A question about anticipation

Naturewalker

Please forgive me if this has been dealt with before, but as I begin my studies in Buddhism, one question continues to nag at me: What is the Buddhist view regarding the anticipation of a probable outcome based on past experience? Are we to view all of reality as "value neutral" (neither positive or negative, but just in existence)?

SherabDorje

I think logic would prevail in this circumstance, depending on the degree of past experience. For instance, if one has stuck one's hand on a hot stove before and been burned, it's fair to anticipate that outcome again. If there is enough past experience to reliably predict a probable outcome, then that's the probable outcome. Buddhism doesn't change that. At least on the level of conventional reality, that's how it works. If a person has been nice or mean to you before on a consistent basis, the same outcome can be expected.

Regarding the second part of your question, taken separately, physical reality is in fact "value neutral" and any value we place on a particular object depends on our relationship to it and what we expect from it. In human reality, certain occurrences or phenomena can be considered "good" to whatever degree, "bad" to whatever degree, or neutral, although there can be mixing of bad or good, such as happiness over the birth of a child but worry over how the child will be supported financially.

In general, I know of nothing in Buddhism that changes the predictiblity of one or another outcome. What changes in Buddhism (or can change) is our response to it as subjects, so as to diminish clinging and therefore diminish suffering.

Naturewalker

Thank you so much for your response. It was logical, and easy to follow. If I understand what you are saying, anticipating the future outcome of an event or association is fine - it's the attachment/aversion to those events that blind us their true reality. In other words, anticipation and even expectation are alright - it's the addiction/craving/desiring that leads to ignorance? Thank you for your patience in answering.

Jakbob

For me personally, if it is something like conventional knowledge mentioned above such as burning your hand on the stove, then that can surely be expected, but in every day life, I like to be mindful of the present and not worrying or make efforts as to what is to come later. When later comes, I will think on it then. It is very peaceful and liberating to live in the present, while not creating worry for yourself of what will be until that moment becomes now. Another reason I don't like to create anticipation is because, many things of our world are often out of our control and if we expect a certain thing and the result is not what we wanted, we will be disappointed and sad. I have found in my own experience, that when my focus is generally in the present moment, things have a tendency to turn out fine

SherabDorje

Naturewalker wrote: »

If I understand what you are saying, anticipating the future outcome of an event or association is fine - it's the attachment/aversion to those events that blind us their true reality. In other words, anticipation and even expectation are alright - it's the addiction/craving/desiring that leads to ignorance?

Yes.

Lostie

How do you differentiate skillfully betw expectation and desire?

ie I am expecting this xxx vs I am desiring this xxx.

Thanks!

SherabDorje wrote: »

Yes.

Chrysalid

Lostie wrote: »

How do you differentiate skillfully betw expectation and desire?

ie I am expecting this xxx vs I am desiring this xxx.

Thanks!

I would say expectation is simply thinking ahead, analysing the situation and computing the probable outcomes. Desire is when you have a preference for one outcome over another.

SherabDorje

Lostie wrote: »

How do you differentiate skillfully betw expectation and desire?

By applying skillful methods for examining each possibility and then attempting to avoid having a vested interest in the outcome. Something like this:

1. Calm the mind, probably through some meditative technique. 2. Examine your reaction to reflecting on the outcome of the situation. Is there a feeling of "pulling" in one direction, that one outcome might (anticipatorily) make one happy or sad, and another might have the opposite effect? Is there an emotional response that feels like attachment when one or the other outcome is imagined?

If it becomes more clear upon relaxed reflection that "I desire this particular outcome", then there you have it. If it becomes clear upon relaxed reflection that "I can accept whatever outcome arises from this", then there you have it.

If appropriate reflection on possible outcomes feel more like simple thoughts than desires, then they are simple thoughts and that's it.

Spaceless

Anticipation
According to basic law of Karma, many of the results we experience in this life are the results of actions in previous lives, and many of the actions we do in this life will only ripen in future lives- this is called long-term Karma. (Short-term Karma is that which show results within a short term of time.)

The wealth of dishonest people is the result of their generosity in past lives. Their current dishonesty is however, leaving karmic seeds for them to be cheated and to experience poverty in future lives. Likewise, the respect and authority given to cruel people is due to positive actions they did in the past. In the present, they are abusing their power, thus creating the cause for future pain. Those who die young are experiencing the result of negative actions such as killing done in past lives. However, their present kindness is planting seeds or imprints on their mindstreams for them to experience happiness in the future.

We are not karmically bound to others- there are no special people who are the one and only one for us. Since we had many past lives, we have had contact with every being sometime before. Our relationship with any particular person also changes constantly. However, past karmic connections can influence our present relationships. For example, if someone has been our spiritual mentor in a past life, we may be drawn to that person in this lifetime, and when he or she teaches us the Dharma, it may have a very strong effect on us.

Karma is not inflexibly fixed- it does not mean fate or pre-determination. Intentional actions will at some time or other produce their effects under certain conditions. Though people in their present lives are experiencing the effects of their past actions (Karma), it is possible to change or reduce the effects of these past actions through present actions, which affect the immediate future and future lives. Understanding the law of Karma helps one realise that we are whatever we make ourselves to be. Our are entirely responsible for our destiny.

Reality of Neutral Value
Kṣaṇas is the smallest unit of time, something like a nanosecond.
According to Brahma Net Sutra, a thought lasts 60 kṣaṇas. In each kṣaṇa 900 sets of arising and ceasing of mental processing take place. Only when the activities of mental processing to attain the ninth level called the Samādhi of Total Halt, also more appropriately called the Samādhi of Total Suspension of Sensory Reception and Perception, for a state of mental absorption in meditation called neutral value. It means stillness, a mental state in which one’s mind is in single-minded concentration (see vipaśyanā).

Thus, foremost in the Buddha's teachings are The 4 Noble Truths. It is in these Truths that we find the reasons and motivations for practising the Dharma.

The 1st Noble Truth: There are many dissatisfactions in our life.
The first impression people get from a statement like that is that is it is very pessimistic! It is important to note that the Buddha is not saying that there is only dissatisfaction in life. He is just describing what, precisely, is problematic.

The 2nd Noble Truth: There is a cause to these dissatisfactions.
The 2nd Noble Truth tells us about the causes of these dissatisfactions. Craving and Aversion (Greed and Hatred). It is the dissatisfaction with the present that we want to reach out for something else out of Ignorance. We are thus never truly at peace.

The 3rd Noble Truth: There is a way out of these dissatisfactions.
There is a way out of suffering- this is the reason why Buddhism exists! In Buddhism, we call this state, the complete end of suffering, Nirvana. It is the goal of all Buddhists. The next Noble Truth tell us how to reach this state,

The 4th Noble Truth: The Noble 8 Foldpath.
The 4th Noble Truth provides us with a path and teaches us what practical steps to take in order to attain Nirvana.

With metta

Naturewalker

Thank you Sea Imprint for your insightful commentary. As a newbie, I must say that I am much impressed with the amount and quality of responses that I have received. Prepare yourselves, though - because each response that I encounter seems to bring about more questions in my mind!