Tagged: comparison
Always short of words
Life cannot be explained through words.
Any attempt to explain it becomes only a limited perspective.
“Seekers” embrace different belief systems with the attempt to explain Life: “After you die, your spirit will continue on…” That is one belief which will separate into other beliefs: You will either go to heaven or hell OR you will take birth again in another body. But there are many other alternatives. Then, the confused “seeker” will want to know the “truth.” What is the “truth”?
Whatever it is, it cannot be explained through language without using our conditioned mind and limited experiences to make sense of something completely new. Thus, be aware that many times all we get are just mental speculations until we experience the experience ourselves.
Let us say that we live in the 1600. We see a supersonic fighting plane in our dreams.
Observe that anyway we explain the dream, it will be short from the truth. We could say something like: “I dreamt about a very fast flying object.” I cannot say “plane” for that label is not yet known. My description will be very lame.
What material is the plane made of? How fast does it fly on the sky? What sort of engine it uses? I saw something but I don’t know much about it. I can only use my limited past experience to explain something new. However, if someone else had the same dream, little words will suffice for mutual understanding.
The same concept applies with any explanation that individuals have about Life and the afterlife or the spirit world, etc. They may have experienced things but in the language that they use to transmit their experiences to others; there is plenty of inaccuracies and assumptions.
Therefore, any explanation of the unknown, is limited by knowable terms.
It is said that Gautama Buddha was silent when someone asked him about God. What was the general interpretation?
“Buddha does not know God. Buddha is an atheist, that is why he is silent.” However, I can see know his compassion. Silence is the alternative to an amicable lie.
Similarly, a state of being which hasn’t been experienced, cannot be understood intellectually through words. For instance, the use of comparisons is typical in our society. Our language thrives through the use of comparisons, without them we could not understand properly what someone means.
A self-realized individual does not compare with others. His BEING does not depend on the duality of higher/lower than, but yet when using language to make a point, a comparison may need to be used.
What is the general misinterpretation? A person cannot be self-realized if he is comparing. People driven by the mind, typically judge based on language alone. “He said this, therefore; he IS like that.”
Any knowing that is worthwhile in Life, is not reflected in just words. Look beyond the words. The mystery of Life is not meant to be explained through belief systems. None of them could have “truth” when our dualistic language cannot allow it. The mystery of Life is meant to be lived, experienced and that “knowing” cannot be transmitted to another. It has to be lived, experienced to be understood.
In our society to “re-invent the wheel” is considered to be a waste of time and resources. However, in Life; that is the way to legitimately know. 🙂
Enjoyment with intensity
Ananda was looking at the spectacular display of “natural” lights on a late afternoon during the summer.
The sky was displaying a unique palette, which no human artist could ever imitate.
As night was approaching, those colors were displaying different hues with such intensity that anyone could feel the liveliness of that moment.
The clouds were displaying unique, fashionable shapes thanks to the doings of a graceful, cooling breeze blowing from the east, which combined with the whole Totality of that moment, gave the seer a unique perspective on the art of appreciation.
Ananda realized that as long as he had no thoughts in his mind from past or future, he was able to enjoy.
As that moment became all there was, the idea of having a “seer” (Ananda) separating himself from that which was seen, did not exist.
That is called integration.
Nevertheless, because Ananda is able to describe all of these details, there had to be an observer observing. That is the sense of self.
As that “self” dilutes, enjoyment naturally appears and with that, the intensity and brightness of the moment enhances the experience of being part of all.
The understanding through an experience is extraordinary, because if we ever thought that “ego” was “bad,” now we could see that it is not.
Ego is merely not allowing a different experience, which is to be integrated with all.
Happiness does not reside in manifesting ego, although; there could be moments of happiness in that consciousness… 🙂
A pond could be a source of great joy for some who do not know about the Ocean or a Lake.
It is relative to our consciousness.
That is why, the art of enjoyment is not related with comparisons. It is not related with having things or being in the “right” circumstance.
It could be in being… nothing.
Becoming “better.”
In the Spiritual circles, there is an idea about “becoming better” that is, “ascending,” reaching a higher level, etc.
This belief has originated by applying the ways of our human society into something, which is not related with the logic of “pros and cons.”
In fact, we are always becoming. But becoming “better” implies a comparison as if our current state was a finished product.
We cannot compare. That is an illusion.
Spike is not a better dog than Oggy. Neither “I am better now” than before… for that “before” was a necessary component for the one we could be today.
Life is a continuous. It is not dissected into time slots.
In the “real” human world, we believe that we become “better” by acquiring things: A degree, a license, a certificate, a diploma, a house, a plane, etc.
In the reality of consciousness, it is the opposite. As we become empty of “things” in our head and feelings, we could be “clean,” “pristine,” etc.
This obviously does not mean to be “better.” It is just to experience another state of being.
For example, if we watch the moon; Could we say that the moon is “better” when it is a full moon?
No. The different phases of the moon are interrelated and one phase will bring another.
But the human mind has been conditioned to compare. It is that comparison which does not allow our minds to enjoy the “moment” or the experience of being.
There is always something else to “achieve.” 🙂
When we take that mentality into a spiritual path, that conditioning will bring a greater ego.
Don’t you want to go to “Paradise” because it is “better”?
Don’t you want to “achieve” that?
