Footprints lead to the shore of the sea!
Beyond that point,
No trace remains.
-RUMI
he did not want us to make any images of him
he did not want us to deify him
he invited us to look inward for answers and not form a religion
he didn’t want us to believe any doctrine that wasn’t vetted through our own experience of practice
he refused to talk about what happens or not in an after life
he did not want us to write down his words and encode any doctrine
he wanted us to make time for practice
he wanted us to live simply
he wanted us to be mindful about harming other beings
I will no longer post pictures of teachers all day as a method of virtue signaling
I will not try to garnish Likes and self worth though parroting endless dharma quotes
(they are saturated and tedious by the way)
I will not hide and cover my stain in my red and white faux ngakpa robe that I haven’t passed chandali’s heat test to wear
as of today I vow to follow his heart suggestions
and recommit to what it really means to be a Buddhist
without outer guru worship
be able to question and discuss personal experience, even if contradictory- without retribution
be able to see who uses the dharma to exalt themselves at the expense of the vulnerable and broken seekers, forging slaves
to leave those who have no
real warmth of bodhicitta
kindness is my religion
inner gnosis is my path
diamond clear seeing that can cut is my dharma
those that care for others and would never, ever harm without regret are my sangha
dear One
who was so very brave to face himself completely
this morning, I vow again, to follow in your footsteps
may I be worthy
to for once now
really listen and follow your
inner light path
Dawn Boiani 