a thought to share
“Well I think that is just a waste of time.” “Well what is time for then?” A small back and forth dialogue in between two characters in A Brave New World. This simply dialogue within the context of the entire plot-line (I already have a vague understanding of the overall plot) really caused me to delve into the meaning behind my own choices recently. So just to frame this, I have currently been delving into Buddhism quite seriously. It requires you actually develop a moderately decent understanding of Buddhism before this may make any sense. Anyways I do feel that writing this entry is valuable for me to potentially arrive at an acceptable communicable way of expressing why it is that I am pursuing this manner of living my life.
So in Buddhism the ultimate aim for one to strive to reach is enlightenment. Firstly, Buddha makes it rather clear that in existing as a human being we are perpetually going to face impermanence. Impermanence being a feature of what life is. Is it possible to perhaps reach a point in which one is able to both live within life and also be free from impermanence? In meditation we are able to glimpse at the perspective of nirvana or enlightenment, and how it offers a person freedom from the chains of suffering. But the manner that provides that short little glimpse is through mindfulness meditation. The other mode that offers a person a similar glimpse is that of selfless service and loving-kindness. Mindfulness meditation seems very much to mirror the previous conversation I mentioned at the beginning. So by considering grasping to achieve goals or objectives to be the root of suffering (the 2nd noble truth), doesn't all activities of that type ultimately lead to a person to suffering? So then, what is doing anything good for then? The primary question that often leads people to easily wad up and toss the concept of Buddhism into the nonsensical trashcan. It is so easy to do given the climate of secularism provided by the massive momentum and powerful of the strides of scientific progressivism.
One thing that I have seen for certain is that objective finite solutions for the problems we encounter in life simply are not available through reason. I been shown this in a perhaps ideal timed manner that has allowed me to settle my focus and attention of my gaze in the direction of Buddhism. This being the case, I want to express and share my appreciation and gratitude to the forces of existence that have allowed for this to occur for me. But back to the initial question: “what is time for then?” I was thinking about inserting myself into the instance that this question was asked of the character in that story and I started thinking that it is a very important question for me to have an answer to considering that I am delving into Buddhism. Considering different religions, and different manners of living, I think I have arrived at a very standard conclusion. There is a type of enlightened being known as a Bodhisattva. This is a being that is able to reach the point of becoming enlightened, but is living with the intention of sharing the gifts of Buddhahood with all other sentient beings. Of course by saying this outright I do realize that this is a life-long journey and pursuit. So is the pursuit of seeking to try to become enlightened and to reach nirvana!
Cheers!
周培森