Harnessing the Full Potential of Our Rare Human Existence

CalmMinds MeditationMeditation

Harnessing the Full Potential of Our Rare Human Existence

0 Comments

Harnessing the Full Potential of Our Rare Human Existence

The other day, someone asked me if there was a contradiction between the Buddha teaching that “life is suffering” and the idea that human life is precious. This question led to an interesting discussion.

Firstly, it’s important to clarify that the phrase “life is suffering” isn’t something the Buddha actually taught. Instead, he pointed out that there are various forms of suffering in life.

Here’s what the first noble truth—the truth of suffering—entails, according to early scriptures which are said to record the Buddha’s words:
– Birth is suffering
– Old age is suffering
– Illness is suffering
– Death is suffering
– Association with the disliked is suffering
– Separation from the liked is suffering
– Not getting what you wish for is suffering

In essence, this doesn’t declare that life itself is suffering, but rather that there are many instances of suffering within life. Life includes suffering as part of the experience.

The Buddha also emphasized that there are moments of peace, joy, and happiness in life. More importantly, he taught that we can reduce and potentially eliminate suffering. This leads us to the third noble truth:
– The cessation of suffering involves the fading away and ending of craving. This means letting go, releasing, and not clinging to desires.

Human life is considered precious because we have the choice to remain unaware and continue suffering, or to cultivate awareness and free ourselves from suffering. This unique opportunity is not available to all beings, which underscores the value of human existence.

A follow-up question was whether human life is precious because it’s better to exist than not to be born or to no longer exist. This brought to mind certain aspects of Buddhism that are more cosmological and less scientific. Traditional Buddhist teachings suggest that the alternative to human existence is being reborn in less favorable forms.

In traditional teachings, there are many non-human beings, making human rebirth incredibly rare. An ancient analogy characterizes it as a one-eyed turtle coming up in the ocean every hundred years and sticking its head through a floating yoke.

Human existence is seen as the most promising for achieving spiritual awakening. Early scriptures describe five realms into which beings can be reborn: animals, hell, ghostly forms (all together known as the lower realms), the human realm, and the realm of the gods. A subset of gods called asuras is often added to this list for a total of six realms.

Human life is particularly advantageous for spiritual growth. Unlike gods, who live long but complacent lives, humans have enough suffering to motivate change and enough joy to avoid complacency. This makes human life a rare and precious opportunity.

Most modern practitioners interpret these realms as symbolic representations of psychological states. For example, an animal existence symbolizes living for basic urges, devoid of deeper thought. Hell represents severe mental suffering like depression and anxiety. Ghosts are likened to those caught up in insatiable desires. Gods symbolize individuals indulgent in refined pleasures, and asuras represent competitive, power-driven individuals. We achieve a truly human state when we live ethically, maintain emotional health, and remain open to learning.

The Buddha used these teachings not as literal truths but as motivation for practice. Reflecting on the scarcity and brevity of human life can increase its perceived value. My dad, who is 87 and healthy, might lead us to expect long life spans in the family. However, considering that I’m older than some of my late relatives helps me appreciate my current life as potentially short and precious.

It’s vital to remind ourselves frequently that we can slip into different mental and emotional states—be it a numb animal-like way of living, the hell of depression, or the ghost-like constant longing. Recognizing these shifts can help us stay balanced through mindful practice. While competitiveness and status-seeking can be satisfying, they often come with underlying fear and lack of meaning. Bringing awareness to these contradictions is essential.

Even states of happiness, often associated with gods in Buddhist cosmology, can lead to complacency. During good times, we may forget the inevitability of old age, sickness, and death, which can bring us back to reality.

Ultimately, we have two tasks: to recognize our ability for self-awareness (or mindfulness) and to use this ability to lead meaningful lives. Developing strong habits of mindfulness and compassion ensures that we navigate both suffering and joy mindfully. Embracing this precious human opportunity can help us live fulfilling and balanced lives. Life is short, so let’s make the most of the time we have.

Thank you for reading. Reflecting on such teachings can be both educational and enriching.