This links with the previous post on being ‘captivated’ by phantasms…do take a look if you have time.

‘Don’t be putting legs on a snake’…. is an instruction from ancient dharma teaching from the orient…

and what the dharma teachings all point towards…whether ancient or modern, eastern or western…is the same ultimate truth.

‘So does this saying imply that the truth is obscured by trying to put legs on a snake??!……….. I mean, come on! Who would do something so daft? Snakes don’t need legs or want them…who would spend their time doing something so crazy?’

Well, maybe the ancient story about the dragon, and the example from the more recent past about the guy who eventually believed in the reality of the phantasms he co-created, are examples.

But do we need to go back in time to see this behaviour enacted?
Perhaps there’s someone you know (or don’t know very well) who does this?

Believing what arises in the mind, taking the arisings to be indicating the truth… precludes investigation into their illusory nature…

Illusions vanish, thoughts and feelings come and go, snakes slither away…

but the busy and deceptive habit of ‘snake-legging’ (maybe with red wellies to fit?) never will end…

…until we see what we are up to.

Thanks to the one who sent me the dragon… and to Emily for his legs!