Topic: Prakriti - First Nature

[Michael]

Perhaps the most important task on the path, is to tame our nature. This is not our deep nature - it is our first reaction nature. We have the words in the west, of response, not reaction. And they are excellent words.

It is not that we try to change our nature, but that we seek to discover deeper and more fulfilling knowledge of our true nature - that is the whole game. But we have been accustomed to shooting off the first thought or feeling, and believing that is us.

This does not mean to stop spontenaiety. It is a complex practice over a very long time where we are in control, yet abandoned. First nature is a back stabber which often subverts our life and our hopes. Once we tame this spoilt brat, we see that there is a deeper nature in us, that has been quietly waiting to be recognised.

Take this forum. Try not to reply with the first thought that pops into your head. Think about it - take the person's comment away, and resist the desire to throw our whole version of reality at it like some petulant child who obsessively wants to dominate everyone and everything. Stop - let that thought pass by, then try to see what is really happening!

Ask yourself, "What is really happening here?" and don't accept an answer from your undisciplined mind. Don't seek to resolve the tension with answers - seek to penetrate into the feelings behind the words. What is he or she really wanting or trying to say?

Victory over the tyranny of our First Nature is the mark of one ready for knowledge. It is our number one lesson - and even the rishis fell foul of their first nature, so don't think you have ever defeated that one. Enough to win out against this demon's monopoly of our lives.

Unfortunately we live in cultures that admire assertive, decisive and definite action, even if it is leading us over a cliff. Instead we should admire reflection and the cultivation of managed uncertainty - when allowed by circumstances (ie not when a bus is bearing down on you), say to yourself, "I don't know." "I'm not so sure." This will help to peek behind the surface of events, the surface of ourself, the surface or our nature.

Feel the hidden pleasures and secrets of uncertainty. Know how to act in an instant, and to not act - both are skills we require.

Too often on forums, people get sucked into a donnybrook without volition - sitting ducks for any mischievous spirit who plays us like fools without discernment. Laughing they flit away leaving us in a mud hole because we just couldn't resist our First Nature.

[zenandnow]

Perhaps the most important task on the path, is to tame our nature. This is not our deep nature - it is our first reaction nature. We have the words in the west, of response, not reaction. And they are excellent words.

It is not that we try to change our nature, but that we seek to discover deeper and more fulfilling knowledge of our true nature - that is the whole game. But we have been accustomed to shooting off the first thought or feeling, and believing that is us.

Ask yourself, "What is really happening here?" and don't accept an answer from your undisciplined mind. Don't seek to resolve the tension with answers - seek to penetrate into the feelings behind the words. What is he or she really wanting or trying to say?

to be in control of our nature rather than be controlled by our nature is a useful skill to acquire. 

seeking behind the words.  your gifts offered in love.  also sometimes in frustration.

[DancingRain]

Perhaps the most important task on the path, is to tame our nature. This is not our deep nature - it is our first reaction nature. We have the words in the west, of response, not reaction. And they are excellent words.

These are excellet words    To me it gives a great example of the difference.  A chance to stalk our first reaction to figure out what our response should be.

Unfortunately we live in cultures that admire assertive, decisive and definite action, even if it is leading us over a cliff. Instead we should admire reflection and the cultivation of managed uncertainty - when allowed by circumstances (ie not when a bus is bearing down on you), say to yourself, "I don't know." "I'm not so sure." This will help to peek behind the surface of events, the surface of ourself, the surface or our nature.

Feel the hidden pleasures and secrets of uncertainty. Know how to act in an instant, and to not act - both are skills we require.

Quite a skill, not an easy on to conqure 

[Nichi]

Perhaps the most important task on the path, is to tame our nature. This is not our deep nature - it is our first reaction nature. We have the words in the west, of response, not reaction. And they are excellent words.

It is not that we try to change our nature, but that we seek to discover deeper and more fulfilling knowledge of our true nature - that is the whole game. But we have been accustomed to shooting off the first thought or feeling, and believing that is us.

This does not mean to stop spontenaiety. It is a complex practice over a very long time where we are in control, yet abandoned. First nature is a back stabber which often subverts our life and our hopes. Once we tame this spoilt brat, we see that there is a deeper nature in us, that has been quietly waiting to be recognised.

Take this forum. Try not to reply with the first thought that pops into your head. Think about it - take the person's comment away, and resist the desire to throw our whole version of reality at it like some petulant child who obsessively wants to dominate everyone and everything. Stop - let that thought pass by, then try to see what is really happening!

Ask yourself, "What is really happening here?" and don't accept an answer from your undisciplined mind. Don't seek to resolve the tension with answers - seek to penetrate into the feelings behind the words. What is he or she really wanting or trying to say?

Victory over the tyranny of our First Nature is the mark of one ready for knowledge. It is our number one lesson - and even the rishis fell foul of their first nature, so don't think you have ever defeated that one. Enough to win out against this demon's monopoly of our lives.

Unfortunately we live in cultures that admire assertive, decisive and definite action, even if it is leading us over a cliff. Instead we should admire reflection and the cultivation of managed uncertainty - when allowed by circumstances (ie not when a bus is bearing down on you), say to yourself, "I don't know." "I'm not so sure." This will help to peek behind the surface of events, the surface of ourself, the surface or our nature.

Feel the hidden pleasures and secrets of uncertainty. Know how to act in an instant, and to not act - both are skills we require.

Too often on forums, people get sucked into a donnybrook without volition - sitting ducks for any mischievous spirit who plays us like fools without discernment. Laughing they flit away leaving us in a mud hole because we just couldn't resist our First Nature.

~*~