Hello all I have recently been reflecting on the doctrine of not-self and see that understanding soullessness reveals the illusion of the ego. When I came to this realization things were in a different light. Nobody was higher than someone else on this sort of egotistical ladder constructed by modern society. Today I was reflecting on not-self and impermanence and remember experiencing bliss and just having a big smile on my face the more I realized that these concepts are in actuality, reality. There was no me or he or she. When I experienced this moment of bliss I realized that even though I was still living the relative truth/reality I may have also touched the ultimate reality as explained in the doctrine of the Two Truths. However the problem I encountered was that after this experience I had to speak to friends who have not yet realized there is no self and still are immersed in the illusory world of "self". It discomforts me because many times I feel alone because of this and often have a higher tendency to get sucked back into the relative truths/reality. If anyone has some extra insight into the experience I described, more information on the two truths, or any advice please comment!
All the best,
-Nick
Touching the ultimate reality and navigating through samsara
Touching the ultimate reality and navigating through samsara
"A silver bird
flies over the autumn lake.
When it has passed,
the lake's surface does not try
to hold on to the image of the bird."
flies over the autumn lake.
When it has passed,
the lake's surface does not try
to hold on to the image of the bird."
Re: Touching the ultimate reality and navigating through samsara
Relax, and let your actions speak for you.
“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.”
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
Re: Touching the ultimate reality and navigating through samsara
If you can't be amongst people whose views differ from the Dhamma and this influences your views then it means your understanding of the Dhamma is still weak and needs to be further developed. Also, be careful about developing conceit, because you have a notion of "non-self" and your friends don't...don't think this makes you better than them. If you think this way it's a misuse of the teachings.nrose619 wrote:However the problem I encountered was that after this experience I had to speak to friends who have not yet realized there is no self and still are immersed in the illusory world of "self". It discomforts me because many times I feel alone because of this and often have a higher tendency to get sucked back into the relative truths/reality. If anyone has some extra insight into the experience I described, more information on the two truths, or any advice please comment!
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Re: Touching the ultimate reality and navigating through samsara
http://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... 7&#p141527" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;nrose619 wrote: any advice please comment!
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
Re: Touching the ultimate reality and navigating through samsara
One thing to keep in mind is that the teaching of Anatta is very profound, and although reflecting on these teachings is good, we should try to avoid a conceptual understanding of Anatta and similar teachings. A true understanding of Anatta comes from meditation, and leads to disenchantment, whereas thinking about it too philosophically can lead to a lot of unnecessary confusion. Just make sure that you balance out your reflection with plenty of meditation.nrose619 wrote:Hello all I have recently been reflecting on the doctrine of not-self and see that understanding soullessness reveals the illusion of the ego. When I came to this realization things were in a different light. Nobody was higher than someone else on this sort of egotistical ladder constructed by modern society. Today I was reflecting on not-self and impermanence and remember experiencing bliss and just having a big smile on my face the more I realized that these concepts are in actuality, reality. There was no me or he or she. When I experienced this moment of bliss I realized that even though I was still living the relative truth/reality I may have also touched the ultimate reality as explained in the doctrine of the Two Truths. However the problem I encountered was that after this experience I had to speak to friends who have not yet realized there is no self and still are immersed in the illusory world of "self". It discomforts me because many times I feel alone because of this and often have a higher tendency to get sucked back into the relative truths/reality. If anyone has some extra insight into the experience I described, more information on the two truths, or any advice please comment!
All the best,
-Nick
The non-doing of any evil,
The performance of what's skillful,
The cleansing of one's own mind:
This is the Buddhas' teaching.
The performance of what's skillful,
The cleansing of one's own mind:
This is the Buddhas' teaching.
Re: Touching the ultimate reality and navigating through samsara
I think it is very interesting to consider what MN 106 says about "this is empty of self" contemplation.
A few things to note in that sutta:
1) This "empty of self" contemplation leads to the dimension of nothingness. "Or else" one is committed to discernment.
2) The dimension of nothingness is within the scope of that which can be the basis of "identity."
3) The dimension of nothingness is a "perception."
So before I supposed anything to be "touching ultimate reality" I'd want to be certain I understood (in direct experiential comprehension) everything said in that sutta. This is very difficult terrain.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;"Then again, the disciple of the noble ones, having gone into the wilderness, to the root of a tree, or into an empty dwelling, considers this: 'This is empty of self or of anything pertaining to self.' Practicing & frequently abiding in this way, his mind acquires confidence in that dimension. There being full confidence, he either attains the dimension of nothingness now or else is committed to discernment. With the break-up of the body, after death, it's possible that this leading-on consciousness of his will go to the dimension of nothingness. This is declared to be the second practice conducive to the dimension of nothingness.
A few things to note in that sutta:
1) This "empty of self" contemplation leads to the dimension of nothingness. "Or else" one is committed to discernment.
2) The dimension of nothingness is within the scope of that which can be the basis of "identity."
3) The dimension of nothingness is a "perception."
So before I supposed anything to be "touching ultimate reality" I'd want to be certain I understood (in direct experiential comprehension) everything said in that sutta. This is very difficult terrain.
"When one thing is practiced & pursued, ignorance is abandoned, clear knowing arises, the conceit 'I am' is abandoned, latent tendencies are uprooted, fetters are abandoned. Which one thing? Mindfulness immersed in the body." -AN 1.230
Re: Touching the ultimate reality and navigating through samsara
Hi Kirk
Is it correct to say that meditator next moving to Nither Perception Nor Non perception.
So he has to come out of Dhyana and start completing on Anatta in terms of impermanence and unsatisfactoryness of the nature of things.
Is it correct to say that meditator next moving to Nither Perception Nor Non perception.
So he has to come out of Dhyana and start completing on Anatta in terms of impermanence and unsatisfactoryness of the nature of things.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”