{"id":1966,"date":"2020-03-03T10:34:12","date_gmt":"2020-03-03T00:34:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/?page_id=1966"},"modified":"2020-03-15T12:32:38","modified_gmt":"2020-03-15T02:32:38","slug":"a-spiritual-path","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/a-spiritual-path\/","title":{"rendered":"[8] A Spiritual Path"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

My spiritual path<\/strong>, reflected on this website, consists of eight foundations or aspects:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four Realities (Causes) <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The following four realities are also four reminders<\/strong><\/em> about the true nature of life. They remind one of: (1) precious human birth, (2) impermanence and death, (3) karma and (4) the suffering of samsara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When reflected upon, these reminders help turn one’s mind away from being attached to samsaric existence, and towards the practice of dharma. (Ponlop, Dzogchen. Mind Beyond Death<\/em>. Shambhala Publications.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/strong> Precious Human Life<\/strong><\/em>: Appreciate deeply the preciousness of my human life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/strong> Impermanence and<\/strong><\/em> Death<\/strong><\/em>: Accept the impermanent and transitory nature of all life \u2013 and that death can unexpectedly<\/em> occur at any time during any given day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/strong> Karma<\/strong><\/em>: Understand the nature of causality \u2013 how cause and effect unfailingly work throughout one\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/strong> Suffering<\/strong><\/em>: Recognize that life in this world is inherently unsatisfactory with its pain, suffering, and dissatisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four Outcomes (Effects)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The four reminders may be followed by four spiritual aspirations or outcomes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/strong> Preciousness of human life inspires appreciation and love: to have equal love for all beings<\/strong><\/em>, not swayed by attachment or aversion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/strong> Impermanence and death prompts urgency: to be prepared for dying and death<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/strong> Cause and effect elicits personal responsibility: to practice responsible stewardship in all of life<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/strong>\u00a0Inherently unsatisfactory worldly life motivates seeking a higher vision:\u00a0to find and earnestly embark on a genuine spiritual path<\/strong><\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Embarking on a spiritual path will entail certain practices to achieve a state of full enlightenment or awakening. (The specific nature of these practices will vary depending on one’s faith tradition.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four Realities (Causes)<\/strong><\/td>Four Outcomes (Effects)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
[1] A Precious Human Life<\/td>[5] Equal Love for All Beings

Spiritual<\/span> Practice<\/span>:
Taking Refuge
Altruistic Love and Compassion<\/td><\/tr>
[2] Impermanence and Death<\/td>[6] Prepared for Dying and Death

Spiritual<\/span> Practice<\/span>:
Purification<\/td><\/tr>
[3] Karma<\/td>[7] Responsible Stewardship in Life

Spiritual<\/span> Practice<\/span>:
Merit and Wisdom<\/td><\/tr>
[4] Suffering<\/td>[8] A Spiritual Path

Spiritual<\/span> Practice<\/span>:
The Spiritual Master
<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Reflection:
Human life is precious, with great potential. But it is impermanent and full of dissatisfaction. So we must take full advantage of it by spiritual training now.
(Tulku Thondup) <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\"Facebook\"<\/a>\"twitter\"<\/a>\"reddit\"<\/a>\"pinterest\"<\/a>\"linkedin\"<\/a>\"mail\"<\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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