In The Quest Of Spiritual Pursuit
Have we taken a moment to ponder as we walk the journey of turning inwards, what is it that we wish to pursue from this journey? A refuge or safe haven where we can escape or hide from the brutality of life? To acquire mental wholesomeness; so that we can be kinder to others and ourselves? To be a better person because we are shameful of who we are? To be able to understand and taste the freedom of the awakened ones?
I was attracted to the inspiring stories of the awakened ones and wished I could experience their qualities. I am still very much inspired by their stories and qualities but the desire to experience what they experienced have quietened a fair bit without me realizing till the title of this article appeared in my space inspired by a conversation with a friend.
Do we pursue that which is yet to be discovered or do we discover that which is pursuing? This question is very relevant to me for it tells a lot about my attitude towards the quest of spirituality; and which brings me back to the center point if ever I get side-tracked. The former has elements of making and wanting reality to happen based on the Right Information received whereas the latter is about discovering the tricks and fancies of the mind while supported by the Right Information. Due to our tendency to pursue, we constantly toggle between these two categories and it is truly fine; and as we continue to practise, the difference between these two becomes more and more apparent. So, it is not whether we continue to toggle or not but how we respond when either one is shown to us. Are we dejected by what we notice or amazed by the workings of the mind? The fact is we will continue to toggle as long as wisdom is not established. Ultimately this only boils down to either wrong attitude or right attitude. One is wanting something different from what is already presented to us. The other one is to notice what already is. The former has a desire to see realities while the latter is only interested in noticing the movements of the mind. The latter is genuinely in awe of the workings of the mind without needing it to be any different. And that’s the beauty of this journey. We just need to gently notice.
The mind picks up a lot of things as we learn about our surroundings and ourselves. Our surroundings and ourselves are truly a gem. So much to learn through them. The mind notices whether it’s being honest or dishonest about what is observed. The mind notices if it’s inclined to spirituality out of comfort or as an understanding. It notices if it’s an intellectual thinking or a realization. It notices if it wants to make something happen or just be a silent observer. It notices if we are judging one another in the pursuit of spirituality; of which we become more compassionate and not impose another with words of wisdom. It picks up the nature of the attitude. The mind amazingly already knows. It is through these abundance of learnings which allow us to understand the wonders of the mind. It is through these learnings, that we know when we are tricked by the mind or fall into spiritual traps. And it is through these observations, that we know whether we are we making up more things or eliminating (undoing) what is no longer necessary in the name of spiritual pursuit.
The mind is full of potential - either full of potential in making up (pursue) or full of potential in creativeness to realize (discover), delineated by just a matter of perspective. Only by walking the journey, the contrast becomes more distinct. And with that, the middle path (unbiased) becomes more apparent, gradually detaching from the two extremes (e.g. the need to choose between two possibilities or options or the need to believe in one of two realities; we only choose because we believe that there are two (or more) to choose from). When the 3-meditator's-jobs is cultivated over and over again and as long as it takes with trials and errors, the view naturally steers towards the middle path. The view itself is the middle path - neutral, upright, and centered.
It becomes clearer that we can never go wrong in what we do, we can only not understand what is happening. It’s never about choosing either sides, rather it is from the unity of Love and Light (wisdom and faith), either sides are understood for what it is and ultimately what is chosen is actually the upright perspective. And even if we choose wrongly, it is also perfect since how could it be otherwise. We just continue to cultivate the 3-meditator's-jobs.
If you think you already know your mind, you will either be dumbfounded or in disbelief after attending the courses offered by WISE. Find out for yourself which one you are.
In grace,
Hung Leng
Newsletter 15 February 2021