January 23, 2010
By Grant Lawrence
No matter how we have lived our lives we can "open the gates of heaven" in this very moment by changing the focus in our minds.
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"In
what realm do you now live? If you are hungry for power, love, and
self-recognition, you live in the Preta
world, or hungry ghosts. If you are motivated only by thirsts of the
human organism, you are existing in the world of the beast." Source: Buddhist Studies
Religions
generally promise some sort of reward for believing or living a certain
way. In Christianity and Islam there is a heaven or paradise promised
for the true follower. Many believe this heaven is a physical place in
which people will live in eternity in some sort of happiness or bliss.
But a previous insightful experience has pointed me to another understanding about heaven and hell.
Once
while experiencing a convulsion (the only one in my life), I had a
profound revelation. At the time, I became aware of many people around
me that had previously died. I thought in a split second that I must
surely be dying. At that point, I received a telepathic reassurance
from my former family and friends that they were not here for me, but
just wanted me to say hello to everyone.
Immediately after
coming through that experience, the idea came into my head that "You
die where you are." Obviously that was a strange thought but the idea
was clear to me.
The insight gained from that experience helped
me to understand that whatever level of consciousness a person attains
in this life would be what that person carries with them when they pass
on to the next phase of existence.
The implications were clear
to me. If a person wanted to have a better experience in the after
life, then they better be getting about to having a better
consciousness in this life.
But even if we don't except the idea
of an after life. This idea of expanding consciousness has tremendous
implications for our experience in this life.
A zen story clearly demonstrates this:
A soldier named Nobushige came to Hakuin, and asked: “Is there really a paradise and a hell?â€
“Who are you?†inquired Hakuin. “I am a samurai,†the warrior replied.
“You, a soldier!†exclaimed Hakuin. “What kind of ruler would have you as his guard? Your face looks like that of a beggar.†Nobushige became so angry that he began to draw his sword, but Hakuin continued: “So you have a sword! Your weapon is probably much too dull to cut off my head.â€
As Nobushige drew his sword Hakuin
remarked: “Here open the gates of hell!†At these words the samurai,
perceiving the master's discipline, sheathed his sword and bowed.
“Here open the gates of paradise,†said Hakuin. Source: Brave New Traveler
The
master in the parable was able to quickly show to the Samurai that
heaven or hell were real as states of mind. The master demonstrated
that we could attain a hellish state or a heavenly state within a
matter of moments depending on our emotional and spiritual focus.
The
Samurai "opened the gates of hell" by focusing on his self and his
pride. But when the Samurai opened his mind to the master and put away
that self focus, he was able to "open the gates of heaven."
The gates of heaven and hell were opened to the Samurai not only in his life time but in a matter of a few moments.
In
fact, mental and emotional states do fluctuate. But it is the level of
understanding that we come to in this life that helps determine how we
cope with difficulties and suffering. No human is able to avoid
suffering and, unfortunately, some of us are faced with terrible
difficulties in this life. Still, an awareness of our connectedness and
relatedness in this web of life and a compassion for all of life raises
our consciousness to a blessedness of being.
This blessed being
means merely that we are able to be a blessing to others and for that
we come to live in a consciousness of Love.
The Bodhisattvas,
saints, and the holy ones are blessed beings that have attained that
state of Loving consciousness that seeks to help others. They have
learned that their lives are not separate from others and they have
opened their hearts and minds to others in selfless service. They have
been able to "open the gates of heaven." In the same way, there are
numerous other beings that live with very little consideration for
others. Some even seek power and enjoyment from harming others. These
beings "open the gates of hell" by living in an illusion of 'self.' An
illusion of a separate existence, in which their self focus blinds them
to the Truth of life.
But I believe that no matter how we have
lived our lives we can "open the gates of heaven" in this very moment
by changing the focus in our minds. Obviously there will be a certain
pattern of physical and psychic activity that we have to experience
(Karma) from our past energy choices. But we can experience this Karma
with a grace of being in which our focus is no longer on ourselves but
on all of us.
This Heavenly mental habit is what will create new
patterns of energy. It will enable us to actively help others and
experience a consciousness and a life of Love.
Mental habits
have to be practiced and cultivated, but if we change our mental focus
we can "open the gates of heaven" right in this very life. Yes, even in
this very instant.
Authors Website: http://grantlawrence.blogspot.com/
Authors Bio:I work as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a School Counselor in Gallup New Mexico.
I am an advocate for Higher Consciousness as being the most peaceful and helpful way for humanity to move past present circumstances.