SOME THOUGHTS: Meditation involves acknowledging the dissatisfaction, transience and conditionality of life. These are known as the “three marks” of existence, since you’ll encounter them wherever you go. The point is to see reality and, therefore, one’s own ego (desire) in perspective. The benefits include: Attaching less importance to one’s ego-“self” Cooling emotional dissatisfaction/heat of desire Reducing overall reactiveness/vulnerability to pain Diminishing boredom with intellectual focus It enables one to accept that peace (freedom from dissatisfaction/pain) is the one worthwhile ideal, which becomes the focus of one’s intellectual/emotional (spiritual) balance. Deliberately contradicting it makes it hard to accept (without emotional pain), reducing concentration and contentedness. As all things are transient and conditional (empty), clinging brings dissatisfaction. We cannot cling to external objects/people, and neither to our “selves”. We will neither always be physically comfortable, nor always capable to enforce our standards. Therefore, we shouldn’t even attach to morality. Ego-fulfilment (both physical and spiritual) is empty, and the point is to let go so we can increase acceptance. As such, we can still enjoy fulfilment, without clinging. There is no great “answer” in life, since reality’s not concerned with our wishes. There is no universal “way of life” which can “save” humanity or end suffering. If you are compelled to prescribe/promote such a “panacea”, you are attaching to a personal standard (and to your spiritual ego). People will suffer and die, procreate, be born blind etc.. Attaching to ego increases your personal dissatisfaction. Nevertheless, it is necessary to be aware of it, in order to accept the reality you’ll experience. The ultimate “precept” is detachment (a.k.a. non-attachment/letting go). This is made easiest with basic physical comfort, and a settled conscience. Decisions made thereafter depend upon intention, not prescription, and there is no objective “right” or “wrong”. Therefore, regardless of what society holds, clinging is misguided. One of the ingredients for a more satisfied society is reduced expectations. This depends on refining our priorities, achieved by accepting reality (especially that of ego). As such, we recognise basic fulfilment as ideal, rather than the pursuit of pleasure (per se). We recognise that spiritual (intellectual/emotional) fulfilment brings deeper and more secure pleasure, especially with the awareness that (all) fulfilment is transient. Emotional volition is therefore configured to follow the ideal of peace, leading to less superficiality, addiction, personal grudges etc.. Society then recognises the act of “letting go” (through meditation) as the highest pleasure, and hence encourages persistent mindfulness. Society’s “inertia” is altered, and a new direction (priority) is faced. For example, it no longer caters to certain “excesses”, and people are less inclined to have kids. Balance at most. Life remains a personal “letting go”, rather than service to an external precept.
Posted on: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 01:11:46 +0000
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