Buddha-Nature - 11.12.09

“All of you have the Buddha-Nature,” reveals Shunyamurti, spiritual guide of the Sat Yoga Institute in Costa Rica. Depending on circumstance and setting, you might also be told you are Shiva, or you have Krishna-consciousness, or Christ-consciousness, or you’re filled with the Ru’ach HaKodesh. “All the traditions are referring to the same Truth.” But we must recognize that EVERYONE has the Buddha-Nature—not just our friends but also our enemies. And we can do that, we will be liberated. But what does having the Buddha-Nature really mean? What the Buddha-Nature means is that “we are empty of any substantial identity. Each of us is a range of potentials. At one moment, yes, we could all be a criminal and at the next moment a saint, the next moment a Buddha. We all have that full range of potential.” But, Shunyamurti mentions, “If I see you as the Buddha, that encourages that side of the potential to emerge. If I see you as a criminal, as unlikable, unlovable, unworthy, then that’s probably what you’ll show me. So do yourself a favor and see the other as the Buddha as well as offering that as a gift to the other. Because the other is empty, just as the Self is empty. But we have the highest potential—all of us. And at any moment, each of us is capable of enlightenment and liberation.” And, along with recognizing everyone’s Buddha-Nature, we must learn to live in the present because “in the present all of us are liberated at this very moment. It’s only when we create thoughts—that are opposed to liberation—that we take it away from ourselves. But it’s here, inherently, at this moment. It’s simply a choice to live in this state and not create obstacles or masks, charades of being anything other than the Buddha. And we can free ourselves now.” Recorded on the evening of Thursday, November 12, 2009.