In the Buddhist tradition, supplication is not asking something of some divine principle that exists somewhere else–upstairs in the loft. Instead, supplication is the fundamental principle of the simultaneous existence of depression and excitement. Whenever there is too much excitement, depression may become very useful. Whenever there is too much depression, some excitement may be workable and uplifting.

In the Buddhist nontheistic tradition, we don’t have to jump back and forth between depression and excitement, like a flea. We could stay on our own meditation cushion; we could simply sit and be. We could wash our dishes in the kitchen sink; we could drive our car; we could go to nine-to-five jobs–we could do all the things that we are supposed to be doing. But at the same time, we don’t have to jump back and forth anymore. We can simply stay where we are.

Where we are is what we have and what we might be, what we will be and what we have done. Everything is included. This very moment is everything.

From “The Mandala of the Siddhas,” in The Sadhana of Mahamudra: Teachings on Devotion and Crazy Wisdom, page 51.

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Chogyam Trungpa at Takstang, 1968, photographer unknown.