Fundamental Nature?

All wisdom traditions suggest that humans have two fundamental natures:

• the one with which we're all familiar; and

• the other most of us don't really consider, because it's beyond the average person's capacity to comprehend, and thus assumed to be accessible only to mystics & saints.

But Buddhist psychology provides clear, practical instructions for ordinary people to progressively approach and awaken to a qualitatively better life. Mindfulness meditation (MBSR) is a secular gateway to this potent, practical psychology, accessible to all, of any religious affiliation, the religiously unaffiliated, as well as atheists.

“… each of us is basically, fundamentally, unconditionally brilliantly sane.

… the three qualities of brilliant sanity: openness, clarity, and compassion. They are unconditional. They are our nature no matter what is going on. If we are sick or well, confused or awake, psychotic or not, we are still brilliantly sane. Whether we believe it or not, whether we feel it or not, still it is our nature.

When we can bring openness, clarity, and compassion to our experience – no matter what that experience is – then we are tapping into our basic brilliant sanity. In any moment this is possible. We can always touch our brilliant sanity. … each of us is basically, fundamentally, unconditionally brilliantly sane.

... brilliant sanity is our true nature, it shows up whenever we relax the story line that accompanies conviction.

The most important thing is that we let ourselves be as present as we can. Out of that we will have a better sense of what might be helpful right now.”

Wegela KK. “How to Be a Help Instead of a Nuisance. Practical Approaches to Giving Support, Service, and Encouragement to Others.” Shambhala, Boston, 1996.

“… it takes a bit of meditative presence to be with what is – just as it is – without being distracted by all the evaluations and comments that habitually arise about our situation. We suffer more from our stories than from the actual situation as it is.

It happens completely on its own when a human being questions, wonders, listens, and looks without getting stuck in fear. When self-concern is quiet, in abeyance, heaven and earth are open." Toni Packer