Why Thought Manipulates

When we realize deeply that we are caught in illusion then things that were not apparent to us become blaring obstacles to deeper understanding and compassion towards others.  Since we are psychologically caught in a web of conditioned thought and conditioned response it is very difficult to actually see the truth of the moment.  If you align yourself  with agendas of acquisition of a physical or psychological nature then you become one who manipulates.  Because you are always seeking to further self interest either consciously or unconsciously you never realize the consequences of your actions.

This actual truth is only in the moment.  The moment is empty it does not contain your interpretations of what should be.  But you cannot possibly understand the significance of the moment if the moment is injected with the manipulations of the truth of the "actual past".  One cannot know the truth of the "actual past" because it does not exist.  It only exist as a manipulated memory.  Manipulation which becomes your interpretations of a past that no longer exist.  This is why the original is not the original unless it is in the moment.  If you are a Buddhist, are you not subject to the manipulations of Buddha's original teachings?  One can never know what Buddha actually said or wanted to impart because it has been subjected to the manipulations of ages of people with their own agenda's.  Suffice to say that Buddha probably never taught anything. (Diamond Sutra) He only wanted you to realize that you live in illusion and that realizing this with passion is the only way to be of the same mind.  Your realization must be original not affected by the past or the teachings of the so called "Masters" of the past.  People have essentially and in most cases without malice, manipulated the Buddha as well as others to conform to the superficiality of ones established system of belief.  This allows one to reconcile something that is perceived to be new with "old beliefs".  It makes what is "foreign" palatable.

What must be understood and seen in the moment within and without is that thought manipulates whatever is so that it can be reconciled with one's beliefs.  The mind holds on to its identity as the final censor in all matters that do not conform to the self that thinks it knows.  The natural outcome of this is the modification of what is so that it conforms with the illusion of self.  Your beliefs whether Buddhist or any other are the projection of  the illusion of self.  An entity that seeks continuity (the continuation of the illusion of the known) in what is, is one that cannot possibly realize the original, the new and never before.  That which is beyond "knowing".  The dynamics of the unknown, the peace and freedom of the selfless, nameless, and faceless void.