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The Dharma Compass

  • Dec 5, 2024
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jan 12, 2025

The dharma compass is a reality-mind-body energy flow chart of an individual, moment by moment.


How do we see ourselves?


Moment by moment, our view of the world and of ourselves is either clear or distorted. Based on this view, our mentation (mental activity or action) is also either clear and sovereign (the first type of mentation) or distorted (the second type of mentation). When we sincerely wish to see the world and ourselves more clearly, we engage in aspirational mentation, which is the third type of mentation.


What would we like to experience?


As a result of our view of ourselves and the world, and our subsequent mental activity, the physical events of our lives take shape. These physical events fall into two primary zones, that of sustainability (sovereign or inspired) or that of dissipation (unreliable or nihilistic). It is obvious which types of events we prefer to experience.


What is the point of this practice?


As we put into practice the principles of dharma, and experience the benefits of doing so, our sincere appreciation for dharma teachers naturally emerges and deepens. Whether we believe the realm and experience of revelation is even real or possible, upon dedicated investigation, we realize that the dharma comes into our lives in no other way than through individual discoverers who confess to direct, visceral experiences of a revelatory nature. Even so, the uniqueness and preciousness of dharma lineages lies in the fact that while the great masters attest personally to transcendent discovery, they still do not impose the behavior models associated with their discoveries upon us in an unsolicited fashion. Rather, the humbly invite us and encourage us to test for ourselves whether or not the cultivation of clear view does, in fact, systematically and irrefutably produce a more meaningful, purposeful, and inspired life.


Terms Defined


Bodhicitta

Bodhicitta is a Sanskrit word that is traditionally translated as “mind of enlightenment”. In contemporary terms, bodhicitta is a force that orients us toward complete clarity about our nature, origin, and purpose. Like a muscle, bodhicitta can be strengthened over time to be a continuous, “default” state of being.

Like “love”, bodhicitta emerges spontaneously as a result of feeling deeply connected to and identified with others. This “feeling-wish” is primarily triggered through observing our loved ones endure unnecessary pain and suffering.

Specifically, where bodhicitta differs from love is that it includes a heartfelt commitment to become capable of bringing maximum benefit to others. As the arising of bodhicitta ripens, it compels the practitioner to aspire to single-mindedly realize the truth in a direct and visceral way. 


Merit

Merit is like a “spiritual currency” that, when earned, affords us entrance into “clear view” and the ascending loop of the Dharma Compass. We accumulate merit when we perform consistent actions of body (performance), speech (expression), and mind (mentation) that reflect a clear view of reality — and are therefore of benefit to ourselves and others simultaneously. Merit is a measure of competence to serve others. Like work experience, the more merit we have, the more “job opportunities” we will receive to steward others and our environment in a significant and meaningful way.


Sovereignty

In the context of the Dharma Compass, the word “sovereignty” is specifically used to refer to the maximum evolutionary potential of a human being. When this potential becomes manifest, we call this “the fruit of the path”. Sovereignty is the permanently-established ability to continually shape one’s actions of body, speech, and mind in a manner that is securely anchored in a completely clear view of reality and that maximally serves and benefits others. The distinguishing feature of a sovereign being is a sense of identification with others and the environment as an integral part of oneself. Where we are identified, our love and effort naturally flows. This is why love and effort made to steward others are such fundamental and universal teachings – they are the necessary components required for us to manifest our full human potential.


Accompanying Memorization Exercises


  • The zone of dissipation does not inherently or eternally exist. It only comes into existence temporarily as a result of specific types of actions of body and mind.


  • The zone of sustainability does not inherently or eternally exist. It only comes into existence temporarily as a result of specific types of actions of body and mind.


  • When we know what types of actions cause/create dissipation, we are free to avoid it.


  • When we know what types of actions cause/create sustainability, we are free to reside in it.


  • If the actions of mind and body that create dissipation are absent, dissipation cannot exist.


  • If the actions of mind and body that create sustainability are absent, sustainability cannot exist.

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Maitreya.png

Homage to Maitreya

Why do I mistake us myself,

When your entire summit’s inside me,

Engineering miracles all around?

Just like your identity belongs,

Inherent within the bliss,

The love of all time and light,

Once we hung out and you killed me,

Saying, “Rock this triangle and throne!”

With explosions of gold old as I Am,

While humbling me around eternity,

Throughout all awe with you, as you,

I was still at home together everywhere,

But being here and there already,

Who moves, has, or plays with friends,

Or helps them know this happy marriage?

As one, who for fun’s sake to kiss?

For one thing, finally takes its time,

So leave forever peace to all the rest,

There’s nothing more forgotten or found,

Cause invitations extend here and wide,

Tickets to ride the light that’s always on.

The Meaning of Maitreya

one

Foundations exist in order to house that which is alive. That is, we do not live in foundations but upon them. Similarly, we are not born into our fullness by leveling ground and setting concrete endlessly. The game must be played, and the conception of oneself as a mere practitioner does simply limit the beauty and magnificence indwelling in each. Champions are not made in practice but in contest, and the brave who will decide to act out and embody the transcendent will reap the benefits of doing so and attain. Vigor is the hallmark of heroes, but those averse to intensity remain underdeveloped on account of misidentifying who it is that actually suffers when looking out into the world. It is not others whom we aim to uplift or protect but parts of ourselves.

two

None can say and stand in truth, “This is mine alone.” Everything we are – everything we can aspire to or feel we possess – has as its basis and cause the preexistence or contribution of something or someone else. Our bodies are not our own, they belong to the earth and are fed and watered by the efforts of others. Our minds are not our own, they belong to the sky and are fed and watered by the thoughts of others. We eat and think only what is available to eat and think. And in choosing, we empower and proliferate all the lives whose values have been similar. In this way, companies and brands and messages and lifestyles gain in prominence, lose potency, or fade into obscurity. We become what we actively support or passively allow and fail to rectify.

three

Each decision we make has as its motive force the desire to be most alive. We want to do what feels best, and what feels best is to give what is true. Health, clarity, and inspiration are gifts from the wise. This statement is validated by our own experience of having been recipients of such, for everything is made brighter by their entrance into our lives. The byproducts of wisdom are neither arbitrary nor relative, but tangible and universally desirable. In other words, we want to be wise. But in prioritizing comfort, we forfeit our reasons to unfold and unleash our own heroic essence, for the most inspiring action is that most intimate with pain, and who neither wishes nor is able to perform the task cannot simultaneously be called by that name.

"I slept and dreamt that life was joy.
I awoke and saw that life was service.
I acted and behold, service was joy."

—RABINDRANATH TAGORE

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