The Buddhist Path, the path to enlightenment,
can be explained, in summary, as the cultivation
of awareness. The cultivation of awareness is
the means whereby humans are able to self
evolve to the point of being fully awake.
Awareness is based on the sense perceptions,
unlike intellect, which uses the objects of aware-
ness to shape reality in ways that are beneficial
for a particular existence. But the intellect itself
is not aware of anything. The intellect interprets,
analyzes and manipulates, but has no bearing on
the nature of mind or the nature of reality. Only
through the cultivation of awareness can the
nature of mind and the true nature of reality be
seen and understood for what it is.
The practice of meditation is the discipline that
trains the awareness, allows the mind to self
evolve. The many teachings Buddhism are used
to correct misconceptions of the intellect, and to
point to awareness. But, it is only the practice of
meditation that can dispel the clouds of confusion
and conflicting emotions, (merely thoughts that
have gained steam), so that the mind is finally able
to rest in its natural state. At that point, the
reasoning mind no longer clings and grasps.
The cause of suffering is reasoning mind’s
tendency to interpret phenomena in a way that
seems beneficial to the survival of the individual.
Survival is an instinct common to living beings.
For human intellect, survival becomes the self
aggrandizement of runaway ego looking for
ultimate pleasure and eternal existence. As such,
it is a powerful diversion from the purpose of
human existence to self evolve. All human belief
systems are merely the attempt to put labels on
phenomena in order to understand them, when
ultimate understanding can only come when one’s
awareness is completely developed. At that point,
words become unnecessary.
