We look for stability, security and permanence in life, living with an assumption that our fleeting thoughts, feelings, desires and wishes are truly meaningful. Ruled by our ephemeral emotions, we seriously invest our confidence, in the shimmering mirage of experience.
Eventually, we may begin to notice, that whatever we can experience is transient- perennially arising, constantly changing, and ultimately disappearing. Everything in life is temporary, unstable, shifting and dreamlike. A clear insight into the evanescent nature of experience, is a bright flash of understanding.
We recognize that in this continuous flux, there is nothing steady, except for the constant presence of a witnessing awareness at our deepest core, the only stable ground beneath the dazzling mirage of our fugacious experience.
After an illuminating glimpse into the impermanence of everything surrounding us, we come upon a profound shift in perspective, a new clarity- suddenly ‘seeing’ life, as it truly is!
What changes in our mundane daily living, after such a realization?
After realization of truth, the world in our experience, continues to appear as before- but with an added tag of this new insight, marking it as transient. The harsh details of existence still persist, but now, we do not attach significance to them. Having understood the real nature of our experiences, we are released from their strong grip on us.
It is like discovering the reality of a mirage on the road further ahead, while driving on a sunny highway. We are dazzled by the shine of apparent water glistening in the mirage, until we realize it has no substance. We still see it sparkling, but now knowing the truth, we do not assume it is water.
The fact that we absolutely know it is a mirage, does not get rid of the visible illusion, which still continues to appear as shiny shimmering water in the middle of the hot road. But having understood it’s true nature, we are not deceived by what we see.
Hindus have compared this freedom, with the instant relief felt upon discovering- that, what was misunderstood to be a frightening snake in the dark- was only a pile of coiled rope!
The famous Zen saying where, “first there is a mountain, then there is nothing, then there is a mountain again”, refers to this shift in perspective, which results from an insight into the real nature of an illusion.
The shift is not in the apparent illusion as perceived by the senses- nothing changes at that level. There is no miracle suddenly altering what appears before us, transforming it into something drastically different!
There are still the ropes, the mountains, the roadblocks, ‘stop’ signs and traffic congestions. Our awakening to the truth, does not cause the liars and crooks to disappear! Life does not suddenly become a bed of roses, without any thorns.
The shift happens in the interpretation of what is perceived by the senses.
We see the same, but with a different ‘eye’, knowing the reality and unreliability of it all. We are not hopelessly entangled in the elaborate fantasy, projected by the mirage of experience. Now, we can lightly hover, without strongly rejecting or desperately clinging to anything, in our temporary lives.
The game continues, but we stop losing our peace over it. Still following the rules, playing as needed, we are not too invested in, or attached with whatever happens. We know and accept, that regardless of the outcome- the game plays out as it must, then we go home!
A shift in emphasis is noticed, in all our interactions with life. We relate to everything, from the stable vantage point of our awareness, without being carried away with the turbulence of various impermanent occurrences.
Reduced emotional fluctuations, less impulsive temper triggers, shorter ignorant identifications, fewer thoughts and projections stubbornly lingering around our egoistic beliefs!
In the darkness of the daily routine moments of our mundane lives, slowly but steadily, the light of wisdom streams in. We begin to let go of our control, trusting the flow of life, wherever it takes us. The new perspective of reality shines through as a freshly transformed, more peaceful attitude.
The changes are simple and subtle, yet deeply profound. On our journey through life, once we have realized and clearly understood the reality behind the mirage of experience, our mind is freed from the shackles of its illusion!
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5 responses to “Mirage of experience”
Trusting ourselves to the path not discernible as a path to reveal itself to us in hindsight, and the flow of the moment to be just what it needs to be no matter what it appears to be, embracing illusion and “waiting for the mud to settle and the water to clear,” laughing when it does. The way to peace of Buddha-mind.
It is much easier to trust ourselves to the path not discernible as a path, once we are convinced that it is all an illusion/ just a game which goes on as it must! Then, we simply participate in it, going with the flow, not getting too agitated with what is happening…perhaps the mud settles as soon as we have really understood, that it is only this mud that is blurring our view. Maybe, all that we need to learn is to ‘see’ clearly (to see the mud as mud)? Thank you Jim 🙂
It comes down to, “What do we take seriously?” There be the illusion! Buddha-mind does not take itself seriously–or anything else.
Yes, and also, it is important to distinguish between ‘sincere’ and ‘serious’.
Although it helps to not take life too seriously, we should still live it sincerely- as in doing what is needed, playing our role to perfection, following the rules of the game…Going with the flow means living sincerely but not seriously 🙂
I sincerely intend to take nothing seriously! The lesson of the Bodhi Tree and the freedom of Buddha-mind!