Trying to Scrutinize The Inscrutable

I really enjoyed the first few pages of the reading regarding the idea of the inscrutable. Schneider vividly described the concept as a way of “cultivating awe”. This idea in itself shows a bit of self-contradiction the way I interpret it, but it also more clearly explains the idea of the inscrutable. These concepts can’t be scrutinized, but merely perceived and believed in. This cultivates awe because since these things can’t be 100% proven, they rely on faith. Early on he basically says that, “beyond every bounded faith resides an evolving, indefinite faith.” Almost as to say, “faith begets faith,” because often in life there are things we can’t explain and we get hung up on finding an answer and though we seldom do, we find a comfort in something to believe in. The next concept he introduced was the idea of struggle. He says that, “The way to the inscrutable is through struggle. Struggle jolts the system, dents the armor, and jars the rails. But struggle is only the beginning. The shock and the awakening are only preparatory. The next crucial question is how and whether one pursues, engages with, and emerges from one’s struggle. To the degree one does, one can see beyond it; one can both acknowledge, identify with, and yet somehow be more that that with which one contends” (Pg. 144). Typically, in a time of crisis we are too staggered to step back from a given situation and see beyond the physical distress and into potential reasons why, or as Schneider would say “the inscrutable”. This quote, for me, suggests that struggle is what provokes the thoughts of “what if?” Even further than provoking, it allows for us to be able to understand things we would have not been challenged to comprehend without the struggle. As a person with a lot to struggle with, this quote speaks to me and inspires me. Later on in the reading he brings up the concept of faith again in terms of Buddhism. I really liked this passage because I incorporate Buddhism within my philosophy of life often and so the words seemed more real to me. “…Buddhism corresponds very closely to faith in the inscrutable. The Buddhist precepts of magnificence, mystery, and responsibility; and the Buddhist ideal of maximal disidentification, selfless right action, and godless piety, are all values that echo a fluid center and existential faith” (Pg. 168). As I was already aware of the extent of faith involved in Buddhism, this formally put it into words making it clear to understand. Faith in Buddhism to me speaks to concepts like meditation, and the plight toward Nirvana, because these things don’t exactly have a physical aspect to access, but rather, it is something within us to find… I am ending my reflection with this quote solely because I find the message along with the wording of it to be beautiful. “Nirvana is permanent, stable, imperishable, immovable, ageless, deathless, unborn and unbecome… it is power, bliss, and happiness, the secure refuge, the shelter and the place of unassailable safety… it is the real Truth and the supreme Reality… it is the Good, the supreme goal and the one and only consummation of our life, the eternal, hidden, and incomprehensible Peace” (Pg. 168).