Lessons In Practical Buddhism - Sirimangalo.Org
Lessons In Practical Buddhism - Sirimangalo.Org
Lessons In Practical Buddhism - Sirimangalo.Org
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experience, not impersonal space-time.<br />
It is difficult to talk about reality without getting lost in<br />
philosophy or metaphysics unless one has taken the time to<br />
actually observe it first-hand. When our minds are focused<br />
on concepts and theories about external objects whose<br />
existence are only projections in the mind, there can be no<br />
end to our search for knowledge and understanding. On the<br />
other hand, when we focus on phenomenological experience,<br />
we will have little trouble coming to understand the nature of<br />
the entire universe in a relatively short time.<br />
Anyone who takes the effort to observe their experience can<br />
verify the reality of the rise and fall of the stomach; that pain<br />
and pleasure are truly real; that thoughts, emotions,<br />
judgements and decision making truly do arise and cease in<br />
the mind. These observations are truly and objectively real –<br />
the problem is not that they are difficult observations to<br />
make; the problem is that we tend to miss the importance of<br />
mundane reality in our quest for spiritual development,<br />
preferring what is mystical, magical, exciting and<br />
enchanting. We think we know our own bodies and minds<br />
too well already, and tend to look at spiritual practice as an<br />
escape from the problems of mundane experience, rather<br />
than a solution to them. Just like people with low self-esteem<br />
who deck themselves out in fine clothes and makeup,<br />
pretending to be something that they’re not, spiritual<br />
seekers of this sort merely cover up what they don’t like,<br />
rather than making any real or lasting change from within.<br />
This sort of spiritual superficiality is easy to understand,<br />
since mundane experience is disappointing on most counts –<br />
the objects of mundane experience are ephemeral and<br />
uncertain, unsatisfying and unpleasant, uncontrollable and<br />
often even unmanageable; the experience itself is fraught<br />
with partialities, judgements, identifications, fears, worries,<br />
stresses and other mental unpleasantness. The reason it is<br />
this way, however, is precisely because of our neglect, not<br />
the other way around. When one’s house is in a mess,<br />
avoiding the mess will not make it tidy. Similarly, by<br />
avoiding our mundane experiences, running away from our<br />
pain and suffering, we only make them worse through<br />
neglect. The teaching of the Buddha is not meant to help us<br />
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