Art-sung
Snowy Owl
Joined: Aug 13, 2011
Posts: 171
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 Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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Hello folks,
I pray all is well with you.
In Buddhism, in general, there are two types of meditation, one is Shamtha or Calm Abiding, the other Vipashyana or Special Insight.
Calm Abiding is to rest the mind on an object or subject and stay, and to be still and rest in that stillness, that Calm.
It is both peaceful and restful. When the mind is distracted by thoughts, emotions, sensation etc. We just simply replace the mind on our object of choice or subject. Its very simple, and offers a very simple experience.
Further to Shamatha we also practice Vipashyana, or Special Insight. This insight is the knowledge of the nature of all things. "Interdepndence" or "Dependant Origination".
The most important point of any practice is to extablish a new positive relationship with our internal dialogue. The Buddhist approach is to edit the textualisation of our perception. To get beyond the construction business of the conceptual mind.
To do just this, is to do it all.
So logically we ask ourselves in our practice, what is beyond conceptual mind, what is the substratum of mind itself.
I will borrow from a high teaching of the Mahayana, in this regard.
When we, as sentient beings, see something, hear something, taste something, smell something or touch something, anything, we have a first generation experience, and then a second generation experience of our mind.
The first generation experience is the purity of awareness itself. The second generation experience then arises as a conceptual process which then qualifies this expereience.
If we were to live more in our first generation experience we would experience more of the basic purity of our minds nature, which is transparent awareness. This transparent awareness is an expanding field in our practice, our life.
Accordingly, this first generation experience, primal awareness itself, is beyond thought.
I like this view of experience as it provides a clear approach to experience itself. I have found it very helpful, personally.
Have a wonderful day! [A first and second generation experience]
All my very best to you all! |
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quaker
Toucan
Joined: Aug 16, 2010
Age: 47
Posts: 295
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| Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 1:53 am Post subject: |
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Thank you artsung.
It is generally only with my breath that I am able to anchor myself amidst the storm of restless thoughts.
I take great comfort that my thoughts do not define me, but it is my faithfulness in the practice of contemplation that is the deeper measure.
Wishing you well my friend. |
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Art-sung
Snowy Owl
Joined: Aug 13, 2011
Posts: 171
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| Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 4:09 am Post subject: |
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Hello Quaker,
The storm of restless thoughts. I actually had a bit of a problem with them, in my practice, and in life. Then I was given teachings about the nature of thoughts themselves as being just the creative play/display of mind, and that we do not need to stop them, or slow them down, but rather enjoy the display without attaching an 'I', to the thoughts. To see the wonder of their nature even when stormy.
In this sense, "thoughts without a thinker",[ its become a bit of a catch phrase in contemporary circles ].
I believe with this information we can all go deeper. Everything is in a state of flux, especially this present state of mind. If we go to the coast and watch the pounding waves of a storm the nature of the waves still have the esstential nature of the calm water, on another day, or another time in the same day.
The deep stillness of the ocean is not changed by the current manifestation on its surface. It is still water which is fluid and blends with itself. Similarly the current thoughts of our storm are fluid-light, and blends with itself as it shares the one nature.
If we take the, 'one-nature', as our meditation we transform the present storm from within. Just like watching a storm at sea, we just watch. If we own a boat in that sea, we will feel a personal. emotional attachmnet to the storms furry. I we just offer up our attachment, then we just watch the storm for what it is.
Also as we can be distracted we can use this skillfully. When the storm is powerful, we can turn to an inspiring quote or text and keep repeating it until the storm is once again at ease.
Because everything is in a state of flux we can have confidence that it is only a matter of time, before it changes again, and again.
In the Tibetan tradition is a wonderful understanding, it comes from the original Indian tradition.
It says; "There is no difference to be found in the nature of the arisal for both ordinary beings and those who have awaken. Rather the difference is to be found in the nature of their method of liberation".
This points quite directly that we are not different in the way thoughts, etc, arise in our mind. But some sentient beings differ as to the method that they use to liberate themselves from their minds content.
So here we are talking about a method of liberation of our thoughts. This is easier to do if we see our thoughts through new eyes. Just fluid-light in nature, and when attached then associated directly with emotions as per, our socialisation and present condition.
As a further example if someone offered us honey, and our mouth is already full of it, we may not have any attachment to their offer. On another day we may wish and wish for some honey but none is to be found, then we will feel all the associated emotions that come with this.
But better still is to not have attachment to honey, nor aversion, so that if honey is offered we can have or have not, it doesn't matter anymore, its just honey, money, relationship, career, success, fame and gain. Its just what it is, nothing more and nothing less, it just is.
The play of Fluid-light. It can work for us, or work against us.
We have the power to change our mind, by changing the atmosphere of the mind. When in a storm just reach for a teaching which is a calm harbour. It is easier for us to practice and grow in our practice in safe waters, so that we give ourselves a chance to become a better swimmer, under the correct supportive conditions.
