What is more complete— experience or thinking?
When experience is expansive, complete, closer to truth, it loses temporary demarcations that we set. We progress till there (complete experience of reality) with right view, right effort … vipassana. Even laws of physics become clear, this is no exaggeration!
What are the demarcations we set?
Well, to tag something we expect for us to happen as ‘good’. Or to think of things as death, hurt and loss as something unexpected and sad experience. To set any demarcation of good and bad or expected and unexpected is to get 'unreal'. If such thought continues then it takes us away from reality, from vipassana. Strong expectations result in strong disappointments and ahh the misery of accumulated disappointment in old age! Come out of misery, come out of misery … pooja!
To effectively know, unpleasant as unpleasant without being perturbed … and pleasant as pleasant, without being affected is Vipassana [vipassana is not an event of thought, vipassana is Shila (morality), Samadhi (concentration), and Panya (Wisdom)]
But to be such is not easy. Not because we do not understand (in fact it is an appealing thing at the level of thought) but habitual experience is different. We do react in unwholesome ways, like an addiction. To trace it, see what personality you have what strengths and weakness we carry, moment after moment, days after days, years after years. I know I have had the same difficulties for several years, I know what is the solution and yet couldn’t work towards it, I have been too sad to start working to achieve these things. My sadness has been deeper than any inspirational song or wisdom-talk could dive.
Having tried to be equanimous I know I am up against swell of a tide … Samadhi helps one regain composure, mindfulness:
Khanik Samadhi: In vipassana courses people come and start the practice. Most of the time mind takes to subjects related to memories, decisions, weather, residence, aches in the body etc. This keeps the mind occupied. For brief moments some are able to achieve Samadhi since they are sitting and making effort according to the instructions. For some brief moments mind is clear of preoccupations and gets concentrated on the breath and breath alone. Precious moments.
Upkar Samadhi: these brief moments become minutes and hours of pure concentration. Releasing the mind from fear and inhibitions, making one even more capable of concentration.
Arpana Samadhi: I have no experience here. But anyone doing real work should be able to reach this. Should I write about it? This I know is a high stage, to know this one needs to have practiced a good life, or at least have a very strong moral disposition. The moral strength is not to come from adamant position of right and wrong but should be seeped in kindness, love for all beings. So much love that you don’t wish harm, for anyone. A natural sense of right and wrong, and intelligence. That’s the requisite.
*To practice what I say pick a meditation centre and join a course in vipassana. I have learnt Vipassana here:
http://www.dhamma.org/
http://www.dhamma.org/en/bycountry/ap/in/
There is nothing to these words unless someone learns and experiences, for him/herself
