The non-dogmatic approach is characteristic of the prevailing spirit in the Eurasian Scythian-Hun zone, although nowadays the opposing materialistic influence is increasingly noticeable here as well. Peoples traditionally engaged in animal husbandry in many places still follow the spiritual path originating from ancient enlightened masters, which also shapes the spiritual and material culture.
Non-dogmatic Inner Path – Opening to the richness of reality
To perceive things as an external reality is a mistake –
— Naropa
Like dream images, devoid of true existence,
Everything arises from our own mind.
Like the unceasing flow of a great river,
Whatever you do, there is awareness –
This is the eternal awakened state,
The great bliss that leaves no room for suffering.
Our current reality is experienced as a result of habits we have built up in our consciousness. Our thoughts wander without restraint, and irritation, anger, resentment, and desire can flare up within us in a moment. However, we can change these habits, which we have created ourselves and which cause suffering. Often, we regard important things as insignificant and assign immense significance to insignificant things. We can spend our whole lives pursuing misguided goals. The teachings of the Inner Path guide us on how to open ourselves to the inexhaustible richness of reality, always present and available, an opportunity we have in every moment. Our fundamental goodness is our most important asset. Thanks to this, we can awaken from the dreamlike confusion of mind.
This is the most important thing we deal with on the Inner Path, and then our lives are based on reality. Things are resolved because the nature of mind is self-healing.
Who creates the world?
Buddha the Scythian Sage taught it this way:
We are what we think.
Everything we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts, we make the world.
To understand the non-dogmatic Inner Path, we must examine how we view this question. If we see it this way, then it follows that the wisest thing we can do with our lives is to sort out our mind. A confused, wild mind creates a dangerous world that has drifted away from reality and is filled with confusion, delusions, lies, self-deception, destructive tendencies, and habits, misery, and suffering. A clear, self-aware mind creates a pure, happy world that is close to reality.
A non-dogmatic Inner Path is all about providing methods to transform our confused mental states into a clear, manageable, blessed creative power by utilizing these turbid mental states as valuable raw material. The habits we develop in our consciousness are up to us.
Inner Journey – Firsthand Experience
On the Inner Path, there are no undisputed secrets sealed with dogma, authoritarian rigid rules, or unquestionable doctrines. No one dictates how things are or prescribes what to do. It is up to the practitioner to create their own personal path that leads to the direct, firsthand experience of reality. The essence of the non-dogmatic path is direct experience. The teachings only offer advice for the inner journey. They are road signs, indicating the way, but the traveler is left to their own discretion to decide which direction to take.
The characteristics of those traveling on the non-dogmatic Inner Path include increasing openness, acceptance, forgiveness, fearlessness, inquisitive curiosity, flexible, relaxed playfulness, joyful cheerfulness, and a sense of humor. During the journey, all these qualities merge into deepening humanity, kindness, and a sense of responsibility for the whole world.
he non-dogmatic approach also means that the practitioner sees different religions as various traditions of the Inner Path dressed in distinct costumes. Thus, they respect them equally alongside their own, while walking their own path under the guidance of their master.
The Dalai Lama expressed it this way:
In the individual context, ‘one religion, one truth’ is the criterion, but in the community context, it is ‘many religions, many truths.’ There is no contradiction between the two.
Masters of the non-dogmatic Inner Path encourage us: if you don’t believe it, investigate it! With this, they convey that we should only accept the teaching if we have thoroughly examined it and found it to be true based on our own experiences. Like an experienced goldsmith who, when buying gold, first subjects it to a thorough examination to avoid being deceived.