[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Basic Sanity

[Carolyn Gimian]

Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week

[Ocean of Dharma book goes on sale next week. See information below.]

April 2, 2008

BASIC SANITY

In contrast to the traditional medical model of disturbances, the 
Buddhist approach is founded on the belief that basic sanity is 
operative in all states of mind. Confusion, from this point of view, 
is two-sided: it creates a need, a demand for sanity. This hungry 
nature of confusion is very powerful and very important. The demand 
for relief or sanity that is contained in confusion is, in fact, the 
beginning point of Buddhism. That is what moved Buddha to sit beneath 
the bodhi tree twenty-five hundred years ago -- to confront his 
confusion and find its source-- after struggling vainly for seven 
year in various ascetic yogic disciplines.
             Basically, we are faced with a similar situation now in 
the West. Like Siddhartha before he became the Buddha, we are 
confused, anxious, and hungry psychologically. Despite a physically 
luxurious prosperity, there is a tremendous amount of emotional 
anxiety. This anxiety has stimulated a lot of research into various 
types of psychotherapy, drug therapy, behavior modification, and 
group therapies. From the Buddhist viewpoint, this search is evidence 
of the nature of basic sanity operating within neurosis.

 From OCEAN OF DHARMA: 365 Teachings on Living Life with Courage and 
Compassion, number 34.

*** This new book of short teachings by Chogyam Trungpa contains 
quotes from the Ocean of Dharma list serv as well as much new 
material. It is officially available as of April 8, but you can order 
your copy now at shambhala.com.


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his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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