Analysis of Experience by Madawela Punnaji, M.D. Normally, we experience existence when we think in terms of an existing experiencer experiencing the existing, object of experience. There are three parts to that experience as follows: Experiencer___Experience___Experienced (Subject) (Object) The term existence (bhava) refers to the apparent existence of the subject and the object of experience, on which are based all emotional relationships between the subject and the object. The normal paradigm is the experience of the existence of a subject and an object, and the relationship between them. It is to think that there is a subject experiencing an object cognitively and affectively. Through the vipassana meditation the meditator becomes aware of this experience as only an experience, instead of as a real existence and a relationship. This means, the existence of the subject and the object is seen as an experience only, or as a mere product of the process of perception, or of experiencing. In other words, the subject and the object are seen as creations of the mental process. This means, the process of experiencing precedes the notion of the existence of subject and object, not vise versa. This may be stated as, experience precedes existence. It is seeing that experience is the ultimate foundation of existence. This uncommon paradigm may be called the experiencing of experience which is quite different from the common paradigm of the experience of existence. This is the paradigm shift from existence to experience. When this happens, all subject/object relationships are seen as meaningless. This paradigm shift can take place only by letting go of all attachments to objects of experience, the subjectively experienced self, and all relationships, through depersonalization. This paradigm shift is the freedom from the experience of existence, and all the suffering accompanying it. This is called the cessation of existence (bhava nirodha). When this happens, all sufferings, fears, worries and anxieties come to an end. This is NIBBANA, which has been defined by the Buddha as the cessation of existence (bhava nirodho nibbanam). This cessation of existence is not a death but the freedom from the dream of existence, which is an awakening to the reality of impersonal experience. Therefore Nibbana (Nirvana) is the experience of the ultimate reality of impersonal experience. This idea may be confusing at the beginning, but it becomes clearer as one advances in meditation.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 10:50:14 +0000
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