Delhi to study with me and finally she returned to her native place to bring whatever she learned which as many of you know is Helen and that’s how she started all this and everybody all of us got together and because of one womans’ efforts.

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It shows even one woman can make a big difference. I’m not looking down at women but even one person make a totally big difference. I think that’s enough of an introduction for me. Then which way are you going to go. Then you.

Translator introduces herself.

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To be discussing today what was given to me the Foundation of All Perfections Marianne has written here completely, Topic- Following the Kind Master Foundation of All Perfections is root and basis of the Path.

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Ok, now before we go and talk I don’t think this is going to be the subject for all those days because mean one, you really don’t want to talk too long on the Guru business.

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So we’ll probably expand into the Foundations of Perfections maybe hopefully we’ll be able to do totally.

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So hope you don’t mind. But before that we’d like to talk to, say, what does the Foundation of perfections, what is it? What does that do?

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And I’d like to share my thoughts with you and what I’ve been quite a while on this earth and also been dealing with the westerns friends for years now you know really, 75 to 85, 95 over really almost a quarter of a century I’ve been dealing with western dharma friends.

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And I’d like to share my observations and I find people extremely nice and kind. Compassionate. And very eager to do something helpful. And also sometimes very eager to do the right thing, too. And you also know the western people most of the western people whore interested I the spiritual path have an experience of the absolute material development is not a solution for all our problems. I mean maybe to a certain extent, not to all our problems.

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And also very open and open expression, open free thoughts, openness. And also you go through since you’re looking for something more than material, you’re looking for some internal development and being openness and you’re willing to try everything. Yet you are afraid of getting hurt and you would like to be careful, what else? So you will get into anyways of developing yourself whether it is the free expressions that we have in the 60’s or openness in the 70’s or a little conservative in the 80’s and more opening and free thoughts in the 90’s.

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And in the openness and free thoughts you try all kind of things right? Whatever it gives you, helps. And some of you do very well in the artistic expression including music and everything. Some don’t do so well. There are a lot of starving musicians. Ad at the same time you also go for the spiritual experience and the openness of the field is really you have to credit to the 60’s whether you like to or not. And if you don’t have those chemicals or herbal help in the 60’s people are not going to be open as much as today. No matter whatever the conservative people say. I mean it’s true. Don’t you agree? The awareness and conscious you know open and awareness and consciousness has tremendously contributed by the drug culture in the 1960’s if want to make me use plain language.

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If that’s not there we’d still be following Jacque Chirac and John Major. Everyone would be followers of Jacques Chirac and John Major. So luckily John is gone. And Jacques is on the way out. And all these experiments that you get and you get a lot of different experiences. Experience is what we call really a glimpse of the awareness and a glimpse of the development, a lot of people get that, got that anyway. And a lot of people get a miserable experience, the opposite direction of a glimpse. And it’s true because it is true. You have an experience because it’s true. That’s the reason why in my opinion people begin to seek a real nice, solid path. And every tradition whether it is Judao Christian tradition or Hindu Muslim or Buddhist Jain whatever tradition might be those great traditions are capable of delivering the goods. Yet individual people have their own connections and their own karmic relations and their own contact in your previous life.

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So according to that you meet this tradition you will feel comfortable, you meet that tradition you will feel comfortable. So the feeling of the comfortableness is one thing and the capable of the delivering is another thing. And many of you have followed different paths. And I don’t believe all of you are joining only Tibetan Buddhism, no. Even if you tell me I know it. So the reason is it’s not the path nor the tradition it is the individual efforts and the way how to present the tradition to you. And your own interest and persistent efforts. And that makes a difference. Having said all this now I’m going to present you from the Tibetan viewpoint.

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The path that’s in your hand known as The Foundation of Perfections is a stainless path. It is stainless because it is grounded. It makes the individual practitioners grounded. Believe me you’re not going to find a perfect, forget about perfect, good development if you’re flying in the air. Let me identify a little more what I mean by flying in the air.

