There is no inherent awakening power in cultural forms that have become dissociated from the wisdom and practicality that gave birth to them. They turn into illusions themselves and become part of the drama of religious culture. Although they can make us happy temporarily, they can't free us from suffering, so at some point, they become a source of disappointment and discouragement. Eventually, these forms may inspire nothing more than resistance to their authority.
Interpretation
Cultural forms lose their power when disconnected from their original wisdom, leading to temporary happiness but eventual disappointment.
This quote by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche explores the idea that cultural practices and beliefs can start with deep wisdom and practicality but can become diluted and disconnected over time. While they may bring temporary joy, they ultimately fail to alleviate deeper suffering and can even become sources of frustration and resistance, highlighting the importance of staying connected to the original intent and wisdom behind such forms.
In practice
In a lecture about the impact of culture on spirituality, this quote could illustrate the need for authentic connections to wisdom.
To discover your real questions, simply take a time-out. Stop looking ahead of yourself at where you’re going or backward at where you’ve been. When you do stop, there’s a sense of going nowhere. There’s a sense of gap, which is a tremendous relief. You can simply breathe and be who you are.
The true opponent in a debate on emptiness is your own ego.
Sometimes we are too polite with our suffering and allow it to dominate our life.
It is not about how much you give, it is about how much you can let go with your mind.
It is all up to us. We are the ones who have to keep looking at our thoughts, looking for the nature of our mind. there is nobody else in control of our lives, our experiences, our freedom or our bondage.
There is no emptiness without appearance, and there is no appearance without emptiness. That is what we call the interdependent nature.
She began framing the words of her telegram into a senseless singsong; so that several park keepers looked at her with suspicion and were only brought to a favourable opinion of her sanity by noticing the pearl necklace which she wore.
People felt themselves watching him even before they knew that there was anything different about him. His eyes made a person think that he heard things that no one else had ever heard, that he knew things no one had ever guessed before. He did not seem quite human.
My soul is not contained within the limits of my body; my body is contained within the limitlessness of my soul.
Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time.
When you go deeply into the present, gratitude arises spontaneously, even if it's just gratitude for breathing, gratitude for the aliveness that you feel in your body. Gratitude is there when you acknowledge the aliveness of the present moment.
Order and reason, beauty and benevolence, are characteristics and conceptions which we find solely associated with the mind of man.
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