Later on, with this approach you can even swim in stormy seas. Life Savers can swim in stormy seas, Yogis can rest in their mind, so can we. Its all a matter of our approach, and its method.
Anyhow, you have reminded me of something very important, thank you!
And thank you for reading my post and writing something back.
It is raining here now and the beach is just around the corner, I can already see the waves in my mind. Because I know what they look like, I also know how they taste. I have local knowledge, similarly we can develop local knowledge of our own mind stream. We've seen the storm before, we know how it tastes. All we need to do is offer it all up and let go, and let be.
All my best to you! |
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samtoo
Sam the eccentric Beluga whale
Joined: May 13, 2007
Age: 23
Posts: 3047
Location: England
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| Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:15 pm Post subject: |
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Is non-sectarian Buddhism like lay Buddhism, or believing in Buddhism but not being a Buddhist, or neither?
I find Buddhism very comforting indeed. I love to meditate and feel at peace with myself, and apply wisdom and comfort to myself with quotes on Buddhism, and with meditation. I find Spirituality interesting.
I am not a Buddhist, but I do find Spirituality and Buddhist belief very comforting.
_________________
Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle,
and the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness never decreases by being shared. |
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VIDEODROME
Phoenix
Joined: Nov 21, 2008
Age: 36
Posts: 1737
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| Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 12:50 am Post subject: |
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I found a copy of The Tibetan Book of the Dead. I'd be curious if you could elaborate on some of the things in there such as Reincarnation or the 6 Realms.
For example many of our human politicians might be close to the Jealous Gods realm. The people on the TV show about Hoarders are probably close to the Hungry Ghost realm.
I guess one other detail I find interesting is these realms, even "Hell", are not permanent. That maybe eventually one will perish even in Hell and reincarnate. |
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Art-sung
Snowy Owl
Joined: Aug 13, 2011
Posts: 171
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| Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 8:41 pm Post subject: |
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Hello Videodrome,
I can't really comment on the Book of the Dead.
It's outside of my authorisation. What I can say in general is that cosmology in Buddhism is connected to states of mind.
Further in Buddhism the understanding of life and continuity is an interesting subject.
For example if one candle has a flame and lights another candle, then the same energy, via cause and condition, continues in a new form. But we could not say the two candles are the same nor that the flames are independant, again through causes and conditions. Interbeing through interdependence of phenomena may explain some presentations of Buddhist incarnation.
All the very best! |
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Moog
Pussycat
Joined: Feb 26, 2010
Age: 34
Posts: 17643
Location: Untied Kingdom
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| Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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| VIDEODROME wrote: | I found a copy of The Tibetan Book of the Dead. I'd be curious if you could elaborate on some of the things in there such as Reincarnation or the 6 Realms.
For example many of our human politicians might be close to the Jealous Gods realm. The people on the TV show about Hoarders are probably close to the Hungry Ghost realm. |
That is a reading of those concepts that I have considered before. It works.
http://considerthefuture.com/Faith/FaithArticles/faith2_realms.html
| Quote: | | I guess one other detail I find interesting is these realms, even "Hell", are not permanent. That maybe eventually one will perish even in Hell and reincarnate. |
Yes, and even existing in a state of Nibbana is (apparently) finite.
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Art-sung
Snowy Owl
Joined: Aug 13, 2011
Posts: 171
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| Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 10:02 pm Post subject: |
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Preliminary to the Teachings found in the Tibetan Book of the Dead, within the tradition, is the practice of investigative meditation acording to the Madhyamaka.
In terms of the Madhyamaka I can explain.
That in meditation we come to know the moments of verbal thinking.
In this process we use;
1. The logical investigation of an event, it's cause, the event itself and its effect.
2. Further we investigate a moment of verbal thought, its arising, abiding and ceasing.
To develop, 'Knowing', within our experience.
This is used to discover what lays beyond the process of imagining [shapes and colours] and moments of verbal thinking.
The Book of the Dead, talks about the methods of Liberation in the Bardo's and rightfully belongs to the Natural Great Perfection [Dzogchen] tradition. This requires an experienced Teacher-Yogi to impart and instruct accordingly, via a personal relationship.
The link that Moog kindly offered is a wonderful start. It outlines the general interpretation of the Six Realms.
Health and every good wish!
Grant |
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Art-sung
Snowy Owl
Joined: Aug 13, 2011
Posts: 171
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| Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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The most important thing is human development.
Development and adaption. In terms of the Buddhist approach we start from the perspective of original purity. The nature of mind is stainless, only thoughts and attitudes mask the purity within.
This purity is wisdom and compassion. From the Buddhist perspective this wisdom and compassion is beyond imputation and so beyond the sectarian nature of religion.
Buddhists in Tibet do not called themselves Buddhist, per se, this is a modern Euro-centric convention, they just refer to themselves simply as insiders [Tib: Nangpa].
The correct view of the Madhyamaka [Middle Way] is to not hold a view.
