The teaching of dependent origination (DO) is one of the heartwood teachings of the Buddha. In describing the 12 steps of this cycle he outlined how it is that we create suffering for ourselves. The cycle concerns the suffering we create through ignorance (not seeing clearly). On one level the cycle can be interpreted as describing our continual cycle from birth to old age and death over a series of lifetimes until ignorance, craving and hatred are let go.
On a practical level, however, the cycle describes how we create the concept of a “self” each time we don’t see clearly (ignorance and lack of mindfulness) which leads to craving, attachment, acting out, (saying the hurtful words, taking the drug, acting out of selfishness, greed etc.) and then suffer the consequences (regret, guilt, resentment, negative self talk, or whatever). This cycle operates daily with many “selfs” created throughout the day. Does this ever happen to you?
Let’s first take a look at the 12 stages of the cycle. Each stage leads to the next and is dependent on the stage before. It begins with our (1)“ignorance” which is our lack of mindfulness. Maybe confusion is a better description. Without mindfulness we don’t see clearly and our (2) intentions/actions have confusion as their basis. Our actions require (3) consciousness of the senses and a (4) body and mind. All of the above contribute to our awareness of the sensory world through our (5) six senses (the sixth sense is the mind and thoughts).
These first five steps are in place when we come in (6) contact with the world around us. Contact consists of one of our sense organs meeting their worldly counterpart; the ear hears a sound; the eye sees an object/person; the brain thinks a thought etc. This contact itself is neutral but our response to every contact is one of three types. We regard the contact as pleasant, unpleasant or neutral. The term for these three sense experiences in D.O. is (7) feeling. Please don’t confuse the term with emotions.
If mindfulness is absent, then ignorance, (not seeing clearly, confusion) transforms what is pleasant into something that we (8) want/crave; what is unpleasant as something we don’t want, hate, or push away. What is neutral we may be indifferent to or ignore. Has that ever happened to you? If we are still not mindful we (9) attach/cling to the thought. We just can’t let go of the thought. If we still aren’t mindful we act out of this greed, hatred or delusion. The term for this is (10) becoming. When we act out we literally create (become) a “self.” The idea/concept of a “me” (11) is born. It’s the “me” who justifies my actions, who got what I wanted/deserved; and is such a jerk for doing this again. The final step is the (12) suffering as a result of this “birth” of me. Eventually we forget the whole episode. Is this how events sometimes unfold for you?
And if we still haven’t learned from this round then we retain the notion that if we just tweaked it a bit we could manage another round and find the permanent fix without the consequences. That is (1) ignorance again and it’s obvious what happens next.
The way out of the cycle is abandoning of ignorance and replacement with mindfulness. When mindfulness is present at the start of the cycle we see pleasant for what it is and don’t move to craving. We can see unpleasant as it is and not move toward aversion. These are the two most accessible parts of the cycle (replacing ignorance and craving with mindfulness). It’s difficult to eliminate the body, senses, consciousness, and contact. Our mindfulness practice on the cushion is our training ground for mindfulness off the cushion. Even if craving and aversion arise we can still be mindful and to abandon them if we are aware of what is happening.
EXERCISE: Our exercise this week is to notice whenever you create a “self”; how often you “act out” and give “birth” to a “self” that is, unkind, angry, impatient, greedy, lustful, resentful, or picked on). Please pay attention after this “birth” to see how we suffer in the moments after our unskillful thoughts, words or actions. Take a moment to:
1. Pause and take a breath. 2. Relax 3. Observe what just happened. Please don’t be judgmental. Our aim is to observe not to judge. Can there be mindful acceptance of what has happened? Can we do this without a Judge being born?
Then notice how this sense of “self” disappears again into the background of your life. If you recall the incident later and you find yourself clinging, attaching, and acting out (self talk) in terms of anger at yourself or others, then notice this rebirth of the concept of self once again.
Also take a moment to reflect on what kinds of things you are most likely to create the “self” out of. Is it possessions, your job, money or circumstances in your life? Or is it about relationships? See if you can notice any differences between the two.
When mindfulness is present we act from a place of our original goodness. We already possess this. We don’t need to create a self to realize this goodness. In creating the concept of “self” we cover this inherent goodness.
When we reflect on the teaching of Dependent Origination in this way it becomes a middle path. It’s not the endless rebirths from past lives into the future nor is it the denial of a self. If we contemplate how our ignorance and lack of clarity gives rise to attachment, greed, craving and delusions we can see from our own direct experience how we “create” the concept of a self over and over again. No, it is not real! And yet it is not unreal either! Being neither of these extremes it is a middle way. This is the path to joy, calm, seeing things as they are, and letting go. May you be well, happy and peaceful. Floyd