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Flying in the air meaning, what I meant for flying in the air meaning one doesn’t do constant efforts and grounded yourself. And you may like to try this thing for awhile and you may like to try that thing for a while and then before you even get into it deeply you think oh, there’s nothing more. So you fly, hop from one teaching tradition onto another one to another, keep on hoping it. So that is what I mean flying. And grounding here means you solidly engaged in and made a difference in your life and knowing, recognizing the difference that made in your life, pursue it further and that’s what I mean grounded.

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The Foundation of All Perfections is capable of doing this. So having said that let us examine how does that work? What does that mean? Does everybody have that Foundations of All Perfections copy in their hand? You do have a copy in your hand, right? Ok. So when you’re looking at perfection, the word perfection what do you think that is? I don’t know whether you call this a teaching or workshop, a teaching. I like workshop better. You know, teaching means I have to do all the work, workshop means we can all do together. It doesn’t matter I’m just joking, it doesn’t matter. There are tradition way of teaching which sometimes you need to know too. But the whole purpose of whether it’s a teaching or workshop you have to utilize whatever is more helpful, whatever is more effective and that has to be the goal of teaching or workshop to be able to get it, whatever you’re trying to get right? So that’s my way of looking at it.

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I think I’ll do the teaching at the end. Let us have some dialogue. So I’d like to have your opinion what is perfection for you. Maybe it is for the first time you are looking at this book for some people. Is it? How many hands, one I saw. One, right? SO you come along with us, it’ll be alright, only one. And look right and left a little bit and you’ll find a way.

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So I want you thoughts on perfection. What is it? What are you looking at? Don’t play with words. Think what is your goal? What are you going to achieve? What are you looking at it?

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So I don’t care whether you give me a doctrine or dogma answer or your own thoughts or whatever. I really don’t care but tell me what you’re looking for.

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Ok now let me start with you sir.

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A: For me it’s you see reality as it is.

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R: Would you mind taking notes, reality as it is. Ok. Now reality as it is, reality as it is, reality as it is.

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A: Strong self confidence.

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R: Strong self confidence. Wait a minute before we go down, oh yeah, let’s go down then. All right anybody else have any thoughts?

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T: He thinks your question is very special because he always thought that perfection is something which is perfect so you don’t have to do anything about it or for it and now he realizes because of your question that it is something you have to work for you have to make an effort for and know he realized he has to make an effort to achieve this openness and peace.

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R: So in your opinion this openness and peace is the perfection?

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A: Yes.

R: Openness and peace. Anybody else?

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A: I think it’s a little bit more like the first person said that you see reality as it is but you also know how to deal with it that you 0:29:36.6 ??? you really can do what you want to do.

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R: So you want to add up on his, reality as it is on top off that you want freedom to be able to do whatever you want to do.

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Lady over there-

A: in Dutch

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T: She has started out on the Buddhist path because she was very much moved by suffering not particularly her own suffering but suffering in general and she has noticed that ignorance plays a very important part in there so if you want to, and then that’s why she agrees also with the first people who say we first have to find out how things work and then we can help out, to get rid of this suffering.

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R: Very good thought. Any more?

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A: When I think about perfection, reaching perfection I think about trying to reach the point where what you want to do you can do effortlessly.

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R: Do you want to say that in Dutch?

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R: Sir?

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A: in Dutch

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T: For him it is doing the right thing at the right time at the right place and at the same

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R: Not getting into trouble!

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T: He didn’t say that. And at the same time being open to and also realizing his own motivation in doing what he does and at the same time being open to both the struggle of the effort and the also the positive side of the effort.

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T: The pure path free of negative emotions.

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T: Developing yourself for such a long time that you become perfect.

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R: We didn’t identify perfect yet but that’s ok. But your answer is not wrong, definitely.

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A: The state of perfection for me, that’s the question.

R: That’s right, state of perfection.

