The Innate Perfection of ‘The Way’: An Exploration of Ineffable Experience
The spiritual path, often referred to as ‘The Way’, is an enduring theme across diverse religious and philosophical traditions. The concept is frequently associated with notions of divine will, cosmic order, or the natural flow of existence. This blog post is an exploration of ‘The Way’ as an innately perfect, ineffable, and subtly perceived experience.
The Innate Perfection of ‘The Way’:
To assert that ‘The Way’ is basically perfect is to acknowledge the innate perfection of existence itself. This is not to say that every event, action, or condition is flawless, but rather that the underlying essence, the natural flow of life, is intrinsically complete and does not need perfecting.
This perfection is not a static state of being, but rather a dynamic, ever-unfolding process. It’s not a destination to be reached but the journey itself, constantly unfolding in the here and now. It’s about realizing that every moment, every situation, every experience is just as it should be, even when it doesn’t conform to our ideas of what is desirable or perfect.
The Formless and Soundless Nature of ‘The Way’:
‘The Way’ is often described as having no form or sound, signifying that it is not an object that can be perceived through our conventional senses. It is a subtle presence, an underlying essence that permeates all of existence yet eludes direct sensory perception.
It is like the silence in music, which is as crucial as the notes themselves. It is like the emptiness of a pot, which makes it useful. We can’t directly see, hear, touch, taste, or smell ‘The Way’, yet its influence is evident in everything that exists.
The Subtle and Personal Perception of ‘The Way’:
The subtlety of ‘The Way’ makes it hard to perceive and even harder to communicate. It’s akin to drinking water and knowing how hot or cold it is but being unable to convey that sensation to others. This metaphor beautifully captures the deeply personal and subjective nature of spiritual experiences.
No two people experience ‘The Way’ in exactly the same manner. Each individual’s encounter with the ineffable is unique and deeply personal. Moreover, these experiences often defy our standard modes of communication, making them hard to articulate.
‘The Way’ represents the innately perfect, formless, and subtly perceived essence of existence. Recognizing and aligning ourselves with ‘The Way’ can bring about a profound shift in our perspective, allowing us to experience life with greater depth, richness, and authenticity. Though we may find it challenging to convey our experiences of ‘The Way’, it’s important to remember that these ineffable moments are not meant to be captured in words, but to be lived, felt, and experienced in the silent chambers of our hearts.
There was no one there to tell me that I couldn’t.
Share a story about someone who had a positive impact on your life.
In the bustling city of Mumbai lived a girl named Riya. She came from a modest background, with her father working as a security guard and her mother a housekeeper. From a young age, Riya had a fascination for books. She loved the adventures they held within their pages and the places they took her to, all from the safety of her humble home.
Riya’s family, though supportive, could not afford many luxuries. Books were considered one such luxury. Her parents would often remind her, “Books are expensive, Riya, we should be spending on necessities, not luxuries.” Yet, the fire of her passion for reading was undeterred.
One day, on her way back from school, she noticed an old man struggling with his load of books. With a heart full of kindness, Riya rushed to help him. The old man turned out to be the owner of a small, second-hand bookstore. To thank her, he offered Riya a book of her choice. That day, she returned home with a gleaming smile and a copy of ‘The Secret Garden’.
Following this, Riya began to visit the bookstore regularly, helping the old man with his daily chores. In return, she was allowed to read the books. She spent hours engrossed in the world of words, losing herself in the tales of courage, love, and adventure.
One day, the old man noticed Riya reading a book on programming. He was surprised and asked her why she was interested in such a complex subject. Riya replied, “I want to become a software engineer, but everyone tells me it’s a dream too big for a girl like me.” The old man just smiled and said, “Dear child, there’s no one here to tell you that you can’t.”
Emboldened by the old man’s words, Riya threw herself into learning programming languages from the books available in the bookstore. She began to create small applications, using the old, discarded computer in the bookstore.
Word soon spread about the talented young coder. A local NGO, aiming to promote education among underprivileged children, heard about Riya. They offered her a scholarship to pursue her studies in computer science. Riya’s dream was finally becoming a reality.
Riya’s story illustrates how powerful self-belief can be. Despite her humble background and the societal norms that attempted to limit her ambitions, she dared to dream big. She didn’t let her circumstances define her future. Instead, she used every opportunity to inch closer to her dream, reminding herself, “There was no one there to tell me that I couldn’t.”
The moral of this story echoes the spirit of- Believe in yourself, Utilise the resources available to you, and don’t let others’ perceptions limit your potential. You are the creator of your own destiny!!
Abhishek Fanse 