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‘Shadows of Enlightenment’(Ignorance = Attachment = Suffering.)

Recently, I have become aware of the pain caused by attachment.  As human beings we have a natural tendency to attach our emotions to people, places, and things.  Also, because of the duality of the  universe, and therefore our natures, ( yin/yang ) we also have a tendency towards  aversion to certain people, places, and things.  These two conditions,  attachment and aversion are responsible for some of the worst suffering we  face.

Consider the suffering you felt the last time someone you loved died.  Your suffering came not from their departure, but rather from the attachment you felt to them, and the phenomena of them being present in your life.   Many times at funerals you will hear words to the effect: “I am not sad for them, I am sad for me!”  We gather at funerals not because we can do anything for the person who has departed, but rather to support and console the survivors, who are suffering.

This suffering is caused by attachment and aversion.

What causes attachment and aversion?

A simple explanation would be that it is in our natures.  However, the subject is more complex than that.

About three years ago, after having endured a lot of mental anguish, (self-inflicted it turns out) I decided to see if I couldn’t get to the bottom of things and end the suffering I was experiencing.  Suicide was an option I had to rule out, (partly because I am attached to this life) mostly because it seemed so cowardly.  I mean, “C’mon!  Ruin the lives of those who loved me to escape my own pain?” So death was never an option.  Staying on the mental and emotional level I was on wasn’t an option either, I couldn’t take it any longer!

In short, I had to have serenity and peace of mind, no matter the cost!

Fortunately, the world is a place full of the antidotes to suffering as well as the causes of suffering.

The philosophy developed by Siddhartha Gautama 2500 years ago pointed the way.  Along this way, I found many more resources.  I should probably point out that I am not a Buddhist, Taoist, New Age thinker or anything even close, but something infinitely more complex.  At the same time, I am merely one more point in the Human Phenomena in search of a system of thought that produces favorable results.

The word ‘Buddha’ in Sanskrit originally meant; “one who is awake”.

That is the origin and intent of this blog. To awaken, and promote this condition of being awake!