Debunking the #1 myth about enlightenment | Robert Waldinger

Summary

The concept of enlightenment, rooted in Buddhism and other spiritual traditions, signifies the awakening to the interconnectedness and oneness of all things. While some seek a permanent state of enlightenment through intense meditation, Zen teachings caution against the pursuit of a constant altered state, emphasizing instead the fluctuating nature of spiritual awakening. True enlightenment is not a static goal but a dynamic process of engaging in compassionate, interconnected actions throughout life.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Enlightenment in Zen tradition signifies the understanding of life's interconnectedness and essential oneness.
• 🔍 Enlightenment is not a fixed state but rather a process of moving in and out of more awakened or less awakened states.
• 🧘 Long periods of meditation can lead to profound experiences, but these are fleeting and not indicative of permanent enlightenment.
• 📚 Accounts of enlightenment often involve out-of-body experiences, but these are not the same as a lasting state of enlightenment.
• 🚫 The pursuit of constant enlightenment is considered dangerous and unrealistic in Zen teachings.
• 🛌🏡 Enlightenment does not exempt one from everyday life responsibilities like doing laundry or brushing teeth.
• 🤔 Zen teaching warns against individuals who claim to be ultimately enlightened, as no one is fully and forever enlightened.
• 🌱 'Enlightened activity' refers to actions that reflect kindness and awareness of interconnectedness with all things.
• 🌍 Unenlightened actions are those that are selfish or destructive, such as harming the planet.
• 💡 The goal is not to achieve a permanent state of enlightenment but to strive for moments of enlightened activity throughout life.

Q & A

What is the concept of enlightenment in Buddhism and other spiritual traditions?

Enlightenment is an ancient concept referring to awakening, understanding the interconnectedness and essential oneness of everything, and the truth of life.

How does the Zen tradition view enlightenment?

In Zen, enlightenment is not a static state but a process of moving in and out of more awakened or less awakened states, recognizing the ever-changing interconnectedness of life.

What is the danger of seeking enlightenment as a constant altered state?

The danger lies in the misconception that one can permanently live in an unusual, altered state. Zen teaching emphasizes that even spiritual practitioners have moments of delusion and must return to everyday life.

What does the phrase 'enlightened activity' mean in the context of the script?

'Enlightened activity' refers to actions that are kind and mindful of one's interconnectedness with all beings and the environment, reflecting a state of enlightenment.

How does the script contrast 'enlightened activity' with 'unenlightened activity'?

Enlightened activity is compassionate and aware, while unenlightened activity is selfish and destructive, such as actions that harm the planet.

What is the significance of the book title mentioned in the script, 'After the Ecstasy, the Laundry'?

The title signifies that regardless of profound enlightenment experiences, one must always return to the mundane aspects of life, like doing laundry and brushing teeth.

What should one be suspicious of according to the script?

One should be suspicious of individuals who claim to be ultimately enlightened or perfectly evolved, as no person is fully and forever enlightened.

What did Shunryu Suzuki, a prominent Zen teacher, emphasize about enlightenment?

Shunryu Suzuki emphasized that no person is finally, fully, and forever enlightened, highlighting that enlightenment is about this moment's activity and interconnectedness.

What is the goal of pursuing enlightenment as presented in the script?

The goal is not self-improvement but to cultivate compassion and engage in enlightened activity as often as possible, being mindful of our interconnectedness in every moment.

How does the script describe the experience of people who have had enlightenment experiences?

The script describes these individuals as having brief, intense experiences of interconnectedness and oneness, but these experiences do not last and they return to their everyday lives.

What is the importance of understanding the concept of enlightenment as described in the script?

Understanding this concept helps to avoid the trap of seeking a permanent altered state and instead focus on living compassionately and mindfully in the present moment.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Understanding Enlightenment in Zen Tradition

This paragraph delves into the concept of enlightenment as understood in the Zen Buddhist tradition. It highlights that enlightenment is not just a spiritual goal but also a realization of the interconnectedness and essential oneness of all things. The speaker emphasizes that while enlightenment experiences can be profound, they are fleeting and do not equate to a permanent state. The paragraph warns against the pursuit of enlightenment as a self-improvement project and instead encourages viewing it as a series of moments where one can engage in enlightened activity, characterized by compassion and awareness of our interconnectedness with the world.