The stainless nature of mind which is both wisdom and compassion is the natural inheritance of human sentience. It is the treasury within.
This is the essence of what the Radiant Buddha taught.
OM MANI PADMA HUM!
Homage to the Jewel-like Heart-essence of the Buddha-nature within!
When negative ideation arises we can just replace it with this mind-protection [Mantra].
We can repeat this on our breath, to relax and release.
And re-balance our energy.
Health and every good wish! 
Grant South |
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Art-sung
Snowy Owl
Joined: Aug 13, 2011
Posts: 171
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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Hello Everyone,
I thought I would post again.
I hope you are all well.
Historically the Buddha taught three turnings of the wheel of Dharma. Although the Buddha also taught that all three can be practiced as Ekayana or One Path.
It is said even two lines of the Buddha's teaching will bring benefits.
What is happiness?
This is a question in life that requires same work and possibly some personal adjustment.
The Buddha suggested that a mind that is virtuous and free of negative judgement is the basis for happiness. Again this may be a matter of personal choice.
What I have found with my Asperger's is that adaptation is an ongoing process, in this sense adaptation is a lifepath or personal journey. Buddhism provides many benefits. Various therapeutic modalities now recognise the importance of mindfulness to calm the mind.
Also empathy and later compassion, via meditation, can be a great learning.
I would like to hear your thoughts on this.
Health and every good wish!
Grant South |
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quaker
Toucan
Joined: Aug 16, 2010
Age: 47
Posts: 295
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| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:30 am Post subject: |
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Hello Grant.........it is nice to hear from you.
This time of the year I generally struggle with negative thoughts and depression. It is like my negative thinking conspires against my deeper self without even it's consent........it is a very powerful pull into a depressive mindset, so I am pleased to hear from you as your posts are very nourishing and uplifting.
I question if it is at all humanly possible to be free of negative thinking, but know that I can get closest to this state when I can observe compassionately my inner-critic. In other words, I may be bombarded by all sorts of negative thoughts, but I don't have to suffer from them.
My deeper self does not judge the judge.
I am generally happiest when I do not question weather I am happy or not.
The more I reflect on the teachings of the Buddha, the more I see how positive thinking had little to do with his teachings, yet Mindfulness of suffering and joy central to his message.
Wishing you well from a cold London park whilst watching the birds. |
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Art-sung
Snowy Owl
Joined: Aug 13, 2011
Posts: 171
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| Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 7:38 am Post subject: |
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Hello Quaker,
I wrote a big email, but I lost it.
In essence what I wanted to say was that the Buddha taught that positive thoughts are OK and are better than negative thoughts but the nature of mind is beyond thought, the transparent nature of awareness which is the luminosity of sentience.
This stainless awareness is not conditioned by thought, emotions, sensations, etc. These are secondary, the primacy being the sub-stratum of mind, its intrinsic nature. So positive thoughts, although provisional, are born from natural virtue, whereas negative thoughts are just our internal suffering- dukka. Being the ignorance of our treasury already within.
When we see the birds at play, their play echo's back to us our own nature being the purity of awareness, beyond thought. They play freely within the sphere of our field of perception.
This awareness is effortless and always working for our benefit 24 hours a day. Even in our dream state we may have the awareness of being in a dream when we are dreaming.
On a personal note I lose my practice and then I regain it, throughout the day, same days are better than others.
But there is improvement. Because we are habitual we can train.
Everything is in a state of flux, and so logically things can change. A very famous teaching is, the past is gone forever, and the future is yet unborn, we only have the present.......
Will it snow in London?
I have never seen snow.
We have had a few days of much needed rain.
Health and every good wish!
Grant |
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Art-sung
Snowy Owl
Joined: Aug 13, 2011
Posts: 171
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| Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 3:02 pm Post subject: |
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Happy New Year to everyone!
I hope your year will be both safe and rewarding.
Many of us feel deeply about issues such as World Peace, social equity and equal opportunity.
These social issues today are the same as those in the times of the Buddha in northern India, 2500 years ago.
The non-sectarian view is the knowledge that people will naturally have an interest in a path which makes sense to them. To disparage another's inward approach is considered by some to be a root downfall of practice.
Thus non-sectarianism opens the way for meaningful dialogue on the issues of being human.
Being Humane to ourselves and others.
May all of us together be motivated by the radiance within!
All the best to you for 2012!
Grant |
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quaker
Toucan
Joined: Aug 16, 2010
Age: 47
Posts: 295
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| Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 7:55 am Post subject: |
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Thank you Grant.
In gratitude.
Chris |
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LipstickKiller
Velociraptor
Joined: Apr 02, 2009
Posts: 457
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| Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 2:41 pm Post subject: Hello everyone |
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Just saying hello. Since esangha went under I haven't really interacted much with buddhists. I consider myself on the buddhist path, but I don't know if I'm a buddhist nor whether it matters.
My inspirations: Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Than, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Cesar Millan (yes it's true, listen to what he says about thinking, awareness and human nature). |
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