Volitional Impulses

A key concept in Buddhism is Dependent Arising, also known as "Dependent Origination."  Buddha is said to have called it a natural law, emphasizing seeing the nature of things as-they-are over speculation of what might have happened in the past or what might happen in the future. In other words, rather than worry about what is God, and "First Cause" (how arising and ceasing began, or even if it had a beginning), we simply accept--  and see things-- as they are now.

Things are the way they are because they are conditioned by other things. We are conditioned by other people and phenomena. Other people and phenomena are conditioned by you, we are told.  The Buddha explained, the principle of conditionality, this way:

When this is, that is.
This arising, that arises.
When this is not, that is not.
This ceasing, that ceases.

In an elaboration of the principle, the chain of causation begins with the idea we are conditioned by "volitional impulses" (defined as the act of willing, choosing, or resolving. Previously, I thought this was volatile impulses, and would say "that too.") Anyway, HHDL is teaching on this principle this weekend, and sums it up as simply seeing things as they are, aka Seeing Clearly. The Dalai Lama tells us a key factor in the teaching is realizing

Nothing Is Permanent   

His Holiness says, "Once we appreciate that fundamental disparity between appearance and reality, we gain a certain insight into the way our emotions work, and how we react to events and objects. Underlying the strong emotional responses we have to situations, we see that there is an assumption that some kind of independently existing reality exists out there. In this way, we develop an insight into the various functions of the mind and the different levels of consciousness within us. We also grow to understand that although certain types of mental or emotional states seem so real, and although objects appear to be so vivid, in reality they are mere illusions. They do not really exist in the way we think they do."

Put another way, "you" are a phenomenon of the Causal Nexis in the way a wave is a phenomenon of ocean. A wave is not a piece of the ocean, like a brick is a piece of a wall. A wave is ocean. Although a wave is a distinct phenomenon it cannot be separated from ocean in the way a brick can be taken out of a wall. When conditions cause a wave, nothing is added to ocean. When the activity of wave ceases, nothing is taken away from ocean.

The teaching of Dependent Origination connects to many other teachings, including that of karma.  Understanding of Dependent Origination is essential to understanding Buddhism, HHDL tells us.