[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: The Ground of Art

[Carolyn Gimian]

Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week

July 17, 2007

THE GROUND OF ART

The practice of meditation consists of sitting practice as well as 
meditation in action in everyday life situations. This provides some 
guidance as to how to conduct your life and how to relate to a work 
of art....When a person becomes a Buddhist or a Buddhist-inspired 
person, you are already an artist; you are already a poet; you are 
already a painter; you are already a craftsman. We have to understand 
this, not only in terms of being arty, clever, resourceful or 
cunning, but in terms of the solidity [of discipline] in our life 
situation. We decide to step into the understanding that there is no 
ego, and we find that there is no maker of ego either. Such a brave 
step seems to be necessary.
         To begin with, it is necessary to emphasize this solid 
ground [of egolessness and discipline] again and again. Sometimes we 
find ourselves inspired, but we find it very difficult to be 
grounded. We have to watch our step very carefully. If things are 
presented to you in a dramatic way or a fantastic way, there is 
something else to look into. A sense of stillness, a sense of 
austerity and a sense of solidity are very important. I would like to 
present the difficult way to you first, because there is enormous 
value in that. The hinayana or basic discipline is extremely valuable 
and necessary before we go beyond.

 From "The Doha Tradition," talk twelve in the TIBETAN BUDDHIST PATH, 
Naropa Institute, July 6, 1974. Edited from an unpublished transcript.

All material by Chogyam Trungpa is copyright Diana J. Mukpo and used 
by permission.

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Carolyn Rose Gimian

Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week: teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche.
Taken from works published by Shambhala Publications,  the Archive of 
his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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