Mindfulness, Bliss and Beyond

Philosopher that I am, on the back burner of my mind is an ongoing investigation into this marvelous experience we are all sharing called Life. (In fact, that's what this weblog is largely about.) There is a program running in the back of my mind -- always running! -- that is trying to figure it all out. I think that if I keep on thinking about it all long and deep enough, I'll finally breakthrough and Understand the Mystery.

Then a few mornings ago I opened up "Mindfulness, Bliss and Beyond," by Ajahn Brahm, a marvelous "meditator's handbook." I turned to page 12 and read the following:

"Sometimes we assume it is through the inner commentary that we know the world. Actually, that inner speech does not know the world at all. It is the inner speech that spins the delusions that cause suffering. Inner speech causes us to be angry with our enemies and to form dangerous attachments to our loved ones. Inner speech causes all of life's problems. It constructs fear and guilt, anxiety and depression. It builds these illusions as deftly as the skillful actor manipulates the audience to create terror or tears."

This hit me like a splash of cold water on my sleepy face. So, this instrument, the mind, with which I have been trying to understand life and the world, "does not know the world at all"! It "spins delusions" and "causes all of life's problems." Hmmm, seems I'm going to have to recalibrate my strategy for discovering Truth. I am confident Brahm has it right, as his assertions align with the teachings of spiritual masters down the ages: it is mindfulness rather than thinking that reveals the Truth. I am reminded of the words of Sri Aurobindo, "There is nothing that mind can do that cannot be better done in the mind's thought-free stillness." So off with the thinking and the endless train of words. Time for silent awareness.