Why meditate?
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Is it better to know the answer or to know how to derive the answer? How does one come up with a "good" answer? Is there such a thing as a "good" answer? Is there such a thing as a "correct" answer?Originally posted by Eric Cartman:dont think about the future, just live in the present -
All things change just dont get stuck on somethingOriginally posted by casino_king:Is it better to know the answer or to know how to derive the answer? How does one come up with a "good" answer? Is there such a thing as a "good" answer? Is there such a thing as a "correct" answer? -
All things change and yet nothing changes... Is there such a thing as a "good" answer? Is there such a thing as a "correct" answer? If we are not seeking the answer than what are we seeking? If we are not looking for Buddha, then where do we find Buddha?Originally posted by Eric Cartman:All things change just dont get stuck on something -
Just be quiet and observe.Originally posted by casino_king:All things change and yet nothing changes... Is there such a thing as a "good" answer? Is there such a thing as a "correct" answer? If we are not seeking the answer than what are we seeking? If we are not looking for Buddha, then where do we find Buddha? -
Observe what? Observe for what? For how long? What will observing do? What happened to your "if you are hungry, just eat something" advice?Originally posted by Eric Cartman:Just be quiet and observe. -
You were talking about "good" answers and seeking buddha etc.Originally posted by casino_king:Observe what? Observe for what? For how long? What will observing do? What happened to your "if you are hungry, just eat something" advice? -
Accepting the present moment is something you do in order to align yourself with your true nature. This erodes identification with the ego which is constantly judging and preferring this over that. It is not enlightenment.Originally posted by casino_king:Do you equate "accepting the present moment" as "enlightenment?" Why did you tell us that "The basic question of what will enlightenment do for me is flawed"?
What are you going to do about the present "you" that is here and now posting in this forum?
Enlightenment is when you see that your true nature is "surrender to the present moment".
This can't be known with the mind, it has to be lived. It has to be achieved through insight.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the appearance of "me" posting in this forum. It is all part of the dream. It is totally accepted. When you can truly "see" this (through insight, through realization) then there can be total acceptance, not before. -
It's not full enlightenment if I dont have psychic powers.
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For conventional purposes and discussions so as not to cause confusions it may be better to say that Buddha Nature 'exists' (although buddha nature is also is not an inherently existent entity) in the sense that it is the ultimate reality of Emptiness and Luminosity. It is empty of inherent existence because everything is co-dependent arising, impermanent, lack of inherent existence, empty of self, etc.. The other characteristic is that it is intrinsically luminous (i.e 'aware'). This Buddha Nature/Dharma Nature pervades the entire universe, and so all things are empty of inherent existence, and intrinsically luminous. It is the ultimate reality of all things, all dharmas. In Mahayana we can also say it is the (One) Reality Seal (shi2 xiang4 yin4).Originally posted by Eric Cartman:I never said exciting buddha nature. Just like our true self is no self, buddha nature is having no nature.
Of course Buddha Nature as we are describing is only in name and words, ultimately Buddha Nature - emptiness and luminosity - cannot be grasped by thinking. -
Enlighten to your true nature.Originally posted by Eric Cartman:It's not full enlightenment if I dont have psychic powers.
If you seek other supernatural powers before enlightenment it can cause more confusion and deviation.
What is the greatest supernatural powers? None other than the miraculous activities of our Buddha Nature. It is the most useful of all - we wouldn't even be here without this 'power' - and probably is all that you need now.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:My daily activities are not unusual,
I'm just naturally in harmony with them.
Grasping nothing, discarding nothing...
Supernatural power and marvelous activity -
Drawing water and carrying firewood.
Layman Pang-yunOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:Buddha is Sanskrit for what you call aware, miraculously aware. Responding, perceiving, arching your brows, blinking your eyes, moving your hands and feet, it's all your miraculously aware nature. And this nature is the mind. And the mind is the buddha. And the buddha is the path. And the path is zen. But the word zen is one that remains a puzzle to both mortals and sages. Seeing your nature is zen. Unless you see your nature, it's not zen.
