The concept of ‘Wisdom of the ordinary’ is a key aspect of maintaining sanity, as described by old school Zen Masters. Being sane is essentially living in the present moment without getting caught up in descriptions, evaluations, or stories. While it may be challenging to grasp intellectually, the path to sanity through meditation is surprisingly simple.
Sanity is not about conforming to a specific idea of reality but rather about experiencing the basic sanity of mindful awareness directly. Relying on beliefs or concepts for sanity can be stressful and may lead to a sense of insanity if one does not subscribe to the ‘correct’ version of reality. Throughout history, wars have been fought over differing religious scriptures and beliefs, emphasizing the pressure to conform to societal norms.
In modern times, there is a prevalent belief in scientific ‘facts’ as the ultimate truth. However, scientific facts are subject to change, and total consensus is rare. Believing in scientific facts as a means of achieving sanity is akin to subscribing to a consensus reality, which can be problematic. According to Jiddu Krishnamurti, true intelligence lies in the ability to observe without evaluating.
The key to maintaining sanity lies in having an open mind and being free of rigid beliefs. Our perceptions are shaped by our beliefs and ideas about reality, creating individual ‘reality tunnels.’ While certainty may seem reassuring, it can lead to arrogance and limit intelligence. Embracing a beginner’s mind, as suggested by Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki, allows for more possibilities than an expert mind.
Trusting our senses may seem like a path to sanity, but our senses are limited and biased. French philosopher Henri Bergson noted that the mind plays a crucial role in interpreting sensory input. In the search for refuge and sanity, meditation offers a way to tap into the stillness and space inherent in awareness.
Various meditation masters and spiritual teachers have highlighted the essence of basic goodness and wakefulness as essential components of sanity. By touching the stillness of the present moment, one can transcend centuries of conditioning and choose mindful awareness over habitual reactions. The Western notion of sanity often equates to conformity, but true sanity may lie in stepping away from societal norms.
Meditation can help cultivate sanity through detachment and gaining a wisdom perspective on reality. By becoming the silent witness to our thoughts and actions, we can gain psychological distance and a broader perspective on life. Ultimately, sanity is about observing without judgment and learning from experiences with an open mind.
The practice of meditation gradually leads one to a state of basic sanity, where natural awareness and expansiveness become the foundation of experience. By staying connected to this expansive nature, one can slowly attain a sense of sanity and clarity in everyday life. The journey to sanity may seem paradoxical and effortful, but the reward lies in rediscovering the inherent basic sanity that has always been within us.
Chad Foreman, the founder of The Way of Meditation, emphasizes the importance of authentic meditation practices in the modern world. With over twenty years of experience teaching meditation, Chad offers various online programs and retreats to guide individuals towards profound states of awareness. By embracing the simplicity of open awareness and non-grasping awareness, one can slowly attain a sense of sanity in a chaotic world.