A: The state of perfection for me is doing the right thing and leaving the wrong. That’s the state of perfection for me.

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R: The state of perfection. You’re right. I should’ve said state of perfection right from the beginning.

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R: Good. One more?

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A: Yes, I wanted to say that its something that I’m afraid of because I don’t know what it is.

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R: Something you’re afraid of because you don’t know what it is. Very good thought, very good. Ok so I guess that’s about it, these opinions. So the first one he said reality as it is and somebody else said on top of that freedom to do whatever I want to do. Who said the freedom to do whatever I want to do? You, that’s right.

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R: ok, I want Teddy, can you sort it out? I’m sorry to be heavy on you but what do you think? Or should I wait for you second time or third time?

A: I was thinking-

R: You’re thinking, alright.

A: the perfection of misconceptions.

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R: No, I’m not asking your opinion. I’m trying to find out from you what do you think the idea given reality as it is and having freedom to act.

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R: If you want to pass the bucket you can but…

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A: No I don’t want to because I don’t know what reality is, but I don’t think it is so important to do what I want to do I think it’s more important that’s what the gentleman said over there, that you try to come to that point that you know what good is to do in the right place and the right time.

R: Very, very good.

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R: So in other words you’re saying not only the reality is what right is or what it is but also not only having freedom but you should be able to do the right thing at the right time, should be the perfection.

A: Yes.

R: The state of perfection. That’s what you’re drawing conclusion, right?

A: Yes.

R: Very good.

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R: Then second. I think you already stated so I have to limit you because…ok.

A: The second is strong self confidence.

R: That’s right, that’s you. Strong self-confidence in you. Will that be a perfection?

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T: As an introduction to her comment she gives her own ideas about what perfection is and she says well to me perfection is very much trying to develop myself at this moment, trying to develop myself. Because I don’t know what enlightenment is and I don’t know what perfection is so the aim is very much to try to develop myself because that makes her feel better in life. And growing self confidence is an important part of that because as she understands about how she functions herself and everything around her functions she gains more self confidence. On the other hand self confidence may also be a blockage in developing for instance when she thinks she has achieved something, some insight, some development and then finds out its not true then that confrontation forces her to find new ways and new things.

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T: It’s a little bit different. What she means is sometimes you feel rather self confident so you’re really going somewhere and then you hear completely new things which you don’t understand like you were talking about the Vajrayana yesterday evening ad then your self confidence is kind of

R: Shaky

T: Shaky and that opens whole new ways to you so the shaking of self confidence can be very good too in developing yourself.

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R: So in other words you’re saying trying for whatever it is, enlightenment or whatever it is trying for, it’s as of introduction what she thinks perfection is. And secondly self confidence is definitely a part of it and definitely an aim. However if there’s ignorance involved I’m in trouble. That’s what you’re telling me, right?

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R: In other words. Self confidence is a must and one must have it but self confidence must have with the wisdom, that’s what you’re saying right?

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T: She wouldn’t have been able to say it the way you do but that is what she means.

R That’s what you mean, yeah, I did not put the words in your mouth, right? Ok good thank you. Then next-

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A: The next one says I know realize that perfection is something one can work for and not something that can be just found somewhere being there by itself, that works towards that state of openness and peace.

R: um, that’s you. So say it once again?

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A: perfection is not something that is to be taken somewehere it is something one has to work for and leads towards openness and peace.

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R: But I realize now?

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A: That it is not something that is just there but it is something I have to develop I have to work for.

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R: What do you think Ron?

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A: That you have to work for it that’s true.

R: You agree with it

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A: ??? And I think if you find the rest of yourself is mind. And the second one was you said openness? I think that provides the possibility to be able to communicate with your surroundings in a sensible way so that you don’t create problems you just create positive things, something like that.

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R: it is something that you have to work hard and earn and openness you’ll reach openness as something you can put positive within the area, within the circle, is that what you’re saying right?

