Ten years of wisdom
Jeroen
Luminous beings are we, not this crude matterNetherlands Veteran
I’ve been reading Friedrich Nietzsche’s book ‘Also Sprach Zarathustra’, where the wise man of the title after living in isolation in the mountains for ten years decides to head down to where the people live to share the things he has learned.
So it put me in mind of who I was ten years ago, before I studied Buddhism, Nisargadatta, Poonjaji, and all the rest. In a way I don’t think I was that different, more impatient certainly. My mind was more full of technology, mathematics, algorithms, software design, science. It was a bit much of a burden, I needed to empty my cup. Still, the books of the wise can only change you if you believe in their truth.
Buddhism certainly made some changes, it’s truth was self evident in places. The ideas of dukkha and letting go of clinging, of living in ease and happiness, all made an impact. As did the later neo-Advaita idea that you are already That, that there is indeed no path, only the Mystery of which we are all part. I have the feeling that for my own wisdom to arrive there will need to be some further waiting for things to mature.
The things I have learnt to be wary of are directives… you have to be this, you have to find that. When wrapped up in pretty words they can be a pernicious kind of conditioning. Even in your half dreams, these can be dangerous. It is best to pay them no attention.
It’s like the Taoist saying says, the Man of Tao lets something go every day.
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On the other hand… 🪬
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anekantavada
And after ten years of wisdom...
The doctrine of manysidedness, which says “a qualified yes” to everything? Maybe so.
“I am not out to liberate anybody. You have to liberate yourself, and you are unable to do that. What I have to say will not do it. I am only interested in describing this state, in clearing away the occultation and mystification in which those people in the 'holy business' have shrouded the whole thing. Maybe I can convince you not to waste a lot of time and energy, looking for a state which does not exist except in your imagination.”
― U.G. Krishnamurti
This is the problem, Ramana’s exhortation to be quiet and enquire within is not the same as the Buddha’s encouragement to find nirvana, or the realisation that Eckhart Tolle speaks of in his book The Power of Now. All these teachers found their own way to enlightenment.
You certainly can’t mix-and-match approaches by different teachers, there is no guarantee of any compatibility of techniques or meditations. There is even no guarantee any given teachers ideal state can be reached at all, as UG mentions. It is maybe only given to rare individuals to achieve them.
All you can do is follow the meditation instructions up to the point where you are starting to experience some bliss, some insight, some hint of clarity. Then you abandon the beaten path, you let go of all your preconceptions, the teachings. You step into the unknown landscape.
For me, the moment which shows the greatest promise is awakening from sleep. I feel refreshed, cleansed, made whole again, but also often blessed. As if in unawareness I have come closest to deep meditation.
I’ve decided to pick a single book and teacher, and work with that for a more extended period. It seems to me the best way forward, to see where I am at on the spiritual path.
Considering all the spiritual books I have read and know about, Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now has been the clearest and feels the most on my wavelength for an extended study. It has enough practical material to work with, and is culturally the least encumbered.
Strangely, I have to report a lack of success… I read The Power of Now once, and found myself unable to finish it a second time. Very curious. I’m somewhat baffled.
Anyway I guess that is the end of that experiment. It seems my spirit is a lot less malleable than I thought.
Hi @Jeroen
Some unasked for advice/perspectives. All of it just IMO.
That you did the experiment is excellent, now you have more data for the internal computer to churn on.
IMO, the experiment does not prove that digging one deep well instead of many small holes is wrong - it just proves that the Power of Now is not that big well for you at this time.
I'd say, lower the bar and stay humble. Look for a deep well that inspires and that you can see yourself actually digging with determination and consistency.
I have a feeling that for you - and for me - the deep well currently is not so much very high spiritual philosophy/practice but more an actual-factual practical wholesome engagement with the world and people.
And in that engagement, if we do it in a wholesome way, spiritual insight comes by itself.
There's a song in my country that includes the lyrics: "Stay in the light and the answers will come all by themselves". IMO, we need to find activities that keep us in the light and keep us growing in positive ways.
Apologies if this was unasked for and is irritating... or just plain wrong.
Your input is very welcome @marcitko
I came across a little section of Osho yesterday that felt appropriate, he was telling a new disciple that we had within us the capability to build a spiritual heaven or a spiritual hell, that we had the choice. That by following our joy and giving it our attention and energy, we could arrive at a celebrating and a flowering, and that this was the beginning of a long pilgrimage towards God.
Perhaps that is a better path for me than to try to follow Eckharts short pointers to Being.
As one ventures along the Path, gradually opening the door of perception, one becomes increasingly aware of what lies behind it.
"Wisdom is just awareness spelt differently."
How one utilises this awareness measures the level of wisdom.
I have been a little more engaged in retrospection, and maybe I have changed more than I thought. There are many things I have let go of, like playing games, watching television series, reading endless numbers of science fiction novels, watching the news… the way I spend my time is very different now.
Lately I have even been letting go of food, first of all by listening to my body and skipping meals when I am actually not hungry. I’ve also simplified my eating patterns, relying on fruit and nuts and raw veg to keep it healthy enough to really sustain me, without being locked into “three meals a day”.
But as far as a culmination to the Ten Years of Wisdom is concerned, I’m reading fewer books of wisdom now, keeping my own counsel more, being less caught up in enthusiasms. I’m writing a few more pieces, and while I’m writing I am observing my thoughts. It’s writing as an exercise in witnessing. And occasionally I do nothing at all.
“Sitting silently, doing nothing, the spring comes and the grass grows by itself.”
— Zen saying
You mentioned ‘waiting’ in your original post. Sometimes this can be viewed as part of the journey, without waiting even being part of the equation. I’m late to join the party with this post, but I was wondering how everyone was doing. Blessings to you and all 🌸
I think ‘waiting’ eventually becomes just ‘being’. Waiting is waiting-for-something, you’re waiting for the waiting to stop. But really in a spiritual way that makes no sense. It is just enjoying the eternal now, and letting come what comes.
Everybody is either dead, dying, changing or doing well and all three.
I have a new website
mettaray.com
Dedicated to:
It strikes me that death is the ultimate deconditioning. All the old things you believed… or loved… or created, are consigned to forgetfulness eventually.
For everyone, the lamp is lit
The light shines bright
The light fades
The lamp goes dark
We each have a choice -
To live or merely exist
Peace to all