Ahem!

This path is the path of clear vision. 

Intoxication

When we become intoxicated we become unclear, foggy, caught up in whatever it is that intoxicates us. We become sloppy and careless and our body, speech and mind are loaded guns that we play with...we are already pretty foggy, pretty stupid and ignorant...adding to it makes us drinkin' drunks.

Clear the mind, make an effort to clear the body, the mind , the speech. Stay sober, stay with your experience.

Tell the Truth and Shame the Devil

Tell the truth or vow to refrain from lies. Again the precept asks you directly, please vow to tell the truth...and more. It asks us to stop believing the lies wwe tell ourselves; the lies of the conditioned mind that we build our life on and live each day from...if you believe you are "bad" that is a lie; if you believe you are "good" that is a lie...we flip back and forth trying to protect these ideas about who we believe we are and they are at the root of not telling the truth...It's the me we hold onto and grasp that is at the bottom of the lies we live. 

No Misuse of Sexuality & Greed-Aversion

This precept is closely linked to greed & aversion; underlying the whole mess is a misunderstanding and mis use of change; everyone knows life changes but everyone misuses that understanding to go for the gusto. More to follow.

Do Not Take What is Not Given

This precept is to help us see and perhaps even confess our tendencies to take what comes into our life as a pleasure, an aggravation or for granted. Rather than be open and appreciative we tend to want something else, something more, something different, something otherwise. We become a thief when we clench down or push away what arrives in our life. Buddha knocks on the door and says come out, show up, open up, be cheerful, appreciative...look I have a gift for you...here it is...myriad things arise and fall away. We resort to thieving when we don't like what arises, what arrives as our life. There is an audio, Non Stealing. Thank you.