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A: The openness first is to be able to see what’s there, to be able to understand where somebody else is what his problem is, what his joys are where he is that is what I see as openness.

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R: In other words open to reality.

A: Yes.

R: um hmm. Very good thought. Are you comfortable there? If you want to move there’s room here. You know, really. You look like you’re squeezed there completely. So whenever you want to move just move, ok because there’s room here too, ok.

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T: Her comment is that perfection is there it is there but it’s around blockages that cover it that block it, that’s the idea.

R: Ok.

A: The next one is to end ignorance and see reality as it is in order to end suffering.

R: Who said that?

A: ???

R: You right? Ok now, Fenneke. Can you say it in Dutch then you can sort it out in Dutch.

A:

0:49:28.4

R: Ok, you want to pass the bucket. What about you?

A:

T: Well it covers about everything but she doesn’t really know what it means in details.

R: It’s true! It covers everything.

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A: Next one? To reach the point where you can do whatever you want to do effortlessly.

R: Who said that? You, that’s right. I can’t get yourself sorted out your own 0:50:50.5)???. Oh Wilma, would you sort that out?

A: Could you repeat it?

R: TO do whatever you want to do, effortlessly. To be able to do whatever you want to do effortlessly.

A: Well it depends on motivation.

R: No, effortlessly, underline that word. Effortlessly that’s the important point I think in this. Because you know, to do whatever you want to do somebody said and then she adds up on that effortlessly I think, am I right?

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R: Let us have a discussion, to do whatever you want to do, do you think that’s something great?

A: Just for yourself yes.

R: For yourself or for anybody just to do what you want to do. Just to do whatever you want to do. You know Alan used to sing “touch wherever you want to touch, do whatever you want to do, think whatever you want to think, say whatever you want to say.” That’s what it is. Expression of freedom. It’s a good thing, right? And is it possible to do that effortlessly? Or does effortlessly contradict that? You know you have to see it that way. Effortlessly and then do what ever you want to do does that contradict each other or no?

A: No.

R: No, you sure? What do you think Carl?

A: It depends on the point of view from which you would say do whatever you want to do. From the small point of view only me then effortlessly should be a contradiction because you need the others and if you want to do something what you want to do you can get in trouble. (0:53:58.1) ???.

R: Very good thought. Very witty thinking.

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A: I think that motivation has to do with that.

R: I don’t know. You have to have a motivation then you have to have efforts. That contradicts to me. You do agree?

A: The motivation yes.

R: Yes, you have to have a motivation you have to have efforts.

T: But then again you can’t do anything without motivations.

R: That’s also true. That’s what I’m trying to bring the contradictions up.

A: I can lay in the sun and be easy effortlessly.

R: That’s right. Even if you want to lay in the sun you need to have sun.

A: Nice, lazy!

0:55:13.3

R: Like you had in the morning it’s going now. That’s true. That’s your comment, we’re commenting on yours so you definitely have a right to say.

A: I have to say that if you talk about perfection you don’t say you still don’t say what kind of perfection. It could be the perfection of evil. Could it not?

R: Very good idea!

A: Of course we’re now talking about the perfection of the right things, the good but even if you would transfer it to the evil side you would be able to, that a murderer would be able to kill effortlessly. And in his field it’s perfection.

R: I know, I know. I’m glad you’re thinking that way.

0:56:38.9

R: I believe it says the Foundation of the Perfection of All Good Qualities, I believe, so that’s why we have the problem of dropping the half word. Ok.

A: What is the origin…????

R: yeah, yeah, naturally.

T: Because in English it does not. I mean if you read it strictly it is not implied.

R: Just read it, read it, read it.

T: In English?

R: Yeah, read it.

T: Foundation of All Perfections. That’s what it says.

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R: Then read after that.

T: Following a kind master foundation of all perfections is the very root and basis of the path.

A: What is the word in Tibetan? Could you explain just the parts of the words in Tibetan?

