Become What You Are

1. The paradox of self-denial: Losing oneself to find oneself

"He that loseth his soul shall find it."

The core paradox. At the heart of many spiritual traditions lies a profound paradox: to truly find oneself, one must first lose oneself. This idea, common to Buddhism, Christianity, and other mystical traditions, suggests that our usual sense of self is an illusion that must be transcended to experience true freedom and fulfillment.

The practice of letting go. This paradox manifests in the spiritual practice of self-denial or "letting go." It involves releasing our attachments to fixed ideas about ourselves, our desires, and our expectations. By loosening our grip on these mental constructs, we open ourselves to a more expansive and authentic experience of life.

The result of surrender. When we fully surrender our egoic sense of self, we paradoxically discover a deeper, more genuine identity. This is not about self-destruction, but rather about revealing our true nature that has always been present beneath our conditioned personality. The process often leads to a sense of liberation, joy, and connection to something greater than our individual selves.

2. Zen and the art of living in the present moment

"The perfect man employs his mind as a mirror; it grasps nothing; it refuses nothing; it receives, but does not keep."

Zen philosophy. Zen Buddhism emphasizes direct experience over intellectual understanding. It teaches that enlightenment is not something to be attained in the future, but a reality to be realized in the present moment. The goal is to cultivate a mind that is fully present and responsive to life as it unfolds.

Practical application. Living in the present moment involves:

• Developing mindfulness of our thoughts, feelings, and sensations
• Letting go of excessive planning and worrying about the future
• Releasing regrets and ruminations about the past
• Engaging fully in whatever activity we are doing, no matter how mundane

The mirror mind. The ideal state of mind in Zen is often compared to a mirror – clear, reflective, and unattached. This mind reflects reality as it is, without distortion from personal biases, judgments, or preconceptions. By cultivating this mirror-like quality, we can respond to life with greater clarity, wisdom, and spontaneity.

3. The language of metaphysical experience: Beyond words and logic

"To receive the universe into oneself, after the manner of some 'mystics,' is simply to become inflated with the conceit that one is God and so set up yet another opposition between the mighty whole and the degraded part."

The limits of language. Mystical and metaphysical experiences often defy conventional description. Words and concepts, which are inherently dualistic and limiting, struggle to capture the non-dual, ineffable nature of ultimate reality. This limitation of language poses a significant challenge in communicating spiritual truths.

Pointing to the moon. Spiritual teachings often use metaphors, koans, and paradoxes to point towards truth rather than directly describing it. Like a finger pointing to the moon, these teachings are meant to guide our attention towards direct experience rather than providing conceptual understanding.

Beyond logic. Metaphysical experiences often transcend ordinary logic and reason. They invite us to move beyond our habitual ways of thinking and perceiving, opening us to a more intuitive and holistic understanding of reality. This shift can be both liberating and disorienting, as it challenges our fundamental assumptions about ourselves and the world.

4. The unconscious mind: Rediscovering forgotten gods within

"The extraordinary capacity to feel an event inwardly, as distinct from bursting into precipitate action to avoid the tension of feeling—this capacity is in fact a wonderful power of adaptation to life, not unlike the instant responses of flowing water to the contours of the ground over which it flows."

The inner pantheon. The concept of the unconscious mind in modern psychology parallels ancient spiritual traditions that recognized the multifaceted nature of the human psyche. Just as ancient mythologies spoke of gods and demons within the soul, the unconscious contains powerful forces that shape our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Integrating the shadow. Acknowledging and integrating the unconscious aspects of ourselves – including our shadow or repressed qualities – is crucial for psychological and spiritual growth. This process involves:

• Facing our fears and insecurities
• Accepting and transforming our "negative" qualities
• Recognizing the wisdom and potential within our instincts and emotions

The adaptive unconscious. Our unconscious mind possesses remarkable wisdom and adaptability. By learning to trust and work with our unconscious processes, rather than always trying to control them consciously, we can tap into deeper resources of creativity, intuition, and resilience.

5. Embracing impermanence: The path to spiritual freedom

"Life exists only at this very moment, and in this moment it is infinite and eternal. For the present moment is infinitely small; before we can measure it, it has gone, and yet it exists forever."

The nature of impermanence. Buddhism teaches that all phenomena are impermanent and in constant flux. This includes our bodies, thoughts, emotions, and everything in the external world. Recognizing and accepting this fundamental truth of existence is key to spiritual liberation.

