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Aversion, Greed, Delusion
skullchin
Veteran
I heard someone say that Enlightenment is attained when aversion, greed and delusion are extinguished. Any advice on how to go about this? I think I've got alot of all three.
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Comments
There ya go, now go meditate until you realize it.
Training in concentration helps one accomplish a mind that sees the dirt clearly, first on the superficial level then deeper and deeper over time. Mindfulness training helps one see when the shirt is liable to get splattered with more dirt and how to get it clean.
So, I imagine greed as like the seagulls in the old 'Finding Nemo' movie - mine, mine, mine ,mine!, aversion as like a child who doesn't want to eat spinach, no, no, no, no, I don't wanna!! (pout) or a cat heading for the bath!
Delusion is much deeper, widespread and tougher to clearly see and deal with. It's kind of like getting someone who is right-handed to do everything they did right-handed with their left hand, tough to accomplish.
It takes a lot of determination (I will accomplish this!), strength, concentration, joyous effort, and patience.
Just sitting quietly is the place to start cuz it helps clear the mind of all the stuff that gets in the way of seeing the dirt and washing it away. Over time one adds a littel single point focus to their sitting to cultivate concentration and accomplish a very sharp and penetrating tool, the concentrated mind. Then this mind is used to sense the presence of aversion, greed, and delusion and look deeply into them - their possible causes and the conditions leading to their arising in consciousness. Finally with more training - which often means instruction and guidance from adepts who KNOW - we must develop the ability to clearly see our own delusions (tough) by using an understanding of the wisdom teachings as a reference - a kind of measuring stick. Then applying that to the mindful and mentally alert practice of observing our delusions as they arise and cultivating wisdom in place of delusions, to kind of wash the delusions from our mind. - get a really clean t-shirt.
Delusions can be tricky because they operate in the background without our knowing. Any way we find to shine a light on them, helps. The thing is, becoming more enlightened can be done even before we find an adept or without becoming expert at meditation. I say this not to disparage meditation, consulting adepts or practicing in a sangha, all noble and fulfilling paths. I say this because many people will not follow that structured a path, and they still suffer.
Loving kindness and generosity for all beings, would mean that one gives to any who are in need. Even those who do not believe as we do or have not had the opportunity to practice this noble path.
There comes a time when people can gloss over wisdom when they can see it over and over. They can turn a deaf ear to teachings because it appears so distant for them. They may feel the expectation is high. Or that it does not apply in their circumstance.
You obviously have a lot to teach. You have spent much of your life thinking about these things. When not sitting in meditation, in your everyday life, how do you relate to delusions? How do you identify them? And how do you respond to them effectively? I know sitting with these challenges can help one resolve them, so how has this helped to make your life better?
Thanks
Namaste
How do I relate to delusion? How do I identify them? How do I respond to them effectively? How has sitting with challenges made my life better?
I imagine simply sitting here and now, wherever and whenever that may be, and letting stuff happening kind of wash over and through this whatever it is I call me. As this happens circumstances, including delusions, arise in consciousness and kind of call for some action. This starts a kind of dance, a dance with circumstances. So, I generally dance with delusions, a delusion dance?
When stuff happening arises in consciousness, I kind of imagine and tell myself that most of it is probably stained by delusion. So, I've gotten used to not being too moved by stuff happening, I've kind of developed a way of staying present to what's happening in a deep state of tranquil sensitivity and just noting. I also kind of intuit a sense of disagreement when I project delusional stuff on what's happening. It's like 'what the f... was that?' ; especially when disturbing emotions arise in association with stuff happening. Then I just STOP and look very deeply at circumstances before jumping/responding/reacting.
I started sitting, literally, a long time ago. At first it was something I did separate from everything else. I went somewhere to 'SIT' today I kind of sit all the time in all positions and activity everywhere. Sitting is a well ingrained habit of body and mind, it's more like a state of being instead of a doing. So, that's how I meet and dance with stuff happening. It's also from that state of being that I'm able to vividly witness what the state of my mind is.
The Thirty-sixth of the Thirty-seven Practices of Bodhisattvas says, 'Whatever's happening, ask yourself, "What's the state of my mind?" then with mindfulness and mental alertness accomplish others' good. This is the practice of Bodhisattvas.'
That's the practice I attempt to accomplish at all times with diligence, strength, patience, and joyful effort without being attached to outcomes - I let circumstances decide outcomes, I just do the best I can from my heart with the intention of benefiting others. If it doesn't work out well I seek advice, recommendations, and corrections, make some adjustments and make other attempts. It's all an experiment.
So, in the end, I really don't know! I'm mostly just guessing.
That Thirty-sixth Practice of the Bodhisattvas is fantastic!
'Whatever is happening, ask yourself, "What's the sate of my mind?".......
I'm going to adopt that one. It's perfect!
Thanks!
For anyone who's interested, the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva can be read here:
http://www.unfetteredmind.com/translations/37.php
.
http://www.thubtenchodron.org/Commentaries/37_practices_of_bodhisattvas.html
Thank you for that. Your experience will help not only me but many others I am sure and I appreciate your well thought out response.
Namaste
Yep, it's called the noble eightfold path.
I think we've all got them.
P
The constant mental refrain, "I don't want this."
Dear friend
The Buddha laid out a path of practice, called the Eightfold Path. It is recommended to start with that.
Faith and Wisdom
Best wishes,
Abu
But if we do not have time to meditate alot, then we can use reflective reasoning to reduce these defilements.
With greed & hatred, we can reflect (think about) their dangers, harm and shortcomings.
Also, we can reflect on the benefits of their opposites, namely, non-greed, generosity & good will.
With delusion, we can develop gratitude as the antidote but reflecting upon how our life is dependent on others & interrelated with others.
In fact, we can reflect upon how our life was created by and is sustained nature. Ask ourself: "Where did my life comes from?" "Where did my legs, hands, heart, stomach, eyes, ears, brain, mind, etc, come from?" "Where do the food I eat, clothes I wear and the air I breath come from?" They come nature.
Overcoming delusion can help us alot with reducing greed & hatred.
Kind regards
DDhatu
Dear Skullchin
We all do, as long as we are trapped in samsara.
Aversion, greed and delusion are what is called the Three Poisons in Buddhism. Often times, you will see in the Buddhist paintings called The Wheel of Life, the symbology depicted as Snakes, Roosters and Pigs. These animals are drawn mouth-to-tail in a revolving circle..shown how these animals are locked in constant feeding of each other, causing unending disharmony and unhappiness.
Another definition which some may relate better to are:
Anger, Attachment and Ignorance.
It's a constant battle to uproot these three poisons because they have been so much a part of our lives. However, we do have opportunities on a daily basis to strike at it each time these "emotions" surfaces.
There's no magic or short cut to enlightenment except through practice...
best wishes
steve