Contemplation of the Six Realms

The Six Realms practice furthers our understanding of the root causes of suffering, exploring in even greater depth the mind’s painful and conflicting states. Why would we want to explore at such depth? The approach is profound and is suitable for anyone who really wishes to go to the source of suffering and to find simple ways of guiding others and themselves towards its relief. Contemplation of the Six Realms also deepens and broadens the range of our compassionate concerns way beyond our normal circle of friends.

Within most ancient traditions or in most parts of the ancient world, the world is divided into different classes of realities seen and unseen by humans. Within the Buddhist construct there are Six Realms and throughout the universe any being who is alive is in one of them. These Six Realms of existence consist of the Hell Realm, the Hungry Ghost Realm, the Animal Realm, the Human Realm, the Jealous God Realm and the God Realm.  We can observe human and animal versions of these worlds play out in war zones, famine and the play grounds of the very wealthy. The Human Realm is the most suitable one in which it is possible to follow through on a spiritual path. The suffering of these realms is contemplated. The remedy offered is the one already established in Working with the Six Lights in the previous stage. By expanding our awareness of the extent of suffering in this way, we allow for the possibility of unseen fields of suffering to enter our awareness. Our compassionate aspirations little by little become vaster in perspective and this gives us a better chance to appreciate the preciousness of our human existence.