absolutespiritdotco

“WHAT IS IGNORANCE?”

Ignorance (avidya in Sanskrit, mumyō in Japanese)—which, in Japanese, is written with characters meaning “absence of light”—does not simply mean a lack of knowledge (intellectual or conceptual understanding). Rather, it refers to being blind to the true nature of reality and the truth of the “True Self.” This truth is that reality is impermanence—a transient manifestation arising from countless causes and conditions and it is not the “I” (which falsely believes itself to be the doer or experiencer) that perceives or knows this; rather, it is realized by the very space where all things arise and vanish by the pure presence that remains utterly unaffected by them. That is, ignorance is the state of misperceiving pure presence; even if one possesses intellectual knowledge, but awareness has not yet directly and unmediatedly realized this truth.

In other words, it is a state of unconsciously clinging to various illusions. This arises because the ceaseless narrative of “I” and the clamor of thought create confusion in self-perception (identification), thereby obscuring the obvious fact of true nature as pure presence and the impermanent nature of reality.

The only way to shed light on this ignorance and unravel every corner of that confusion is through self-observation and self-inquiry grounded in the clarity of the innermost stillness.

Therefore, no matter how much knowledge one receives from others or accumulates through one’s own efforts, the confusion of self-perception—which has not been directly addressed—obscures the True Self will not be quieted; the obscured impermanence of reality will not be revealed; nor will unconscious attachments be unraveled.

On the contrary, such efforts often serve only to strengthen the mind (the “I,” thought, or the ego) and further reinforce that identification.

࿓࿓࿓࿓࿓

After all, it is the “I”—not Awareness—that desires knowledge; the “I” is so attached to it that it constantly feels the need for it.

This is because awareness is confused in a fundamental misidentification with insubstantial “I” and the “I”—due to its insubstantialness—is easily swayed by negative emotions and thoughts stemming from a deep-seated sense of emptiness or uneasiness. Consequently, it constantly requires something to anchor it or to provide the feeling that “I am strong” enough to withstand these emotions and thoughts.

This might manifest as knowledge, status, weaponry, physical strength (such as muscle), social standing, roles, or experiences.

Therefore, unless that fundamental sense of emptiness and uneasiness is resolved at its very root, it is inevitable—and only natural—to become obsessed with the need for such external reinforcements.

࿓࿓࿓࿓࿓

This mumyō (fundamental ignorance) is not a matter of personal failing (indeed, the very concept of the “individual”’is itself a major misconception and a form of ignorance itself).

One could say that this ignorance begins the moment the body—the vessel through which awareness directly experiences reality—starts to form within the mother’s womb.

In other words, everyone is born with this inevitable ignorance.

Because of this ignorance, people sometimes wander in darkness, drown in false-self-deception, and grapple with their inner egos; they fight the world to protect “themselves” and their loved ones or country, seeking the strength to survive while constantly needing moments of respite.

࿓࿓࿓࿓࿓

From this inevitable fundamental ignorance—such as the misconception about the presence or the blinded belief that impermanent reality is eternal—arises an incredibly strong, unconscious desire for survival within the mind (the “I,” thoughts, or the ego). This is a natural desire born of the unexamined, stubborn belief and assumption that the “I” is the real existence and its center.

For instance, by doing based on the perception of “myself” acquiring knowledge and using it “to help others”—which amounts to superficial, shallow doings of goodness—or by striving to refine and cultivate “myself,” the narrative of “I” is further reinforced and perpetuated due to its doership.

Yet, at a deeper psychological level, this is driven by a desire to change or control people (including “myself”), the world, and reality born from fear—all while proceeding without any conscious by awareness of this underlying motive.

This is one manifestation of the cunning nature of the mind (the “I,” thought, or the ego), though in truth, there is no personal ill intent or malice involved as there is no self.

That is precisely why it becomes necessary to see through each of these subtle cunningness by the “I”, doership—one by one—through attentive self-observation and self-inquiry, free from all judgment.

For it is none other than Awareness itself that is being deceived, under unconscious misconceptions.

࿓࿓࿓࿓࿓

As inner ignorance is illuminated by the light and the resulting confusion is unraveled piece by piece, that inner stillness and clarity (openness) naturally illuminate upon the chaos of reality as well, allowing awareness to recognize its essence of raw reality more simply.

“As within, so without.”

In this way, even those reality that once disturbed inner peace gradually—yet surely—lose their power to disrupt that inner stillness.

Thus, the impulse to resist the raw reality that is unfolding exactly as it was meant to be inevitably, surely, and quietly fades away. (OM 🙏)