The mind is like a crazy monkey, which leaps about and never stays in one place. It is completely restless and constantly paranoid about its surroundings. The training, or the meditation practice, is a way to catch the monkey, to begin with. That is the starting point. Traditionally, this training is called shamatha in Sanskrit, or shi-ne in Tibetan, which means simply “the development of peace.” When we talk about the development of peace, we are not talking about cultivating a peaceful state, as such, but about simplicity.

From “Trapping the Monkey” in THE TEACUP AND THE SKULLCUP: CHOGYAM TRUNGPA ON ZEN AND TANTRA. Page 72.

Developing basic sanity is a process of working on ourselves in which the path itself rather than the attainment of a goal becomes the working basis. The path itself is what constantly inspires us, rather than, in the style of the carrot and the donkey, promises about certain achievements that lie ahead of us…. The difference between spiritual materialism and transcending spiritual materialism is that, in spiritual materialism, promises are used like a carrot held in front of a donkey, luring him into all kinds of journeys. In transcending spiritual materialism, there is no goal. The goal exists in every moment of our life situation, in every moment of our spiritual journey. In this way, the spiritual journey becomes as exciting and as beautiful as if we were buddha already. There are constant new discoveries, constant messages, and constant warnings. There is also constant cutting down, constant painful lessons — as well as pleasurable ones. The spiritual journey of transcending spiritual materialism is a complete journey rather than one that is dependent on an external goal.

From “The Trikaya,” in CRAZY WISDOM page 15.

(Source: oceanofdharma.com)

“Each living being in the universe expresses its true nature in the process of living. Working is the natural human response to being alive, our way of participating in the universe. Work allows us to make full use of our potential, to open to the infinite range of experience that lies within even the most mundane activity.”

“It is our nature as human beings to be satisfied and fulfilled. Our Work gives us the opportunity to realize this satisfaction by developing the true qualities of our nature. Our Work is the skillful expression of our total being, our means to create harmony and balance within ourselves and in the world. Through work we contribute our energy to life, investing our body, our breath, and our mind in creative activity. “

“Working is the natural human response to being alive, our way of participating in the universe. We have a responsibility to work, to exercise our talents and abilities, to contribute our energy to life. Our nature is creative, and by expressing it we constantly generate more enthusiasm and creativity, stimulating an ongoing process of enjoyment in the world around us. Working willingly, with our full energy and enthusiasm, is our way of contributing to life. Working in this way is working with skillful means…For many people today, work is losing its meaning. This dissatisfaction is not limited to certain professions, but pervades every aspect of work. This is unfortunate as work is a very effective means for learning how to find deep satisfaction in life…When we use skillful means, we directly approach our work, take immediate action to solve our problems, and uncover the strength of our natural abilities.”

-dharma publishing -http://www.dharmapublishing.com/collections/human-development/products/skillful-means-patterns-for-success-2

Skillful Means - Patterns for Success

As Tarthang Rinpoche says in the Introduction to this book “Life exacts a price for less than full participation. We lose touch with the human values and qualities that spring naturally from a full engagement with work and life: integrity, honesty, loyalty, responsibility, and cooperation.” With a strong focus in this book on awareness and working at the gut level, Rinpoche shows how change can flower on its own. A set of 19 exercises makes all of this practical and real.

ISBN 0-89800-231-1
158 pp
Audio book available on audio and Mp2 CD and for online download.

This is the darkest hour of the dark ages. Disease, famine and warfare are raging like the fierce north wind. The Buddha’s teaching has waned in strength … and the yogis of tantra are losing the insight of meditation. They spend their whole time going through villages and performing little ceremonies for material gain. On the whole, no one acts according to the highest code of discipline, meditation and wisdom. The jewellike teaching of insight is fading day by day. The Buddha’s teaching is used merely for political purposes and to draw people together socially. As a result, the blessings of spiritual energy are being lost. Even those with great devotion are beginning to lose heart….

-Sadhana on Mahamudra - Chogyam Trungpa