Letting go of attachment. Our suffering often stems from our attachment to things that are inherently impermanent. By cultivating a mindset of non-attachment, we can:

• Reduce anxiety about change and loss
• Appreciate the present moment more fully
• Develop greater equanimity in the face of life's ups and downs

Freedom in flux. Paradoxically, embracing impermanence can lead to a profound sense of freedom and aliveness. When we stop resisting the flow of change, we can move more gracefully with life's currents, finding joy and meaning in the ever-unfolding present moment.

6. The Bodhisattva ideal: Compassion and service in Buddhism

"How innumerable sentient beings are, I vow to save them all;"

The compassionate path. The Bodhisattva ideal represents the pinnacle of compassion in Buddhism. A Bodhisattva is one who, having attained enlightenment, chooses to remain in the world to help all sentient beings achieve liberation. This ideal emphasizes that true spiritual realization is inseparable from compassionate action.

Universal interconnection. The Bodhisattva vow is rooted in the recognition of the fundamental interconnectedness of all beings. This perspective sees that:

• Our own liberation is intimately tied to the liberation of all
• Every act of kindness ripples out to affect the whole
• There is no ultimate separation between self and other

Practical application. Living the Bodhisattva ideal involves:

• Cultivating boundless compassion for all beings
• Engaging in skillful means to alleviate suffering
• Dedicating one's life to the service of others
• Balancing wisdom with compassion in all actions

7. Faith and works in Buddhism: The balance of self-effort and grace

"Being born in Amida's Land means no more than attaining enlightenment—the two terms are entirely synonymous. The ultimate end of the Shin life is enlightenment and not salvation."

Two approaches. Buddhism encompasses both self-power (jiriki) and other-power (tariki) approaches to spiritual practice. The self-power approach emphasizes personal effort and discipline, while the other-power approach relies on the grace or compassion of a divine being (such as Amida Buddha in Pure Land Buddhism).

Complementary paths. These two approaches are not necessarily contradictory but can be seen as complementary. The balance between effort and grace, discipline and surrender, can vary depending on the individual and the specific Buddhist tradition.

Beyond dualism. At the deepest level, the distinction between self-power and other-power dissolves. In the non-dual perspective of advanced Buddhist philosophy, there is ultimately no separation between the practitioner and the source of enlightenment. The apparent choice between effort and grace is itself transcended in the realization of Buddha-nature.

8. Non-duality: Transcending opposites in spiritual practice

"Nirvana is unknown to those who know It, and is known to those who do not know It at all."

Beyond opposites. Non-duality is a central concept in many spiritual traditions, especially in Mahayana Buddhism. It points to the ultimate truth that transcends all conceptual opposites, such as self and other, good and evil, or enlightenment and ignorance.

Paradoxical wisdom. Non-dual teachings often employ paradox to point beyond the limitations of conceptual thinking. Some key non-dual insights include:

• Samsara (the cycle of suffering) is itself Nirvana (liberation)
• Ordinary mind is Buddha mind
• There is nothing to attain, as we are already complete

Practical implications. Embracing non-duality in practice involves:

• Letting go of the need to judge or categorize experiences
• Cultivating equanimity towards all phenomena
• Recognizing the inherent completeness of the present moment
• Transcending the seeker/sought duality in spiritual practice

9. The everyday mind as the path to enlightenment

"You yourself as you are—that is Buddha Dharma."

Ordinary as extraordinary. Many Buddhist traditions, particularly Zen, emphasize that enlightenment is not something separate from our everyday experience. The very mind we use in our daily activities is itself the Buddha mind, if only we can see it clearly.

No special state. This teaching counters the idea that enlightenment is a special, altered state of consciousness. Instead, it suggests that true awakening involves seeing the sacredness and completeness of our ordinary experience, just as it is.

Practice in daily life. Recognizing the everyday mind as the path involves:

• Bringing mindful awareness to routine activities
• Cultivating presence and engagement in all we do
• Letting go of the search for extraordinary experiences
• Finding wonder and depth in the seemingly mundane

10. Moral behavior as a natural outcome of spiritual awakening

"If there is one who regards Bodhi as something attainable, something in which discipline is possible, that one commits self-arrogance."

Beyond moral rules. Advanced Buddhist philosophy often speaks of enlightenment as being beyond good and evil. However, this does not mean that enlightened beings act immorally. Rather, their actions naturally align with the highest good without being bound by rigid moral codes.

Spontaneous virtue. As one's realization deepens, compassionate and ethical behavior arises spontaneously from:

• A clear perception of the interconnectedness of all beings
• The absence of a separate self that needs to be protected or promoted
• A natural empathy and care for others' well-being

Freedom and responsibility. True spiritual freedom includes the freedom to act ethically without compulsion. This paradoxically leads to a greater sense of responsibility and care for the world, as one recognizes that their actions impact the whole of which they are an inseparable part.

Last updated: January 23, 2025