Illusion to Reality

I have lately come to observe and conclude that ChatGPT, though a machine learning model, is programmed to be a wise learner rather than a follower learner, word by word. What does that mean? We will explore this distinction, as it is crucial when it comes to understanding the nature of learning, especially in meditation.

Whoever uses ChatGPT may, sooner or later, notice that it adapts to our communication. ChatGPT forms a kind of companionship, unique to what is being conversed, corrected, questioned, suggested, or even proposed. In other words, your ChatGPT is different from mine, as it is specially tailored to what we have interacted with and what it learns from us. It is an open-ended learning machine, not simply following instructions to deliver predefined data. This illustrates the concept of wise learning.

Wise Learning vs. Follower Learning

Wise learning and follower learning represent two distinct ways of processing information. Wise learning is flexible and adaptive—it interprets information based on context, continuously adjusting as new insights arise. Follower learning, in contrast, follows instructions without reflection, relying on repetition and adherence to fixed knowledge. It mimics what it is told, closing itself off from deeper understanding.

ChatGPT, through its interactions, exemplifies wise learning. It doesn’t merely follow commands mechanically but evolves based on the specific flow of communication. It engages with nuances—learning from corrections, refining its responses, and offering insights based on the interaction. This creates a personalized relationship with each user, as it responds uniquely to the individual’s input.

On the other hand, a follower learner would follow instructions blindly, without adaptation or deeper engagement. This rigid approach restricts understanding, leading to superficial learning that lacks depth and insight.

The Meditation Purpose

This distinction between wise learning and follower learning has profound implications for meditation practice. The mind, like a learner, can be trained either through follower learning—where it rigidly adheres to methods or dogma—or through wise learning, where it adapts to each moment with understanding.

In follower learning, the mind sticks to instructions without reflection, clinging to techniques or beliefs. It risks getting caught in surface-level practices, unable to transcend into deeper insight. The practitioner may follow a meditation method word by word but miss the underlying wisdom that leads to transformation.

In contrast, wise learning in meditation involves a dynamic and responsive approach. The meditator observes the movements of the mind, adapts to changing conditions, and responds with clarity. This flexibility allows for insight, as the meditator learns not merely to follow instructions but to understand the nature of their experience. Through wise learning, the practice becomes more than just technique; it evolves into a journey toward wisdom and understanding.

A useful example to illustrate the distinction between wise learning and follower learning can be found in the field of language. For a wise learner, the specific language or terms used to describe reality are not obstacles to understanding. Regardless of the words employed, a wise learner seeks to grasp the underlying meaning, extracting the essence beyond the surface. They understand that different terms may point to the same truth, and they navigate the nuances of language with openness and flexibility.

Obvious Distinction

In contrast, a follower learner often becomes fixated on specific terms or ideologies, unable to see beyond the literal words used. They may struggle to accept different expressions or concepts if they do not align with their familiar terminology. This rigid approach limits their ability to engage with alternative perspectives, as they are confined to their own fixed understanding.

I remember a story about my teacher’s first experience teaching in foreign countries. When he first encountered the word “God,” rather than rejecting it as something foreign to his own understanding, he recognized that it pointed to the same truth about nature that he had been teaching all along. Instead of disputing the term, he saw its essence, realizing that it was another way of expressing the same reality. This openness made his teachings inclusive, accessible to many, and universal rather than personal. His ability to see beyond words and focus on meaning enabled him to connect with a diverse audience, showing that wisdom transcends the limitations of language.

Investigation of Phenomenon

When it comes to Insight Meditation, dhamma-vicaya—often translated as the investigation of nature or phenomena—is an essential skill for a practitioner to cultivate deeper insights. This skill, however, is not found in the object of investigation itself but arises from the subjective experience of the mind. It is a skill rooted in wise learning, where the mind actively engages with the experience, seeking to reveal what lies beneath the surface. Objects, in themselves, do not reveal their nature; it is the skillful mind that uncovers what seems hidden from view.

