A) What is ignorance?
Before we turn to the mental factor of non-ignorance, let us be clear about what ignorance is: it is an active mis-knowing, a deliberately distorted view of the world. It takes for valid the words, language, concepts being used to describe phenomena. Let me ask you; has anyone ever found a unicorn; a centaur; a sphinx; Pegasus...
Ignorance is based on the wrong assumption that beings and things have a fixed, forever solid, never changing core.
It does not take into account the intricate web of causes and conditions, which contribute to create environments and all that is there.
And it does not acknowledge the links between causes and effects and the role those play in shaping the world.
B) What is non-ignorance?
It is the root of how we view the world, our self and everything around us. Non-ignorance will determine how we become involved in and with our lives mentally, verbally, physically. It is definitely not a passive mental factor, but a clear and active understanding of the way of the world.
It knows that no being or phenomenon has a fixed, forever solid, never changing core or essence.
It understands that everyone and everything is interdependent and that a myriad of causes and conditions are constantly contributing to what we experience, internally and externally, in our lives.
It recognises there is a clear, and logical, link between cause and effect and that we are responsible, according to our capacity, for being a force for good.
And non-ignorance knows that words, language, concepts are derived from an distorted perception of beings and phenomena; they are merely imputed labels and as such does not represent a truth...
C) Why is non-ignorance important?
Since ignorance is the root for so much confusion, we do ourselves and others a huge favour in trying to bring some level of understanding of non-ignorance to our mind. Once we know, see and understand at least some of this, we experience an enormous relief, a letting go of tension in our chest; a liberating openness; because we see the constant flux of arising, abiding and ceasing we become still, quiet and calm. We experience being part of a magic universe; pulsating, breathing, living, giving, compassionately alive...
D) What is our responsibility in all this?
We can only give what we have and are; it is our responsibility to embody as much knowledge and understanding as we can integrate; based on non-ignorance we now have an inner BPS always doing the best to steer us in a direction of clarity, understanding, listening, observing, withholding judgement...
E) How does non-ignorance create virtue?
When we do our best to see the many ways in which unsurmountable causes and conditions have contributed to creating beings and phenomena, we will look for a middle ground for a sound compromise... We have an other-centred approach, we are calm, we activate our PNS and thus create virtue; often without words; just by being who we have become; that is enough...
F) How to sustain non-ignorance in ourselves?
Sit back, relax
Close your eyes and do your breathing rosary
Bring to mind a positive situation in your life and remember the myriad of causes and conditions bringing this about
Think of all those who simply were there for you when you needed it the most
Feel your heart expand with love and gratitude
Open your eyes, watch the entire video and promise your self to always be a force for kindness and goodness, growing from your heart...a non-biased approach rooted in good ethics...
Make a firm determination to always apply non-ignorance to any situation, internally and externally, which arises...
Just remember what non-ignorance feels like; the understanding and elevating openness and liberating feeling this creates...keep your mind inwards and preserve this mental state; it is quiet, calm, serene; it is you at your best...
Love you all...see you tomorrow
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