"So the bodhisattva saves all beings, not by preaching sermons to them, but by showing them that they are delivered, they are liberated, by the act of not being able to stop changing"
- Alan Watts
About this Quote
In this quote, Alan Watts presents a profound insight into the principle of liberation through the lens of Buddhist philosophy. The term "bodhisattva" refers to an informed being who has picked to bypass personal nirvana in order to help others accomplish liberation. Watts proposes that the bodhisattva's method of saving others is not through conventional didactic methods, such as preaching sermons, however through a more subtle and experiential awareness. This awareness includes acknowledging and embracing the inherent quality of modification that permeates all elements of existence.
The phrase "they are provided, they are liberated, by the act of not being able to stop changing" recommends that real freedom comes not from withstanding or stopping the natural flow of change, but from accepting and flowing with it. This viewpoint aligns with the core Buddhist principle of impermanence (anicca), highlighting that whatever in life is transient and continuously developing. By comprehending and accepting this ceaseless improvement, people can let go of accessories and hostilities that cause suffering.
Watts seems to communicate that freedom is not an external accomplishment enforced upon individuals by sermons or teachings, however an internal awakening to the reality of consistent modification. It is an awareness that flexibility lies in the capability to adjust and welcome life's flux rather than clinging to fixed notions of self, identity, or presence.
The quote highlights the transformative power of viewpoint. By shifting how we see modification-- from a fearful unidentified to a liberating chance-- we can achieve a state of peace and contentment. Thus, the bodhisattva guides others not by instructing them on what to think, but by exhibiting and helping with an awakening to this truth, showing that freedom is currently present in the approval of life's ever-changing nature. This understanding provides a path to enlightenment that is deeply personal and intrinsically harmonious with the essence of being.
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