The Art of Cultivating a Phenomenological State of Mind
The Art of Cultivating a Phenomenological State of Mind
It continues to be a renowned belief of Buddhism that upon coming to the conclusion that neither the extreme course of self-denial practiced by the ascetics nor the life of self-indulgence which he had led as a prince was the right path towards enlightenment, Siddhartha Gautama adopts what he refers to as the Middle Way. He then, having the notion that the answer to what he seeks is buried within his own consciousness, sits in meditation beneath a fig tree for a duration of four (some say seven) weeks. Throughout this length of time, he manages to withstand a barrage of attacks and temptations from the devil Mara while gradually ascending through higher states of consciousness, until he transcends the realm of conventional awareness and attains enlightenment. Such is the final aspiration of those pursuing the Buddhist path: to acquire, through right thoughts and good deeds, “release from the round of phenomenal existence with its inherent suffering… to attain nirvana, an enlightened state in which the fires of greed, hatred, and ignorance have been quenched” (Buddhism).
The primary ethic that serves as a guide toward one’s ascent to nirvana is one that is both “detached and inner-oriented,” requiring the individual searching to cultivate “four virtuous attitudes, known as the Palaces of Brahma: loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity” (Buddhism). However, in one’s striving to do so, it is important for them to first understand that in regards to Buddhist theory of the mind and consciousness, “there is no self that is aware of the experiences one undergoes or the thoughts one has. Rather the thoughts themselves are the thinker, and the experiences the experiencer” (Indian Theories of Mind). As long as one continues to believe in the existence of a self, it is not possible for them to properly understand the concept of mental activity as it is expressed within the Buddhist tradition.
It continues to be a renowned belief of Buddhism that upon coming to the conclusion that neither the extreme course of self-denial practiced by the ascetics nor the life of self-indulgence which he had led as a prince was the right path towards enlightenment, Siddhartha Gautama adopts what he refers to as the Middle Way. He then, having the notion that the answer to what he seeks is buried within his own consciousness, sits in meditation beneath a fig tree for a duration of four (some say seven) weeks. Throughout this length of time, he manages to withstand a barrage of attacks and temptations from the devil Mara while gradually ascending through higher states of consciousness, until he transcends the realm of conventional awareness and attains enlightenment. Such is the final aspiration of those pursuing the Buddhist path: to acquire, through right thoughts and good deeds, “release from the round of phenomenal existence with its inherent suffering… to attain nirvana, an enlightened state in which the fires of greed, hatred, and ignorance have been quenched” (Buddhism).
The primary ethic that serves as a guide toward one’s ascent to nirvana is one that is both “detached and inner-oriented,” requiring the individual searching to cultivate “four virtuous attitudes, known as the Palaces of Brahma: loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity” (Buddhism). However, in one’s striving to do so, it is important for them to first understand that in regards to Buddhist theory of the mind and consciousness, “there is no self that is aware of the experiences one undergoes or the thoughts one has. Rather the thoughts themselves are the thinker, and the experiences the experiencer” (Indian Theories of Mind). As long as one continues to believe in the existence of a self, it is not possible for them to properly understand the concept of mental activity as it is expressed within the Buddhist tradition.
Cited: "Asian Perspectives: Indian Theories of Mind." Cambridge Handbook of Consciousness. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Credo Reference. Web. 05 July 2013. Farrer-Halls, Gill. "Buddhism Seeks Enlightenment and Ultimate Reality." Constructing a Life Philosophy. Ed. Mary E. Williams. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 5 July 2013. Pecorino, Dr. Philip A. “Religions of the World: Buddhism.” qcc.cuny.edu. Queensborough Community College, 2001. Web. 4 Jul. 2013. "Philosophical Issues: Phenomenology." Cambridge Handbook of Consciousness. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Credo Reference. Web. 05 July 2013.