Is that the one by Paul Breiter? I read it years ago, must be back in the 90s. As I remember it, the author was somewhat ambivalent about his experience.

That is indeed a beautiful story, ArkA. Ajahn Sao also used to levitate, and you can read about it on page 16 of the Biography of Ajahn Mun.

I got the internal server error message yesterday (Friday) too. It must have been a temporary glitch, as it worked fine next time I tried. Someone with access to the server log might be able to find out more about it.

Benjamin, have you looked into Kenneth Folk's three-gear explanation?

http://kennethfolkdharma.com/2009/07/th ... nsmission/

Surāmeraya-majja-pamādatthānā veramanī sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi Surā = spirituous liquor Meraya = intoxicating liquor Majja = intoxicating drinks, wines, spirits Pamajjati = to become intoxicated, careless, slothful, negligent Veramanī = abstaining from Sikkhāpadam = precept Samādiyāmi = I undertake &...

Mehdi wrote:I knew I was putting myself at risk and give a very bad image of myself by writing this post, but I was honest. I sincerely want to progress.

I can see that, and I for one appreciate your honesty. It's unfortunate that some of the reactions you got here were less than helfpful.

Reductor wrote:what is suggested?

Michael:

When I was studying Pali, I used the Geiger/Norman Grammar and of course the PED.

Hello, folks, The actual precept is: Jatarupa-rajata-patiggahana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami I undertake the precept to refrain from accepting gold and silver So monks only undertake not to accept silver and gold. Refusing to accept paper money and cupro-nickel coins is only an interpretation of...

Yeah, Thanissaro Bhikku is quoted on that thread as saying: "A recurrent image in these dialogues is of life as a raging flood." I suspect that this was an early and repeated metaphor of the Buddha's teachings, before they had been systematized into the structured formulae we see in much o...

I've been to Wat Pah Nanachat, but it's not a monastery for talking a lot. Mainly you get a lot of time on your own for meditation. I've also been to Wat Mahathat in Bangkok. If you find your way to Section 5, you can get meditation instruction in English. But again, the emphasis is on meditating ra...

I love SN 1.1. The metaphor of crossing a stream comes from very early Buddhism, as in chapter 5 of the Sutta Nipata, "Parayanavagga" (chapter on the way to the far shore), or even the very word "sotapanna" (stream enterer). The denial of opposites ("without pushing forward,...

Matteo1972 wrote:which point do we have that the teachings of Buddha actually bring you anywhere important?

The teachings of the Buddha don't bring you anywhere -- except here and now.

Matteo1972 wrote:What about Enlightenment and what is it about?

Enlightenment is about realizing there's no one there to become enlightened.

Though he is not a Buddhist, is he correct ? The short answer is no. The long answer is for your friend to read a credible introduction to real Buddism. Walpola Rahula's What the Buddha Taught is one such introduction. It's interesting that your friend used the metaphor of a cocoon. Although it's a...

It's more like a change in the perspective by which experiences are construed. Seeing anatta is called "stream entry" in the tradition or "spiritual awakening" outside the tradition. See my website if you want my take on it.

Ben wrote:I have been on a whole-foods plant based diet for about seven or eight weeks now.

What a coincidence. I also started about seven or eight weeks ago. It's had miraculous effects on body weight and blood pressure. Are you measuring yours?