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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 27

A magician might conjure the illusion of a ferocious object’s good qualities. Inappropriate attention is
tiger lunging into the audience, and the audience when we think about how it will make us happy,
is frightened and crying. The magician, however, fantasize about it, again and again. If we continue to
is unmoved because he knows it is an illusion. In dwell in this way long enough, attachment will arise
ignorance, we are like a magician casting an illusion of and the illusion will be complete. We will then believe
the reality of our personal world, however we believed we can’t be happy without that object or person:
in the illusion we created! We chase attractive illusions whether it is wanting a person, a situation to go the
and run from unpleasant ones. way we want, or a diamond ring.

Why does our reality appear the way it does? So how do we cultivate appropriate attention?

Our karma causes appearances to be attractive or We can, however, interrupt the attachment scenario
unpleasant, not the things themselves. The karmic by giving appropriate attention. We can replace
appearances that come from good karma are beautiful inappropriate attention with wisdom thoughts to stop
or pleasant. Karmic appearances from negative karma attachment in its tracks. For example, we might think,
are unpleasant or frightening. But these appearances “The only reason I want to keep dating this person is
are all just like a magician’s illusions--things are not because I am so attached. This relationship is toxic
inherently beautiful or unpleasant. for me. If I break up with them, then after a while, my
attachment will naturally fade, and they will appear
When we crave something, it appears to be inherently like any other person.” Wisdom in thoughts can set us
good. Due to our ignorance, we believe our Mind has free, initiate the return of contentment, and keep our
nothing to do with making that object desirable. For mind peaceful.
example, if we become attached to a diamond ring, this
attachment ultimately arises from ignorance. Anger works the same way, only the object of anger
appears inherently unpleasant:
Attachment arises as follows:
An unpleasant object + inappropriate attention = anger
A pleasant appearing object or person + inappropriate
attention = attachment Ignorance casts the illusion that the object is inherently
unpleasant; that’s what sets anger in motion.
Something we desire manifests like an illusion, whilst Conversely, realizing that we create our reality gives us
we are the unknowing magician. For this process the freedom to create a heaven on earth.
of attachment to be set in motion, ignorance veils
the truth that we make the object appear attractive. Realizing the conventional truth of reality, that things
We never say, ‘Mind, why do you make me have high are mere perception or appearances to mind, is like the
expectations about my birthday or for my children to magician knowing his illusion isn’t real. This knowing
be successful?’ We don’t protest and think, ‘Mind, why magician remains at peace in the midst of illusion.
do you make that married woman appear so attractive? Similarly, when we understand Conventional and
Don’t do that Mind!’ Ultimate Truth, even a little, we have the flexibility in
our mind to change the way we perceive things. We
Isn’t much of our attachment due to inappropriate can choose to see a difficult situation differently. We
attention? can even come to see a challenging situation in a way
that we will feel grateful for it. When we understand
Indeed, attachment can’t arise unless we give that reality is empty of existence inherently, it becomes
inappropriate attention by dwelling on the desirable infinitely full of possibilities. EH