“….You, who are inclined to escape from the states of mundane existence, hold fast to the jewel of the spirit of awakening.” Shantideva
Mindfulness is perhaps the single most difficult task we face.
To keep ourselves always aware and focused on the now, unhindered by the myriad events and complexities of our daily lives, our past, or an imaginary future, is a state of mind that is absolutely vital if we want to escape the normal suffering of our everyday lives. S.O.E.
Perhaps it would be helpful to take a quick look at suffering. There are many types and forms of suffering in this conditional reality we live in.
There is the very real physical suffering, such as birth, illness, accidents, and death. Then, there are the more subtle forms of suffering such as disappointment, disillusionment, and dissatisfaction. Generally we don’t think of such as suffering, but upon close examination we see that it is, as it stands between us and our peace and serenity.
There are many factors that could be considered as the cause of such suffering, factors like our finances, our social circle, the leaders of our nation, etc.. However, in truth there is but one root cause for all our disappointment, disillusionment, and dissatisfaction.
That root cause is generally ignorance.
When I was a youth, I thought ignorance was the equivalent of dumb, stupid, or something wrong with an individual that could not be fixed. It wasn’t until I began to study the teaching of the enlightened, or the Bhudda Dharma, that I understood it for what it really is: “…the failure to perceive reality correctly, or as it really is.”
An examination, both of the dictionary, and a real-life examination of the effects and causes of ignorance, reveals that it is closely related to the word ignore! In other words, we are ignoring reality!
So in truth, all this type of suffering, is a result of the way we percieve things. If you haven’t had the above realization yet, I suggest that you take a great deal of time and thought to see if indeed, this is not really the truth of the matter. I myself, did not have this realization over night. It was the result of many hours of reading and reflection. Slowly I began to see; any condition of suffering is suffering only if I designate it as such.
“But wait!” you say, “If I break a bone, or cut myself, then I feel pain-which is suffering!”
Yes, when injured, you feel a sensation called pain. Read this again. You felt a sensation. It did not become suffering until your mind, through long years of habit, designated it as suffering! You did not feel suffering until you perceived a certain condition and designated it as suffering!So how is all this important?
Think about it. If you decided that the dissatisfaction you feel with your job was a good thing, because you could use it as a strong motivator to either find a better job, or advance at your present situation, Then that feeling of dissatisfaction becomes more acceptable as you know it will bring about a better condition in the future!
If you decided that disillusionment was actually the result of keener perception, wouldn’t it feel good to be better in touch with reality?
And how about disapointment? Well…, when have you ever known life to turn out exactly as you wanted it to in every situation? Is that even possible? No! Of course not! So then, life is proceeding exactly as usual, all is well, the universe is still turning as it always has, and this means new possibilities will reveal themselves if you don’t cling to those that have passed. And some of those will work out the way you wish!
In the end, we are all as happy as we decide to be!
So what does all this have to do with mindfulness?
It takes a constant, unrelenting effort to acheive the awakened state of mind that causes us no suffering. Once we have attained this enlightened state of mind, it will stay with us, but it takes a consistent, focused effort to overcome years of ignorance.
Most people will refuse to even admit that they need change, let alone attempt it!
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