Concepts are learned. They are not natural. Apart from learning they do not exist. They are not given, so they must be made. Not one of them is true, and many come from feverish imaginations, hot with hatred and distortion and born of fear. What is a concept but a thought to which its maker gives a meaning of his own? Concepts maintain the world but they can not be used to demonstrate the world is real. For all of them are made within the world, born in shadow, growing in its ways and finally "maturing" in its thoughts. They are ideas of idols, painted with the brushes of the world, which cannot make a single picture representing truth.
ACIM-T-Chapter 31: V:7:1-10
Before I get into what I really wanted to talk about today, I want to look deeply into this passage from ACIM that I shared yesterday. It will tie into our taking refuge.
Concepts are learned. They are not natural. Apart from learning they do not exist. They are not given, so they must be made.
Are we at the point where we truly see that concepts....our labelling, our naming, our words, our thoughts, our ideas, beliefs, opinions, preferences, aversions etc etc- are not a natural part of who we really are. We learned and were conditioned to perceive and think a certain way. We created theses 'signs' in our minds and failed to see beyond them. We didn't come here with them...ego made them. Though they may seem so real to us, they are not reality...simply mental formations.
Not one of them is true, and many come from feverish imaginations, hot with hatred and distortion and born of fear.
In themselves these concepts are not true. They were meant as pointers that pointed to reality but we stopped at them and failed to look at what they are pointing to. They are not truth...which is a good thing because coming from ego they are built on fear creating all kinds of negative and seemingly destructive imaginings in our head.
What is a concept but a thought to which its maker gives a meaning of his own?
They in themselves have no meaning other than what we give them. We invest the energy of belief into things that have no meaning.
Concepts maintain the world but they can not be used to demonstrate the world is real.
Though these concepts create the external world we believe is real and keep it going. The world is just an extension of thought, right? (Being that most of us are lost in our heads , its like a shared delusion and illusion). These thoughts cannot show us what is real because they are not real. To truly experience reality, we need to go beyond the concept, the pointer...to what is being pointed to.
For all of them are made within the world, born in shadow, growing in its ways and finally "maturing" in its thoughts.
How can they point to the real world when they are made in the unreal world of ego. They are like the figures in a dream ...they get bigger and bigger and apparently more and more real to us as the nightmare continues but they are not real, just dream figures.
They are ideas of idols, painted with the brushes of the world, which cannot make a single picture representing truth.
They are just ideas of the things that can save us from this nightmarish world. Seemingly offering refuge. They are created by the tools the world uses to get by, ego's tools. And the picture they create is a distorted image of reality. It not the "real" "true" picture of what is.
What am I getting at?
I awoke last night and as I lay in bed I began to think of my children and others who are seemingly taking refuge in external things, including this house of mine. I like to provide a healing place of refuge for those who need it, but I wondered...when does it stop being helpful. When does a refuge become a comfort zone trap?
What does that have to do with "concepts"?
Well is it not true that many of us take refuge in the "idea" of things, in our belief that certain things are "good" and should be sought because they make us feel good and safe? And certain things are bad and should be avoided because they make us feel anxious and unsafe? We have ideas about what is good and what is bad; what is safe and what isn't? We not only take refuge in "places" we feel safe in but in these concepts, theses beliefs, as well.
A Safe Place isn't real
Is there such thing as a "safe place" ...a specific geographical place that ...is safe? "Safe" is just a concept, and so is "place".
Yet we are constantly seeking to find a refuge, in times like this, in a particular geographical space such as a room, a house, a neighborhood or community. We seek a " safe place" in a given set of circumstances, usually in the future..."When this or that happens, it will be safe." Or in a special relationship. We learn to do this. We create this notion of a safe place in our minds and we live according to this idea.
True Refuge
True refuge, however, goes beyond a conceptual idea of a "safe place". We can find it at any time, in any place, with anyone under any given circumstance. Unlike a concept, true refuge is natural, given, true, and able to demonstrate what is real.
When I see my children seeking refuge in corners, circumstances, things, other people I watch with a heavy heart. I try to keep this home open, without judgment...as I try to keep my mind.
My children are adults now. It is no longer my place to determine what is real for them in terms of refuge....but I do ask:
Is this refuge you are seeking healthy for you and others in the long run? Will it serve your body and mind with little to know negative effect on other beings? Will it trap you in its apparent comfort? Or will you be able to leave it any time? Will it provide much needed rest for your rejuvenation or will it swallow you up?
Is this refuge you are seeking wise? Have you pondered over whether or not it is simply the "idea" of the thing that brings you to it or does it really take you to a place of true security that is not effected by the winds of external world distractions? Will you be able to find and give to Self from here...and then give to the world from here?
Is this refuge or escape?
True refuge is an internal ...non local space. It is not an escape but a pitstop to tap into the spiritual energy that allows us to go "back out there" and serve. It does not trap, like many external notions of refuge cand do, it frees. In Vietnamese Zen Buddhism this refuge is called "an cu".
The Buddha speaks of it in the Diamond Sutra. In the Plum village Video below, we are encourged by Br Phap Dung to avoid relying on our concepts and conventions but to seek the non local refuge instead. The awakened mind must arise from this non-local, internal space that is undisturbed by anything that is taking place around us. That is true refuge beyond concepts.
Hmmm!
Something to think about!
All is well!
ACIM-Chapter 31
Plum Village (November 2, 2020) The Most Reliable Refuge During Uncertain Times /Dharma Talk by Br. phap Dung/ Deer Park Monastery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=-EIvuC9tUS0
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