Michael Sternbach
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Everything posted by Michael Sternbach
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Do you think it's possible to be entirely without beliefs?
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Just make sure you aim well.
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Prerequisites for enlightenment (if any)
Michael Sternbach replied to s1va's topic in General Discussion
If that were true, then I wonder, how come our Hindu friend Dwai could write in his reply to me: And actually, I would have been more than surprised if it would have been any different. For the view that the universe is the result of an original emptiness splitting up into positive and negative forces that are balancing each other while they continue to sum up to zero, and will cancel each other out eventually to return to original emptiness, is a conception that is - in essence -shared by every metaphysical system that I know about. The practices change, but the metaphysical principles underlying them don't. But I agree that the wheel keeps turning. In my view, its next turn is immanent and will result in the unification of various systems with each other, and with the scientific view of the universe. That is certainly true. I guess I should have been more explicit. Elaborating on my previous statement: Buddha's teachings needed to be distinct in order to eventually emerge as an independent system - whether its founder was aware of it (which I think is quite likely, given his level of insight) or not. Well said. Another way to express this would be that the innermost centre of the self must correspond with the infinite periphery of the universe or multiverse.- 146 replies
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I took a look at this teacher on Youtube. He seems to know his art. I like his emphasis on application. If I were in this area, I would definitely seek him out.
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Prerequisites for enlightenment (if any)
Michael Sternbach replied to s1va's topic in General Discussion
I appreciate it. You're making me think and clarify my position that way. We would have to look at specific quotes. Let me tell you something about my own story. In my childhood and early teenage years, the only view I accepted was the scientific one; I regarded the religious thinking of some of the people around me as unfounded and naive. It wasn't before I took up martial arts that I learned about Buddhism and Daoism. Gradually, I started practicing some of their methods and reading some of their books. There was much I deeply resonated with. My curiosity had been kindled. When I discovered that there was actually comparable wisdom to be found in my own culture - far beyond the naive faith I was expected to buy into as a child - I expanded my studies accordingly. Yes, hypothetically, I could have settled for one of the views that I was presented with and become another subservient follower of this or that faith. I even kind of tried that for awhile. It didn't work for me. My thinking and spiritual experiences kept beating the doors of the frameworks I tried to impose on them. I needed real answers. I needed to know how all that I felt to be true fit together. And I do think that my experiences reflect those of others - not necessarily new agers, but, let's say,'information agers'. People not satisfied with blindly accepting thousands of years old doctrines as THE truth. People who dare to ask the difficult questions. These are the people I reach out to. If some of them find one or the other conclusion of mine worthwhile or, better yet, extend on them and come up with their own, I will have achieved my purpose. Yes, that's nothing but pure fundamentalism.- 146 replies
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Yes. It never ceases to amaze me in what different light Laotzu is seen by different people. And all have textual evidence for their notions, of course. While this is indeed partially due to what filter we read him (depending on what philosophical outlook we prefer ourselves), another part may be attributed to Laotzu in fact representing views at different times that are hard to reconcile with each other in our mind. We moderns don't like that kind of ambivalence. We want to know if this is 'a good guy' or 'a bad guy' we are dealing with. But Laotzu outrageously defies that kind of classification. And so does Daoism...
