The following discussion of practice is excerpted from a Question-Answer session with Christopher Titmuss at a retreat in Bodhgaya, India in January of this year.

NO VIEW ON ENLIGHTENMENT

Question: Are we already enlightened, but just don’t realize it because we think we want something else we call “enlightenment”?

Answer: This falls into the mind-world of views and opinions. One of the views which arises in Zen, for example, is that we are already enlightened, but we don’t realize it. Another view, say in Theravada, is that we are most certainly not already enlightened, and yet by following the path, we will become enlightened. Let’s not take up any view. Not taking any view can be rather enlightening in itself.

BUDDHISM TODAY

Question: Do you think Buddhism is still a preferable way of living in the twentieth century in the West?

Answer: I am reminded of the historian, Arnold Toynbee, who died some years ago. He was very much loved in Britain. Toynbee wrote lots of books; he described the rise and fall of various civilizations over many centuries. Toynbee once asked, “What would be regarded as the most significant event of the twentieth century?” He went on to say, “Some people will say, the First World War or the Second World War, or the splitting of the atom, or the discovery of nuclear fusion.” But he did not agree. According to Toynbee, the most significant event of the twentieth century is the movement of Buddhism to the West.

I think with all of its failings and faults, the great strength of Buddhism is that it provides a very deep and profound ethical foundation for existence, and an extraordinary depth of understanding about emotional and psychological processes. Also Buddhism provides an understanding of interconnectedness and dependent arising within life, as well as respect for life itself—human life, creature life, and environmental life. The best of Buddhism has a tremendous amount to offer. Not surprisingly, thoughtful and concerned people in many walks of life draw on Buddhism’s vast reservoir of practices and insights. It is a privilege to be participating in that process.

WORKING WITH SEXUAL ENERGY

Question: If, during meditation, my body energy manifests as sexual energy, should I try to avoid the feelings or should I just observe what happens?

Answer: Well, certainly the latter seems more interesting. However, sometimes, one can merrily entertain oneself during meditation with a whole variety of sexual fantasies. Sometimes, sexual fantasy can be characterized by exploitation, exploitation of another or oneself. Yet, it can also be characterized by real affection, real love, real care and sensitivity. Fantasy, in itself, is not necessarily harmful or destructive. To work skillfully with fantasy, you can train yourself to become aware of the character of the imagery. Then, if possible, let go of imagery and contact the feeling associated with it. Holding on to the imagery feeds an identification with the sexual energy. It is crucial not to fight sexual energy, nor to deny it, and also important not to identify with it. If we can just allow it, then it will find its own balance. The experience of sexual energy can be very healing—allowing life energy to flow.

A MONK, A NUN OR A LAY PERSON?

Question: Can you tell us something about the value of monkhood?

Answer: My six years of monkhood were a very nourishing and valuable period in my life, for which I am profoundly grateful. However, these past six years of being a parent and a householder have been equally as profound and beneficial. The key question is not so much whether a person is a monk or a nun or a lay person, but where his or her heart is.

∞

From the Summer 1987 issue of Inquiring Mind (Vol. 4, No. 1)

Text © 1987–2022 by Christopher Titmuss