Desiring Enlightement vs Not Desiring Enlightement
The point has been made that letting go of desire in order to reach enlightenment includes letting go the desire to attain enlightenment.
I have also found the metaphor* that 'one should desire enlightenment like a drowning man desires air.' *(possibly attributed to Buddha himself? I'll add a source if I find one)
These things seem contradictory and in fact in looking for elaboration on this contradiction I have mostly found people trying to answer the question of which is correct. I have concluded for myself, however, that they in fact not be mutually exclusive and that the appearance of contradiction is caused by a limitation of language.
To explain my understanding of it, I see this want, need, or desire for enlightenment as hunger. Of course the body needs nourishment. But hunger itself, desiring food, is an additional entity. It is possible to be aware of your needs without letting the lack of them additionally harm you. The drowning man can fight to reach the air without letting his mind additionally stress him with feelings of fear and panic which can actually hinder his progress.
I think with this we are possibly witnessing separation from and ultimate destruction of the ego, as...well, desired.
In an interview with CNN about the fight for democracy in Burma, a Buddhist monk named Gawdhida recalled something he shouted to democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a rare public sighting as she's been under house arrest for 14 of the past 20 years: "Don't be afraid, or you will die twice."
(transcript / full report)
This is absolutely true wisdom to me. We will die, we will all physically die of course, this is one of the most important realizations of Buddhism. But there are also these feelings -- of hopelessness, grief for instance -- which can make us feel like we have died while we're still alive. It is natural to an extent, but unnecessary and unproductive. And most importantly, it is able to be overcome -- through optimism, an overall positive outlook, and conscious appreciation for what is not wrong with the moment.
“Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." -Buddha
I have also found the metaphor* that 'one should desire enlightenment like a drowning man desires air.' *(possibly attributed to Buddha himself? I'll add a source if I find one)
These things seem contradictory and in fact in looking for elaboration on this contradiction I have mostly found people trying to answer the question of which is correct. I have concluded for myself, however, that they in fact not be mutually exclusive and that the appearance of contradiction is caused by a limitation of language.
To explain my understanding of it, I see this want, need, or desire for enlightenment as hunger. Of course the body needs nourishment. But hunger itself, desiring food, is an additional entity. It is possible to be aware of your needs without letting the lack of them additionally harm you. The drowning man can fight to reach the air without letting his mind additionally stress him with feelings of fear and panic which can actually hinder his progress.
I think with this we are possibly witnessing separation from and ultimate destruction of the ego, as...well, desired.
In an interview with CNN about the fight for democracy in Burma, a Buddhist monk named Gawdhida recalled something he shouted to democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a rare public sighting as she's been under house arrest for 14 of the past 20 years: "Don't be afraid, or you will die twice."
(transcript / full report)
This is absolutely true wisdom to me. We will die, we will all physically die of course, this is one of the most important realizations of Buddhism. But there are also these feelings -- of hopelessness, grief for instance -- which can make us feel like we have died while we're still alive. It is natural to an extent, but unnecessary and unproductive. And most importantly, it is able to be overcome -- through optimism, an overall positive outlook, and conscious appreciation for what is not wrong with the moment.
“Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." -Buddha