Introduction
Can one truly “achieve” true Equanimity or does it slip through our fingers the moment we think we’ve grasped it? Consider the fleeting joy of indulging in a favorite sweet—it satisfies in the moment, but soon after, the pleasure fades, leaving only a fading sense of fullness. This pattern isn’t confined to food; it pervades every aspect of our lives.
Talking points
- Is Happiness in Objects
- Is Equanimity achievable
- Refilling Emptiness with Intellectual Knowledge
- Two Understandings: Intellectual and experiential
- Equanimity Definition EtymologyBoth equanimity and equal are derived from aequus, a Latin adjective meaning “level” or “equal.” Equanimity comes from the combination of aequus and animus (“soul” or “mind”) in the Latin phrase aequo animo, which means “with even mind.” English speakers began using equanimity early in the 17th century with the now ..
Introduction to Enlightenment Barriers
In the journey toward enlightenment, the human experience becomes filled with preconceived notions of a higher power. These notions, though comforting, pose a significant barrier as they bind one to the idea of a divine reward after death. This binding makes the task of releasing these attachments during one’s lifetime seem almost impossible.
The Paradox of Attachment
The quest for enlightenment becomes complicated by the attachment to thought, whether they be religious, societal, or personal, which promise to alleviate suffering. This is a paradox; true freedom cannot be attained by clinging to any form that is part of the transient universe.
Attachment and Worldly Forms
Consider the dilemma faced by a father who is told that true liberation requires him to let go of his family, or a devout believer who sees abandoning their faith as a risk to their spiritual well-being. These attachments tether the soul to a cycle of birth, life, and death driven by a lack of understanding and the grasp of worldly forms.
Transcending Conventional Security
At the core of many spiritual teachings is the idea that true enlightenment transcends the security offered by any conventional form, whether material possessions, social roles, or religious beliefs. The teachings from ancient spiritual texts point toward liberation through understanding oneself beyond all forms and identifications as the ultimate goal, rather than simply accruing positive deeds or adhering strictly to doctrines.
The Illusion of Material and Spiritual Security
Imagine a man navigating a mall, uninterested in the allure of material stores—from jewelry to gadgets and entertainment. He finds a store named “Religion” which promises ultimate security: everlasting peace and divine guardianship. Yet, this store, too, is part of the illusion, a construct within the mall of worldly deception.
The Limitations of Human Conceptualization
The foundation of major world religions can be seen as humanity’s effort to conceptualize the divine, reflecting not the limitless nature of the universe but the limitations of the human mind. The essence of enlightenment is not to be grasped through rigid worship but understood as the core of our being, realized by questioning oneself and letting go of all identifications with form.
The Role of the Enlightened Teacher
Thus, a truly enlightened teacher does not just preach but leads followers to experience spirituality firsthand, beyond written or spoken words, fostering a transformation that dissolves the misleading constructs of form and ego.
Conclusion: Experiencing the Divine
Ultimately, from the perspective on the egoic mind, no intellectual effort can describe the divine; it is something to be experienced, a state of existence that goes beyond mere thought and form which is the essence of time.
