Search found 189 matches

by AdvaitaJ
Sat Jun 02, 2012 1:20 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Looking for the "Don't Stop"/"Keep Going" Sutta
Replies: 5
Views: 2249

Re: Looking for the "Don't Stop"/"Keep Going" Sutta

Well, if there were a prize to give, I think Mike would win it with MN 111. It's not exactly how I was thinking of it, so I reserve the right to be wrong, but it certainly resonates with me for that "keep pushing" aspect. As I'm writing this, I realize that what still seems to be missing w...
by AdvaitaJ
Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:07 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Looking for the "Don't Stop"/"Keep Going" Sutta
Replies: 5
Views: 2249

Looking for the "Don't Stop"/"Keep Going" Sutta

Greetings All, I've been away for a little over a year, and it's good to quickly spot some of the helpful familiar names I remembered from back when. I'm looking for some help identifying a sutta I have a vague recollection of, but can't even think of good keywords to search for. It was likely in th...
by AdvaitaJ
Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:43 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Boredom!
Replies: 11
Views: 4168

Re: Boredom!

Claire, I listened to an AudioDharma talk recently, probably by Andrea Fella and probably about the hindrances -- wish I could be more specific, but I'm too old for that. :tongue: Anyway, my foggy recollection is that boredom is an offshoot of restlessness somehow. Your mind may be expressing its de...
by AdvaitaJ
Fri Sep 24, 2010 12:57 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Only in America
Replies: 39
Views: 7211

Re: Only in America

The U.S. is a fairly big place and has a number of distinct geographical areas with distinct cultural differences. Where I live, the "midwest", people are generally tolerant although I do believe my career advancement potential would cease if my Buddhist practice were to become known at wo...
by AdvaitaJ
Wed Sep 15, 2010 11:50 pm
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Natural-born Meditators?
Replies: 12
Views: 4735

Re: Natural-born Meditators?

On a more mundane level, what kind of job do they have? Is it boring, dull and repetitive leading to mindlessness or is their work mentally intense, involving and demanding concentration. Is a person disciplined? Do they finish what they start and approach challenges with intent or are they happy-go...
by AdvaitaJ
Wed Sep 15, 2010 1:20 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: How the internet makes us stupid.
Replies: 25
Views: 5628

Re: How the internet makes us stupid.

There is a balance to the negative aspects of the net, though. We all have access to much more information that we can then deeply study if we choose to do so . There is also much more opportunity for critical review and thought to be applied to sources of information like Wikipedia or Bhikku Bodhi'...
by AdvaitaJ
Sun Aug 22, 2010 11:27 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Fear of death. Why?
Replies: 80
Views: 14480

Re: Fear of death. Why?

dude wrote:If you were looking at a door and had no way of knowing what was behind it, would you not be afraid to walk through it?
And it has a big "No Re-Entry" sign on it!
by AdvaitaJ
Fri Aug 20, 2010 1:16 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Three Things a Buddha Cannot Do?
Replies: 103
Views: 22549

Re: Three Things a Buddha Cannot Do?

And I think that the Buddha could have been incorrect on some things. I might be wrong, that's conjecture. but simply because he was a Buddha and enlightened, that didn't make him infallible in every way.... though his errors would not have been deliberate, but accidental. Agreed. The phrase "...
by AdvaitaJ
Fri Aug 20, 2010 1:05 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Ontological tension.
Replies: 20
Views: 6036

Re: Ontological tension.

Some of the issues raised have been of increasing interest in my practice lately. The analogy of the "100% positive eye witness" to a crime who is later proved to have been wrong comes to mind. The mind is powerful and I've often wondered if I'm training it to see what I've been instructed...
by AdvaitaJ
Wed Aug 18, 2010 12:52 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Ingram, et al - "Hard Core Dharma" & claims of attainment
Replies: 1063
Views: 223375

Re: "advice for stream entry"

Nibs,

I just wanted to add my thanks for your willingness to share your thoughts and ideas...and for your perseverance. I believe your advice to (paraphrasing here) not place limits on our personal possibilities to be quite practical and sound.

Regards: Jim
by AdvaitaJ
Sun Aug 15, 2010 4:34 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: How common is stream entry?
Replies: 527
Views: 130660

Re: How common is stream entry?

The four levels of Awakening are defined by the extent to which they cut the ten fetters by which the mind binds itself to conditioned experience. "And which are the five lower fetters? Self-identity views, uncertainty, grasping at precepts & practices, sensual desire, & ill will. Thes...
by AdvaitaJ
Sun Aug 15, 2010 12:50 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: I Believe in Kamma and its Effects - Poll
Replies: 52
Views: 9766

Re: I Believe in Kamma and its Effects - Poll

First off, I voted "for all lifetimes". There may only be one lifetime, or there may be many. So..."for all lifetimes works fine for me. I especially liked Anna's comment about parents kamma affecting their children, grandchildren, etc. Second, I think these sorts of polls, even those...
by AdvaitaJ
Sun Aug 15, 2010 12:35 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Ingram, et al - "Hard Core Dharma" & claims of attainment
Replies: 1063
Views: 223375

Re: "advice for stream entry"

Nibs, I think your question would have been better as its own thread, but regardless, to answer your question: I don't know what's possible or what's not possible. Because I don't know, I regard stream-entry as a possibility. It is entirely conceivable that one or more of us may already be some way ...
by AdvaitaJ
Fri Aug 13, 2010 12:08 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Internal Dialogue
Replies: 77
Views: 12658

Re: Internal Dialogue

I all too often have music playing in my "mental background". In my youth, I trained myself to "play music", i.e. play back songs in the mind from memory, when I was feeling bored. If I were to take this too seriously, things could get very bad. :cookoo: However, on the topic of ...
by AdvaitaJ
Thu Aug 12, 2010 12:39 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: I Believe in Literal Rebirth - Poll
Replies: 229
Views: 37073

Re: I Believe in Literal Rebirth - Poll

Undecided because I have not yet reached a conclusion . Had I been asked a few years ago, the answer would have been an unequivocal "no". But, now? I have reached no conclusion. The teachings have been right about so many things to this point, I'm no longer willing to dismiss the concept. ...