Divine Abidings and their Perfection (Brahma-vihara)

By Bhikkhu Khantipalo

 
The way to that goal leads through what are called the Divine Abidings, which train the deep-rooted emotions from being unskillful into the skillful way of the Dhamma. As had already been emphasized (see previous articles), the aim of oneself as of all beings, is to gain happiness-producing conditions. Therefore one must act in such a way that happiness will result from one’s actions. One should, in this case, treat others as they would wish to be treated, for every living being is dear to itself, and wishes its own welfare and happiness. One cannot expect to have an isolated happiness arising from no cause or from itself, nor can happiness be expected if one maltreats other beings, human or otherwise. Every being desires life and is afraid of death, this being as true of ourselves as of other creatures.

14 – Art

by Anja Heij

 
The word Art refers to the alchemist art of transforming matter through purification from an imperfect state into a perfect one. This was done by first analysing and transforming the different elements and then mingling opposites in the right proportions. But in fact alchemy is an inner process of refining yourself: first look at all the parts of yourself, bring them into your consciousness, accept them and then mingle your male and female side into a perfect mixture. Tantra describes this as finding the inner lover. The Art card shows this integration of male and female: here the dark man and the light woman of the Lovers card (no. 6) have become one androgyne figure. Through the inner synthesis of our opposite sides we become a higher version of
ourselves.