{"id":2031,"date":"2020-03-09T14:16:14","date_gmt":"2020-03-09T04:16:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/?page_id=2031"},"modified":"2020-03-15T18:59:30","modified_gmt":"2020-03-15T08:59:30","slug":"stage-of-study","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-study\/","title":{"rendered":"Stage of Study"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the first stage of listening to and studying the\ndharma<\/em>, we develop the prajna of understanding<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our objective is to develop a clear conceptual\nunderstanding of the entire spiritual journey<\/em> \u2013 its basis, its paths and\nstages and its final result. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We begin by studying the basic principles of dharma in\ngeneral and by familiarizing ourselves with the bardo<\/em> teachings in\nparticular. While we usually think of these activities as very easy, as something\nwe have been doing for years, as an aspect of our training, listening and\nstudying<\/em> are regarded as practice in the same way that meditation is\npractice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hearing<\/em> in this context refers to both listening to\noral teachings and studying written texts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listening<\/em> to the dharma is regarded as an art or\nskill that develops the prajna of understanding through the application of\nmindfulness<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a practice, it is important to begin this activity with a\nsense of pure intention<\/em> \u2013 the heartfelt wish that all beings, yourself\nand others, will benefit from your study. That is how to begin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, it is essential to hear the teachings with a\nnonjudgmental mind<\/em>. This means that you are truly trying to understand what\nyou are hearing. Your mind is not filled with your own opinions and\npreconceptions. The final instruction for developing this prajna is to listen\nwith a one-pointed mind, a state of attentiveness that is free from\ndistraction<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond this, it is important to simply appreciate the\nopportunity you have in a genuine way, so that the teaching touches your heart.\nThe result of applying these instructions to the activity of study is that it\nbecomes a discipline that is inseparable from meditation. Just as it does in\nmeditation practice, your mind becomes calm and focused, which naturally\nproduces a state of mental clarity. Consequently, your understanding becomes\nvery clear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this stage, your knowledge is still conceptual<\/em>.\nWhen you hear or read the words of the dharma, you understand them with\nconceptual mind. But that conceptual mind has a quality of clarity; it is not\njust your confused thoughts. Therefore, that mind has a greater power of\ninsight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this point, we have the ability to discern what is called\n\u201cright understanding,\u201d<\/em> or \u201cright view,\u201d<\/em> which broadly refers to\nseeing within our own experience the basic truths of suffering, impermanence\nand egolessness, as well as the significance of ethical conduct. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can see these truths in the display of thoughts and\nemotions that continually arise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further, we can recognize thoughts, emotions and actions as\nbeing negative or positive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of these things first become clear through developing a\nclear conceptual understanding through listening to and studying various\nteachings.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Developing the prajna of understanding<\/em> is therefore\nthe first step in learning to work with our mind and its obstacles, which in\nturn becomes the means for discovering the heart of our own buddhahood<\/em>,\nor wakefulness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Milarepa said that our knowledge at this point is like a\npatch sewn over a hole in our clothes.<\/em> Even though the patch can cover the\nhole, it never becomes one with the fabric. It always remains a foreign\nsubstance, a patch that can fall off at any time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, at this stage, the knowledge that we have accumulated so far is not one with our mindstream. Whenever doubts arise, we can apply an intellectual patch, but that does not really solve our problems or heal our suffering. Consequently, although the prajna of understanding is very beneficial, it is not final or absolute<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: Ponlop, Dzogchen. Mind Beyond Death<\/em>. Shambhala Publications. Kindle Edition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Reflection:
In the first stage of listening to and studying the dharma<\/em>, we develop the prajna of understanding<\/em>.
Our objective is to develop a clear conceptual understanding of the entire spiritual journey<\/em> \u2013 its basis, its paths and stages, and its final result.
(Dzogchen Ponlop) <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\"Facebook\"<\/a>\"twitter\"<\/a>\"reddit\"<\/a>\"pinterest\"<\/a>\"linkedin\"<\/a>\"mail\"<\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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