Wouldn’t you like to possess the title of “a chosen one”?
Ego.
That is why, it is relevant to look at the mind, our conditioning, our beliefs, our ideas.
There cannot be a different consciousness “magically.” We need to be aware for that to happen.
The steps of the spiritual walker are meant to stop in the lonely valley, by the lake of experiences so he can look at himself in that reflection.
The form of that reflection appears in complete solitude.
Looking deeply at “yourself” is not something that everyone is prepared to do. Paradoxically, most will run away from themselves, immediately looking for the comforts of ‘mainstream.’
In life we are learning different things.
Life will give us a time to learn and change. Once that time has elapsed; the Drama of life will move on whether we have changed or not.
If we have not, we will experience the consequences of not flowing with the call of time.
We will suffer.
But that suffering is in itself a way to dissolve the heavy self, so the experience cannot be “bad,” but necessary.
Some may say: “But it is “better” not to suffer…”
Now we could see that “better” is an illusion… a “nice” word… 🙂
There is an experience. Different experiences. All necessary.
Ego-less appreciation
“Subtle awareness of the truth of the universe should not be regarded as an achievement. To think in terms of achieving it is to place it outside your own nature. This is erroneous and misleading. Your nature and the integral nature of the universe are one and the same: indescribable, but eternally present. Simply open yourself to this.”
Hua Hu Ching CH 24
There is spirituality in the consciousness of achievement. That consciousness implies the separation of “I” and the moment, the now.
For example, “I” need to conquer lust. “I” need to become perfect. “I” must destroy evil , etc.
The above are examples expressing 2 things:
1) The awareness that something is lacking, implying that separation between what “I” am now and “my” potential to be or to do something else.
2) A clear support of the “I,” the ego as the main protagonist in “my” life.
We could choose to understand any “classical” spiritual teaching under those 2 points. It is about achievement of something which is perceived as away from my current self.
The third way of looking at things is to recognize that “I” am the “Universe.” This simple view is not related with a “new age” thought or a self-imposed lie; when in reality “I” clearly see that “I” am not the “Universe.” 🙂
The main issue with human beings nowadays is this perception of separation.
Externally, that separation exists due to a perception: Different colors, different gender, different origin, different thoughts, different religions, different ideas, different beliefs….something different.
Internally, everything starts due to our lack of self-appreciation.
Because “I” don’t appreciate myself as a unique entity living in relationship with everything else; the aim of conforming to mental rigidity and mental patterns already established, becomes extremely valuable for my own “identity.”
Because “I” don’t appreciate myself, it is not worth to spend time with myself and rather occupy myself complying with what is there already, so “I” can fit in; so “I” can be part of another group.
Groups are forms of separation.
It is when appreciation exists, that “I” could relate in life without further expectations. The appreciation of my own uniqueness allows myself to appreciate the uniqueness of “others.”
In mutual appreciation, things could be as they are without the need to change them around to fit “my” vision.
The teachings: “You have to be good.” “You have to be this or that..” may wish well, but if those words are taken literally without further examination; the creation of that separation which is away from appreciation will be born.
I can appreciate a butterfly flying. It is a spontaneous appearance, almost magical. That appreciation will bring a smile, instant sunshine… That is the meaning of opening yourself to something, which does not need to be analyzed, controlled or compared.
Ego comes when there is comparison. “The butterfly that I saw yesterday was more/less ——(fill in the blank) than the one today.”
“My kid is more intelligent than …..” By doing this simply and apparently inoffensive “talk” we are creating in our minds that separation.
We are killing the appreciative moment of looking at uniqueness.
That is why, that openness is necessary to let things “in and out.”
The butterfly is there. Appreciate that. Enjoy that moment.
The thought of holding on to it is mental murder, lack of respect for a magical moment that life is allowing us to experience.
Life is meant to be enjoyed. That is, to be appreciated.
The “magic” of comparison
Comparison is one of the greatest sins. It causes suffering. It shows disrespect for others and for the self.
Comparison is a method to “boost” someone ego’s at the expense of someone else’s self-worth.
Comparison is used heavily in our analytical, dissected logical mind to show support for our thoughts.
Comparison kills love.
Spiritually speaking, comparison is a subtle devil, hidden to show that some group knows something, some group is more “elevated” than others, and someone has the “truth.”
“We are the selected ones, ““We have the truth.” Subtle comparison.
“I am happy because many people of my age cannot even run a mile.” That is not happiness at all. It is just comparison. It means, “I am happy because someone cannot accomplish what I can.”
“We are happy because we know God.” Meaning: the rest of the world does not know God. We are better than them. We have a reason to be happy.
Gyan, knowledge teaches us that there is no point in comparison. There is no happiness in comparison. We are all different and there is no way to “improve” ourselves unless we get a hold of that Ego who constantly “thinks” in terms of improving. Paradoxically there is improvement when the “I” is gone, that means when there is no one to be improved. The struggle for improvement finishes when there is no “I” to be improved.
Comparison is an ego trip, a self-consolation trip with no destination.
“You are the lucky ones, the selected ones, the few out of multimillion.” It could be true. A matter of fact perhaps, but that is not a reason to feel happy.
There is no real happiness in comparison. Happiness is not dependent on anyone or anything.
Exploring the Depth of Living 