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Avijjā as Polestar

What I see as the fundamental problem, and what I am most interested in working on, is that we humans do not understand the kind of beings we are.

Greetings, Friendlies. :)

In Rob Burbea’s [AMAZING] 2019 Jhāna retreat, he spoke about the importance of having a sense of the goal of one’s practice.

Some folks will say it’s dukkha and the end of dukkha, by which I think they mean learning to live from the four ennobling tasks/truths.

Some say it is liberation which, for one person I’m specifically thinking of, means the forever-ending of greed, hatred, and delusion.

For some it seems to be a type of ethical cultivation.

For some it seems to be a type of psychological healing.

For me, right now, I think it is about Avijjā. And by Avijjā I mean that what I see as the fundamental problem, and what I am most interested in working on, is that we humans do not understand the kind of beings we are.

All of these concepts overlap, support and cultivate one another. But for me, right now, it is helpful to articulate a polestar. It explains why cognitive science and philosophy are equally important in my explorations as ancient contemplative practices. And it explains (or contributes to an explanation of) why I do not consider myself a Buddhist.

Your thoughts?

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PS: Some folks will completely disagree with Burbea and say there shouldn’t be a goal at all. So that’s an option, too. :)

13 replies on “Avijjā as Polestar”

Thanks for asking, Shannon.

Pathing without a goal is an interesting idea. Aimlessness. Brings to mind “Nowhere to Go, Nothing to Do,” the title of Thich Nhat Hanh’s book about Master Linji (Renzai). Also reminds me of Stephen’s teaching that the Path is inside of us – we make the path with each step we take – it’s not a time-worn path made by others.

I do have an actual GOAL for my practice of buddhism. A good death – a good dying process – in which I’m in the Now without suffering or clinging – gladly letting go – with a happy heart and a soft smile.

LOL! Being almost-80 years old, death is quite vivid. Also, I have the “advantage” of having been suicidal at age 19. And caring for loved ones in their final times.

The dharma is my Polestar – guiding light – for attaining that goal. The dharma of interbeing, equanimity, non-attachment, liberation, wisdom, community, and care. Continual cultivation which is frequently challenged by arising causes and conditions that require resiliance, diligence, perseverance in order to continue pathing towards my goal. Thank goodness for frequent feedback that I’m on the path that’s “right” for me.

🤔 Actually, I don’t know why the flavor of my death matters at all – except as a goal for my practice. Hmmmmm.

Smilingly, Sharon

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I love that penultimate paragraph. That’s what philosophy is all about, to my understanding. William James defined it as “an unusually stubborn attempt to think clearly.” Then one asks, for you, how _does_ death play into all that other stuff? :)))

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Shannon, if I correctly understand your question, the role of death is to remind me that I must be diligent about cultivating wisdom and equanimity, because death may occur at any moment, and then that’s it. ☺

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I’m thinking of that thing John said: “they always used to be saying this in Tibetan society, There is one thing absolutely certain. Death. One thing that’s absolutely uncertain. When. And then they’d usually fall around laughing.” :)

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Funny!

Speaking of . . . did I tell you that my name for the “Five Remembrances”is the “Five Certainties”? You’ve inspired me to designate – UNcertainties . I’d like to have a parallel of Five. The Five Certainties provide the “who” and the “what.” For UNcertainties I have: (1) how, (2) where, (3) when. I’d like two more. Any ideas?

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Afraid you’re asking the wrong philosopher; I’m not savvy at systems for aesthetics’ sake. S. Batchelor may be your man for this line of inquiry. ;)

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Shannon, you caught me. I’m a sucker for symmetry. Guess I’m partial to the notion of “aesthetic systems.” I’d pursue your tip about Stephen if I were serious. I’m just musing. It’s how I a-MUSE myself. 😉

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WHO – like who will be with me when it happens

WHAT THEN – when I go, what then? A total uncertainty for most people

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Thank you, Sue, for taking an interest. I wasn’t focused on after-death, which for me is not an uncertainty. However, you’re probably right about “most people.” When I shared my momentary musing about UNcertainties, I was thinking about everyday challenges to practice. I know I’ll be challenged – over and over and over, again and again. But, when? how? where? If it weren’t for the UNcertainties, I may not need to keep developing skillful means. I was being half-silly, half-serious. I think too much. 🙄

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Love it. I cannot say I have such excellent moral character… one out of four I suppose. 😹

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