Nirvana of a New Born

Teachers often point to the serene simplicity of a new born as a metaphor for Nirvana. A newborn sees no separation, sees the universe as its own extension, doesn't yet know how to delineate snensations; a loud noise or intense hunger both  have the same feeling to a child, that of a general discomfort. And the child cries until it gets the desired result releasing dopamine or the happy chemical. A purturbation subsides back to its ground state or serenity and nirvana.

The big question is how and why does it get lost? Why don't we maintain this state all our lives obviating the need for spiritual seeking later in life when dissatisfaction sets in as nothing produces enough or sustained level of happy brain chemicals?

The answer lies in the natural buiild of the body that supports life and has an inherent program to sustain the species. Happy chemicals are naturally designed to reward actions of the body towards preservation of the species.

Consciousness on the other hand starts and stays in nirvana but starts to identify with the body more and more as the quick hit of happy chemicals create a state which has the same albeit temporary characteristics of serenity or nirvana.

We end up chasing the quick fix to have small hits rather than stay in the all pervading. This creates craving and aversion. Only after ignorance is lifted and wisdom of impermanence, suffering and annatta is the only way to return back to the child state of nirvana.

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