Mindfulness is like a microscope; it is neither an offensive nor defensive weapon in relation to the germs we observe through it. The function of the microscope is just to clearly present what is there.
Interpretation
Mindfulness is about observing reality without judgment or bias, similar to how a microscope reveals details without altering them.
This quote by Chogyam Trungpa emphasizes the importance of mindfulness as a tool for observation rather than action. Like a microscope, mindfulness allows us to see our thoughts and emotions clearly without necessarily trying to change or react to them, promoting an understanding of our inner experience with clarity and acceptance.
In practice
During a meditation workshop, the instructor might use this quote to illustrate the purpose of mindfulness.
Meditation _x000D_ practice begins by sitting down and assuming your seat cross-legged on _x000D_ the ground. You begin to feel that by simply being on the spot, your _x000D_ life can become workable and even wonderful. You realize that you are _x000D_ capable of sitting like a king or queen on a throne. The regalness of _x000D_ that situation shows you the... dignity that comes from being still and _x000D_ simple.
If you must begin then go all the way, because if you begin and quit, the unfinished business you have left behind begins to haunt you all the time.
The basics teachings of Buddha are about understanding what we are, who we are, why we are. When we begin to realize what we are, who we are, why we are, then we begin to realize what we are not, who we are not, why we are not. We begin to realize that we don't have basic, substantial, solid, fundamental ground that we can exert anymore. We begin to realize that our ideas of security and our concept of freedom have been purely phantom experiences.
Warriorship does not refer to making war on others. Aggression is the source of our problems, not the solution. Warriorship is the tradition of human bravery, or the tradition of fearlessness.
Our life is an endless journey; it is like a broad highway that extends infinitely into the distance. The practice of meditation provides a vehicle to travel on that road. Our journey consists of constant ups and downs.
But again and again, we should reflect back to the darkness of the cocoon. In order to inspire ourselves forward, we must look back to see the contrast with the place we came from. You see, we cannot reject the world of the cocoon - which out which we may create a new cocoon. When we see the suffering that occured in the old cocoon, that inspires us to go forward in our journey of warriorship. It is a journey that is unfolding within us.
In each moment the fire rages, it will burn away a hundred veils. And carry you a thousand steps toward your goal.
I curled myself into a ball and cried quietly, doing that thing that only young people can do, namely, feeling sorry for myself. Once you're past thirty you lose that ability; instead of feeling sorry for yourself you turn bitter.
Reasoning draws a conclusion, but does not make the conclusion certain, unless the mind discovers it by the path of experience.
There is no room for hypocrisy. Why use bitter soup for healing when sweet water is everywhere?
Only that day dawns to which we are awake.
Nothing is more damaging to the truth than an old error.
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