05:02

🎯 The Goal of Enlightened Living

The second paragraph focuses on the practical application of enlightenment in daily life. It suggests that the goal is not to achieve a constant state of bliss or to avoid suffering altogether, but rather to strive for moments of enlightened activity throughout one's life. This involves being as compassionate as possible and acting with mindfulness of the impact of one's actions on the world and others. The paragraph concludes by reinforcing the idea that enlightenment is not about reaching an ultimate state of being but about the journey of living with intention and awareness.

Keywords

💡Enlightenment

Enlightenment is a multifaceted concept deeply rooted in Buddhism and other spiritual traditions. It refers to a profound understanding or insight, particularly into the true nature of reality. In the context of the video, it signifies the realization of the interconnectedness and essential oneness of all things, transcending the apparent separateness we perceive at a superficial level. The script emphasizes that enlightenment is not a static state but a dynamic process of moving in and out of more awakened or less awakened states.

💡Zen tradition

The Zen tradition is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China and later developed in Japan. It is known for its emphasis on meditation and the direct pointing to the human mind to see its true nature. In the video, the speaker explains enlightenment from a Zen perspective, highlighting the importance of moment-to-moment awareness and the absence of a permanent, altered state of enlightenment.

💡Interconnectedness

Interconnectedness refers to the idea that all things are linked or related in some way, suggesting that actions can have far-reaching effects and that nothing exists in isolation. In the video, this concept is central to the understanding of enlightenment, as it underscores the fundamental unity of all existence and the illusory nature of separation.

💡Oneness

Oneness is the concept that all things are part of a single, unified whole. It implies that despite the diversity and apparent separation of forms, at a deeper level, all phenomena are interconnected and part of the same reality. The video uses this term to describe the insight gained through enlightenment, where the distinctions between self and other dissolve, revealing a fundamental unity.

💡Meditation

Meditation is a practice in which individuals use a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state. In the context of the video, meditation is mentioned as a method that can lead to enlightenment experiences, but it is also clarified that these experiences do not equate to a permanent state of enlightenment.

💡Altered state

An altered state refers to a change in the conscious awareness of an individual, often induced by certain practices like meditation or through extraordinary experiences. In the video, the speaker warns against the danger of seeking to maintain an unusual, altered state as an enlightenment experience, emphasizing that such states are temporary and do not represent a constant way of being.

💡Compassion

Compassion is the deep feeling of empathy and desire to alleviate the suffering of others. It is a central virtue in many spiritual traditions, including Zen Buddhism. In the video, compassion is highlighted as a key aspect of enlightened activity, where one acts with kindness and awareness of their interconnectedness with all beings and the world around them.

💡Self-improvement

Self-improvement refers to the process of enhancing one's personal development, capabilities, and well-being. While the pursuit of enlightenment might seem like a self-improvement project, the video clarifies that it is not about personal gain but rather about cultivating compassion and acting in ways that reflect an understanding of interconnectedness.

💡Shunryu Suzuki

Shunryu Suzuki was a prominent Zen Buddhist teacher who played a significant role in introducing Zen to the Western world, particularly in the United States during the 20th century. He is known for his teachings on the practical application of Zen principles in daily life and his emphasis on the present moment. In the video, Suzuki's perspective is cited to illustrate that enlightenment is not a final, unattainable state but rather a continuous process of being present and engaged in the current moment's activity.

💡Delusion

Delusion refers to a belief or impression that is not based on reality or a misunderstanding of the true nature of things. In the context of the video, delusion is used to describe a state of mind where one is not seeing life clearly, often due to selfish or destructive behavior that ignores the interconnectedness and oneness of all things.

💡Enlightened activity

Enlightened activity, as described in the video, refers to actions that are informed by the understanding of interconnectedness and oneness. These are activities that reflect compassion, awareness, and a recognition of the impact of one's actions on the world and others. It is not about achieving a permanent state of enlightenment but about engaging in actions that embody its principles in everyday life.

