[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: The Truth of Cessation

[Carolyn Gimian]

Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week

March 22, 2009

THE TRUTH OF CESSATION

The third noble truth that the Buddha taught is the truth of 
cessation. The truth of cessation (gokpa) is related to the concept 
of tharpa, or "liberation." In discussing the possibility of 
cessation, we should get rid of fictitious stories about how great it 
is to get there and become somebody at last. Such ideas may be 
obstacles. In relating to cessation, the question is whether we have 
to use our imagination or whether we actually can experience a sense 
of relief or freedom. The truth of the matter is, that in regard to 
cessation, imagination does not play a very important role. It does 
not help at all in getting results. The experience of cessation is 
very personal and very real, like the practice of meditation. 
Generally, however, our experiences of freedom or liberation are 
quite sparse and minute -- and when we do have an occasional glimpse 
of freedom, we try to catch it, so we lose it. But it is possible to 
extend such glimpses.

 From "Awakening and Blossoming," in THE TRUTH OF SUFFERING: and the 
Path of Liberation. Forthcoming from Shambhala Publications. 
Pre-order your copy at:

http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-668-0.cfm

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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his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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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his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
TO SUBSCRIBE visit the website at http://oceanofdharma.com
For the Chogyam Trungpa Legacy Project and the blog of Carolyn Gimian 
go to: http://ChogyamTrungpa.com


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