The Answer

Is the aporia.

“Aporia” is not a word that one hears often, or perhaps at all. It is a philosophical term that denotes an irresolvable logical contradiction in an argument, theory, or text.

Buddhism and awakening in Buddhism is an experience. This might seem excessively abstract. But a logical contradiction creates a gap. There is no good reason why the experience of awakening in Buddhism cannot be explained in philosophical terms. Different explanations will work well for different people. This is an explanation for people who like philosophical explanations.

The Buddha used the word, “dukkha” to explain the human predicament. Buddhist teachers often use the word because it lacks a good English translation. Etymologically, “dukkha” denotes an absence or lack, a hole. Humans feel an insatiable lack in our being, in our heart center to offer a physical analog. This creates drivenness, or clinging, which is the source of human suffering according to the Buddha. We cast about incessantly looking for the thing — relationship, job, house, car, meal, drink, whatever floats your boat — that will fill the lack. The problem is that, even if you find something that does fill your lack, all is impermanence and the thing that fills your lack will not retain forever whatever qualities it has that allow it to fill your lack. We still suffer from old age, sickness,and death, the three human experiences that set the Buddha on his quest to awaken to begin with.