Avijja — Ignorance.

#WednesdayWisdom

Last week’s post was about ’Overcoming The Kilesas’ (our mental defilements) and this week let’s look at ignorance or delusion (avijja), which is one of the three poisons Lord Buddha warned us about, the other two being greed (lobha) and hatred or aversion (dosa).

When we are ignorant it means we don’t see things clearly because our view is obscured usually resulting in us acting or speaking wrongly.

We need to use sati, mindful awareness, at all times so that we know what we are doing and why. If we are alert we can be prepared and then we stand a better chance of recognising what the kilesas are trying to tempt us with be it good or bad.

The kilesas are the agents of avijja, the unappointed master, who rules our life and wants us to do his bidding. When we have sati we can see what is really going on and prevent ourselves from acting or speaking in unwholesome ways which cause harm to ourself and others.

With sati we are aware moment to moment of what is happening. We are not used to asking ourselves: ‘What am I doing?’ or ‘Why am I doing this?’ and, when we do, sometimes we can’t come up with an answer. We then realise that we are not in control and have been impelled to do something by another power. This is usually avijja. If it leads to suffering it definitely is.

How do we develop and strengthen sati? Through practicing meditation we strengthen our sati and develop the wisdom which helps us overcome the influence of avijja. When we calm the mind down and enhance our ability to focus on a single point eg. the breath coming and going at the tip of the nose we increase our sati, our awareness. It’s not easy, it takes practice but, if we are determined and put in effort, it can be done.

May this teaching lead you to happiness; may it help you grow in truth. May you be freed from the suffering of birth and death.

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