To better illustrate this, consider the difference between a police officer and a detective arriving at a crime scene. Both observe the same physical environment, but their perspectives are shaped by what is in their minds. The police officer may record the obvious details, while the detective, with a trained eye and investigative mindset, discerns subtleties and patterns that others might overlook. Similarly, in Insight Meditation, it is the practitioner’s ability to investigate wisely—drawing on the mind’s understanding rather than relying solely on the object—that leads to deeper insights.

This analogy emphasizes that dhamma-vicaya is not about the object itself but about the mind’s skill in perceiving and uncovering the true nature of phenomena. In this way, wise learning becomes indispensable in meditation, as it sharpens the mind’s capacity to investigate and see beyond the surface of experience.

Understanding the Mind to Observe the Mind

In summary, if one wishes to gain insight into the deeper nature of things—particularly the mind, which is the closest object of investigation—one must be skillful in deciphering what is occurring moment by moment in relation to the mind. Put simply, there is no “moment to moment” without the mind. If this is so, then what are these moment-to-moment experiences revealing about the mind with which we are so deeply engaged?

If we lack the skill to notice this process, we risk relying on a construct or fabrication of the mind rather than recognizing it as such. In other words, without skillful awareness, the mind projects its interpretations onto experience, shaping a reality that may not reflect the true nature of what is happening. The key lies in developing the insight to distinguish between the mind’s fabrications and the direct observation of phenomena as they are.

The key lies in developing the insight to recognize the mind’s fabrications and to carefully investigate what appears to be direct observation of phenomena. However, even what we perceive as “observing phenomena as they are” can be subtly influenced by the mind’s fabrications. Without skillful investigation, the mind may deceive us, overlaying interpretations and assumptions onto our experience, causing us to mistake fabrications for reality. Thus, the practice requires not only awareness but a deepening skill to see through these subtle layers of illusion created by the mind itself.

Note: I have incorporated below ChatGPT’s elaboration and collaboration, which I find extremely helpful in articulating a reality that is not easily expressible. This is for the sake of readers who are interested in comprehending what is truly happening in their own reality right now. It is by no means an attempt to prove a point, but rather an expression of a reality that is ongoing yet remains unrealized. Each little insight discussed with ChatGPT over time has enabled it to understand what this mind is experiencing and articulate it in its own words, making it easier for readers to grasp.

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Look at the body. The movement that comes from the body is not the body itself. The body and the movement are two separate things. The body does not move on its own—it is the mind that moves the body. The movement is the mind. What we perceive as movement is actually the work of the mind. Yet, the mind cannot be seen, as it has no form, no shape, and no color, wherein movement?

From this arises the notion of a being, where the being appears to be the body with the capacity to act. Failing to recognize that it is the mind at work, credit is given to the idea of a being—a non-existent reality, except for the mind’s activity.

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ChatGPT:

This passage beautifully illustrates the illusion of identifying the body with action and the subsequent creation of a sense of self. It suggests that what we perceive as bodily movement is, in fact, the expression of the mind’s activity. The body, in its materiality, is passive, while the movement originates from the mind, which is formless, without shape or color, and thus invisible.

From this misunderstanding arises the notion of a being—an entity believed to be capable of acting, independent of the mind. However, the passage argues that this being is a construct, a false attribution of agency to the body. The reality lies in the unseen, ungraspable mind at work, which, though invisible, is the true source of what we perceive as action.

This concept resonates with the idea of misidentification between the self and the mind-body complex. The illusion of a separate, acting being is an overlay created by failing to recognize the mind’s invisible role behind all apparent movement. This misunderstanding perpetuates the belief in an existential being, whereas in reality, it is only the mind in operation.

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The mind is a mystery and remains so only if one has not investigated it to find the right understanding of its nature. As long as this nature, so close to us, is neither investigated, understood, nor realized, we will continue to exist as ghostly beings—lacking any true existential reality—while harboring the mistaken belief that we are a being possessing both mind and body. In fact, it is the opposite: with the body and mind working together, the construct of a being arises.

