The mind, rational thought, language and words, in and of themselves, are not a problem. The mind and words are helpful when used appropriately, with an understanding that the map is not the territory.
Attachment to the mind is a problem.
“As the heart pumps blood, the mind pumps thoughts. They’re going to arise, the question is, what is your relationship to those thoughts?” James Wood
We cannot conceptualize the Absolute, however, that does not mean we ought to stop attempting to clearly, honestly articulate our experience and what we understand about the teaching so far.
I really enjoy connecting with others who are interested in finding out what’s true. However, if you have been following the comments here, you may have noticed that the discussion can get unnecessarily snarky, even insulting.
For me, debate has great value – the ones who disagree with me help me get clear about what I am saying by calling me out on illogical or confusing formulations. It’s great! It helps me think from different angles. I am not trained in formal debate, but I am aware that there are standards – i.e. it’s not ok to make a claim that you cannot (or refuse to) back up with evidence.
For example, telling a writer that she is ‘using her mind’ is a pretty vague and unclear assertion. First, how can you know that I am (only) using my mind? Why do you think that? Where is your evidence? What does it mean when you say I am ‘using my mind’? What are you accusing me of? What exactly is the problem? And come on now, no thank you to insulting remarks.
There is a saying I like, ‘the truth is no respecter of persons’. I don’t do the ‘it’s all good’ thing very well and I won’t congratulate you for being confusing. I like clear, direct communication (even though I am not always good at it). I am writing to share my experience of what it is like to study directly with a True Teacher. And I am here because I am very interested in how you live and understand the teaching on freedom from suffering.
If you say something that doesn’t make sense to me, I will ask for clarification. I may ask a question about something that is very obvious to you. I am not the sharpest person around. You may have to repeat yourself or say it a different way.
If I ask a question or call you out on something, please know I am sincerely trying to understand (with all my faculties) what you are saying and why. And if you do not give clarification, or still do not make sense, I won’t agree with you.
Recently, I asked a question on another blog and my question was deleted. I don’t know what happened with that, it could have been a technical glitch, but if the writer deleted my question because he didn’t want to explain what he was saying, I am not impressed. It strikes me as unethical to put out information (or opinion), especially in this venue, if you are not willing to answer to questions about it.
For this blog, I assure you, I want to know if you don’t understand what I write. I will respond to you to the best of my ability (and we still may not understand each other, and that’s ok).
I do not claim to have all the answers and I am more than happy to hash it out, respectfully. I am willing to be wrong about anything I say. What I offer here is the understanding I have come to by way of asking my primary teacher lots of questions and studying other teachers’ expressions of the teaching on freedom from suffering.
Svaha 