- Bodhidharma
Bodhidharma's Bloodstream Sermon -
Hi AnEternalNow,
For conventional purposes and discussions so as not to cause confusions it may be better to say that Buddha Nature 'exists' (although buddha nature is also is not an inherently existent entity) in the sense that it is the ultimate reality of Emptiness and Luminosity. It is empty of inherent existence because everything is co-dependent arising, impermanent, lack of inherent existence, empty of self, etc.. The other characteristic is that it is intrinsically luminous (i.e 'aware'). This Buddha Nature/Dharma Nature pervades the entire universe, and so all things are empty of inherent existence, and intrinsically luminous. It is the ultimate reality of all things, all dharmas.
Buddha is Sanskrit for what you call aware, miraculously aware. Responding, perceiving, arching your brows, blinking your eyes, moving your hands and feet, it's all your miraculously aware nature. And this nature is the mind. And the mind is the buddha. And the buddha is the path. And the path is zen. But the word zen is one that remains a puzzle to both mortals and sages. Seeing your nature is zen. Unless you see your nature, it's not zen.
I don't understand what you wrote here (with the mind), but I do recognize it (intuitively).
It's very beautiful.
Thank you. -
What will observing do? How will it help?Originally posted by Eric Cartman:You were talking about "good" answers and seeking buddha etc. -
Why do you say it "can't be known with the mind?" What is the meaning of "it has to be lived?"Originally posted by JonLS:Accepting the present moment is something you do in order to align yourself with your true nature. This erodes identification with the ego which is constantly judging and preferring this over that. It is not enlightenment.
Enlightenment is when you see that your true nature is "surrender to the present moment".
This can't be known with the mind, it has to be lived. It has to be achieved through insight.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the appearance of "me" posting in this forum. It is all part of the dream. It is totally accepted. When you can truly "see" this (through insight, through realization) then there can be total acceptance, not before.
Can you give us examples of "surrendering to the moment"? -
Aka, please experience it. But if the experience is false, then it should never happen at all.Originally posted by casino_king:Why do you say it "can't be known with the mind?" What is the meaning of "it has to be lived?"
Can you give us examples of "surrendering to the moment"? -
I say it can't be known with the mind because I have no understanding whatsoever, I am totally clueless.Originally posted by casino_king:Why do you say it "can't be known with the mind?" What is the meaning of "it has to be lived?"
Can you give us examples of "surrendering to the moment"?
An example of surrendering to the moment which is ungoing for me is to just allow the present moment to unfold beautifully on it's own. There is absolutely nothing I need do for this to happpen. -
Aka, please experience it. But if the experience is false, then it should never happen at all.
If you can truly be aware of your true nature as awareness, then there is no doubt. Because your true nature is constantly there, brightly shining. -
true nature as awareness isnt that still stuck at I AM??Originally posted by JonLS:If you can truly be aware of your true nature as awareness, then there is no doubt. Because your true nature is constantly there, brightly shining. -
No. Your true nature is awareness but not as something separated from phenomena/manifestation. The experience of all-pervading Presence is important (although this experience may lead to the projection of I Amness if not followed by correct 'understanding'), followed by the experience of non-dual nature of Presence/Awareness (stage 5). Remember I explained in your Brahman topic? so is "Brahman" correct?Originally posted by Eric Cartman:true nature as awareness isnt that still stuck at I AM??Originally posted by An Eternal Now:In reply to longchen a few months back, in your topic how true is this website?
Because of subtle karmic tendencies surfacing, after the glimpse into our luminosity of our Buddha Nature, one may tend to cling to a 'formless Source', although the Source/Brahman is 'beyond forms' nevertheless there is a point of focus, therefore separating Source from manifestation. Without knowing that everything IS the marvelous activity of our Buddha Nature. That is why it is said, Manifestation IS Source.
That is why the key in advancing from 'AMness' lies in 'fusing into everything'. Master shen kai describes it as our breathe diffuses into integral space, or a small lamp put under the bright sun, the light neither decreases nor increases. Witnessing consciousness becomes one with all that is witnessed. 'Brahman' is no longer separated. This is total presence, and the rest of the journey is only refining this experience of total presence. When you ask zen masters where is Buddha, he can point to anything and say, there. All is One Reality.
Still, the experience must come with the complete realisation of emptiness, otherwise the experience of total presence can become a stage that can be entered and left, and there is still falling back to source. Presence is there, but 'total presence' cannot be experienced all the time.