Highlights

Enlightenment is an ancient concept found in Buddhism and other spiritual traditions.

In Zen, enlightenment refers to recognizing the interconnectedness and essential oneness of everything.

Enlightenment is not just a concept but also involves experiencing life's surprising aspects.

On a superficial level, things appear separate, but at the deepest level, everything is interconnected and constantly changing.

Enlightenment is often seen as something to be achieved, with people seeking intense meditative experiences.

Zen teaching warns against the danger of seeking to live in an altered state of enlightenment constantly.

Unusual experiences of enlightenment are brief and cannot be sustained.

A Zen teacher's interviews with enlightened individuals were compiled into a book titled 'After Zen,' emphasizing the return to everyday life.

Life continues with mundane tasks even after enlightenment experiences.

The pursuit of constant enlightenment is unrealistic; humans naturally move in and out of states of awakening.

Spiritual practitioners, no matter how evolved, will still have moments of delusion and confusion.

One should be suspicious of anyone claiming to be ultimately enlightened or perfectly evolved.

Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki emphasized that no one is fully and forever enlightened; there is only the present moment's activity.

Enlightened activity is characterized by kindness and attention to interconnectedness with all things.

The goal is not self-improvement but to be as compassionate as possible in each moment, pursuing enlightened activity.

Transcripts

- There's a lot of talk about enlightenment.

It's a concept that's very old in Buddhism,

but also in other spiritual traditions.

And it can mean so many different things,

but in my Zen tradition, it really refers to:

and to some of the surprising aspects of life

that we don't normally see.

Most specifically, the interconnectedness of everything,

the essential oneness of everything.

That yes, on one level, everything exists separately.

I exist separately from you,

and this chair exists separately from me.

And at the deepest level, none of it is separate.

All of it is completely interconnected and always changing.

That is awakening to the truth of life.

Now, enlightenment is often held out

as a thing that we can get.

And in fact, you can read accounts of people sitting

in long periods of meditation, sometimes on retreats,

where they essentially have these amazing experiences.

Sometimes they feel like out-of-body experiences,

and they can write elaborate descriptions

of what these are like.

And sometimes people feel like,

"Well, if I just have those experiences,

then I'm enlightened.

And if I had those experiences once, I want them back,

so I want to try to get them back again."

What we teach in Zen is that that's actually dangerous,

that nobody lives in a kind of unusual

altered state all the time.

Most of us never do.

And if we have unusual experiences, it's very brief,

an experience of, for example, complete interconnectedness

and oneness cannot last.

In fact, one Zen teacher did a set of interviews

with people who had had enlightenment experiences,

and he put them into a book, and the title of the book was,

And what he meant by that was that no matter what kind

of unusual experience we might have of waking up,

of enlightenment, we always go back to needing to do

the laundry and needing to brush our teeth

and needing to go to work, but that is just how life is.

So, although most of us, myself included,

wish that there were a way to get enlightened

and stay that way, to get to a place

where it's always blissful and we never suffer,

I have never met a human being on this Earth

who gets to that place.

And Zen teaching is that that's not possible.

That in fact, we move in and out of states of being

more awakened or less awakened,

that no matter how evolved you are

as a spiritual practitioner, you're gonna have times

when you're just all upset about stupid stuff,

when you're just deluded, as we say.

And then, you move back into periods

where you see life more clearly.

That's important for me because if you meet people

who hold themselves out as an ultimately enlightened person,

be very suspicious of that.

Be very suspicious of anybody who claims

to be a perfectly evolved, enlightened human being.

Shunryu Suzuki, a very important Zen teacher

in the United States in the 20th century,

was famous for saying that,

And what he meant by that was that no person

is finally, fully and forever enlightened.

There is only this moment's activity.

So, if I do something that is kind, that pays attention

to my interconnectedness with everyone

and everything, that is enlightened activity.

If I do something that's selfish, if I do something

that destroys the planet, that is unenlightened activity.

And so, the idea of pursuing enlightenment

really is not pursuing a self-improvement project.

It's pursuing a way to be as compassionate as I can

in each moment, to pursue enlightened activity

in as many moments as I can string together in my life.

That's the goal.