Sharp Distinctions and Embodied Beings

Here is a note on dissections and distinctions. This note came up as a result of the discussion on aversion and cravings covered in the previous post. The implication is that when we make sharp distinctions we may unwittingly be creating aversions and cravings.

Perhaps the problem lies in unwholesome dissections which would have us believe that the distinctions made by our intellect is final and binding on nature. We would then be making unnaturally sharp distinctions between natural and synthetic, chemical and non-chemical and so on.

The previous post was about allergy to "synthetic" perfumes. Is "synthetic" the issue or "allergy" (on account of what we do not know) the issue? Just as someone is allergic to chemical compounds (synthetic), another person may be allergic to body odor (organic and natural).

The point is "allergy" may be the primary issue. Treating "synthetic" as the primary issue is problemmatic and is the result of unwholesome dissection. Excessive dissection would only lead to exasperation. The best way for us is to accept differences and not treat them as primary and all-binding attributes. Middle path is the answer.

We do not have to change overnight and start with a new philosophy. Here the process view helps - we are transitional being (Aurobindo) and as we progress in life we leave these distinctions and start seeing oneness between things. As we progress more and more, we start perceiving more and more oneness between things. Finally, even the most “disparate” things would seem glowing with the unity of oneness.

Achieving this state of integration may not be easy, and it will be comforting to understand that no embodied entity (with the exception of an enlightened one who comes on to earth every few millenniums) has achieved one hundred percent ability to see all-encompassing oneness. But so long as one is on track, one is on the path of dhamma.

As our mind starts understanding this in a deep sort of way, our bodies also start responding in a similar way. When the mind comes under control, the body too starts acting in harmony with the movements of the mind. Does it mean that the body will completely transcend time and space? No! The nature of body is to be imprisoned by time and space and there is a limit to which it can be in harmony with non-physical (spiritual). That's why every embodied entity has to die.