Tenrikyo Ofudesaki - Satisfied Only for Oneself and Only for the Present-

Since ordinarily we first approach this Teaching and these Poems from a point of view that does not know the truth of origin, the true origin of our mind, it is reasonable to assume that our motivation is self centered. That is we would like to have some need, be it one of health, or wealth, or relationship or other trouble settled to our immediate satisfaction.

Sometimes our immediate concern is settled to our satisfaction and sometimes it isn't. That has been the case of the human condition in all times and places and there is nothing new about that. Often, when our concern settles to our immediate satisfaction we go on our way and that is the end of it; or by being impressed by a positive outcome we may become active proponents of the approach that worked for us in successfully settling a particular need. Similarly, when our expectations are not immediately met we may go off and try a different approach, or redouble our efforts in an attempt to come up with a better outcome; or as also happens in many cases just give up on the expectation of ever finding a satisfactory solution. All of those options are naturally self-centered in intention and scope.

One of the frustrations and regrets of our original parental mind expressed in these Poems is the  inability of the human self-centered imagination to understand the intention of the Teaching. We think of our self in the present and our intentions are naturally centered on our self and our present concerns and interests; while on the other hand, the intention of the Teaching of the "Reason of Heaven" deals with all human minds in all times and places; for that reason finding ways of teaching that are appropriate for time, place and maturity is emphasized and modeled in the Poems.

 The seventeen books or chapters of Poems show a number of differing approaches employed across a relatively short span of time in a particular place and addressing various levels of maturity. Both the intention and the scope of the intention are beyond the comprehension of our limited self centered thinking but both become clear to any mind that returns to its origin, knows and understands the free and unlimited workings of the original parental mind as it is expressed as the point of view of a model of perfect and indiscriminate parental love.

Sure Guides: IVe