Ignorance is one of the three poisons that the Buddha taught which create all suffering, and it’s also the root of all three. Our ignorance or lack of awareness and unconsciousness of our true nature creates a false sense of self. Instead of living in reality, we live in denial or fantasy, which perpetuates the other two poisons, craving and aversion.

To counteract ignorance, we have to choose to live with what is, including our confusion — to radically accept everything, including ignorance itself. Master Joshu said “I do not dwell in clarity.” This is the spirit of the Holy Fool, the grace of foolishness. Can you live like this, and also not attach to ignorance either? To live without any contrivance?