John and Akincano offer a simple contemplation to run through a few times before the next unit. We'll contemplate the many conditions that support the existence of a simple item of clothing.

Contemplation

At this very early stage of the course, you might be thinking that dependent arising is a very complex phenomenon and it is a very complex phenomenon. But we're going to start with something very simple to bring it back to our lives in a very simple way. And what we propose is that we contemplate a very familiar object, such as a garment you're wearing, such as this blue jumper that I'm wearing at the moment. This might not seem very much in itself, but I think just contemplating this will give an understanding of the conditions that give rise to something.

Contemplate the conditions that were involved in the production of a garment you own

We're just beginning to see how there are multiplicities of dependencies that give rise to the familiar objects of our world.

Consider:

• the materials and the conditions that gave rise to the garment
• the workers, and the conditions that enable them to work
• the economic factors that shape this process
• the mental qualities that were involved, such as intentions, desires, and aspirations
• the manufacturing processes involved
• the skills involved
• the logistical processes involved
• the people who design, market, and sell the garment.

So actually, you can see a multiplicity of processes giving rise to that object. If you want to broaden that contemplation, take other objects within your familiar world and, again, reflect on the multiplicity of processes that have given rise to that object. We're doing nothing other than contemplating that all the objects of our world are complex dependencies.

The effect of this way of looking

If we look at the dependently arisen quality of a garment, we're not looking at the thing in its appearance, nor do we look at it in its substance. We're looking at the many, many conditions that were necessary for what looks like a piece of clothing to come together as a substance. Forces, elements, intentions, efforts, skills were all smelted together, all converged in a blue sweater in a shop window. Then John enters and buys it.

So why are we doing this exercise? Well, the human mind and the human perceptual apparatus have a tendency to make things out of processes. The lens of dependent arising teaches us to look past the apparently solid material existence of a thing and reveal the conditions that led to its arising. If we understand these conditions, we are less likely to be fooled by the apparent solidity of this object, by its apparent substantial nature, and by its apparent lasting value in our lives. We are more likely to understand that many forces, many conditions were needed to make this appear, and it is likely that if something changes with these forces and conditions, this thing also will start to disappear or show signs of wear, or be eaten by moths, or taken away by somebody else, or just fall out of fashion and end up in a cupboard somewhere. This makes for a more realistic relationship to that object, and that realistic relationship will translate into a more easeful life.