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Prerequisites for enlightenment (if any)
Michael Sternbach replied to s1va's topic in General Discussion
A long time ago,I discussed this question with a Zen priest during a lecture in the Sosenji temple (Kyoto), as I was hard pressed to reconcile the Buddhist teaching of impermanence with the concept of the higher self found in Hinduism and Western metaphysical systems. My conclusion today is that, even though there is indeed a 'higher' self or soul, it is not the closed system I once imagined it to be; it expands unlimitedly and merges with the universal self (or whatever you like to call it) eventually. No frontiers, flow, impermanence... Isn't it said in Hinduism that Atman is actually Brahman?! Regarding Buddha's statements about this, a few things come to mind: For Buddhism to become an independent system, Buddha did have to emphasize in what ways it differed from what had come before. Not that he was spreading misinformation in any way! It is likely that many Hindus had a limited - and limiting - view of Atman at the time. So Buddha actually gave the ones who became his followers right what they needed to hear - another perspective that freed their mind. Are electrons particles or waves? Neither assumption is wrong. They are both - it is a matter of perspective. Only on an advanced level of understanding is it possible to reconcile the contradictory teachings of different systems. Eventually it turns out that probably for every truth, there is an opposite truth that complements it.- 146 replies
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Prerequisites for enlightenment (if any)
Michael Sternbach replied to s1va's topic in General Discussion
The attainment of physical immortality is by no means limited to Falun Gong, however. It is one of the most common goals in both Eastern (internal) and Western (external) Alchemy. While it may not just manifest on its own, it is definitely the result of the actualization of one's immortal divine nature, expressed on the level of the physical body. It is maintained in several cultures that, in time immemorial, there was a Golden Age where humans were, if not immortal, at least extremely long lived, which was no doubt a result of their general attunement to the Divine on all levels. By the same token, in Western Alchemy, the Philosopher's Stone that has the power to prolong life indefinitely is also a means of curing every illness and opening up one's spiritual channels. So this is again regarded as a matter of resonance with (attunement to) the Divine. Interesting! Union with what can be seen as universal godhood (called emptiness) in the state of nirvana seems to be the desire of most Buddhists. The difference between this and individual godhood would no doubt make for an interesting topic of its own, but, as far as these things can even be understood abstractly on the level of human consciousness, the question seems to be more one of individual preference rather than of a basic incompatibility of teachings. "The smile you give out returns to you", as they say in Hinduism. Another universal truth...- 146 replies
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Prerequisites for enlightenment (if any)
Michael Sternbach replied to s1va's topic in General Discussion
Off the top of my head, I can't think of any system aptly called a religion that isn't potentially linked to "the Way." It seems to be part of the very definition of a religion that there is a spiritual/mystical/esoteric aspect to it whose attainment is what "the Way" is all about. There are differences as far as concrete practices, of course, but again, there are so many parallels as well.- 146 replies
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Prerequisites for enlightenment (if any)
Michael Sternbach replied to s1va's topic in General Discussion
Agreed. Some of the possibilities you mentioned are actually identical with each other. And they all happen within the one metaphysical reality. Focus on differences, and you will see differences. Focus on similarities, and you will see similarities.- 146 replies
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Prerequisites for enlightenment (if any)
Michael Sternbach replied to s1va's topic in General Discussion
When will it finally be generally understood that, just like there is just one physical world, there is also ONE metaphysical reality? Humans are basically able to perceive that world and make correct statements about it. These become the cores which the various religions are built around. Even the very symbolism used in different cultures is often remarkably similar; this is what C.G.Jung led to his conception of the 'collective unconscious'. Apparent differences as far as fundamental teachings can generally be resolved more or less easily. For instance, the monotheistic Abrahamic religions introduced a multitude of angels of various orders that cover functions attributed to Gods elsewhere. Even the Christian belief in an eternal after-life in a spiritual dimension may be reconciled with the assumption of reincarnation, if we consider that the entity leaves space-time as we know it in between physical lives and experiences a state of timelessness ("eternity"). The psycho-spiritual constitution of people across cultures is largely the same. Therefore, the ways to enlightenment will also lead through similar stages and lead to essentially the same destination - union with the universe (or God, or whatever term you prefer) and actualization of one's divine potential. Once the quasi-objective nature of metaphysical reality, just being seen from somewhat different angles through different windows becomes a fact embraced by a majority of people, there will be no more grounds for war and any kind of intolerance in the name of religion. -
The Matrix of the movie by the same title is a virtual reality created by a computer network that most humans spend their whole life in. Now you could see this as symbolic for the delusion people collectively create in their mind, as philosophers tell us since time immemorial (the Sanskrit word maya is related with matrix). (BTW, there is a version of the Matrix movies with a commentary by Ken Wilber and Cornel West available on DVD that discusses this kind of understanding.) This delusion is largely due to our life long conditioning with limiting socio-cultural beliefs, as especially Daoism emphasizes. The Chinese Daoists regarded most of all Confucius as the author of these beliefs, blindfolding people from an understanding of how the Dao and, most importantly, their own spontaneous self truly function. In Western countries, the doctrines of the Church (which I differentiate from the real teachings of Jesus, which were actually rather close to Daoist philosophy) served a similar purpose. I hope that this brought you up to speed regarding the meaning of the Matrix. Moreover, I agree with your view of there being cycles within the progression of time. And yes: Even when we are driven to take a step backward every now and then, hopefully we can compensate for this by two steps forward next, so we won't be walking in a circle, but up the windings of a spiral, after all.
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Do these practices lead to Demonic Possession?
