Page 13 - The Buddha‘s Noble Eightfold Path

For some people it arises as the result of personal tragedy, of
bereavement or loss of one kind or another. Their whole

existence is disturbed and upset as though by a great
earthquake in which everything they had cherished or held dear

is laid low. In this wreck, this ruin of their lives, they start
questioning, start looking deeper, start wondering about the
meaning and purpose of existence.

For other people Perfect Vision may arise by way of what we

may describe as a spontaneous mystical experience. (l don't like
this word 'mystical', which for many people is redolent of

mystery and mystery-mongering; but we don't have a better
word, so let us not hesitate to use it). One can find a number of
such instances collected in Bucke's Cosmic Consciousness

(1901), a book which is still worth reading. Indeed it is surprising
how many people have had, at one time or another, an

experience of this kind: some rare moment of ecstasy, or
insight, or maybe of a tremendous love, which, apparently
without any preparation, possessed one, swept one away, lifted

one up into a new dimension and completely altered one's
whole outlook on life. Under the heading of mystical experience

can be included our experience of nature, as when we are
overwhelmed by the sight of some wonderful sunset, or when,
in the midst of the countryside we experience a great, all-

pervading peace, stillness and tranquility.

Sometimes again, the Path of Vision can arise when we are
looking at a beautiful painting, or listening to music. On such

occasions, we can be carried away into a new dimension of
existence.

For some people it arises as a result of deep and pro-longed
thought. They endeavour to reach out and grasp

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