Is Ignorance Really Bliss?

Ah, how we love a good sleep. It offers an escape from life’s problems and concerns. Better yet, if lucky enough to be graced by a pleasant dream. Such is our indulgence with sleep. Rarely do we realize that sleep puts us in a state of mindlessness. Perhaps we also indulge in this state of ignorance, not having to think.

But we forget that in sleep we can’t choose our dreams. It could be a nightmare that is awaiting us. Moreover, we have zero control over dreams, totally at the mercy of the dream plots.

In the same way that we use sleep as an escape, we have cultivated other ignoring skills. From drowning ourselves in daydreaming and movies to more severe forms of addictions, we incapacitate our discerning power. We think ignorance can bring bliss or at least some form of rest. For those who can observe the mind’s natures, sleep and addictions do not necessarily bring about restful states. The mere fact that we use them as escape routes, already suggests the presence of restless minds and indulgence adds more agitation to the restlessness. We cannot sense the restlessness due to the numbing out. Yes, we intentionally dull out the mind. We fuel ignorance.

Do not be misled that ignoring is confined to inactivity. When we get busy, rushing from one thing to another, ignorance may be festering too. A major symptom is we operate in auto mode, as if mindless. Convenience is a nice cover for laziness. Observe how we look into making life easier in all kinds of ways. We always welcome shortcuts and instant solutions, glad not to have to exercise our brain cells to figure out life issues.

And what happens when we are emotionally hurt? Ignorance is there too. How often do we blurt out, “I don’t care!” and “I don’t want to know” when in actual fact we are greatly affected. We learn to ignore our emotions as well.

While we unknowingly cultivated ignorance in such diversity, it is no surprise that when initially coming into the awakening path, awareness can’t even pick up the “feelings”. And those who are graced into cultivating the path correctly, are shocked by the consistent restlessness they notice in the mind states. Awakening is unsettling, especially for one who is comfortable with ignorance.

We may like to think we are generally happy with life. However, if life is so fulfilling and interesting, why the love for sleep? Why are there so many distractions that we indulge in? Are we running away from life? What about life that is freaking us up? How do we deal with aspects of life that we don’t like or can’t bear? How often do we just ignore and brush them aside, perhaps sink further into numbing ourselves or get distracted elsewhere? Do we even realize that we are ignoring? Do we have compulsions to take breaks? Or do we just move on mindlessly, not wanting to look deeper into life? What do we really want of life?

Are we afraid of such contemplative thoughts?

At WISE, I learn to understand myself – the mind tendencies – and need not run away or turn a blind eye to issues that are close to heart. Join me, to learn about such discoveries. It is most nurturing and that is the true rest. Understanding equates to bliss.

In grace, 
Nancy Cheah
5 July 2022