R: The Foundation of the Qualities, Perfection is he put it here for quality. The translaters thought as a quality and so made it perfection meaning the ultimate qualities probably, yeah, anyway. Do we have any one more thing here?

A: Next one is doing the right thing the right place, the right time with the right motivation.

0:58:14.8

R: Perfect, perfect. You never get into to trouble.

A: Effortless, effortless.

R: I don’t think we have to sort it out and have a comment on that, that’s perfect, sure.

A: Developing yourself till you become perfect.

R: Well that is, do we need to sort that out developing yourself until you become perfect?

A: It doesn’t say about perfection.

R: It doesn’t say anything about perfection!

0:59:17.5

R: Who said that? Ok, Robert’s right it doesn’t say anything about perfection. You want to add up one word on that?

A: It is because I don’t know what is the perfection, what is the 0:59:28.9 ??? of perfection.

R: That’s right. She said she is reading, her way of reading is path to the perfection, so you agree right?

R: Actually it’s a really good thought, you know why? Because we really don’t know what is the perfection we’re looking at so we’re looking at the path. Hopefully it leads to whatever it’s called, perfection.

A: Doing the right thing, leaving the wrong thing.

R: Well the same statement made the right thing at the right time. Who said doing the right thing? Ok. You forgot the right time! Because if you do the right thing at the wrong time you get into trouble.

A: That is impossible, it contradicts.

R: It is not possible?

A: If it is the right thing at the wrong time it would be the wrong thing.

R: No. not necessarily.

T: You mean the right thing implies the right time and the right place, the right motivation otherwise it wouldn’t be the right thing.

R: The right thing and perfection is different. The different of the perfect and the right thing to do. You can do the right thing at the wrong time. You landed in jail. You can do that, yeah? I mean the way you’re thinking is you’re thinking too beyond and you’re too beyond and you’re going the right thing what you mean by the right thing. You’re going a little bit too…

1:01:42.5

A: A little bit too absolute?

R: No, not absolute but you’re going a little bit beyond the boundary. You know, if you don’t think within the boundary then you can get very far away.

A: That’s true

R: And so you’re thinking the right thing means everything has to be right. So how can that be the right thing if it’s the wrong time? And that’s where you’re thinking.

A: Yes.

R: it’s true in a way but on the other hand you can do the right thing at the wrong time. You can do the wrong time, the wrong thing at the right time it can become perfect too. Yeah, I mean that’s true you know, so you have to think that way.

A: Rinpoche, if you do the right thing at the wrong time then it implies that there is a lack of wisdom lack of knowing so how an it be right? What do you mean by right then?

1:02:36.7

R:Well if somebody saves a life at the wrong time, ok, get himself killed or herself killed, so you did the right thing

A: Yes

R: But happens to be the wrong time. So did he or she do the right thing for saving a life? You cannot say no. If you say no you become, you are associated with evil. That’s the problem. See? You can save the life but it happens to be the wrong time you get killed yourself. You cannot say he did wrong. You can say he did wrong but the saving a life is the right thing to do. Yet it happens to be the wrong time.

1:04:01.3

R: The problem with your way of thinking is you’re thinking in one direction you’re not thinking the other direction.

A: Confusing metaphors

R: You’re not confusing but you’re going too far to extreme in one direction and you’re not thinking the other side. I mean just to point it out.

A: I’m not clear, what side do I miss?

R: You didn’t you missed the right thing can be done at the wrong time Because you’re thinking that right means it has to be in everything. It’s what we call too extreme, righteous so that’s what the problem is. And you don’t balance and you’re too extreme right time, righteous, right side righteous. You’re not conservative are you? Just joking. Ok so do we have more?

1:05:16.2

A: the last one is not a statement but a remark. Perfection is something to be afraid because one doesn’t know what it’s going to be.

R: Ok. Now who would like to sort that out? What about you? No, you. You’d like to pass through. That’s the easy way to look at the back, right.

