The Sublime and the Practical: Two Sides of One Path

Buddhism teaches us to aim for the absolute peak of enlightenment while beginning with the most practical steps. Discover why this is a unique path that no other doctrine offers.

When I was young, I often sat in a hut deep in the forest, gazing at the vast sky and dreaming of having wings to fly freely. But shortly after, hunger would strike, and I had to climb down to open the cupboard and find rice to eat. Perhaps everyone has experienced this tension between the sublimity of dreams and the reality of daily sustenance.

When we come to Buddhism, we face a similar dynamic. On one hand, we hear teachings about nirvana, supernatural powers, and liberation—concepts that seem incredibly sublime. On the other hand, we still must eat, drink, sleep, rest, and work. How can we harmonize these two seemingly contradictory aspects?

Why do we believe in the sublime?

Deep within every human being lies an inclination to seek something beyond ordinary life. It is not by chance that we believe in cause and effect (karmic law) and karma, even without empirical proof. This belief stems from conscience—the invisible voice within us.

The universe must be just; it cannot be otherwise.

This conscience is not taught by anyone, nor does it arise spontaneously. It is an invisible thread connecting our deluded mind/heart to supreme wisdom. Through this connection, we trust that good deeds will be rewarded and evil deeds will pay their price.

Buddhism resolves this inner conflict.

Many people think that spiritual practice requires turning away from reality and abandoning daily needs. However, leaving reality behind means there is no path and no starting point. Fortunately, Buddhism offers us a unique way forward.

Buddhism provides a path to seek the sublime without denying the reality of life.

This is the immense value of the Buddha's teachings (Dharma), something rarely found in other religions or philosophies. It avoids the illusion of mythology and does not sink into trivial pragmatism.

Absolute Sublimity: Nirvana and the Six Supernormal Powers

The ultimate goal of Buddhism is nirvana—a state of complete liberation and freedom from samsara (cycle of rebirth). Those who attain nirvana possess six types of supernatural powers: recalling past lives, seeing the workings of samsara, hearing all beings, knowing the minds of others, performing miraculous feats, and extinguishing all afflictions (kleshas) and suffering (dukkha).

These are declarations that the Buddha compared to the lion’s roar, shaking all external doctrines. No other philosophy dares to speak of such profound heights.

Beginning with Breath and Compassion

Yet, the miracle is that this distant sublimity begins with the most practical things. There is no need to fly to the heavens; simply bow your hands and lower yourself before others with love and respect. There is no need for miracles; just place money in a beggar’s cup with compassion. And closest of all:

Begin with your own breath. When breathing in, know you are breathing in. When breathing out, know you are breathing out.

Where you stand, with each step you take, you can ascend to the summit of glory. Buddhism gives us an absolutely sublime goal while starting from the nearest reality.

Avoiding the Two Extremes

Some sects advocate suicide so the soul may follow comets—that is illusion. Some philosophers speak only of existing matter—that is triviality. Buddhism follows the Middle Way: both practical and sublime, leaning toward neither extreme.

Let us practice immediately with the smallest things: mindful breathing, mindful walking, and loving others. From there, we will gradually conquer the absolute summit of liberation.