07-16-2010, 12:03 AM
From post #133 Directly realizing emptiness, the benefits in reality of...
"Because the "I" is empty of inherent existence, having genuine self-esteem is possible. If we meditate properly on emptiness, as our understanding of it deepens, our self-esteem will increase. It's the grasping at inherent existence that produces low self-esteem because our self-hatred, guilt and fears are founded upon grasping at a truly existent "I". Through analytical meditation, we discover that there is no fixed, inherently unlovable, disgusting person. Such a person cannot be found. He or she does not exist. Seeing this, we will no longer be weighted down by hating someone who doesn't exist. A tremendous feeling of freedom comes from realizing that there is no solid person here who is shameful and unworthy. Seeing this, our hearts will be light a joyful. The more we see the "I" as empty, the more we understand that we can become Buddhas and the more we progress on the path to Buddhahood. ~Tara the Liberator"
Ninth, don't expect these words alone to shift you. This just talks about what will occur if one applies themselves to the task of realizing emptiness directly. The actual work is up to each person. I personally can attest what is said here is true, in my own experience of.
"Because the "I" is empty of inherent existence, having genuine self-esteem is possible. If we meditate properly on emptiness, as our understanding of it deepens, our self-esteem will increase. It's the grasping at inherent existence that produces low self-esteem because our self-hatred, guilt and fears are founded upon grasping at a truly existent "I". Through analytical meditation, we discover that there is no fixed, inherently unlovable, disgusting person. Such a person cannot be found. He or she does not exist. Seeing this, we will no longer be weighted down by hating someone who doesn't exist. A tremendous feeling of freedom comes from realizing that there is no solid person here who is shameful and unworthy. Seeing this, our hearts will be light a joyful. The more we see the "I" as empty, the more we understand that we can become Buddhas and the more we progress on the path to Buddhahood. ~Tara the Liberator"
Ninth, don't expect these words alone to shift you. This just talks about what will occur if one applies themselves to the task of realizing emptiness directly. The actual work is up to each person. I personally can attest what is said here is true, in my own experience of.