RELIGION or POLITICS - Why Buddhism????? (Cont'd)

Happy new week, friends, hope yours will be as good as mine.

Now, I will continue on with the Nine Cosciousnesses. It gets more fascinating as we get deeper into the area of the 8th and 9th later. When I get through them all, you will have a very good idea as to why you are here and where you are going, with life itself.

THE FIRST SIX CONSCIOUSNESSES ARE RESPONSES TO THE EVERYDAY EXTERNAL WORLD OF PHENOMENA. THESE FUNCTIONS ARE EASILY RECOGNIZABLE AS THEY OPERATE ON THE "OUTER SURFACE" OF THE MIND. -- THAT IS, IN OUR CONSCIOUS REALM.  ASIDE FROM EXCEPTIONS SUCH SUCH AS DREAMING, IN WHICH THE SIXTH CONSCIOUSNESS OPERATES ON ITS OWN, THE FIRST SIX CONSCIOUSNESSES PERPETUALLY RESPOND TO CONSTANT INPUT FROM OUR SURROUNDINGS. BECAUSE THEY FUNCTION CONTINUOUSLY FROM ONE MOMENT TO THE NEXT, IT IS EASY TO ASSUME THAT WE POSSESS AN UNCHANGING SELF AND THAT PERHAPS THIS SELF OVERSEES AND CONTROLS THE SIX CONSCIOUSNESSES.

The function that leads us to believe in the existence of a permanent self is called the seventh consciousness. This seventh level represents the internal world, spiritual world and is the source of identity of self, operating in the name of self-preservation and expansion. It seems to correspond to the Western idea of the ego.

In reality, the self is in constant flux, changing moment to moment, as do our bodies and all other phenomena.  Because instinctively we are "attached" to the self or ego, we sense it as somehow constant.  We remember events in our lives and construct a narrative about who we are.  Without that capacity, it would be difficult to function in the world.  Attachment to this fleeting self becomes problematic, however, when we mistake it for a changeless entity and therefore stop seeking what is truly changeless and profound.

The seventh consciousness is also characterized by the ability to distinguish oneself from others, to establish a boundary between self and other.  And it is the source of the drive to preserve oneself.  Again, it would be difficult for us to function in the real world if we did not have the capacity.

OK, this is it for monday. I will finish this 7th conscousness next and then on to the incredible 8th consciousness. You''ll see. And thanks so much for visiting.     Cheers     CJ