See Thusness's experience again,
Hi everyone
When every single moment is purely nothing but the unfolding of total presence under differing conditions, there is only chirping birds, drum beats, foot steps, sky, mountainÂ…there never was a Witness hiding anywhere!
There is no mirror reflecting
All along manifestation alone is.
The one hand claps
Everything IS! -
Eric,Originally posted by Eric Cartman:true nature as awareness isnt that still stuck at I AM??
Quit talking and reading about it and find out for yourself!!!
What do you really want Eric???
And how badly do you want it??? -
Because of subtle karmic tendencies surfacing, after the glimpse into our luminosity of our Buddha Nature, one may tend to cling to a 'formless Source', although the Source/Brahman is 'beyond forms' nevertheless there is a point of focus, therefore separating Source from manifestation. Without knowing that everything IS the marvelous activity of our Buddha Nature. That is why it is said, Manifestation IS Source.....
It is useless to just read this stuff.
Everyone who is reading this, I have a message for you:
Find out for yourself!!!
Everything you need is within. -
What is the point of describing the experience to people then? Is it not better to guide people to the point where they can then experience it for themselves?Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:Aka, please experience it. But if the experience is false, then it should never happen at all. -
How does this help you in your daily living or is that a separate issue altogether?Originally posted by JonLS:I say it can't be known with the mind because I have no understanding whatsoever, I am totally clueless.
An example of surrendering to the moment which is ungoing for me is to just allow the present moment to unfold beautifully on it's own. There is absolutely nothing I need do for this to happpen. -
Gd idea..Originally posted by JonLS:Eric,
Quit talking and reading about it and find out for yourself!!!
What do you really want Eric???
And how badly do you want it???
Thanks...Originally posted by JonLS:Hi AnEternalNow,
I don't understand what you wrote here (with the mind), but I do recognize it (intuitively).
It's very beautiful.
Thank you.
Anyway regarding supernatural powers (since someone is so obsessed with it
) I just remembered this story which is similar to what I just mentioned.Priest: The founder of our sect has such remarkable powers that he held a brush in his hand on one bank of the river and wrote the name Amida on a piece of paper on the other bank. Can you do such a thing?
Bankei: Perhaps your fox can perform that trick, but that is not the manner of Zen. My miracle is that when I feel hungry I eat, and when I feel thirsty I drink -
Can you please explain what this story is trying to teach?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:quote
riest: The founder of our sect has such remarkable powers that he held a brush in his hand on one bank of the river and wrote the name Amida on a piece of paper on the other bank. Can you do such a thing?
Bankei: Perhaps your fox can perform that trick, but that is not the manner of Zen. My miracle is that when I feel hungry I eat, and when I feel thirsty I drink -
Originally posted by casino_king:Can you please explain what this story is trying to teach?Now, although the power of Joriki can be endlessly enlarged through regular practice, it will recede and eventually vanish if we neglect Zazen. And while it is true that many extraordinary powers flow from Joriki, nevertheless through it alone we cannot cut the roots of our illusionary view of the world. Mere strength of concentration is not enough for the highest types of Zen and a path not unlike Shikantaza must be considered. Concomitantly there must be Satori-awakening. In a little-known document handed down by Shih-t'ou Hsi-ch'ien (Sekito Kisen, Japanese) a follower of the Sixth Patriarch Hui-neng and founder of one of the early Zen sects, the following appears: "in our sect, realization of the Buddha-nature, and not mere devotion or strength of concentration, is paramount."[/quote]
And see my previous post:
What is the greatest supernatural powers? None other than the miraculous activities of our Buddha Nature. It is the most useful of all - we wouldn't even be here without this 'power' - and probably is all that you need now.
[quote]Originally posted by An Eternal Now:My daily activities are not unusual,
I'm just naturally in harmony with them.
Grasping nothing, discarding nothing...
Supernatural power and marvelous activity -
Drawing water and carrying firewood.
Layman Pang-yunOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:Buddha is Sanskrit for what you call aware, miraculously aware. Responding, perceiving, arching your brows, blinking your eyes, moving your hands and feet, it's all your miraculously aware nature. And this nature is the mind. And the mind is the buddha. And the buddha is the path. And the path is zen. But the word zen is one that remains a puzzle to both mortals and sages. Seeing your nature is zen. Unless you see your nature, it's not zen.
- Bodhidharma
Bodhidharma's Bloodstream Sermon