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25 Beautiful Cetasikas

25.1 Introduction

When we perform dana, observe sıla, apply ourselves to the development of calm
or the development of insight there is kusala citta. Kusala citta is accompanied by
sobhana (beautiful) cetasikas and these assist the citta in performing its task. When
there is kusala citta there is no attachment, aversion or ignorance, one is temporarily
free from defilements. However, after the kusala cittas have fallen away there are
bound to be akusala cittas. There are many more akusala cittas in our life than
kusala cittas.

Kusala citta does not often arise since we have accumulated so many defilements.
Each kusala citta is accompanied by non-attachment (alobha), but this quality
seems to be against our nature. We are absorbed in and infatuated with the objects
we experience through the six doors. We want pleasant objects for ourselves and it
is our nature to think of ourselves in the first place. Akusala is deeply rooted and
so long as latent tendencies have not been eradicated akusala citta is bound to arise
time and again. Even if we try not to be stingy, jealous or proud, these defilements
still arise. There is no self who has authority over the cittas which arise, cittas
are not self. When we experience a beautiful object attachment tends to arise and
when we experience an unpleasant object aversion tends to arise.

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It may seem to us that a desirable object is the fundamental cause of attachment
and an unpleasant object the fundamental cause of aversion1. However, the real
cause of akusala is not in the object which is experienced. Whether akusala citta
or kusala citta arises, depends on one’s accumulations. There can be wise attention
or unwise attention to the object, depending on conditions. When there is wise
attention to the object we see the value of kusala and we have confidence in kusala.
However, more often akusala citta arises and then there is unwise attention to
the object.

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Idols are quite specific. But your will is universal, being limit-less. And so it has no form, nor is content for its expression in the terms of form. 4Idols are limits. They are the belief that there are forms that will bring happiness, and that, by limiting, is all at-tained. "It is as if you said, "I have no need of everything. This little thing I want, and it will be as everything to me." And this must fail to satisfy, because it is your will that everything be yours. 'Decide for idols and you ask for loss. Decide for truth and everything is yours.

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Blue Cthulhu said:

Is time a constraint, or limitless?

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Perception is temporary. ⁷As an attribute of the belief in space and time, it is subject to either fear or love. ⁸Misperceptions produce fear and true perceptions foster love, but neither brings certainty because all perception varies. ⁹That is why it is not knowledge. ¹⁰True perception is the basis for knowledge, but knowing is the affirmation of truth and beyond all perceptions.

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God does not wait, for waiting implies time and He is timeless.

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solarshroomster said:

That’s very incredible if that’s the case. We are time-created pieces from an eternal sea of existence. How cool is that?!

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Very cool.

solarshroomster said:

I think the different ways we can experience time is a pretty big idea and provides new approaches to thinking about life, death, and reality at large. It is a game changer.

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solarshroomster said:

This last mushroom session I experienced made me appreciate that. After the experience, I always want to linearize when thinking about it in retrospect and can’t do anything but that anyhow… spiritual amnesia. But when I’m “there”, reality operates very differently. Can I ask you a question: doesn’t this amaze you when you experience time differently on psychedelics? What is your takeaway thoughts from that?

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syncro said:

I suppose when in doubt, if not sure something is akusala, why not choose kusala? The seeming neutral which may be close to contentment points to kusala.

Furthermore, why not choose everything as kusala, as proactive? (because we forget) Or the past comes 'round again.

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It takes great learning to understand that all things, events, encounters and circumstances are helpful. ⁶It is only to the extent to which they are helpful that any degree of reality should be accorded them in this world of illusion. ⁷The word “value” can apply to nothing else.

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