Common Sense or Uncommon Sense?
Common sense - a familiar phrase that everyone should understand. But looking back, how is it that common sense didn’t arise when the situation was so obvious? It’s only in hindsight that I realize it was actually a lack of common sense then. Has this happened to you before? Something as obvious as day, yet one does something quite contrary to how one should have responded. The situation reflected a lack of worldly common sense to tackle it.
In the past, after the event, I would beat myself up for doing the contrary because what was, again, so obvious was not seen. How can one beat oneself up when the situation is already past? Is this common sense or uncommon sense? But this is what happens time and again—one claims credit for what was done well and beats oneself up harshly when things were done foolishly. It’s the irony of life when defilements are not seen for what they are, and delusion repeats the whole cycle again. It is a loop - a loop of madness where the repetition goes on until the mind wakes up from its insanity after repetitive actions.
To give a clearer example: when one acts out of fear and the wish to be recognized, one does things to conform to society. The conditioning envelops every thought, speech, and action of the so-called being. When sleep takes over, the mind can rest a bit. Then, upon opening its eyes, the madness begins. But isn’t that what delusion is all about? How can it be a being when it can’t even take credit or discredit for what happened? The conditions were such that the mind acted that way and repeated the loop of suffering. Did it know any better? No, it couldn’t see light in the dark tunnel. The fear was paralyzing, the thoughts were real, and all it did was the wish to defend, attack, protect, and attach to what seemingly belonged to the entity. By doing so, it gave the ego a sense of belonging and false security. It claimed ownership to the good and the ugly. What a joke! This enhanced the survival of the ‘me,’ which became so solid through time - from hiding in fear to rising to its viciousness, as long as it could survive. Anything that seemingly belonged to it had to be protected and held onto. It could not afford to lose any part of itself. Thoughts were running the show all the time, but they were not seen as thoughts. They were real and believed in almost all the time.
As I write this, I can see the paranoia of the mind caught in its dilemma. It is sheer common sense, like a dog chasing its tail. But if another wise being appeared then to shed some light, would the suffering being see the light? I don’t think so if understanding is lacking in the suffering mind. Ignorance had enveloped the so-called being, trapping it in its own world of stories - a mind-made cycle of mental proliferation. Seemingly, the problem was coming from outside because indeed that’s what the five senses and the thinking mind were weaving - a depressing story. That’s how films are made - the juicier, with more tears and laughter, more drama, the better they sell. But when we turn to look at the light streaming out from the projector, one can have a good laugh. Otherwise, foolish sense is running the whole show called life.
It is a waking-up process - from delusion to some common sense. Only some, because the dream is still real. But as ignorance gets watered down through sparks of light that bring in more common sense, the solidity of life begins to fall apart. What is outside doesn’t seem as real anymore. The projector is seen when awareness - with the interest to find out (the mind has gathered more data through listening, reading, and waking up from time to time) - is present. The wish to go forward is seen, the desire to utter a word or two is noticed. In short, defilements are noticed more and more as habitual guests camouflaging the experiences. When seen more and more, one can smile at the workings of the mind with its movie playing out the role of writer, director, actors, and actresses.
So yes, it’s only common sense at whatever level one is. Even today, when the lady on Instagram mentioned that the emotions arising are all within and can never extend to another person or situation outside, isn’t this also common sense? The world of form with its colours and excitement is losing its solidity, for the illusion arising from the mind is noticed a little bit more each time.
Truth doesn’t need beliefs. All it takes is for us to find out so that we are not slaves to defilements, views, and attachments. Are we willing to use the tool of the 3-Meditator’s Job not as a means to an end but to uncover the truth that has been seemingly hidden? It is not a doing but a wish to understand what has been pointed out by the wise, where the blocks to truth will diminish eventually. It is a journey of self-discovery through common sense, which deepens through realization - not a holding onto what we think we know. Some say waking up can be painful. Yes and no, depending on where one is standing. In the dream, it is so, but when slowly waking up from it, it is liberating. Then this statement will stand out more and more, `In the stormy sea of uncertainty, there is a peace and certainty within, untouched by any waves.’
To Growth and Realization, Authored In Grace and Gratitude to All,
Chee Guit Yeng
25 February 2025