FOCUSSING ONLY ON THE PROCESS

Much has been read and heard of the cricketing heroics and abundance of records set by the Little Master Tendulkar over the two decades of his career. Most certainly, he deserves every accolade penned by every sports columnist. What caught my attention in particular, was an excerpt from an interview reported in a section of the media a few months ago when the wizard had just torn through another record. When the awestruck reporter quizzed Sachin on his penchant for setting records, the Master nonchalantly replied: “I concentrate on the process and let the records take care of themselves.” How incredibly true, i had silently thought!

No matter which field we wish to excel in, including in the pursuit of spiritual awakening, we need to bear just those pearls of wisdom in mind at all times. Words such as ‘enlightenment’, ‘nirvana’, ‘liberation’ may sound too complex, vague and perhaps overwhelming to a lay person who wishes to set off on the path and may even discourage him / her from taking the first step.

Being an avid Himalayan trekker, it was on one such arduous trek many years ago when the going was agonizing at 18000ft, that a lesson was well learnt. Although the weather was cool and early morning skies clear, the sheer tiredness of trundling uphill at that altitude had the lungs and feet protesting. The climb seemed unending and i kept looking up to get a possible glimpse of the summit. Sensing the falling spirit given the task ahead, the experienced Sherpa guide firmly yet politely said “Don’t look up! Keep looking just a little ahead of your next step. Look around for lovely views but not up in the direction of the summit. It will tire you more” Later he was to explain that the psychological effort in taking the next step does not seem as imposing a task as viewing how much more is left to climb! Something mountaineers follow as a rule.

In spiritual pursuit, it is just the same. Rather than looking at the end result and how far we have to go - which may take long and may or maynot manifest fully - we should concentrate on the process. And the process is that of constantly increasing Awareness.

Contemplating on the gross and subtle states in which we exist. Being vigilant of the manner in which our conditioned mind works and how the arising habitual tendencies from it respond to situations, in contrast to the actions from the pure nature of mind. Witnessing which arising emotion, thought or feeling gives us happiness, which of them bring suffering and which are neutral in nature. Inspecting what happens to our breath when these upheavals arise and subsequently fall. Conversely, how conscious breathing is able to control these upheavals to manageable levels. Observing silently the connection between our breath and consciousness. Being mindful of what happens when we rather leave unwanted thoughts alone than encourage and chase them. Accepting the impermanent nature of all things. Detaching our pre-conceived perceptions of the occurrence of phenomena - by classifying them as ones that we like and those that we dislike - thereby avoiding the trap of duality. Realizing that available causes and conditions can be tweaked to influence the required effect. Knowing that there is no role of ego and other vicious mind products like anger, selfishness, desire, greed and envy in developing our humane side. Understanding that displayed or hidden emotions drive us further into karmic debt that we are already burdened with from beginningless time.

In short, the process of concentrating every moment on the ‘nowness’ of our being is crucial. This inextricable unison of the radiance of the mind and its nature of emptiness is called Clear or Pure Awareness. As awareness increases, all negativity of body, speech and mind actions - that arise from ignorance - dissolves automatically. The two are conversely proportional to each other. We begin to live easier, fuller and complete. When the mind knows that it is being scrutinized in real time, it begins to serve us like a helpful genie!

With the New Year round the corner, many of us would be making all kinds of resolutions and promises. Let’s make them only to serve our cause and improving our peacefulness and quality of life. This is Nirvana. And it is possible to discover while we are alive. No one out there is going to do it for us. We alone can make it happen.

May the Buddha within awaken!

Girish Deshpande
(The author is a Pune based Dharma practitioner. More on www.urbanlama.blogspot.com )