You’ll notice that in this project, that I will – on the basis of a particular experience and theory of language – use words that are commonly thought of as ‘metaphysical.’ Some modern Buddhist writers have a knee-jerk reaction, when they see this word. The European philosopher Martin Heidegger gave the word a bad rap, and some Western teachers think he’s right. They reject words like ‘transcendent,’ out of hand.
I have no doubt that any word can be helpful when used by one person, and misleading when used by another. The difference will be in how the user grounds the use of the word: whether in mindful experience; mindful experience with theory; only in theory; or in unexamined opinion. Experience is primary, but can be aided by theory.
At this time last year, in my hospital bed, being present for my experiences in my usual way, I naturally saw deeply into the dynamics and qualities of my mind-states. A friend said that I was being ‘metaphysical’ when I shared what I saw, but I was just choosing my words to fit my experiences.
Being under the threat of death, and being cared for by the hospital staff, I naturally entered into varying degrees of spacious stillness. Some of this was the natural outcome of years of practice, but some of it was specifically invited by the practice of particular exercises. This isn’t my main point, today, but because someone asked me to share how I conducted my mind in that time, I’ll mention one such practice.
I sometimes combine Voice Dialogue, Focusing, and readily-available tantric methods. For example, in normal times, if I seem to be dull, or dissociated, I can either engage with the state, to see what benefit I can absorb from it – what gems can be extracted from the ore; or else, I can simply invite a non-distracted state and simply rest in it. Different approaches, for different times.
In hospital, with much going on – the coming and going of nurses, the voices in the hall, the lights always on, the pain of my body – the ‘resting in spacious awareness’ approach was often more helpful. So, I could bring my attention to my breath, and invoke a state of good-will and alertness. One things I did in hospital was to say to myself:
“Let me speak to the one who is in a pure land, with radiant beings all around.” Then I answered myself: “I am the one who is in a pure land, with radiant beings all around.” (This was Voice Dialogue.)
Then, I brought my attention into my body, and allowed and named the changes brought about by those words, here and now – including pain and all. (Mindfulness and Focusing.) Sometimes, some of these changes, I might have expanded some, if needed. (Tarthang Tulku.) And, there it is – I’m back in signless territory, a mind like space. This is real.
And, in naked awareness, I have an appreciation of this body and its trauma. As well, I spontaneously have a warm appreciation of these multi-dimensional humans working here. Most lovely of all, I sense the texture of their beingness: such beauty, no matter what the state of mind they are identified with – whether they are harried or bossy, or patient and loving – I could see their radiance. This radiance of my own mind, I know the others about me have that, too.
What is it about us that makes this possible? I’ve taken charge of my own mind, and invited an unusual (non-conventional) openness to experience; the kind of openness taught by masters for centuries. It’s the mind’s natural capacity for utter openness that makes it possible. We only have to turn that direction. The ‘pure land’ is nothing but one’s natural state, unobscured by the ego’s limited view. The ego either indulges in, or suppresses, experiences; but, here, experiences are simply timelessly inconceivable – just so.
The limited view is rarely helpful, and the circumstances weren’t conducive to doing inner work of the more emotional-psychological variety (though it naturally happened, in some measure, because with spaciousness, insights into reality and mind naturally come). So, mostly, when in hospital, I chose short-cuts to openness.
Well… I meant to talk about the word ‘meataphysical,’ but instead shared a practice for use in hard times. I hope you can see something useful in it. Try it out in easy times, to practise.
