where reason, thought, and philosophy cannot reach

vic shayne
author
13 Pillars of Enlightenment: How to realize your true nature and end suffering

Have you ever uncovered a nothingness beyond thought and what thought has constructed? Is this discovery up for debate? Can it be understood or argued on the merits of philosophy, reason, or science? Such disciplines are predicated on thought, but the so-called enlightened perspective is devoid of thought, or prior to thought. When the mind completely shuts off — no thought at all — it is at first a baffling, stunning experience. In the least it gives one a clarity that cannot be had with thought.

there’s nothing wrong with thinking
So what’s wrong with philosophy? Nothing at all. Philosophy, reason, logic, science, and deduction are all important parts of living in our world. Such disciplines help us navigate our lives, figure out solutions to problems, and improve upon our technology and quality of life. Innovation comes from such modes of thought. But if we are seeking to find something deeper than thought, which is the ineffable no-thing that is at the core of our being as well as all else, then we must turn to something that involves no thought at all.

silence is golden, sort of
Silence is devoid of thought, reason, movement, light, and sound. This is why silence may be described as a void, empty capacity, or nothingness. It is a placeless place, or stateless state, where the mind is without thought and is open to see/perceive without preference, interference, or distortion. Silence is the container of everything, including God, if you are so disposed to use, or believe in, this problematic concept. And, silence is fundamental, which is why it cannot be created — it can be found, but not created. To find or uncover it means removing everything that is not silence. This is the essence of what we are, beneath thought, the self, movement, consciousness, phenomena, ideas, philosophy, and all forms.

the ineffable cannot be figured out
No amount of discussion, philosophy, science, religion, belief, or anything else can bear upon the void, nothingness, silence, unalloyed stillness, or capacity — whatever word you want to use. The idea is not to prove this to anyone, but rather to understand oneself, the whole of consciousness, the basis for suffering, and so on. Debating about it is folly.

The ineffable cannot be figured out at all, simply because thought is the wrong tool for perception of that which exists prior to thought. Reason can never be used to explain, understand, or realize the mystical experience if that realization is permanent and not an experience that comes and goes. The experience that comes and goes falls into the category of that which has emanated out of the void. Seeking that which is permanent requires a negation of all that it is not, including reason, words, descriptions, and so on.

understanding and believing is not awakening
One who comes to the mystic, sage, or awakened teacher to uncover what he is, cannot do so merely by understanding the mystic’s words. The mystic cannot observe or have an Aha! realization on behalf of anyone. Words and logic may encourage a person, but will not awaken him. And once awakened, philosophy and intellectual analysis will be of no use for the outsider to grasp what has taken place within the perception of the awakened one.