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Other & Self Power

In Buddhism, and probably other traditions, they talk about Other and Self Power. The Pure Land school is often used as an example of other power, and Zen of self power. In the first case, we relay on something "outside" of our human self to release us. In the second, we rely on ourselves and our own effort.

Of course, it is not as clear cut as this in any tradition.

Still, it is interesting to see how these two approaches are similar to the 1st and 2nd person relationship with Big Mind, God, Spirit.

In 1st person relationship with Big Mind, we find ourselves as the "other", that which is more than and including this human self. From here, we help the human self to transform.

In 2nd person relationship with Big Mind, we rely on something more than and different from our human self to release us.

And both seem necessary, as they remind us of in most traditions - from Buddhism to Christian mystics and Sufis. We need the effort of self power, and the grace of other power.

As Richard Baker said, awakening is an accident and practice makes us accident prone.

In the end, it is just Big Mind awakening to itself - as other power in the form of Big Mind, and as self power in the form of a human being.

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