Dear Friends,
Gil’s fourth dimension of wisdom is something he calls “revelatory wisdom.” He uses this phrase because things are revealed to us as we practice.
https://www.audiodharma.org/talks/11199
The calming and settling of the mind that we may experience through practice allows us to see more clearly. Something that was always there is clear.
Gil uses an example of when the smog clears, he can see the mountains where he lives. Something disappears (the smog, our conceptual mind) and then we can see more clearly what was covered over.
As discussed previously, some of the things we start to see with more clarity are the ways we cling and the ways we resist. We can start to see more and more subtle ways of clinging and resisting. Gil uses an analogy of underlying roots. He says, “as long as the roots are there, they’re going to keep sprouting plants. If there are the roots of suffering, then those roots are going to continue to make suffering. So we need to get clear and quiet enough to begin seeing what’s under the surface. When we’re quiet, we can see the roots of greed, hatred, and delusion – of clinging, grasping, and pushing away.”
We can also have insights, to see more clearly that which is universal to all our experiences. This list is often called the three characteristics.
From a calm and steady mind, it’s much easier to really get that things are inconstant (or impermanent). “The value of that — the kind of clarity that is revealed — is that it highlights two things for us. It highlights our clinging, how we grasp, and get attached. And it begins to show us there’s an alternative.”
The second insight is that of dukkha, suffering, dissatisfaction – that irritation that arises when we are clinging or resisting.
The third insight is the “not-selfness” of experience. “The idea is that, as the mind gets quiet, still, and clear, there’s no longer the overlay of self-concepts on the experience. Experiences in and of themselves can occur without any self imputed to them. It’s very freeing to have that happen. It’s a relief not to do the work of assuming or living in this idea of self. It’s like a vacation from these self ideas. It shows us the possibility of freedom.”
Meditation:
Nathan Glyde has a guided meditation on the three characteristics, which explores these in an embodied way (39 minutes):
https://www.dharmaseed.org/talks/57992/
With good wishes,
Andrea
I am really enjoying your daily messages. Your writings are clear and profound and I appreciate your examples and explanations. It is obvious you have put a lot of work into creating such concise and wise messages and I am grateful for your efforts in sharing
Hi Grace! Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate your participation and support.