Mindfulness Without the Chase for Enlightenment
- A chapter from the book Mindfulness, A Guidebook to the Present Moment -
‘Mindfulness gives you time. Time gives you choices. Choices, skillfully made, lead to freedom’ – Bhante Henepola Gunaratana
What is the nature of enlightenment?
Does realisation come suddenly or gradually?
Is it permanent or does it require continual work to maintain?
Is there even a state to attain or are we simply unaware of our inherent ‘Buddha Nature’?
Is meditation even necessary for enlightenment?
Does the enlightened state even exist?
As I stated in the introduction, I do not know the answers to those questions. But from reading many books, from different spiritual, religious, and traditional sources I can give you the following broad stroke answer.
There is no consensus. Yet everyone believes their approach and answer to be the ‘correct’ one.
Okay, so maybe the generalization to ‘everyone’ is a tad harsh, but it is rare to find a doctrine or teaching that admits to not knowing something as deep as the answers to such questions of reality, or that there may be more than one approach or answer.
This seems strange. If there is a state of enlightenment to be attained then surely the years of iterative practice, study, and experience would result in a refined methodology of attainment, as well as a clear definition of the state. Now of course, each tradition will claim that their methodology is the methodology. Sure, but then what of the countless other approaches and experiences by seekers of different traditions? Should these be discounted as false claims?
This is why I prefer to ground my practice in reality. If my meditation results in an increased feeling of wellbeing and a reduction of suffering, I continue with it.
I do not strive to attain enlightenment.
If at some point it comes, then it comes, but I will not sacrifice this life in the pursuit.
I encourage you to do some reading on this topic and decide for yourself. Look into Buddhist teachings from all the different traditions. Compare them to those from Hinduism and spirituality broadly, as well as with stories of religious rapture from the Abrahamic religions. Look at the similarities and differences in both experiences and practices. Read the firsthand accounts where possible. If you are convinced that one approach and answer will get you to a place that you want to go, then by all means, walk that path. But if instead you see what I see, simply continue to practice mindfulness meditation. Look and observe without judgement. Investigate the nature of reality. Ask yourself the questions at the start of this section and observe your response.
Clean Your Glasses
My working answer is that meditation is akin to cleaning your glasses. It feels like the more that I practice mindfulness meditation, the clearer I see. Just as dirt obscures the words on this page, so too does mental baggage obscure the world. I like this approach because my action (meditation) does nothing to impact the truth of reality. It is as it always has been; every time I am mindful, I can see that fact better.
Another analogy is that of a glasshouse covered in soot. Someone sitting inside the darkened room would be oblivious to the reality of light, and the warmth of the sun. But as they begin to clean the glass on the walls, light would begin to seep in. Gradually the glasshouse would brighten enough that they could see their hands and surroundings. Their knowledge of themselves would increase, and eventually they would begin to be able to see outside. At first it would be dull and hazy, but eventually with enough cleaning, they would be able to see clearly. The truth of the outside world would begin to reveal itself. In this case, meditation is the act of slowly cleaning the glass. As before, the outside world always existed. The act of cleaning only helped the person inside the glasshouse to see it better.
I will continue to ‘clean my glasses’, and thus continue to see the reality of my inner and outer worlds in a more realistic light. One that is increasingly free of judgements, labels and beliefs.
This chapter is from the book Mindfulness, A Guidebook to the Present Moment
