The Western mind likes to categorize and put labels, defining what is and what is not. In Eastern approaches to life we often find that this “either-or” division is not as strong, and that a more seamless acceptance of opposites is the preferred way of seeing things. In this approach, contrary energies and ideas can be seen to be complementary or interdependent. If we grow in this, we develop a mind which does not need to form an evaluation of an experience immediately, to come to a quick conclusion about how things are going in our lives. Most experiences are never clearly just black or white, and yet we long always for conviction, for things to be definitive, for solidity. However, it can be richer if we come to an edge in our lives and work at staying there, in the present moment, holding an open space for how things will turn out, not fixing on a particular outcome. This challenges us to find a sense of coherence that is not based on a necessary result but on a relational sense with whatever is happening. This flexible open space is what leads to greater freedom.
Things are not as they appear to be, nor are they otherwise.
The Lankavatara Sutra
With thanks to Patrick Choucri at the Yakushido Centre in Geneva for prompting these thoughts.
