Now that we’ve established the basis for mind training, #2 is where the actual mind training begins:
Regard all dharmas as dreams.
“Dharma” is one of those words that’s hard to translate, because its meaning depends on context.
Note: translating from one language to another is not like decoding a message. Languages aren’t just words and grammar; they embody different cultural assumptions and distinctive ways of thinking. Meanings in the words of one language don’t always correspond 1 to 1 with words in another, and may change within their language depending on what’s going on in the sentence.
Translation is tricky work!
English is great at describing actions, objects, and visuals (despite words like pare/pear/pair driving auditory learners crazy, and tough//trough/though/ through/thorough making visual learners cry), but it’s not the best at describing inward states or ways of thinking.
Sanskrit and other ancient Asian languages have been evolving language about non-physical experiences and about observing and contemplating mental activities and experiences for thousands of years.
This means it takes mental flexibility to work with those concepts in English. We can only approximate the concepts, but with a little effort it starts making sense.
Now my explanation of “dharma” stands a chance.
On the one hand, “dharma” means “our experiences in this world and the effects they can have on us” — including the objects around us, events in our lives, and the reactions and feelings they can provoke.
On the other hand, “dharma” means “the body of learning” and implies associated concepts — lessons, learning opportunities, and written knowledge relating to inward development in the broader Asian traditions of reflection and self-knowledge.
These meanings seem antithetical in English. They’re more complementary in Sanskrit, illuminating each other rather than conflicting with each other. The experiences of the physical world provide the classroom where we get to learn and practice that body of learning. Does that make any sense?
In this aphorism, the first meaning, the one describing the grubby and challenging physical world, is the focus here.
Cougar says…
Dreams are very important. We analyze them to understand what they mean. So, while all life events are dreams (more on this later on), that doesn’t mean they’re unimportant.
That said, “don’t take life too serious. It ain’t no how permanent.” ~Pogo
People tend to get caught up in life, one drama or preoccupation or demand after another. It’s relentless and overwhelming. We want to slow down a bit and take note of what’s happening.
It’s like what Christian philosphers say about “being in, but not of, the world”.
This is our chance to pause for breath, step back a little, and let our feeling of needing that busyness (mental, physical, emotional) to loosen its grasp. You are who you are, with or without that. You can notice it, and let it ease up.
Tip: Slogans often work in pairs, so #3 will help you get back on track if #2 takes you too far in one direction.
… Coming up in future pages:
#3: examine the nature of unborn awareness
#4: let even the remedy itself drop away.
This means even examining can drop away naturally. You don’t have to quit, just let it drop away and let peace evolve naturally.
#5 rest in alaya (the way things really are, sans preconceptions and worries; thusness)
Nice contradiction to the constant niggling flurry of activity and work and doing and doing and doing!