judging the mantra
This entire post has been inspired by my reflections on the mental activity of judgment. So that will be the primary focus of what I intend to babble about today! So to start things off, I want to psychologically define the mental activity of judgment and how it relates to Buddhist fundamentals.
The second noble truth of Buddhism is the cause of suffering. So to be certain about my understanding the path of the cause of suffering, I will restate the idea for the cause of suffering. The cause according to the second noble truth is generated not by suffering itself, but our reaction to an instance in which we are suffering. So what then is our reaction? We reach as desperately and forcefully as we can to grasp something that can pull us away from whatever is causing the suffering. But lets imagine that instead of reacting in that way we instead accept the suffering and calmly endure the conditions. What an absurd idea, who would calmly sit with their hand on a stove-top? Well such an example definitely serves to paint an accurate picture of physical pain, that being someone with their hand on a stove-top, but how many instances of emotional pain do we apply the exact same conditions to? Oh, I am experiencing boredom, the level of discomfort often yields a reaction as if your hand is upon a stove-top. How silly that is. Simply by choosing not to escape boredom by rushing into something that offers conditions that are not stove-top like would then be choosing to not grasp at an alternative physical destination for ones consciousness.
Ok, so now I think the early map making as been reviewed. So now we can safely see the path prescribed by Buddhism of choosing not to grasp for alternative conditions regarding experience. Not getting addicted to the habitual routine of grasping for alternative conditions. Then it becomes apparent that by choosing to not grasp/react and seek alternatives to that of suffering, doesn't just the process of patiently enduring suffering resemble depression? Well what kind of solution is that!? To patiently endure and not grasp to reach alternative conditions in which to take ones consciousness? Well that reminds me of two states of being, major depression, or nonexistence. Which of those two can then be said to be something to strive toward? I recently was caught by the thought that provided me the answer to this question. I was thinking empathetically with my two cats. What is their reaction to the life that they lead? In thinking about that idea, I realized they are quite clever and able to find things in which provide them satisfaction. One is an outdoor cat while the other is an indoor cat. I am unable to have a conversation with them, but by being aware of their body language I feel as if I am able to see a glimpse of what their opinion of life may be.
All of this speculation on the quality of their life is because of the mental activity of judgment. In trying to determine the state of their happiness, one then has to play the role of a judge of meaning. I have recently learned that the very mental process of judging is an activity of the mind that resembles grasping for that which is not immediately available or recognized as that which can be obtained. I recently realized that I ought to seek out revising my way of judgment. In learning about the mantram and the benefits of its use, in trying to practice using it, I saw exactly what was causing me to redirect my attention consistently. My ego is conditioned to design consistent objective oriented destinations for my will. This is contrary to the purpose of the mantram. The mantram is supposed to offer a neutral mental climate for ones consciousness to exist within in a mindful context. This realization has caused me to reevaluate my definition of existence relative to time. In trying to grow into a state in which I consistently am growing closer to the Buddhist concept of nirvana, my manner of choosing my mental habits needs to be redesigned. I am growing older, and I have already passed into adulthood. Since this is the case I firmly recognize that I must adjust my mental emotional composition into one that is not constantly seeking spontaneous solutions to suffering.
This is about all I think I want to post. I just woke up with some strong thoughts this morning and I felt as if they would offer benefits to put into words and share like this.
Cheers
周培森