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diyAudio Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
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On snake oil and personal experience..
It's been observed that some people are more inclined to experiment with some "exotic" concepts and don't automatically reject everything that is suggested to them, while others classify it as "snake oil".
Well, last night I was reading "Transforming the Mind" by His Holiness The Dalai Lama and this paragraph drew my attention, as I noticed certain analogy:
Quote:
...you might think that it all sounds fairly rational and seems to make good enough sense. But what evidence do we have to show that these arguments are valid and that their logic is meaningful? Is there a proof we can observe or experience?
According to Sakya teachings (one of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism, PD), there are four valid factors of knowledge, namely valid scripture, valid treatises or commentaries, valid teacher, and valid experience.
In terms of their origin, of course, the valid scriptures were taught first, and the valid commentaries were elaborated on them later. Then, on the strengths of their study, valid teachers emerged who became masters of those commentaries. This led to their having valid experiences. However, from the point of view of the development of one's personal conviction it is suggested that this order is reversed - in other words, one must first begin with some kind of personal experience. If we take the case of reflecting upon the empty nature of phenomena, or the benefits of altruism, unless we have some taste or personal experience of the theme, that is, unless we have a glimpse of its truth, it is less likely that we will be inspired deeply enough to persist in our practice.
There are profound levels of realization, which I for one may not have, but there is also a beginning level which we all have. In my own case, whenever I contemplate on the virtues of compassion and altruism I feel deeply moved. But how can we know that such experiences are valid? One way is to look at the effects they have upon us. When we reflect on certain spiritual qualities and cultivate them, and when we begin to feel deeply inspired, this creates a sense of inner strength. This experience makes us more courageous, more expansive, and less prone to worry or insecurity. All those are indications of the validity of our experience.
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It seems to me that those who interpret everything (they don't understand) as "snake oil", simply didn't experience that "glimpse of the truth" yet 
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