Rational Nation USA

  Far too often the ego gets in the way, sometimes with unanticipated consequences. When self-interest gets the best of compassion and reason, karma arrives to exact a sometime painful price. Attachment most often leads to suffering, understanding primordial awareness is the remedy. Aversion to things known or unknown, often limits growth and causes anger or anxiety. In a world filled with confusion and delusion, turning to the Dharma is the path to liberty and enlightenment. LC

Open Awareness (OA) is an expansive perception that promotes a resourceful state and the following qualities: Introspection – metacognitive awareness in which we can mindfully observe mental activities, emotions and somatic  experience. Outrospection – heightened awareness of others and the ways that we relate to them, which cultivates empathy and  compassion. Envirospection – broad awareness of the space around us which connects us to everything in the environment and the  cosmos. SOURCE

  Try to imagine what it’s like when this moment of empty cognizance suffused with awareness starts to last for a full hour, unbroken. The very first moment of empty cognizance already has the potential for full omniscience, as well as the potential for compassion and loving kindness – the potential ability to protect and help other beings, as well as to manifest the activity that functions for the welfare of all. All these qualities are present, but not fully manifest. The longer this duration lasts, the more the qualities become visible, actualized. They don’t just appear later on, when realization is fully experienced. When the sun rises in the morning, do we have to wait for it to shine for it to be warm and brilliant? Although the noon sun may be stronger than the dawn sun, all of its qualities are present from the very first moment, though they may not be fully manifested. It’s the same in this training. What is essential is to train in order to attain stability. Please under...