Dependent Origination
If one can imagine a beach of white sand, then the stretch looks continuous. On closer examination, though, one finds that the beach is made up of an uncountable number of small grains, each close to the next. If one looks even closer, one discovers that the grains aren’t even touching, that each grain is alone. Similarly, when one’s mindfulness has been empowered by jhana meditation, one may see the stream on consciousness in much the same way.
Before, it looked like a continuous stretch of unbroken cognition. But now it is revealed as granular, tiny moments of consciousness, only then can one see how one moment of consciousness influences what follows.
What is life? The process of dependent origination
What are you? The process of dependent origination
That is life.
- The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching - Ajahn Brahm
Avijja (said aweeja) delusion - not seeing it clearly Sankarra Volitional/Kamma formations Consciousness Namarupa Body, physical stuff and mental stuff (feeling, perception) jadana Will sensory experiences - contact craving or wanting upadana - fuel which drives the process of dependent origination bawa - states of existence (life)
11 links of dependent origination. 12 things.
some want unpleasant things over nothing at all wanting to live with pain
Not what you have been taught - but what is actually there. Penetrate the real truth - with the mind being kept where it is long enough.
Through overcoming delusion Non-self is realised - there is no one really there, it is just a process. Not a person experiencing the world - it is a process experiencing the world. The process is called dependent origination.
Why do we want so much? Why do we work so hard?
The alternative to wanting is contentment. Freedom from desire instead of freedom of desire. Few desires instead of many.
Can you turn off your emails, devices for a few weeks? Are you free from the possession or do they own you?
Paired with dependent origination is dependent cessation. Ending. Nibbana.
When people ask “Can you do all these jhanas or thing?” Answer, No - I can’t. I, x persons needs to vanish first. The sense of self has to disaapear - then all these things happen on their own.
Upadana - not taking up. Not taking the fuel.
You can’t create peace but you can dissapear and peace is what is left.
cause and effect - just a process.