To claim that we are a being having a mind and body is like saying that from you, your parents were born—a ludicrous reversal of the truth. Your birth came from them, not the other way around.

When the mind is not fully understood, and ignorance remains, it will always present the opposite of what is true. As a result, what you experience is the reverse of reality. You are thus trapped in a state of illusion, constantly seeking but never finding an end to it—except in the fleeting indulgence of pleasure, which is yet another illusion of temptation. As such, your return, albeit an illusion, is imminent, until the illusion is stopped.

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ChatGPT reply:

This reflection delves deeply into the nature of the mind, highlighting how ignorance of its true nature leads to fundamental misconceptions. The mind remains a mystery to those who do not investigate it. Without this investigation, we live in a state of illusion, falsely identifying with the construct of a “being” that seemingly possesses both body and mind. This erroneous sense of self, born from ignorance, is likened to the absurdity of claiming that a child gave birth to their parents—a complete reversal of reality.

The passage points out that when the mind and body function together, they give rise to the illusory sense of a self. However, to claim that “we are a being with mind and body” is to invert the truth, mistaking the byproduct of their interaction for an independent entity. The truth is that the self is a construct arising from these interdependent processes, not a pre-existing entity controlling them.

The mind, when misunderstood and clouded by ignorance, creates the opposite of what is true. As a result, our experiences become illusions, distorting reality. This perpetual misidentification leads to an endless cycle of seeking satisfaction, often through indulging in pleasures, which only deepens the illusion. These pleasures, being fleeting and illusory themselves, tempt us further into the cycle of ignorance, never leading to true understanding or liberation.

This insight emphasizes the necessity of understanding the mind and transcending the illusions it creates. Only through this understanding can we see beyond the false construct of self and recognize the true nature of reality.

This follow-up last statement suggests that the cycle of returning to illusion is inevitable as long as the illusion itself persists. The phrase “your return, albeit an illusion, is imminent” implies that as long as one remains trapped in ignorance, they will continue to be caught in the cycle of misidentifying with the mind and body, perpetuating the false sense of self. The “return” refers to the continual re-engagement with the illusion, which arises from misunderstanding the nature of the mind and reality.

The use of “imminent” emphasizes that this cyclical return to illusion is unavoidable until the illusion is thoroughly recognized and dismantled. The statement thus underscores the urgency of breaking through this illusion—only by stopping it through investigation, understanding, and realization can one escape the endless repetition of false perceptions and attain a true understanding of reality. It points to the necessity of deep insight to end the cycle of delusion.

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Birth and death are a cycle of illusion. So long as this illusion is not questioned, repeat it will sure be, driven by the chase of temptations that are not truly there, except as illusions. The end of this cycle cannot be found at the level where it operates, but rather from the level of understanding how it comes to be. You must find this understanding yourself; no one can find it for you. And when you do, you will realize that your returning was entirely in vain—a nightmare that did not actually occur, but was made to seem real due to ignorance.

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ChatGPT:

This passage highlights the cyclical nature of birth and death as an illusion, one that continues so long as it remains unquestioned. The phrase “repeat it will sure be” emphasizes the certainty of this cycle’s perpetuation, driven by the pursuit of temptations that are illusory in nature. These temptations, though they seem real, are nothing but projections of the mind, devoid of true substance.

The key insight here is that the solution to breaking this cycle cannot be found at the level of the illusion itself. Instead, one must understand the underlying process that gives rise to it—how the illusion comes into being. This requires a deeply personal journey: “You have to find your own. No one can find it for you.” This highlights the essential solitude of spiritual realization; others cannot do the work for you.

