Post by zendancer on May 21, 2010 9:28:32 GMT -5
Enigma: Ha ha! Well said. I had thought about approaching the question that way, but finally decided to go in a slightly different direction based upon what I thought Enda was thinking. LOL. I should have written, "Put it all down!" Where is that button I need? The one that says, "Too much thinking!"
So, let me back up and suggest something that is not tongue-in-cheek. Enda, I was making fun of the idea that anything important can be learned through rational explanations about the truth. To understand anything about reality, you have to leave ideas behind and experience reality for yourself. Is there anything a sage might say that would put your mind to rest? I doubt it. The only thing that will put your mind to rest is to give your mind a rest.
At this moment, stop and look around in silence. Just look. If you do this, you will discover that all of your questions and issues will have instantly disappeared. This is what we call "abiding in presence" or "positive samadhi." It a highly alert state of pure awareness that is totally empty. When you abide in presence, there is seeing and hearing and feeling, etc., but nothing else. If you do this, you will notice that your breathing will change and your body will relax. Go for a walk in the woods and do the same thing. Take some time to smell the roses.
From my perspective, both the Christian idea of heaven and the Buddhist idea of Nirvana are nothing more than laughable ideas. Why would I care anything about some imagined future when the truth is always shining here and now? One of the main points I was trying to make is that abiding in presence is its own reward. It is your true home. The more that you abide in presence the happier you will be because "you" and "your mind" won't be there. "You" and all of "your" questions and problems will be gone. Try it. Stop, be still, and look around. Where are there any problems in THAT?
So, let me back up and suggest something that is not tongue-in-cheek. Enda, I was making fun of the idea that anything important can be learned through rational explanations about the truth. To understand anything about reality, you have to leave ideas behind and experience reality for yourself. Is there anything a sage might say that would put your mind to rest? I doubt it. The only thing that will put your mind to rest is to give your mind a rest.
At this moment, stop and look around in silence. Just look. If you do this, you will discover that all of your questions and issues will have instantly disappeared. This is what we call "abiding in presence" or "positive samadhi." It a highly alert state of pure awareness that is totally empty. When you abide in presence, there is seeing and hearing and feeling, etc., but nothing else. If you do this, you will notice that your breathing will change and your body will relax. Go for a walk in the woods and do the same thing. Take some time to smell the roses.
From my perspective, both the Christian idea of heaven and the Buddhist idea of Nirvana are nothing more than laughable ideas. Why would I care anything about some imagined future when the truth is always shining here and now? One of the main points I was trying to make is that abiding in presence is its own reward. It is your true home. The more that you abide in presence the happier you will be because "you" and "your mind" won't be there. "You" and all of "your" questions and problems will be gone. Try it. Stop, be still, and look around. Where are there any problems in THAT?