Lessons In Practical Buddhism - Sirimangalo.Org

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