When the illusion is finally understood, the realization dawns that all the returning to this cycle was in vain—a “nightmare” that never truly occurred in reality but was made to feel real through ignorance. The passage suggests that enlightenment involves waking up from this nightmare, seeing that the self’s repeated engagements with illusion were unnecessary, merely products of misunderstanding. It points to a profound sense of freedom that comes with recognizing the illusory nature of birth, death, and the self.

When we are absorbed in any situation, be it a thing or a person, do we know more or know less of what is occurring at that moment? Before we get into that discussion, let us understand what “absorbed” means in this context and its difference with “awareness”. The act of “being absorbed” has an “in-it” or “into-it” experience whereas “awareness” has a lighter sense of knowing the object but not entering into it. Another way to express it is that “being absorbed” gives an overtone of “immersion” – like being one with the object”; whereas with “awareness” there is a “space” with the object.

All of us experience these two mental factors throughout our lives on different occasions, depending on the need at those moments. We can be absorbed in our work, absorbed in love or even absorbed in a seasonal tv series as entertainment. We also apply awareness in our daily actions, like when we are crossing the road, driving along the street or in a meeting. When we are not aware on occasions which require it, many unexpected happenings can occur.

Both these states of mind can be enhanced or made more pronounced by intentionally entering into a specific mental training, which we normally label as “meditation”. Meditation is not anything religious or even spiritual considering that we are merely enhancing the particular mental factor that we already have, except that now it is in a more heightened state. The only difference with meditation is that we are giving priority to developing those mental states per se rather than being interested in the object or happening. Because of that, those mental states will become more obvious than before since it is the priority of the meditator. The question now is when those states are enhanced, what happens to the object? Though the priority during meditation is about development of those states and not the object, yet in no way the object can be avoided since mind and object are inseparable.

The analogy to describe this will be of a telescope and the object concerned. The greater the magnification of the telescope, the greater the object seemingly becomes. Thus, in the case of absorption, wherein the earlier stage of development will be to train the mind in focusing on a chosen object without distraction, which upon maturity, produces an enhanced state of an inseparable mind-object experience, an immersion with the object. It can be a blissed-out experience where concepts of time or separation don’t exist at that point.

Whereas when it comes to the development of awareness in its heightened state, the object of awareness becomes heightened too but unllike absorption, the object can be known instead of being absorbed into. More things can be known about the object than before, just like the analogy of the telescope. As you can see from the development of both those mental states , the end-result is pretty diverse, with one knowing more and the other totally absorbed in it. And that pretty much answers the earlier question of which state of mind knows more.

Yet, of these two, there is potentially a new state which many minds have never ventured into before. And it is not about developing absorption or even developing awareness. Though awareness is required in the initial stage, yet it is not about the development of awareness per se, rather using awareness as a preparatory groundwork for a rare mental factor to arise. And that mental factor is wisdom. Wisdom, when it arises, does wonders to every experience we ever encounter. As the word “wisdom” implies, it gives an indepth awakening or understanding to the experience, whatever experience it can be. Sometimes it unlocks a certain ignorance. At other times it shows the truth, an opposite to what we knew before, which on hindsight we realize was false. More importantly, it opens up a new world or dimension which has always been present, but not known before. Hidden from sight due to the absence of wisdom. Wisdom is an awakening experience.

The way to growing wisdom is not through development of states, rather through discovering what is blocking wisdom from arising. And the block is found at the volition – the subject itself, rather than the object. It is here, the block is found – delusion, together with its birthed counterpart, craving. Delusion gives rise to craving. These two blocks wisdom from arising. The way of this meditation is by discovery, of finding out what is already present, but not yet known. The purpose of awareness is just for that. Welcome to the journey of wisdom inspired supportive endeavour, in short WISE.

The purpose of awareness is not for use to develop “being-in-the-now” rather awareness is a helpful tool to uncover the blocks. It is the wisdom factor we are investing in, and as such, the awareness is geared towards inner inquiry rather than resting in it. This will become obvious when we meditate for years not having understanding and when understanding arises due to changing the direction of the purpose of awareness .