Unexpected Freedom

Contemplating Happinessreality, believing it to be the real state of things. Then wewould have fixed that imposed limitation on awareness anddefined ourselves as just that, thereby suffering theconsequences of feeling inherently limited.There are many other examples in our lives where wefeel, ‘I must have…’ or ‘I cannot put up with that.’ Thepromise, the hope and the inspiration that is offered us inthe example of the Buddha and all his enlightened disciplesis the message that undefiled awareness is not limited. It isinherently limitless. Appamano Buddho, appamano Dhammo,appamano Sangha – ‘Limitless is the Buddha, limitless is theTruth, limitless is the Sangha.’Consider for yourself the possibility through your owninvestigation that, when you feel limited, that is how itappears to be. Just consider that – don’t simply believe it –then witness the experience of the heart and mindexpanding, and the resulting potential for living increase,with more room, more possibility. If you learn somethingfrom that, consider what happens if you keep going untilthere aren’t any limitations any more, as you have let gocompletely. To quote Ajahn Chah again, ‘If you let go a littleyou have a little peace, if you let go a lot you have a lot ofpeace, if you let go completely you have complete peace.’We take these three jewels as our refuge: the Buddha, theDhamma and the Sangha. We consciously contemplate ourtrue refuge and hold it up as of supreme value. Suffering isinevitable when we impose limitations on our hearts andminds. The Buddha was free from suffering because he hadfreed himself from all such habits. For us there is suffering –appropriately, accordingly. For us there is freedom only insmall moments.When we learn to experience suffering so that we don’tbelieve in the way it appears to be, and we endure in the way193