Becoming the Buddha – Diary Tuesday July 12th – Vision of the Buddha Shakyamuni and Mucalinda the Dragon King

Dear All

I will share with you a very special story in my life from long ago and a vision that manifested this morning.

Many years ago, in my early twenties, I was a member of a spiritual group. The leader, one day, in public, told the group I was the “most undeveloped” spiritually, in the group. I can tell you this came as quite a shock. I was so sure of myself and my abilities back then and the good I was doing for people. But I had no humility. I did not know how to surrender. And I was grasping. My breathing had no space. This “shift” he provided me with made me step back and take stock. I went into seclusion for several weeks. It was the best ‘shake-up’ anyone had ever given me. We all need ‘prods’ like this to wake up. The teacher told me he had said that for everyone’s benefit, not just me, and then had let go of it. He also said that if I had not reacted, and instead responded with humility and understanding then I too would have been able to let go of it at that moment and I would have revealed great wisdom to myself. Quickly. And if I reacted, then that was totally my reaction, and I would take a different path of wisdom. A longer one. Because the perception of being ‘developed or undeveloped’ was my perception alone. And I was the only one hanging on to it. This was a massive wake-up call for me.

In fact we were all evolving together. There was not a group of ‘more developed’ and ‘less developed’. I went on to become his most dedicated student. Together we performed a number of miracles after a few years. It was a divine gift he gave me.

In the big picture that is what is happening all the time to us all as a collective. We are divine gifts to each other. That is why sharing deeply is so important.

Anything we share is a gift. Whether we perceive it as ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ it is still a gift to our path.

We can choose to hold on to the past and carry it with us, or let go of it.

People and energy need space. It is a lesson we are all learning. I relished the space on my Guan Yin retreat with my family. Letting go. Being able to let go of anything, no matter what it is, to surrender, humbly, IS the blessing.

The posts we share here are an expression of who we are personally and our inspiration and co-creation. They are simple, have space and create space for us, and allow us to breathe. So when we share, allow the light to enter our hearts.

Breathe mindfully as you read.

Breathe in the Light in the Word.

Here are some humble Words.

This morning when I sat to meditate a remarkable vision arose within me.

I will share it.

The Buddha Shakyamuni rose within me and in front of me rose a white cobra, the Dragon King.

This is the story of that vision, The Mucalinda Tree

With the passing of seven days, the Gracious One, the Buddha, after arising from his meditation approached the root of the Mucalinda tree and he sat in one cross-legged posture for seven days experiencing the happiness of liberation.

Then at that time a great cloud arose out of season, bringing seven days of rainy weather, cold winds, and overcast days. Then a great king Cobra, the Dragon-King Mucalinda, came out, and coiled his body seven times around the Buddha to keep him warm and placed his hood over the Buddha’s head to protect him from the rain, thinking

“May the Gracious One not be cold, may the Gracious One not be hot, may the Gracious One not be affected by gadflies, mosquitoes, wind, the heat of the sun, and serpents.”

After seven days the rain stopped and the Dragon-King Mucalinda understood that the sky was now clear, without a cloud. After unravelling his coils from the Gracious One’s body, withdrawing his own form, and creating the appearance of a young brāhmaṇa, he stood in front of the Gracious One, revering the Buddha with raised hands.

The Buddha, having understood the significance of this, uttered this exalted saying

“Happy are they who are contented.

Happiness is for those who hear and know the truth.

Happy are they who have good will in this world towards all sentient beings. Happy are they who have no attachments and have passed beyond sense-desires.

The disappearance of the ‘I am’ , the self, is indeed the highest happiness.”

So I AM you and you are me.

We work through things together.

That is the evolution of Love and Unity.

You are ALL that Buddha under that Tree.

That is the Divine I AM Presence within you that I bow humbly to.

Rest now, take space, breathe, walk, eat, give joy.

Love and Blessings from the Source

Altair and Mother