The Non-Person Moments

Being a nobody takes self-importance out of the picture, when we just become not the observer, just observation; a feeling of stepping back, and then back again.

Cultural conditioning makes people believe that success is defined by gain, and others losing is the purpose of life. This is merely survival instinct.

In Tibetan Buddhism, there are six realms / six mentalities we can adopt: hell = blame everyone else: hungry ghosts = unable to digest information: animal = no humour: human = desire: jealous gods = constant arguing: gods = entitled.

The realm leading to enlightenment is the human desire realm, as there, it’s easier to recognise our hopes and fears, and let go. We can drop the desire and be a non-person. In the other realms, beings believe they cannot change – and don’t want to.

(It’s important to recognise these realms so that we don’t become involved in a fool’s discussion, where we’re always talking at cross purposes.)

A non-person-ality is pure consciousness.

Being a nobody is a liberating state free from the pressure of ego, entitlement and public scrutiny, allowing for authentic, deep personal growth, and peace. It acts as a contrast to the high-intensity, anxious life of being a somebody, freeing us to focus on internal values rather than external validation. 

It’s the great relief.

Relief: the positive feeling experienced when something unpleasant stops or is avoided.
In other words, happiness.
It’s not when things happen; it’s when they stop. 😀

The following gives more details of these realms, as metaphors for different mental states or egoic neuroses that humans experience throughout a single lifetime. 

The Six Realms of Existence
The realms are divided into three higher realms (fortunate births) and three lower realms (unfortunate births). 

Higher Realms

• Deva Realm (Gods/Heavenly Beings): A state of extreme pleasure, long life, and bliss. Beings here are often blinded by their own pride and success, making it difficult to seek enlightenment because they do not feel the need to escape suffering.

• Asura Realm (Demigods/Titans): Characterised by jealousy, competition, and constant conflict. Asuras are powerful beings who are often at war with the Devas, driven by the desire to surpass others.

• Human Realm: The most auspicious realm for spiritual growth. It is defined by a balance of joy and pain – enough suffering to motivate the search for liberation, but with enough clarity to practice the Dharma. 

Lower Realms

• Animal Realm: Characterizsd by stupidity, ignorance, and living purely by instinct. Animals are seen as being in a state of survival mode, focused only on food, sleep, and avoiding danger.

• Preta Realm (Hungry Ghosts): A realm of insatiable desire and greed. Beings are often depicted with huge, empty bellies and pinhole-sized mouths, symbolising their inability to ever satisfy their cravings.

• Naraka Realm (Hell): The realm of intense suffering, hatred, and anger. It is described as a claustrophobic place of extreme heat or cold, where beings are trapped by their own aggression.