All dharma agree at one point.

 

Spiny orb-weaver - photo by Steven Scott

          The purpose of the dharma is to liberate us from the enthrallment of our ego, thus allowing us to see the truth. Much like the stickiness of a spider's web, the ego is skilled at catching us unaware; it always prefers a comfortable dream world to reality. As Chogyam Trungpa warns, "The problem is that ego can convert anything to its own use, even spirituality. Ego is constantly attempting to acquire and apply the teachings of spirituality for its own benefit." Under the influence of ego, we may gain knowledge and perform techniques as proof of our worth and goodness. We might become constantly alert for any experience we can point to as a special sign of being right or being on the true path. Or we may use our spiritual practice as a way to avoid dealing with any kind of pain or discomfort. But as this slogan implies and Trungpa points out, for our practice to be meaningful "it must entail us giving up our hope of getting something in return."  

It is important to see that the main point of any spiritual practice is to step out of the bureaucracy of the ego. ~ Chogyam Trungpa

For more information on the nineteenth slogan, go here.

Slogan Nineteen

All dharma (teachings) agree at one point.

From the Lojong for the Layperson booklet:

            How do we evaluate ourselves or our teachers to see if the spiritual path we are on is genuine? Buddhist teachings are extensive and may seem to contradict each other, but at the root of all lineages is a solution for self-attachment. Looking outward, we shouldn't be led by popularity or spiritual trappings. Looking inward, we should not be fooled by fluctuating moods or superficial modifications. The true measure of a teacher or practitioner is how well they relinquish their preoccupation with the ego. Successful training will teach us methods to subjugate rather than glorify our obsession with the self.

Photo: Base of a bald cypress trunk.

          A local Episcopal church has a labyrinth based on the Chartres design; they open it to the public once a month for contemplative walks. Unlike a maze that has multiple paths, a labyrinth only has a single pathway to its center. However, its path curves and loops, going close to the center then moving far away. At times it may feel like you’re moving in the wrong direction or making no progress at all. I may feel the same way about my spiritual practice, doubting whether it’s leading me in the right direction. I may even wonder if I've chosen the right path at all. Is it that I've become complacent or bored, and want something more exciting? Or did I choose the practice because at the time it was in vogue and seemed entertaining? The nineteenth slogan explains that there is only one criterion we need on our evaluation sheet: Does it lessen our self-absorption? Self-centeredness is the root of suffering; an authentic spiritual practice will help dig it out.