David Nichtern and Michael Kammers dive into a discussion on existence, perception, and temporality.
Actually, You Don’t Exist
David Nichtern and Michael Kammers launch off by responding to a submitted question—how can we define existing? A popular quote by Chögyam Trungpa is “actually, you don’t exist”. Grappling with this concept is difficult. David and Michael discuss parameters we can look to in order to understand existence such as appearance, time, identity, perception and relativity.
“Impermanence definitely seems to be real in what appears to be this ever-shifting presence that is our portal of experience.”
Discover more from David at Dharma Moon – a website offering Workshops/Courses, Teacher Trainings, Mentoring & more.
Taking Ourselves too Seriously (8:38)
Humans cling to opinions and fixed ideas. They panic about mortality. We should take ourselves less seriously because the phenomena of existence is always changing. This discussion is not about using metaphysics as a tool for understanding what it means to exist, it is about seeing the relationship between perception and temporality. We can limit our suffering by becoming aware of the fact that existence is fluid.
“We have locked and loaded onto a temporal phenomena as if it was permanent and because of that we suffer.”
A Sigh of Relief (16:43)
It may sound strange to find relief in non-existence. However, the idea allows us to be somewhat unattached. The drama of living can die down a little bit. Realizing this phenomenon of existence can create a sense of calm and spaciousness. When perceived with right view, Impermanence is a very soothing concept.
To listen to more on finding bliss in being nothing check out Ep. 171 of Ram Dass’ Here and Now: Reducing Oneself to Zero
Engaging with the World (20:60)
Spirituality does not mean that you are checked out. We can still be engaged with the world. We can tend to the garden of being while the garden exists. There must be a sense of delight in being alive. We must not be so strict in abiding by Buddhist principles that we forget how to experience joy, otherwise, things are too cold and missionary. What will you delight in today?