Gassho Zenner,First thoughts that rise in this almost indefinable thing we call mind.
The mind is the space that allows its contents to arise.
I have heard the definition of mind as being that which is clear and aware.
Although we can agree that the contents are illusory, they do rise, it is the contents that form our world view. I.e. our world view is produced by the rising projections on to a clear base that is aware.
We can see this quite clearly by taking an object and searching for its reality. Take a pen, I look at colours and shapes I cant "see" "pen"
My mind takes the data and projects pen. A dog takes the same data and "sees" a chewable thing, a chew toy.
Why does the dog see chew toy and I see pen; my mind, based on all those previous moments of mind is forced into "knowing" this thing to be pen. Ditto for the dog.
So the key factor is not the object but the mind, or to be more accurate, contents of the mind that are crucial in determining its reality as an object.
I think it would be difficult to study the mind without understanding why its contents rise in the way they do.
Without delving into your non linear concept of cause and effect and for the purpose of creating a clear image in my mind (its not that I don’t accept it but I think it a bit of a diversion)
It appears to me that a cause must come before a result. Ok let’s take an oak tree; its main cause is an acorn but with out a whole bunch of contributory causes it won’t grow into anything, its causes are many but it appears they must be present prior to the resultant tree.
Our mind, I am assured has 65 separate moments of perception in one finger snap, (unexamined because if you look, each of those moments can be broken down infinitely). Every one of those moments of perception is a result and a cause and effects how that consciousness receives the data.
Computers aren’t bad analogies; Hard drive (MIND) is clear until some data (PERCEPTIONS) is stored; the data performs its function mostly unseen other than the appearance on the screen of visual data AWARENESS OR CONCIOUSNESS.
Without input data there will be no visual data the visual data depends on the base of the hard drive which is clear until it is programmed.
If you wipe the hard drive of all data you have something that can perform no function other than to allow new programs the space in which to exist.
A wiped hard drive is comparable to the extreme of nihilism, is it the purpose of Buddha dharma to bring us to a state of nothingness?
How about this; the programs on my hard drive are no longer applicable to my needs, they are a mixture of out dated corrupt and of inferior quality and content. So I wipe the hard drive (I RID MYSELF OF MISCONCEPTIONS)
I can now see a method to reprogram, the program is still just a mere projection but is one that doesn’t have to suffer, I take the Buddha program, I look around it before I install it check that it will fulfil my needs and the needs of others. It appears to have qualities quite different to the mundane ordinary self program I had before; This program allows one to be in a constant state of “knowing” all illusions it also has the peculiar quality that allows one to experience bliss as a default state, the result of this continuous bliss will be a constant need to share the program with other minds able to receive. I might decide to call that need compassion or love.
So in short a blank mind onto which I cause the projection of a Buddha, a blank world onto which I cause the projection of a Buddha’s paradise. (Sorry about the religious terminology I can’t help myself)
The only thing I need to work out now is where to get the Buddha program and what are the causes to force me to see the world this way.
Shine