Michael Sternbach replied to yondaime109's topic in General Discussion
Our beliefs, whatever they may be, will always seemingly be confirmed by our experiences, because we attract our experiences by our beliefs in the first place; then we will see what we experience filtered through them, thus reinforcing them. Understanding this, you better choose your beliefs wisely - not just based on your personal experience so far, or the experience of others, but in accordance with your intuition. Everybody needs a belief system. It is the 'software' that our 'hardware' is running on. The antique Christian framework referred to in the OP might still work for some - personally, I find it much too biased and limiting. This is not to say that there is no truth whatsoever behind it. There is metaphysical truth behind every religion, but most people lack the insight and internal experience to read the given symbolism in depth. -
You would have to take the red pill for knowing that! (But I suspect, in truth, you already did.) Now Confucius is seen in early Daoism as being lost in the Matrix (and sometimes as responsible for creating it in the first place) - a regrettable condition which is overcome only by the Daoist sage. It's about the conflict between the limitation of convention and the liberty of spontaneous living.
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Prerequisites for enlightenment (if any)
Michael Sternbach replied to s1va's topic in General Discussion
No apologies needed. If you feel you have found a path that works for you, that's great. -
What is the secret of being ultra smart ?
Michael Sternbach replied to Tatsumaru's topic in General Discussion
Some modern methods of improving your memory are based on visualization techniques used by universal Renaissance thinkers like Giordano Bruno. Anybody interested in this topic should read Frances A. Yates: The Art of Memory. -
Scientology
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But they do go out!
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Britannia
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Prerequisites for enlightenment (if any)
Michael Sternbach replied to s1va's topic in General Discussion
In my view, enlightenment is the actualization of your individual self (filling it with light, so to speak). There are various methods and general guide lines, however, the exact pre-requisites will differ from one person to another. The individual who is ready will find guidance on their way.- 146 replies
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Prerequisites for enlightenment (if any)
Michael Sternbach replied to s1va's topic in General Discussion
(Continuation of my previous post. Sorry Sudhamma, I had to get rid of some of your formatting for technical reasons.) This is a bit of a tricky question. While enlightenment does introduce changes in the psyche that are quite irreversible, it does not mean that the individual has no more issues (incentives for further progress, looked at positively). Even of the Buddha we hear that he could be short-tempered and self-righteous sometimes... Please clarify how the 'side-paths' are different from the 'main path'. Do you mean that there are secondary methods as opposed to a primary method? That is not describing a way, but its goal. (Then again, some say that the way is the goal... ) When I started studying Zen in my later teenage years, I was somewhat shocked by a statement by Daisetz Suzuki to the effect that the ideal state in Zen would be the one of a non-reactive individual, just sitting somewhere without any desires and actions to fulfil those - a living dead. I briefly referred to this above. Now becoming an autist was clearly not what I had in mind... Not sure if all of these are really pre-requisites (some may rather be effects), although they generally do occur to one degree or another already on the way to enlightenment, and things tend to get a bit non-linear here. Agreed! That place is called 'life'. Thank you. Sabbe Satta Sukhita Hontu to you too! -
Prerequisites for enlightenment (if any)
Michael Sternbach replied to s1va's topic in General Discussion
Commenting on some of your comments... Also posing more questions to further this interesting discussion. This raises some interesting questions: Is the state of enlightenment that can be attained by various methods the same? In other words, is the enlightenment of the Zen practitioner essentially the same as that of the Kabbalist? If not, what do they share in common? And/or does it depend on the individual? If we take spontaneously following one's true nature (emphasized especially in Daoism and Zen, but also in early Christianity) as the (or a) feature of enlightenment, then animals have no need for enlightenment, because they are masters at this already (as long as they haven't been conditioned by humans, anyway). Certain observations led me to conclude that the condition of the nervous system plays a role here. Not sure what you mean by all this. Is the 'bubble' the ego? If so: No, it must not burst, but it can have its boundaries gradually expanded. The former would not be enlightenment, but its dark sister called psychosis. Although enlightenment always transcends the mental, it builds upon some kind of intellectual reflection according to some of the ways (i.e. Kabbalah, Jnana-yoga, Rinzai-zen), while the mind is rather seen as a hindrance in others (Hatha-yoga, Soto-zen, sometimes Daoism). I always read this as a hint at the 'middle way', refuting extreme ascetism. Which is reminiscent of the movie 'The Wall', with Bob Gelf just sitting there with a big joint in his hand and letting the world go by... Not a far cry from Suzuki's ideal Zen Buddhist! -
They limit us and may therefore discourage us. Or challenge us to try to go beyond them.
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Boundaries are intricate to our personality. Yes, they limit us, but they also keep us together and protect us both internally and externally. As in all things, it's a question of finding the right balance, relative to what and where we are in life.