What rests undisturbed

A discourse on Bodhicitta

Photo: Flaubert in Stillness

“… as gold is perfectly pure by nature, so bodhicitta is by nature perfectly pure. As a Goldsmith molds gold into diverse works of art, without changing its nature, so diverse excellent qualities are manifest in bodhicitta, but in ultimate truth the bodhicitta rests undisturbed, and its nature does not change.”

—Questioning the Buddha p. 225; citation at link.

Bodhicitta is generally understood to mean "mind of awakening" or "awakened heart." It also indicates (in its relative form) compassion towards others, and loving kindness.

In it absolute form it realizes the true nature of reality.

Very recently, a friend read a piece to us which they could not give us the provenance of. It sounded strikingly like Madame de Salzmann’s words.

One of the core remarks in this particular reading was about silence, and the need to come into relationship with and to dwell in it. It was mentioned over and over again.

This reminded me of something I’ve been examining since this spring, and it’s this.

After much time carefully considering this question of silence from directly within that condition, I find “silence” is no longer a word for me to correctly bring to this particular foundation of Being.