I just finished reading The Art of Happiness. The Art is a book detailing a Western psychiatrist's interviews and meetings with the Dalai Lama, with the intent of presenting principles of Buddhism and the Dalai Lama's perspective in a format understandable to the Western reader. The book discusses unique perspectives on education, intelligence, anger, and purpose. It is a terrific read.
One of the more fascinating Buddhist concepts discussed in this book is that of the mind of clear light. As quoted from the Dalai Lama himself,
Fundamentally the book's philosophy does not negate the importance of ensuring basic mental and physical health. This much is given. The difference is upon the singular focus of our Western psychology tradition, of a diagnostic vocabulary and therapeutic analysis centered upon that which we do not want - the illness, the disorder, the affliction. Psychology and medicine are often focused on this fixing of illness, diagnosis of mental disorder, and returning of the individual to a predefined state of sanity. And then what? Clearly, there is value in understanding one's weaknesses. This can be a necessary first step. But, to spend an entirety of a life focused on the resolution of inherent weaknesses?
We need a new vocabulary.
I believe that which we focus upon expands. I believe thought, as predecessor to action, defines our life. As such, consciousness of thought, awareness of the fundamental connection between mind and reality, is fundamental to a life uncompromised. I believe it is a sad irony of our society when an element of this consciousness, the ability to understand the impact of thought upon action, must be introduced to Western pop-culture through a movie/book called The Secret. Right or wrong, how is conscious direction of our thought such a secret in the first place?
One of the more fascinating Buddhist concepts discussed in this book is that of the mind of clear light. As quoted from the Dalai Lama himself,
The essential nature of mind is pure. It is based on the belief that the underlying basic subtle consciousness is untainted by negative emotions. It's nature is pure. A state that is referred to as the mind of clear light. That nature of mind is also known as buddha nature. So since negative emotions is not an intrinsic part of buddha nature it is possible to eliminate them and purify the mind.I believe the Buddhist concepts of inherent mental purity can be both refreshing and enlightening (no pun intended). It has caused me to reflect a great deal upon our Western psychological/medical tradition, the media's inundation of our lives with negative imagery, and the broader concepts of punishment, personal development, and workplace/social order.
Fundamentally the book's philosophy does not negate the importance of ensuring basic mental and physical health. This much is given. The difference is upon the singular focus of our Western psychology tradition, of a diagnostic vocabulary and therapeutic analysis centered upon that which we do not want - the illness, the disorder, the affliction. Psychology and medicine are often focused on this fixing of illness, diagnosis of mental disorder, and returning of the individual to a predefined state of sanity. And then what? Clearly, there is value in understanding one's weaknesses. This can be a necessary first step. But, to spend an entirety of a life focused on the resolution of inherent weaknesses?
We need a new vocabulary.
I believe that which we focus upon expands. I believe thought, as predecessor to action, defines our life. As such, consciousness of thought, awareness of the fundamental connection between mind and reality, is fundamental to a life uncompromised. I believe it is a sad irony of our society when an element of this consciousness, the ability to understand the impact of thought upon action, must be introduced to Western pop-culture through a movie/book called The Secret. Right or wrong, how is conscious direction of our thought such a secret in the first place?
The vast majority of people in this world are not broken. We are not inherently flawed. In fact, perhaps the problem is not the individual at all, but the very paradigms we use in Western culture to define ourselves. What if the focus of our workplace/diagnosis/media on what is wrong or missing in our skills/mind/society/world is the true thief of our finest human potential?
The ultimate creative capacity of the brain may be, for all practical purposes, infinite.
-George Leonard
