Several Zen-like 'anti-gurus' such as Alan Watts and U.G. Krishnamurti have argued about the futileness of actively seeking enlightenment through strenuous effort, asceticism, or other various disciplines as a waste of energy that could best be put to more practical use. Let me explain further. Perhaps you have heard of the proven mathematical impossibility of never reaching your destination.
Let me explain further. Perhaps you have heard of the proven mathematical impossibility of never reaching your destination.
Here's how it works. You stand facing a wall. Your chosen objective is to reach the wall by taking steps towards it. But the rules of this game state that every step you take will bring you halfway to the wall. Sounds pretty good so far! So you take the first step (you're halfway to the wall already). Now for the next step... halfway again! But after a few more steps you realize that you're never going to make it!
So it seems to be the same from the Zen point of view about reaching enlightenment. In fact, the phrase "pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps" (a favorite of Alan Watts) is simply another means of proclaiming the impossibility of the task.
I would like to provide several analogies that convey similar meaning, just to get the point across.
Sinking in Quicksand
If you saw some hapless soul slowly sinking in a pit of quicksand, would you
- Tell them to struggle harder?
- Tell them to move slowly and wait for external assistance?
Of course, we all know the answer (2). Right? That's because struggling only serves to hasten the sinking.
How about if you were scuba-diving a saw a shark? How about if you were hiking and came across a venomous rattlesnake or cobra? The same theory (walk slowly and carry a big stick) would apply...
You are not a Perpetual Motion Machine
Do you remember the 'drinking bird' toy from the 1970s that at first glance seemed to be a perpetual motion machine? The bird pivoted at the center and rocked up and down as if drinking water from a cup. Actually, the cycle would continue as long as there is enough water in the glass to keep the head wet, or as long as a temperature differential is maintained between the bird's head and body.
Or consider this - you set out on a long drive across the country in your automobile. At some point however, you will have to stop to tank up your fuel. Assuming that you have adequate cash and that the gas station has sufficient quantities, you're likely to reach your destination. Notice that this type of journey requires some sort of exchange of commodities, barter, or currency in order to work (you could resort to siphoning gas in the middle of the night, but that's not ethical).
Spiritual Currency
A spiritual journey requires spiritual currency or bartering. Actually it seems to work like this: the ever-forgiving Being of Creation requires only a small payment in the form of love, devotion, and respect in order to grant you grace and favoritism in answering your prayers of request.
But now back to the original conundrum; the whole mistaken idea of being able to gain enlightenment through self-effort of expending sufficient (and exorbitant amounts of) energy in the quest of it. To the anti-guru U.G. Krishnamurti this was sublime folly. He constantly admonished those seeking spiritual advice to simply stop trying - there was nothing to gain by this method. In fact, the method (of expending energy) actually takes you further out to sea and away from your goal.
To take it one confounding step further - he also advised against having such a goal. To function in the 'natural state', one needed to clear the mind (thought energy) even of goals. Any goal.
Putting Your Energy to Good Use
So how can our thought energy be put to best use? By not worrying about the goal of enlightenment and using the mind for the purpose it was intended - to obtain the basic necessities of life. Anything else is simply diversion.
Alan Watts used to talk about (in his audio lectures) those who knew they were living in an illusion (Maya) and those who didn't. He actually took pity on those who had 'awakened' and were firmly committed to the struggle of trying to free themselves from illusion (sound familiar...? Quicksand!).
On the other hand, those who went about their everyday life completely rooted in ignorance of Maya, buying into the entire game 'hook, line, and sinker' were actually to be admired, for although they lived in ignorance, they also lived in bliss (ignorance is bliss). They played the game with full intensity, completely absorbed in emotions.
How to Unlearn
Perhaps it would be wise to consider 'unlearning' some of this devious desire to reach the wall using half steps. Let's go on living our lives with integrity, love, compassion and full-on emotion rather than wasting it on selfish mind-tripping and chasing your own tail. A receptive mind is a terrible thing to engage.
Ted Ollikkala is the main contributing author to Spiritual Chicken.
SpiritualChicken.com is a free guide for making the most of your stay on the planet, regardless of your confusion level (but we hope to clear this up) or particular set of spiritual beliefs.
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