Mindfulness, no-mind and compassion
Many times we hear those words (Mindfulness, no-mind, compassion) in “new age” spirituality, which are borrowed from Buddhism and Zen.
The interesting thing to note is that without the experience of “what is,” we are left with pretty concepts to talk about, discuss so the “I” can look knowledgeable in “spiritual matters.”
The mentality of the follower who only picks up concepts here and there, is not the inner work required to live those words.
In Information technology and the “office environment,” we could sound “very knowledgeable” if we just repeat some concepts and spit them out at every meeting.
TCO (total cost of ownership) ROI (return on investment) IaaS (infrastructure as a service) etc, etc.
All you have to do is to use those acronyms left and right to amaze those who do not know them.
When we transfer that “office mentality” into living life with joy, we will find out that “talking the talk” will not get us an “interview” or a “salary increase” with life.
The duality of mindfulness and no-mind needs to go.
To use the mind to be in the moment, focused in the moment is achieved as well when there is no mind.
No-mind may sound “illogical” but not for a follower of Zen. That concept, “no-mind” is part of their repertoire of beliefs.
Playing in the duality of mindfulness and no mind we forget about feeling, we forget about compassion.
Compassion is not something coming from mindfulness or no-mind. It comes from the heart.
Compassion is not to feel pity for another. “Oh… poor thing…” Compassion is to recognize every aspect “out there” in yourself.
Bryan has a friend who is a heavy smoker. “Albert” just turned 30 this year. Bryan mentioned to him that to be healthy is very important to enjoy life.
Albert understands that intellectually but he says: “I started smoking when I was 15 and it is very hard to quit.”
Albert threw away his cigarette after the brief talk.
The next day, he was smoking again.
Compassion could be the feeling at that point.
Bryan is able to recognize that according to Albert’s consciousness; further suffering may be needed. That is part of his path in life. Bryan recognizes that many times his understanding about his own situation in life was lacking, so suffering was needed to draw the line.
It is not a matter of “will power” alone which is a kind of suppression combined with violence to the self. It is not a matter of further “preaching.” There has to be an internal understanding and love to life and living which is beyond a concept, to be able to change ways into something different.
That change will happen naturally as the product of a new consciousness and not because of some external compulsion, fear or “black or white” law.
Compassion is not coming out of mindfulness or no mind. It is coming out of inner understanding and respect for everyone’s processes in life.
To be addicted to mental concepts without the experience of what something is, may be one of the greatest ways to increase our ego.
That may be “good” for the office world, but that is not part of learning to live life with joy. 🙂
Exploring the Depth of Living 