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On Wisdom
taiyaki
Veteran
"Simpo_:
Nice work
Thanks for the sharing.
I think got to emphasize (to the Readers) that realisation is more about discover the
incorrect or wrong assumption AND not about discovering a new information or fact.
For example, one cannot really say what is Non-duality. It is not even 'no-subject-object'
division . We can only point out what existence has been assumed to be .. and thus break
the assumption.. but we cannot define what it really is.
Knowldege like Non-duality, emptiness cannot be grasped at, because they will immediately
be defined (by the mind) and be turned into another concept for grasping.
The tendency of the mind is to always find some reference point and unconsciously define
it. 'What is' simply cannot be defined, but can only be known by 'what it is not.'"
This was from the book, "Who Am I."
http://awakeningtoreality.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-e-booke-journal.html
Thought I'd share because it is what we all need to hear. Especially this body/mind.
Nice work
Thanks for the sharing.
I think got to emphasize (to the Readers) that realisation is more about discover the
incorrect or wrong assumption AND not about discovering a new information or fact.
For example, one cannot really say what is Non-duality. It is not even 'no-subject-object'
division . We can only point out what existence has been assumed to be .. and thus break
the assumption.. but we cannot define what it really is.
Knowldege like Non-duality, emptiness cannot be grasped at, because they will immediately
be defined (by the mind) and be turned into another concept for grasping.
The tendency of the mind is to always find some reference point and unconsciously define
it. 'What is' simply cannot be defined, but can only be known by 'what it is not.'"
This was from the book, "Who Am I."
http://awakeningtoreality.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-e-booke-journal.html
Thought I'd share because it is what we all need to hear. Especially this body/mind.
0
Comments
The unique quality of the Buddha's way is that he so clearly saw the tendency of the human mind to reach for some basic ground, or essential reality to grasp. So he taught in a way that avoided that trap, and leads to a direct realization which he described as the absence of Dukkha. He said this is Dukkha, this it the origin of Dukkha, this is the cessation of Dukkha.
As the stream of teachings moved forward through time and spread to new places, adapting to new conditions, that pragmatic approach was not lost. In Zen Buddhism there is talk of seeing "True Nature". When taken out of the context of the Sangha, and grasped as an affirmation of an absolute unchanging reality, it can sit like a stealth concept in the practitioners mind.. But terms like "True nature" are skillful means, medicine, used by a skillful doctor, as an antidote in a students practice, not the declaration of an ontological absolute. To make such a declaration would amount to throwing a block in front of practice. (though sometimes placing a block is used).
On the other hand, the pragmatic approach of the Buddha can be misunderstood as a declaration against an absolute reality. This suits a certain contemporary mindset well, because Buddhism is then reduced to what is familiar to people who's practice will never even touch the materialist assumptions that are the ground they walk on.
IMHO ...at least as far as Zen Buddhism is concerned, avoiding falling into these extremes is hugely helped by practice with the example and guidance of a teacher, within a bricks and mortar Sangha. It is only with that disciplined "JUST DO" support that a direct realization comes in practice that cannot be bound by either the affirmation or denial of an absolute, and can only be described as Non-suffering.
... had wonderful gnocchi tonight with my sweetheart.
It is the recognition of the mind's nature to grasp for an idea which gives rise to a sense of liberation.