Trapped By Views

Image of the Week
Hand-drawn art by Rupali Bhuva
Image of the Week
In capcana opiniilor
--de Ajahn Pasanno

Putem observa cum tot ceea apare este doar un continut interior al mintii, doar un gand sau o perceptie. Putem observa ceva si in acelasi timp realiza ca aceasta perceptie este impermanenta, nesatisfacatoare si neapartinand sinelui. Cateodata putem actiona pe baza opiniilor sau perceptiilor, daca sunt folositoare la un moment, insa nu ne cladim casa sau simtul sinelui pe baza acestora.
Si iata cum, din nou, asta se leaga de bunavointa-iubitoare: inseamna sa fim buni cu no si cu altii cand ne aducem indata in memorie ultima data cand am fost in conflict cu cineva din cauza unui anume fel de a privi lucrurile. Reflectezi ulterior la ce s-a intamplat si te intrebi: ‘Cum am ajuns in aceasta situatie? Ce rost au avut toate acestea?’
Cand nu suntem in capcana opiniilor, de obicei avem ragazul de a raspunde cu discernamant, si asta este foarte folositor. Reflectati la cat de importanta este non-violenta ca baza pentru bunavointa-iubitoare. In vechile texte exista o expresie care descrie starea mentala care este atasata de opinii: ‘Doar asta este adevarat, orice altceva este gresit’. Chiar daca nu ne-am fi gandit in mod constient in acest fel, aceasta perspectiva este acolo. Ne putem schimba opiniile, insa in acel moment se poate simti tot ca: ‘Asa este bine, orice altceva este gresit’.
Atunci cand ne aflam intr-o astfel de perspectiva se pun bazele pentru tensiune si conflict. Se pune temelia pentru sentimente de iritare si aversiune, pentru o durata mai scurta sau mai lunga de timp. Reaua vointa se hraneste din acest fel de a vedea lucrurile.
Cautati sa scoateti la suprafata acest fel de a gandi prin cultivarea bunavointei-iubitoare, pentru a nu intari si mai mult opiniile centrate pe EU. Sa aveti pentru voi sentimentul bunavointei-iubitoare si dorinta de a va fi bine, deoarece, de obicei, sunteti primii care aveti de suferit atunci cand va blocati intr-un fel anume de a vedea lucrurile. Ulterior, altii au de suferit de asemenea.
Practica constanta a bunavointei-iubitoare nu este doar despre generarea ocazionala a unei emotii prezente doar cata vreme ne aflam pe perna de meditatie. Ci este o modalitate practica de a interactiona cu lumea inconjuratoare fara a cadea in capcana opiniilor rigide. Astfel se pune temelia pacii si claritatii.
Ne putem elibera -- de dispozitii, iritare sau aversiune; ne putem elibera de opinii care apar in minte; ne putem elibera de o anume perspectiva despre cum credem noi ca ar trebui sa fie lucrurile; ne putem elibera de poftele generate de simturi; si ne putem elibera de intregul construct mental: ‘Eu sunt’. Acest demers de eliberare ne permite sa accesam si sa traim adevarata pace.
Seed Questions for Reflection

How do you relate to the notion that we can let go of a view that's starting to arise? Can you share a personal story of accessing real peace by letting go of your views? What helps you let go of your perspectives?

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5 Past Reflections
SO
Nov 25, 2019
This very thought...I refuse to be trapped by the fixed gestalt of others....I shared with myself as I shook of the irritation created by power imbalance at work.
PK
Nov 17, 2019
Here is an image. It is about mid-day sun caught through leaves changing color. Reality trapped by beauty…



Click on the image for higher-res photo.
JP
Nov 16, 2019
We all have our views or perspectives and opinions about what is good and what is bad, what is right and what is wrong. If we get strongly attached to our view and judge others who have a different point of view, there is a strong probability of creating contention and conflict or even enmity. When I am with people whose views are different from my views, I become aware of my point of view that is starting to arise in my mind and let it go. That meansI do not get attached to it or bound by it. I do not want to be trapped by my view that can block or hinder my empathic understanding of the other person's point of view. I believe in having open-minded and open-hearted relationships. When I operate this way our relationship thrives. When I am not trapped by my views,I can respond to the other person more skillfully meaning non-judgmentally, empathicallyand respectfully. The ideal way of freeing myself of my view is to recognize that "whatever comes up is just a mental formation w... View full comment
DD
Nov 16, 2019
What comes up in the mind, such as a view or perception, is a mental formation but not 'just' a mental perception, as Pasanno writes. That it's not permanent doesn't mean it's without value -- everything but Being is impermanent. It may be satisfactory and 'not-self'. The challenge is to have a view or perception without being trapped or locked in or controlled by it. We are able to let go of a view -- we can control it rather than it control us. I've accessed peace sometimes by letting go of religious and nationalistic and racial views I learned as a child, and have sometimes accessed more struggle. What helps me let go of my perspectives is being open and seeing what is rather than seeing my thinking, my prejudices, my preconceived notions, and my expectations.