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The Three Aspects

  • Dec 5, 2024
  • 2 min read

If we're going to tread The Path, a map is necessary. The three principle aspects are both landmarks on that map, as well as practical instructions.


The Dharma encourages us to fully consider the relevance and efficacy of teachings given to us by our mentors. Unlike religious culture, it is not considered blasphemous for a teaching to be "contemporized"; it is considered the responsible and appropriate action.

Traditionally, the path is composed of three "principle aspects": renunciation, bodhicitta, and correct view (of emptiness). In modern terminology, these concepts are more clearly expressed by the words participation, stewardship, and global responsibility.

Renunciation / Participation


Renunciation simply means to live a life that is fully dedicated to and undistracted from progressing along the path. The historical Buddha demonstrated renunciation in linear terms, as a mendicant, and inspired others to do so. However, as the world becomes more complex, non-linear terms are required.


Participation invites us to consider that wherever we are, whatever we are doing, and whomever we are with, we are free to view each person and experience as a precious opportunity to deepen our practice.

Participation also means that we are free to view anyone or anything as inherently full of magical potential, a part of ourselves, and someone or something sacred to steward — and to renounce our old habits of viewing things otherwise.


Bodhicitta / Stewardship

Stewardship is the profound commitment to assist others in maximizing their evolutionary potential — and subsequently, the realization that in order to do so, we must maximize our own.


Correct View / Global Responsibility

Global responsibility naturally emerges from the recognition that any environment or object is included within and composed of other objects and environments. The existence of anything is therefore dependent upon other objects and environments. The health of one influences the health of the others.​

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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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