A: While it’s difficult to know what perfection is but that would be one way about the fear part what that means maybe it’s more being confused about it. Or not knowing which direction to take and that maybe what we’re afraid of.

1:07:34.4

T: So fear blocks, confusion may stimulate you to find out what it is.

R: Fear blocks what?

T: She says if its really fear if you’re really afraid it may block you from going further. And then the other hand if it is confusion which is slightly less strong that may stimulate you to go and find out what it is.

R: Very good comment. We have anymore? Good. So good comments, now it’s my job. 1:08:09.3 It’s a good comment because sometimes confusion will led you to the right way. Particulaly the right path is very difficult for us too see. Why is it difficult to see? Because of our negative addictions. So we do not see the right path is very very hard to see. So Buddha says we are fortunate to have confusion. Because from the confusion you can sort it out. You can sort it out and so that you can really find the truth. So many people will not have confusion and will simply drop out.

1:09:35.6

T: What do you mean by drop out?

R: Not interested. So means dropping out. So that is unfortunate according to Buddha. I don’t know anything. So that’s why yooour comment is right. Now fear, what is fear. Actually who said that statement? What is fear to you?

A: Fear for me is a reason to stay where I am and not to

R: What? That’s not fear. Is that fear? Reason to be where I am, a lot of people agree with you. Hey, you’re lucky. I’m losing here. A lot of people are agreeing with you. The point is fear makes you not to move. Fear makes you not to move because you’re afraid of moving but that doesn’t mean fear makes you stay. I’m sorry maybe I’m thinking too terrible. And also making you stay is the work of fear. The effect of fear. Then what is fear to you? Making you stay is the effect isn’t it? Or is it fear itself? If it’s fear itself just don’t stay, move right?

1:11:59.4

R: So in other words what are we afraid of? Two ways you say what is fear or what are you afraid of, it comes to the same thing. Different way of looking. Getting to the same place. You know we have a saying in Tibetan 1:12:32.2 ….. whether you go this way you get to the lady who sells bread or whether you go that way you get to the lady who sells the bread. One minute, one minute, she hasn’t answered yet, sorry.

A: Is there a question?

R: Yes, what is fear? What are you afraid of? I mean you’re giving me the answer from your heart. So now I’m asking a question to your heart, what are you afraid of?

A: Pain?

R: Pain, afraid of getting hurt. So you have to sit tight.

A; Yes that’s what I do.

R: Alright, ok, good. So Marianne Van der Horst wants to say something.

A: Yes, I want to say that fear doesn’t make only that you want to stay in one place but it can also make it that you run away in panic.

R: That’s true, I have no quarrel with that. So do you know what that is telling you? Wait, what is that telling you just sitting like this alone will not help and sometimes people keep on running instead of sitting because of fear. So making you sit is again is your own mental projection and not reality because some people are afraid and keep on running all the time.

1:14:37.4

A: What I meant was to keep doing the same.

R: I understand that, yes, I understand that. So let me put my ideas here and then we will link up with what the Buddha says. My ideas over here are actually we are afraid of getting hurt. We are all afraid of getting hurt. Right? This is our fear. We don’t like getting hurt, we don’t like pain. Right? So whether we’re sitting or running we’re trying to find out the best way we can help ourselves. Not to get hurt. I think that’s what we all are involved in, why are you here? Why are you here? Ask the question to yourself. I may find a method how to protect me. From your deep mind search and that’s why you’re here. Everyone of us, everyone of you. It’s not that you have nothing to do. It’s not that you have too much money, don’t know where to throw. Or no you don’t have a home to stay but the reason why you’re here is there may be a way how I can help myself not to get hurt.

