Where does one begin with a research task, besides having the proposal? What came to my mind was the need to read something about the background to the life of Bernard Lonergan. I picked up the book Bernard Lonergan. His Life and Leading Ideas by Pierrot Lambert and Philip McShane. I was struck by the fact that the book begins with two teachings of the Buddha. These teachings summarize Lonergan's ideas and contributions. These quotes are as follows:
(1) "Oh my mind! Why do you hover so restlessly over the changing circumstances of life? Why do you make me so confused and restless? Why do you urge me to collect so many things? You are like a plow that breaks in pieces before beginning to plow: you are like a rudder that is dismantled just as you venture out on the sea of life and death."
(2) Let us imagine a desert country lying in absolute darkness with many living things swarming blindly about in it.
Naturally they will be frightened and as they run about without recognizing one another during the night, there will be frequent squirming and loneliness. This is indeed a pitiful sight.
Then let us imagine that suddenly a superior man with a torch appears and everything around becomes bring and clear.
The living beings in the dark solitude suddenly find a great relief as they look about to recognize one another and happily share their companionship." (From The Teachings of the Buddha, 725th revised edition, 1992, Bukkyo Dendo Kyoya, 304 and 476.)
Lonergan tries to understand the operations of the mind, of moving from darkness into the light, from fear of the other to one of companionship. For me, life is a movement from a certain kind of darkness of mind into a region of clarity of meaning. Little insights are important.
(1) "Oh my mind! Why do you hover so restlessly over the changing circumstances of life? Why do you make me so confused and restless? Why do you urge me to collect so many things? You are like a plow that breaks in pieces before beginning to plow: you are like a rudder that is dismantled just as you venture out on the sea of life and death."
(2) Let us imagine a desert country lying in absolute darkness with many living things swarming blindly about in it.
Naturally they will be frightened and as they run about without recognizing one another during the night, there will be frequent squirming and loneliness. This is indeed a pitiful sight.
Then let us imagine that suddenly a superior man with a torch appears and everything around becomes bring and clear.
The living beings in the dark solitude suddenly find a great relief as they look about to recognize one another and happily share their companionship." (From The Teachings of the Buddha, 725th revised edition, 1992, Bukkyo Dendo Kyoya, 304 and 476.)
Lonergan tries to understand the operations of the mind, of moving from darkness into the light, from fear of the other to one of companionship. For me, life is a movement from a certain kind of darkness of mind into a region of clarity of meaning. Little insights are important.
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