“The project of enlightenment is simply a systematic attempt to discover the true nature of reality, (with the understanding) that the full knowledge of reality will be radically transforming.
We tend to think of enlightenment as a distant cognitive state … . We think selflessness is a state of martyrdom. Our operative psychologies teach that the habitual ego-centered self is the only one there is (which) demands comfort, stability, and consumption.
We become enlightened when we see through our blinding misperception.
Enlightenment is more than cognitive; it is emotional and moral, since the openness of wisdom brings happiness which automatically releases the most positive emotions and generates benevolent actions.
To open our minds at least to the possibility of enlightenment, we must dig out the presuppositions that make it hard for us to imagine such an evolutionary achievement. … A buddha is the butterfly that finally emerges from the cocoon of the human life-form.” Robert Thurman, Inner Revolution; pg. 59-62.
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The first and last sentences of this quotation are taken up before a long, silent meditation.
Active meditation is the in-the-moment use of anything in our current reality or experience for inquiry, exploration, discovery, wondering and contemplation. It can also use a line from a text, poetry, from a song or other sources. Known as vipashyana in Sanskrit and vipassana in Pali, active meditation is a vital half of all meditation training and, therefore, of all types of mindfulness as originally taught by Buddha Shakyamuni and now taught around the world in various forms. Active meditation, vipashyana, is also the core training in the majority of the Sutras of Patanjali.
When I codified a system of meditation that would assist a rank beginner to stabilize into meditation, that encapsulation was done knowing that the initial practices are the same ones used throughout the entirety of meditation training over the course of lifetimes. One day, maybe today, someone will sit and contemplate a common emotion, perception, or the sky and –poof– awaken fully. That can happen because the components of meditation training are the elements of enlightenment. It’s simply a matter of scale, refinement, acuity, and familiarity which distinguishes the level of meditation and meditator.
Noticing the usually not noticed is active inquiry. Musing, wondering, and opening to possibilities that are additional to or other than our usual can also be active inquiry. The invitation is freshness.
