Why You Should Let Go of the Pursuit of Enlightenment
Written on
The Essence of Mindfulness Practice
Zen teachings emphasize that when you engage in sitting, the act itself is paramount. Enlightenment may come, but it should not be your goal. Release all expectations regarding growth, happiness, or insights; simply sit for the sake of sitting.
Previously, we explored how our desire to evade certain feelings or attain others can distract us from mindfulness. This critical insight deserves deeper reflection.
Initially, I struggled to understand this concept. If there are no tangible benefits, what motivates the practice? Why invest time in something that seems fruitless? However, after extensive reading and countless hours on the meditation mat, clarity emerged.
Embracing the Present Moment
There is no extraordinary state to achieve, no elevated realm, and no trance-like experience. The present moment is all that exists, and any mental constructs or desires taint its authenticity. If enlightenment exists, it will not differ from now; it embodies complete acceptance of the present as it is. Thus, there is nothing to achieve.
"Truth comes when your mind and heart are purged of all sense of striving and you are no longer trying to become somebody; it is there when the mind is very quiet, listening timelessly to everything." — Bruce Lee
When we impose expectations on our practice, hoping to reach a certain level of proficiency, we engage in thought and emotion rather than pure observation. This distraction can obstruct our deeper practice. Yet, a contradiction arises; by reading these words, you may now expect that "something positive will occur if you let go of your expectations." While this might hold true, it creates another layer of expectation. It’s rare for anyone to fully commit to a pursuit without the promise of some reward.
Release the Pursuit
We can illustrate this paradox with an analogy. Imagine a painful thorn embedded in your thumb. After failing to dislodge it, you grab another thorn to help remove the first. Once your thumb is free of the thorn, both are discarded.
In this scenario, the first thorn represents ignorance or delusion, and the second thorn symbolizes your mindfulness meditation practice, complete with its promises and assumptions. Ultimately, you must relinquish all expectations and simply exist. When you stop striving, your life aligns with mindfulness.
Words often fall short in describing this state, as any attempt to articulate it can inadvertently impose expectations. To truly understand this mindfulness state, it must be experienced firsthand. However, there are valuable insights available in books like "On Having No Head" by Douglas Harding and "One Blade of Grass" by Henry Shukman, as well as in Part Five: The Feel of Mindfulness in "Mindfulness: A Guidebook to the Present Moment."
"Before one studies Zen, mountains are mountains and waters are waters; after a first glimpse into the truth of Zen, mountains are no longer mountains and waters are no longer waters; after enlightenment, mountains are once again mountains and waters once again waters." — Dōgen Zenji
The directive to "stop striving" is inherently paradoxical. To gain the true benefits of meditation, you must cease your fixation on attaining those benefits, as that focus can impede progress. Conversely, the absence of perceived progression may dampen your motivation. The path forward lies in maintaining your practice and accepting whatever arises. Avoid attachment to progress, frequency, or insights.
Just sit and observe what unfolds.
The first video, "Stop Striving for Enlightenment," delves into the nuances of letting go of expectations in meditation practice. It invites viewers to embrace the present moment without the pressure of achievement.
In the second video, "Q&A: How did you stop seeking? || Nonduality and Enlightenment Simplified," the speaker discusses the journey of relinquishing the search for enlightenment and finding peace in non-duality.
Read more:
- What Meditation Truly Is
- Finding a Meditation Group/Guru: Essential Considerations
- Explore another chapter from "Mindfulness: A Guidebook to the Present Moment"
Available now: eBook, Paperback & Audible