Mind, Self, Consciousness, and Enlightenment (4) - No-Self and Oneness are Two Sides of the Same Coin of Enlightenment

In this installment, I have written about "enlightenment," but since I am not enlightened myself, I am presenting my inferences based on the claims of those who appear to be enlightened, as seen in books and on social media.

There are two perspectives on enlightenment

While this is strictly my own understanding, I consider "enlightenment" to be a state of consciousness that can be grasped from these two perspectives: 1) No-Self, 2) Oneness—

"No-Self" is a core teaching of Buddhism that states "there is no fixed self."

We are merely a combination of temporary elements such as the body, thoughts, images, and emotions; phenomena occur simply due to conditions, and the essence is "emptiness."

"Oneness" is a concept derived from Hinduism, spirituality, and mysticism that states "all is one."

It is the view that the boundary separating "me" from others is an illusion, and that everything is one reality, a vast consciousness (Brahman, cosmic consciousness, God, etc.).

The enlightenment of No-Self

"No-Self" refers to a state where the subject of "I" has fallen away.

Judging from many personal accounts, it seems that a cessation of "cognitive function" occurs as a prerequisite to realizing "No-Self."

"Cognitive function" refers to confirming information received through the five senses, the arising of related images, the stimulation of worldly desires, and the operation of discrimination such as good/bad or like/dislike.

It is said that when "cognitive function" ceases, no memory remains of the time during which cognition was stopped when it eventually returns. This may be close to a state of fainting.

And through the cessation of cognitive processes, it seems one realizes that there is no fixed subject called the "self," and that one's true essence is "no-self."

The Enlightenment of Oneness

"Oneness" enlightenment experiences are described as a state where the boundaries between self and others disappear, and one feels a strong connection to the entire universe.

It is said that the individual self dissolves, becoming continuous with the surrounding scenery, objects, and the universe itself, enveloped in an absolute sense of security, deep conviction, and an indescribable sense of bliss.

In this way, the enlightenment of "no-self" and the enlightenment of "oneness" are considered different. Some Buddhist practitioners point out that "the oneness experience is not true enlightenment."

The Relationship Between No-Self and Oneness

Metaphorically speaking, no-self might be closer to "0," while oneness is closer to "∞ (infinity)."

Please read the following as just one analogy.

"Oneness" is something I imagine to be like a computer screen.

A computer screen displays images through a collection of tiny points called "dots" (pixels). Each individual dot is our individual consciousness, and their collective whole is the state of "oneness."

Now, as for no-self, I imagine it is like the state of a computer screen that is pitch black and empty after the power has been turned off.

While "oneness" retains a sense of presence as a vast consciousness, isn't "no-self" a state where even that has been erased? If so, "no-self" and "oneness" might be two sides of the same coin of "enlightenment."

To be continued