Self-help & Helping Others

 Q&A (2021/07/25)

In the article entitled: Saving Vacchagotta the author states:

In refusing to answer Vacchagotta’s questions, the Buddha reveals himself as the self-help guru of them all, in the most literal sense. He is telling us: don’t mess with anything that won’t help you get to release; focus only on what can lead to your ultimate well-being and happiness. The implication of his silence on the issue of whether or not the self exists, which he explains later in the sutta to Ananda and elsewhere in the canon, is a signpost for his entire teaching on anatta, or not-self. 

Is there a literal self help program or progression of sutras that can be categorized as such?

~> The teachings of Buddhism are actually centered on the concept of "help".

~> The Three General Aspects of Buddhist Practice — Moral discipline, Meditative Concentration and Study of Buddhist Doctrines to gain Wisdom, are tend to "self-help". In the process of learning, we will improve our virtue, inner stability and wisdom.

~> The Six Pāramitās, the six practices that ferry one beyond the sea of mortality to nirvana — generosity, precepts, patience, diligence, meditation, wisdom — are developed from the level of "self-help" to "helping others."

~> Whether it is "self-help" or "helping others," Buddhism takes "eliminating affliction" as a clear learning goal.

~> It is "self-help" to reduce one's worries through practice; in the same way, if it reduces the suffering of others, it is "helping others".

~> In the process of practicing, they are called "Improving Oneself and Bringing Benefits to Others"（自利利人）; in the aspect of achieving enlightenment and liberation, they are called "To Enlighten Oneself and Enlighten Others"（自覺覺他）.

The long and gentle exhalation

Emotional Hijack, not only happens on kids and teens, but also in big-kids like each of us. To get rid of that, why not try the method of “breathe in a little bit and breathe out a whole lot”?

Use "short inhalation, long and gentle exhalation" to relieve negative thoughts such as restlessness, anxiety, and annoyance etc.

For example, when inhaling, silently count 1, 2; when exhaling, silently count 3, 4, 5, 6.  Repeat several times you will amazed by the effects.

Can you slide back after enlightened ?

This is a great question.

Let’s begin with “The three general aspects of Buddhist practice (三學)” —— which are:

1. the practice of moral discipline 
2. the practice of concentration 
3. the practice of wisdom

The first two, the moral discipline and concentration will deviate depends on conditions.

In certain situation, we have to leave aside certain observation of discipline, for instance, due to health issues we have to consume certain food in certain time, then we can no more observer that discipline restrictedly.  

Regarding the achievement of the status of concentration, we may accomplish good practicing result while we are in good meditation environment, or in a long term retreat. However, the achievement may fall when we are back to our daily life, which has tons of things to distract us.

But, when we talk about the achievement of wisdom, which bring us enlightenment, there’s no backsliding. Just imagine, when someone truly understands the phenomenon of impermanence or the nature of emptiness, no matter what circumstances s/he is facing (even very ill), the nature of reality just pop straight up into her/his understanding. Hence, wisdom once attained, is no way to fade away.

Nevertheless, I have to say, there is a condition of “fake enlightenment”. Don’t get me wrong, the “fake enlightenment” I mention here, is not refer to someone who purposely self-flattering as enlightened one to get attention or to cheat for money, but the one who overestimated her/his achievement. Then, that kind of “enlightenment” may give us “a sense of backsliding”, in fact, that’s no such retrogression. Why? Those who overestimate their achievement of practice is actually never really attained enlightenment yet.

In short, if that is a authentic enlightenment, there is no backsliding.