Verse Fifty-ThreeTrue understanding in a person has two attributes: awareness and action. Together they form a natural tai chi. Who can enjoy enlightenment and remain indifferent to suffering in the world? This is not in keeping with the Way. Only those who increase their service along with their understanding can be called men and women of Tao.~ Translated by Brian Walker ~
From my perspective, one of the great crimes of a dualistic worldview is the selfish focus each person has upon themselves. If everything is separate, then it's easy to say, "Problems that are not specific to me are of no concern in my life" or "I'll deal with my shit, you deal with your own!"
How different the approach when we view all life as connected. Each problem or situation becomes a shared concern. This is not to suggest that we should try to solve other people's problems for them, but we should be supportive and compassionate as we help others as they work through their issues.
In the end, regardless of a person's supposed sanity or mental illness, we each fight with our own demons and battle our own illusions. The struggles each of us face are universal; the only differences are subjective. A rich tycoon and a down 'n out hobo are not different in a human sense. They each struggle with the same insecurities, questions and fears as you and I.
I really like the sentiment in this verse regarding enlightenment. How can a person truly be enlightened and not feel the suffering in this world? How can you not experience the suffering of other beings and the planet?
In some ways, I think people get the wrong idea about this term "enlightenment". It's not like a little light bulb goes off in your head and you live out your days with a perpetual smile on your face. For me, it doesn't mean you are absolutely content and you superficially skim through life without a care in the world. It doesn't mean ascending a mountain where you sit blissfully each day saying, "Ommmmmmmmmmm."
To be enlightened means to gain insight and insight means the capacity to discern the true nature of a situation. Insight into human affairs is to acknowledge that we each cling to our egos and this grasping is what leads to most of our problems. It is also to acknowledge that we can't completely let go of our self-consciousness.
So, in my book, the genuinely enlightened person is a person who serves others because of the awareness that all things are connected. Such a person innately feels the pain in this world and tries to alleviate as much of it as they can.
This post is part of a "miniseries". For an introduction, go here.
How different the approach when we view all life as connected. Each problem or situation becomes a shared concern. This is not to suggest that we should try to solve other people's problems for them, but we should be supportive and compassionate as we help others as they work through their issues.
In the end, regardless of a person's supposed sanity or mental illness, we each fight with our own demons and battle our own illusions. The struggles each of us face are universal; the only differences are subjective. A rich tycoon and a down 'n out hobo are not different in a human sense. They each struggle with the same insecurities, questions and fears as you and I.
I really like the sentiment in this verse regarding enlightenment. How can a person truly be enlightened and not feel the suffering in this world? How can you not experience the suffering of other beings and the planet?
In some ways, I think people get the wrong idea about this term "enlightenment". It's not like a little light bulb goes off in your head and you live out your days with a perpetual smile on your face. For me, it doesn't mean you are absolutely content and you superficially skim through life without a care in the world. It doesn't mean ascending a mountain where you sit blissfully each day saying, "Ommmmmmmmmmm."
To be enlightened means to gain insight and insight means the capacity to discern the true nature of a situation. Insight into human affairs is to acknowledge that we each cling to our egos and this grasping is what leads to most of our problems. It is also to acknowledge that we can't completely let go of our self-consciousness.
So, in my book, the genuinely enlightened person is a person who serves others because of the awareness that all things are connected. Such a person innately feels the pain in this world and tries to alleviate as much of it as they can.
This post is part of a "miniseries". For an introduction, go here.
just wanted to point out that this also means "serving" beings other than human as well. most of my attention in any single day is given to caring for my son and our animals. i do feel as if my compassion towards the animals increases with understanding. my compassion for my child increases too, but that was instinctual to begin with. compassion for others is not, i believe, instinctual, at least not to the level it should really be. otherwise we wouldn't have to attain it.
ReplyDeleteAs always, you make such excellent points!!!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm... perhaps the correct word could be 'awareness' instead of enlightenment. (:
ReplyDeleteHmm... again... now that I'm thinking, we have the same 'problem' in my Language. :S