64 What Do You Want?

[00:02] Olaso. So we’ve had more than five weeks together by now, and during this time I think there is no paucity of methods, we have plenty of techniques. In the mornings this full range of the four immeasurable and so on, now quite a rich variety of practices of shamatha. In the afternoons, of course we’re exploring, further exploring different methods, different approaches for the practice of shamatha and on into mahamudra. All such methods, including the theories that go along with them to illuminate the methods, are all answers to a question. And what is the question? I think that is for each of us to determine. There is not a right question. But what is the question? In a way, all the teachings I’m transmitting here, passing on, are responses to a question. What is the question?

[01:11] It’s kind of quite classic actually for those of you that received empowerment, you know, that in classic empowerment when you come to the eastern gate of the mandala and you’re gazing at the central deity, in the middle of the mandala, the [non-English speech 01:24], to recall the central deity causal to you, and you kind of basically come knocking on the door, do you remember? Anybody received an empowerment before? What does the central deity ask? [answers] “What is your wish?” “What is it that you wish, my children?” [jokingly] Yeah, what [do] you want? [laughter] He just came right in the door: What [do] you want? I mean, he said it nicely, but in American English: What [do] you want? [laughter]

[01:54] And so you are all here. Some people are listening by podcast. What do you want? Simple question. And this is not a quiz, like do you want the right thing, it is what you want, what you really want. Right? And how badly do you want it. ‘Cause if you don’t really want, then there is no reason to have an answer. If you come to the palace and the deity says: “What do you want?” [jokingly] “Oh, I’m not quite sure…” [laughter] “Keep going! Keep going!”, you know? “Have a nice day! Why did you knock for?”, you know? So, I think we need to know, each of us individually needs to know. What do you want? Now that we put in crass American English - What [do] you want? -, then we can ask: What is your heart’s desire? What is it, that truly wish for? What will really bring you happiness?

[03:03] And then as such, see this soon in your heart and something comes to mind. Then [your] teacher, your spiritual friend and so forth, then they may ask: “Oh, can I help?” But if your answer is: “Oh, I’m not quite sure what I want”, then you probably should go home and figure out what you want. Yeah. So otherwise [there is] no reason just to talk into vacuum. I got a whole bunch of… I got a bag of tricks here of all kinds of practices and methods I can teach but, you know, it is that what you wanted.

[03:40] So as you probably imagine by now, surmise by now, I would like to spend the next session returning to loving kindness for ourselves. Four questions, and ask them as if you’ve never asked them before. Don’t go for any rote answer. And often it seems like we’re kind into dialog, that is our very conscious mind, where we live, where we identify ourselves, it seems like we’re often in dialog with the deepest dimension, our ground awareness, our Buddha nature. And so, from your conscious mind you may ask your heart: What is it you desire? Right? And how do you like to realize it? What is your strategy? What’s your plan? What’s your plan. Ok? So, please find a comfortable position.

[04:38] The bell rings three times.

[05:13] With a motivation of loving kindness for yourself, and the aspiration to achieve awakening for the benefit of all beings, settle your body, speech and mind in the natural state.

[07:38] Then as we arouse the luminous quality of our awareness, the source of our creativity and imagination, our ability to venture into the realm of possibilities, raise the question: What is your wish? What would truly bring you happiness? And what is your vision of your own fulfillment?

[09:07] And thus a vision comes to mind, and imagine that you in fact have the potential to realize your vision. Imagine that potential symbolically as an orb of light at your heart, symbolizing your Buddha nature, the ultimate source of your desires, and the ultimate source of your fulfillment. And with every outbreath, arouse this aspiration of loving kindness. May it be so. May I experience such well-being. And with every outbreath imagine rays of light, brilliant, radiant white rays of light glowing out, from this orb in the center of your heart, permeating every cell of your body, saturating your entire being, clearing away all obstacles.

[11:55] And here and now imagine this to be so. Imagine realizing the fulfillment that is your heart’s desire.

[12:51] And then bring forth the second question, that is what you would love to receive from the world in order to realize such well-being, from you fellow sentient beings, from the enlightened ones, from those who are near and from those who are far. What would you love to receive to enable you to find the happiness you seek?

[14:39] Then, with each inbreath arouse the aspiration that you may indeed receive from moment to moment, day to day, year to year, lifetime to lifetime, all that you truly need, to proceed along the path, to your own fulfillment. Arouse the aspiration with each inbreath. May it be so. May I receive all that I need. And as you breathe in imagine the blessings, the kindness, the help of your fellow sentient beings and the enlightened ones, flowing in upon you in the form of light. Reality rising up to meet you, and filling your entire being with light.

[17:56] And imagine it to be so. Then we pose the third question, and that is in order to find such happiness, such well-being. How would you love to transform from within? From what would you like to be free, that which obstructs your well-being? And with what qualities would you love to be richly imbued? Those that nurture you along the path… And what kind of a person would you love to become?

[19:40] With each outbreath arouse the aspiration that it may be so. Imagine the flowing of light as before.

[21:50] And imagine here and now you becoming the person you would love to become.

[22:56] And then we pose the fourth question, in order to imbue your own life with as much meaning as possible, to bring about the greatest possible fulfillment. What would you love to offer to the world around you, to those who are near and far, in the short term and the long term?

[23:48] And with every outbreath arouse the aspiration that it may be so. And imagine a cascade of light flowing out in all directions. Imagine offering your very best to the world.

[25:08] And imagine here and now actually offering the best you can imagine.

[27:25] Then release all activities of the mind. Release your mind in the space. And rest in what remains.

[28:39] The bell rings three times.

[29:02] Olaso. That’s it. Enjoy your day!

Transcribed by Sueli Souza Martinez

Revised and edited by Rafael Carlos Giusti

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