(a metaphysical drama in approx. 3,1415926535897932384626433832795 acts)
Do you wish to relax?
In that case, maybe you will thoroughly appreciate this reading of the Maha-Rahulovada Sutta. :-)
Take 20 minutes, sit comfortably, close your eyes, breathe, and listen.
Afterwards we may share our experiences if you wish. I shall postpone my description until then, for I do not want to influence you already. :-)
Ever since my childhood days I’ve been interested in the “quintessence”, structure and relation of things in this universe. This web spun by my consciousness was constantly transforming its shape, its threads widening here and narrowing there, as I directed my attention more and more in distinct directions with child-like curiosity.
Such a web obviously does not cover everything, it is not complete. Occasionally when something inspires you, suddenly you “discover” a new thread interweaving itself with the web.
Now let us go one step further. Let us visualise a multidimensional structure, consisting of a large (countably infinite?) set of units or “nodes”, with all nodes being directly connected to each other by the imaginary threads. The emerging loops and “patterns” with stronger interconnections are like super-nodes, representing larger memes or memeplexes, and you can freely combine all of these… and go beyond.
What is the point? Where does it end?
Maybe one possible “goal” of this game is to rediscover all the connections, until a completely homogeneous structure emerges, leading to full transcendence. Greed, aversion and delusion should be abandoned on the way, lest they would automatically create inhomogenities. But then again, it’s just a visualisation of a path that has been described already in the past - in various different ways.
This is where structural matches, isomorphisms, linking and translating, dichotomies, triangles and lots of other funny things come into play. I will explain my views on these later when my thoughts are sorted. :-)
The “body-mind-split” (also known as “mind-body problem”) has been investigated by philosophers for millennia. I am not so familiar with their distinct views, but I believe that the separation between body and mind only exists at a conceptual level. Postulating the separation, however, results in exactly that experience - along with some strange side effects like cursing your stomach just because it sends you signals which you perceive as “pain”. (I am talking from experience! :-))
How can the split be healed?
In the wonderful Ambalatthika-rahulovada Sutta, Gotama Siddhattha delivers an inspiring teaching to his seven-year-old son Rahula. Indeed the suggested reflection already points towards a possible remedy. In some other suttas Rahula is instructed on mindfulness techniques. Apart from these ancient words, I believe that (among others) the following developments are highly beneficial:
(1) communication on the non-verbal level. Listening to the body is a non-verbal experience. For “talking” (not in the classical sense) a small set of commands seems to exist.
(2) synaesthesia - the establishment of “structural matches” between different senses.
The body is a very intelligent entity, equipped with its own memory and loads of abilities. It keeps supporting and healing itself almost regardless of what your mind thinks about it! A patient and enduring entity indeed. However, in the long run it suffers from a “negative” or malevolent mental attitude.
Baz Luhrmann suggests in “Everybody’s Free To Wear Sunscreen” that your body is “… the best instrument that you have”. I think he’s got a point! Benevolence towards your own body is essential. If only I had always been benevolent towards mine… healthy nutrition, regular sports, refreshing sleep, upright posture: you never believe your parents on those. My suggestion: let’s all start today. :-)
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