[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Political Consciousness

[Carolyn Gimian]

Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week

October 7, 2004

POLITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS

[Editor's note: Chogyam Trungpa composed a short treatise on politics in 
Tibetan during a month-long retreat in 1972. This is an excerpt from that 
document.]

"Political consciousness" has a profound and firm meaning. Furthermore, it 
is wrong to think that "politics" means to be inspired by an attitude of 
self-deception and to think that one's shortcomings are not seen by others. 
Not only that, it is also wrong to consider politics as just the cunning 
mind that is able to skillfully protect one's own interests and defeat 
those of others....
         As for the political attitude, it is the uncorrupted awareness 
that takes pride in the dignity of human beings. Such an uncorrupted 
awareness has no need for the support of signs and conventions. Because it 
exists relaxedly in human beings, a pure, stable, unchanging trust can arise.
         Furthermore, it is not a mind of arrogance or pride. The view that 
is pushed by ambition arises from being tormented by poverty, hunger, and 
thirst. The actions of a competitive mind, that praises for the sake of 
personal gain and is envious of others, are far distant from the dignity of 
human beings. Such is the approach of wolves and crows.

         From "Political Consciousness," in THE COLLECTED WORKS OF CHOGYAM 
TRUNGPA, Volume Eight, page 419. Translated from the Tibetan by the Nalanda 
Translation Committee.

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

Of interest to our readers: All eight volumes of THE COLLECTED WORKS OF 
CHOGYAM TRUNGPA are now available. For order information and a video 
pre-view of the DVD that accompanies purchase, consult the Shambhala 
Publications website: http://shambhala.com/trungpa/

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unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.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