1:17:47.2

R: And then what do we get hurt? Normally we associated that we get hurt because of somebody else. Because my partner dropped me. Or getting sick or losing contact and all this comes up on our head. That’s what we’re afraid of getting hurt by, right? So that’s the true reality. We’re very vulnerable. We’re very vulnerable to a number of things. We’re absolutely vulnerable to disease. Right? And somebody else has a cold and comes here and coughs we all get it. That is the example how vulnerable we are, for illnesses. We’re also very vulnerable within our companionship. Because two independent minds will clash. And the more stubborn you are the more the chances of having a clash. Definitely, right? The other side people will try to hint at you first, don’t say it they give you a hint and you never understand. You don’t want to know. And you’ll want to look the other way round. Then they will say it because you don’t take the hint, you’ll say it.

1:20:40.7

R: and then you’ll say oh no, no, no, something else you’ll give your own reason. And you never heard what the other people are saying. You simply put on your things out. So the next thing that they’ll do, shake you. Or punch you! What else? So the self confidence with ignorance, what ? 1:21:30.1? is. Confidence with the ignorance, self confidence is absolutely necessary right? Without which you get no where. You’re overtaken by fear and you freeze by fear, that’s what it is and stay where I am, you don’t mean you sit but you really can’t do anything you actually freeze whether you’re running around or whether you’re sitting the only thing is really you are able to function from here to here and that’s all. You can not go beyond this you can not go beyond that, you freeze. So self confidence with ignorance is you may or may not call it but it is stubbornness. You know, how do you get over stubbornness? What you have to do is you have to get yourself out of your own body, get out of your own suit. Are you with me? And go to the other side and look from there and then you’ll see what you’re doing is disturbing other people, interrupting the other person and then you go back here and look once again and you’re still thinking I am right this is the right thing to do and then you’re too righteous, too stubborn. You must learn how to adapt, become adaptable, adjustable. And adjustable I was told when I was a kid the adjustable is a human quality and not adjustable is a bulls quality, the cow moves. So keep that in mind and adjust yourself. Ok, coming back on the spiritual point now, the fear of getting hurt not only hurt in this life that we see its also getting hurt in the future lives.

1:25:08.5

R: And that’s what we have because we’ve been hurt so many times so the fear is automatically with us. You know the normal western expression once bitten, twice shy?

T: We don’t have a Dutch expression for that.

R: Oh I’m sorry, it’s my fault. So it doesn’t matter, just because we’ve been hurt so many times so we’re really scared of it. That’s the reason why we have that fear automatically without effort even the children have, the older ones have, the youth have everybody has that, that’s because we have so much experience getting hurt, number of times.

1:26:59.4

R: So Buddha called that suffering. Very simple. One word called suffering and then he says this is in our nature, this is in our nature, that is what the Buddha said. So if this our nature do we have t live with this forever? So if we have to live with this forever we’re in trouble. We’re stuck, right? We’re stuck, whatever we do we’re going to have the trouble. So the Buddha’s discovery it says, hey, it’s not helpless, it’s not hopeless. So the whole path that Buddha taught came out for this. I shouldn’t say Buddha taught but should say the path that Buddha experienced and is sharing is this. And Buddha kept on raising his flag saying hey, there’s a way out! And that’s what he’s been shouting for 2,500 years. So I can’t conclude all the comments yet but that shows you seeking freedom is one of the perfections and that was Buddhas statement and the Tibetan Buddhism works with that and you yourself with your independent thought confirmed that this is your perfection you’re looking for. Don’t you think so? I’m asking you, whatever your name is I’m sorry.

A: My name is Nanette.

R: Don’t you think so Nanette?

A: I’m beginning to think so.

R: Good. Keep on thinking, true I’m not joking. You know perfection comes only out of thinking and engaging yourself and thinking and if you do not think if you do not engage then the sky is blue the cloud is white and black and the trees are green it goes on, right? So thinking makes the difference. But we’re trying to think for ourselves, we’re trying to think what we can do. We’re trying to think how we can help ourselves not to get hurt. This is the foundation for your perfection whether the book said or not said it that is exactly the foundation you work. Ok?