____ is not a flaw in the system

11/17 (from notebook)


______________ is not a flaw in the system.

(Insert: pain... the election... noise... whatever.)

(The system = What Is = God)

Now, that doesn't mean "there is a purpose to everything" or "everything happens for a reason" or "it's all for the moral best." There is no explanation sometimes, and sometimes the world does not conform to what we think of as morality. It's not "all right" in a cognizable sense. It is (and is thus "perfect" in that sense) and that's all. But that is enough to lead to compassion.

There is suffering - not "imperfection" but a predicament nonetheless.

That is why the first noble truth is so important. Everything is perfect -- and yet, and yet, there is suffering, isn't there.

Anger is idolatry because it's saying God is wrong. But, anger isn't a flaw in the system either. Don't judge it -- that's inaccurate and it makes it worse.

Silence is the key.

The Sense of the Sacred arises naturally from presence. How we articulate it (God, art, Buddha-nature) is up to us.

This is what I mean by "people really are good at heart."

This came on -- this state -- by grace alone. Just popped in.

But:
- I lay the groundwork through my practice. Sowing the seeds.
- The practice enabled me to see it right away - noting "tranquility" and "clarity" - and cultivate it with skillful actions and non-actions.