Experience precedes Existence
From the Buddhist perspective, however, “experience precedes existence.” This is because existence is a concept that arose from experience, which is the mental process of perception. In other words, our paradigm has shifted from existential thinking to experiential thinking. Existential philosophers drew attention to the problem of existence, which is that every human being is aware of his own existence and also aware of his own death, which brings about anguish: anxiety, worry, fear and trembling. The existential philosophers could not, however, solve the problem other than to take the leap of faith in God, or wait till human intelligence grows or evolves to a capable level. It was the Buddha who offered the ultimate solution through a paradigm shift. According to the Buddha, the problem was created by existential thinking. Therefore it can be solved only through a paradigm shift from existential thinking to experiential thinking. This is why existence (bhava), according to the Buddha, is a delusion, or a dream, from which mankind must Awaken by switching on to experiential thinking. Entering into experiential thinking is what is called nirodha samāpatti.