The Collected Works of Chogyam Trungpa: Volume Two: 2 by Trungpa Chogyam & Gimian Carolyn Rose

Author:Trungpa, Chogyam & Gimian, Carolyn Rose [Trungpa, Chogyam]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Published: 2010-09-28T03:00:00+00:00

TALK THREE

Path

HAVING DISCUSSED the nonexistence of the basic ground already, we will discuss the nonexistence of the path. The basic principle of shunyata at this point, as far as the path is concerned, is a process in which the style of the path does not become a solid thing anymore. According to the shunyata principle, the style of the path is that it is an unconditioned path. It allows basic openness as well as basic confusion. Because of that particular nature, openness also could be regarded as confusion on the path.

Because of confusion on the path, because the whole path is confused, bewildered, one has to learn to relate with something. The way to relate with the path is by trying to relate with something that is there, which is the idea of compassion. The definition of compassion, or karuna, is basic warmth, the absence of duality, absence of comparison, clear and uncompassionate space. Because of that uncompassionate space, there is something basically healthy about that, solid about that. That is compassion. Something is actually happening, which is the idea of compassion.

The idea of compassion in this case is being basically open, willing to relate with what’s happening in this given situation as it is. You don’t expect reassurance and you don’t expect threat. Once you are on the path it is definitely a solid thing already, and because of that there is warmth. You are finally willing to make a commitment to unknown territory. Unknown territory becomes known territory from that point of view, because it is unknown. You are taking a chance, you are willing to take a chance. That is the idea of compassion, being willing to take a chance as things develop in their own basic nature. You are willing to communicate. You are willing to take a chance.

Compassion is not being kind and loving necessarily; it is more openness. You are willing to relate with the whole process. Generally the experience of compassion is that somebody is rich and willing to give something away because of their charity. It is the idea of being charitable. You are healthy and you are going to save somebody else from an unhealthy situation. You know much more than other people do, you have more information, so you are trying to save those people from trouble. That is idiot compassion. Such compassion is based on levels: something is better than that, therefore I have the complete opportunity to do it.

The same thing could apply to dharma: somebody doesn’t know about studying dharma and I do understand the dharma. Therefore I tell somebody about the dharma and I figure I’m saving them from their confusion and ignorance. Or I have lots of money and those people don’t. Still they are good people, worth giving that money to, and because of their condition I give them money. That particular process of compassion is idiot compassion, as we mentioned. People who receive compassionate gestures from such one-sided compassionate persons should help them again in reverse because they are confused.

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