Note: This is “Part 2”. You can find Part 1 here.
Buddha and the Addict - Part 2
Buddha:
So, in our last session, we were able to see that within your mind, there is your agenda. But there is “another agenda” that is different from your agenda.
We also saw that the “other agenda” is quite powerful and not in your control.
Would you agree with me so far?
Addict:
I guess. I don’t actually understand what is going on. I have questions. But, yes. What you say seems to be true.
Buddha:
Great. So, today let us try and explore the “nature” of this “other agenda”. Let us try to get to know how it operates.
Addict:
And this will help me with my addiction?
Buddha:
Yes. You know how they say, “the first step to solving a problem is to acknowledge that a problem exists”. This is something like that. In the last session we “acknowledged that a problem exists”. The problem being control over your mind.
But, I do not wish to call it a “problem”. So, let’s stick to calling it “another agenda”.
Addict:
Hmm.
Buddha:
Okay. Let us begin. I am going to ask you a few questions. All you have to do is give me honest answers.
Addict:
Okay. I can try.
Buddha:
What is your favorite food in the whole wide world?
Addict:
Hmmm. Egg chicken kathi roll from Olympia.
Buddha:
Okay. Not sure what that is. But, tell me. Why do you like it so much?
Addict:
Because it’s tasty.
Buddha:
Yes. But why is it tasty?
Addict:
I don’t know. Its cooked well with the right combination of flavors or something. That’s what makes it tasty.
Buddha:
So, you are saying that you don’t actually understand why it is tasty.
Addict:
Yes.
Buddha:
Was there a point in your life where you decided that you found it tasty? A point before which it was not tasty. Then after that, it was tasty.
Addict:
Hmmm. Not that I can recall. I always found it tasty from the first time I tried it.
Buddha:
Now is that not interesting? That’s the first glimpse of this “other agenda”. Do you see it?
Addict:
No. What? I like some food and find it tasty. What’s so interesting about that?
Buddha:
You said you don’t know or understand why it is tasty. You say, you never decided one day that it would be tasty. So, if you did not decide, who did?
Addict:
I did. The first time I ate it. I did!
Buddha:
Did you? The first time you ate it did you consciously think:
“You know what, I like how to onions have caramelized and how they are pairing with the flavors of this mint, etc.”
OR was it more like you took a bite and found it tasty?
Addict:
More like the second one of course.
Buddha:
So, then you did not consciously decide. And if you did not decide then something else within you did the deciding.
Addict:
Okay, I can almost see what you have to say. But I still do not understand it well. This “other agenda” is deciding for me if I like kathi rolls? It seems very odd.
Buddha:
So it is not like the “other agenda” is deciding that you like kathi rolls specifically. It is more like, the “other agenda” has some preferences on what you should eat. It also has some preferences on what you should not eat.
Addict:
It does? What does it not want me to not eat?
Buddha:
You tell me. Even if I paid you a million dollars, what is the one thing you will not eat?
Addict:
Oh my god. That’s an odd question. I guess, something disgusting… like poop or something.
Buddha:
Haha. Sure. But why?
Buddha (Addressing the reader):
I am very sorry. I apologize that this conversation has taken such a disgusting turn. But, that “disgust” that you are “feeling” is going to help me make my point. So, please bear with me.
Addict:
Because I would be so disgusted by the sight and smell of poop. And even the thought of eating it is extremely upsetting.
Buddha:
Have you eaten poop before? Since you are so convinced that you do not want to? Was there a horrible taste? Was there a time you tried it and found it disgusting?
Addict:
No. Of course not!
Yes, but I do see what you are saying. This is one of those food preferences that the “other agenda” has.
Buddha:
Yes. What is more, we now get to see how this “other agenda” influences you. How this “other agenda” takes hold of you and gets you to act out its preferences.
Addict:
How is that? I do not see it.
Buddha:
See, you said it yourself: the thought of eating poop would make you “disgusted”. You said it’s “upsetting” to even think about it. These are negative emotions and feelings.
This is how the “other agenda” prevents you from doing things it does not want you to do. It fills you up with negative emotions and feelings.
Addict:
I see. Honestly, I thank it!
I would say by doing so it keeps me safe. I mean who knows what diseases I would get if I was ready to do such things.
Buddha:
Yes. You have hit the nail on the head. There are large parts of this “other agenda” that are all about keeping you safe. That is why some people might call this other agenda “human nature” or “instinct” that you were born with. But, I am not sure I like these terms. They set up the restrictive idea. So, let us not name it. We will stick to calling it “other agenda” for now.
Addict:
Yes! That is what it is!
Buddha:
Anyways, tell me… Would you agree with me if I said that something is “tasty” if it makes you feel good and happy if you eat it?
Addict:
Hmm… I suppose that is what is happening when I eat a kathi roll.
Buddha:
So, that is the other side. When the “other agenda” wants you to eat something, it fills your brain up with positive feelings. Those positive feelings come together and you say, “the roll was tasty!”
Addict:
Okay. Makes sense now. Maybe I understand what’s going on in my mind a little better now.
Buddha:
Great. So, I want you to notice that the big “tool” that this “other agenda” has is: to make you “feel things”. Using “positive feelings”, it gets you to move towards the things that it wants you to go towards. And using “negative feelings” it gets you to move away from the things it wants you to stay away from.
Addict:
Okay. I see. I am getting a better understanding of this “other agenda” now. So, am I a slave to this “other agenda” and what it wants? Do, I not have a say? Do, I not have free will?
Buddha:
Haha. That is a great question. The short answer is that you are NOT a slave. And seeing that you are pretty “slavish” is the first step to “liberating yourself”. Enlightenment is the process of achieving this liberation.
Addict:
Okay. Got my first step. I still do not see how this helps with my addiction.
Buddha:
Yes. Let’s stop here for now. I want you to do some homework for me before we continue with the next session.
Addict:
Okay.
Buddha:
Over the next few days, try this. There will be moments when you experience positive emotions. There will be moments when you experience negative ones. These are the “tools” of the “other agenda”. On an average day, you would go where these emotions take you. You would act out their plan. But, now, try to pause and observe what is going on with this “other agenda”. Ask: What is it trying to make you do? Why?
Get to know this “other agenda”.
Addict:
Seems hard. But, I can try.
To Be Continued…