seekingbuddha

I hear what you're saying and my friend keeps insisting that somehow the "enlightenment" process is an instantaneous process where before you exist and after you don't exist (and various permutations and combinations thereof). 

 

He watches videos by people like Lisa Cairns, Roger Castillo etc. I tried watching them but I don't feel the inspiration he claims to feel in the videos. On the other hand when I watch Ramesh Balasekar's videos I completely resonate with what he's saying. 

There has never been an Instantaneous Enlightenment,  even in the case of the  greatest teachers that we know of .....Jesus Christ, Buddha, Mohammed, Ramana Maharishi etc...  all  attained it  only  after a period of struggle alone.

I completely resonate with you regarding the videos on internet.  I can watch a batgap video, and immediately feel how deep the  proclaimed  realization  is.   Of course, all of us here can sense a person's  spiritual depth  if  we meet  anyone  in person.

First and foremost, a thanks to the thread starter.  I have been thinking of  starting a topic on this subject, for sometime.

Realization is a tool to chip away at the non-real. Realization does not mean memorizing some words. Real-i-zations are the process of shifting one's mind towards what's real (words are human construct delusions). Final realization is recognition all ones 'belief' of realization process has been also been delusional personal perception artifacts. There has never been any-thing to 'know'. A realized being may still suffer. The difference is, they recognize it as their own choice and have awareness they are equally free to make self-compassionate choices. No matter how realized one becomes, it is a process of the mind, and inherently fleeting. Enlightenment and Awakening are labels for ineffable trans-mind awareness for which I'm not qualified to type. If reading ones written definition of them could offer comprehension of them, even in a tiny way, then they wouldn't be worth pursuit anymore than any other intellectual comprehension. Unfiltered complete oneness perception. Becoming the Way. Unlimited Love, -Bud

This is worth a read a second time, for those enquiring minds.  I see a lot of confusion among westerners about definitions.  The easterners  seem to be less concerned about definitions, but are more interested in attaining  real experiences...... There are some here, who understand things clearly - they seem to place more emphasis on practice rather than discussions.  Awakening  is a popular word used in the west, because  the teachers know that they can not tag themselves "Enlightened" - that word is  held in high reverence by easterners.  

It is important to  understand that  an "awakened" person  could still fall from that  state-of-mind.  So, I am careful about trusting  a teacher  too easily.  Literally, i mean literally,  there are millions of yogis /monks in eastern countries, who strive for  "Awakening".   But very few make  the  claim of reaching it...... that is the truth.   Lack of proper teachers is causing confusion in the west.  The word  "realization"  seems more appropriate,  because  this all happens on a gradient, and there are only  gradients of  realization.......

Why bother about  the  Supreme  Enlightenment,  when we have trouble  just practicing  the  basics/fundamentals/starting steps   prescribed  by  all the  Supreme  Teachers  that  human history has ever known in thousands of years ?  We  have trouble practicing  the foundations of  Sila (morality), Samadhi (proper meditation/contemplation), and Panna (experiential wisdom, not mere intellectual understanding).  If you truly want to reach  Awakening,  first find out what are the steps that you must take  to get there.  Then start doing those steps one by one.  Read the scriptures deeply, to understand the steps properly. 

The word "Awakening"  has gotten overloaded and hence misinterpreted by the west.  The word "Enlightenment" has gotten overloaded and misinterpreted.  The word  "Jhanas"  has gotten overloaded and misinterpreted.  Of course,  all the very best Supreme Teachers that entire  human race has ever known - they have all warned us about the forthcoming  "false teachers"  and  "misinterpretations"  (of  their  words).  So, this is all  happening,  as they foretold us, and warned us.  What I care about is  taking steps  on  the prescribed  PATH,  because the  PATH does not  end  until  you are Enlightened.  

"All experience is preceded by mind, led by mind, made by mind" - Dhammapada.

Awakening  is  an  Experience.  Enlightenment is beyond  experiences and words.

One of the truest moments of when I have felt no attachment was when a bigger calling would knock my out of my ego, that feeling of higher purpose. 

I know that somewhere exists a sublime universe size truth which destroys fears and egos, that releases a sense of eternal freedom.

Can't remember how to get there though.

OK - these words imply that you have seen it.  But since you  "Can't remember how to get there",  I suspect that you got a glimpse....using wrong methods/practices/experiences.   If you truly did see it  using the right way/efforts,  you would remember it.   So, if needed take up right way/right efforts  as the first step towards reaching your goal of  "letting-go".  

These things are not accomplished overnight,  just using words/thoughts  obtained from a forum.   Sorry to sound so brash, but i felt  like  giving it to you  straight.   It also sounds like you need to take a break - a good one, not using an unwholesome indulgence.

It is awesome that you are starting at 20 years.  Choose your teacher carefully,  choose your path/habits/practices  carefully,  and  you will be  rewarded  for your choices.   Choose  unwisely, and you will wind up doing  wrong  practices  for  decades,  wasting  your life  and  not  seeing  long lasting  rewards in life.

Congratulations on taking up a wholesome path, at your young age.  Many at your age would love to go party in a club, and do other unwholesome things that hurt them down the line.   I feel that you have some good practices, but i am not sure if you would  stand to benefit from a wholesome teacher - it is so easy to be misguided at young age, by the wrong teacher.   The funny thing is,  when I was young, i never thought I needed advice from parents, or anyone else - like all young people, i also thought that I knew better, and i was smarter than an average person.   Such a bad big karma - this thing called ego that shines in youth.

What is dripping out  is not semen (most likely), but the precum  which means that you are facing sexual thoughts (either in dreams or when awake).  Only way to sustain your practice, for long time, is by avoiding all triggers that direct the mind towards sexual thoughts.  This is why  "Sila" is one of the foundations of a serious practitioner.  Other general tips can be found by google search - like avoiding certain foods,  avoiding  tight underwear,  taking up walking or other exercises etc.  The duration for which you can  contain  the  semen  varies  (depending on factors like age).  Ultimately, when it is released, do not feel sad or dejected - simply  restart the practice  without  any expectations about  future...

Yes, females will be naturally attracted to you, if your practice is correct.  You sound young; so I have to congratulate you for taking up some good practices that you have mentioned before.  What you are calling as "full body breathing"  brings you into a form of awareness of the whole body.  As you stay longer with this practice (or being simply aware of your breathing),  slowly and steadily  your  energy will reach higher forms, as you have witnessed already.  Your mention of  heightened penis awareness and higher sexual drive  could be due to your age.  If you want to progress further into higher levels,  you need to be able to break contact with any type of stimulation  that  will trigger  sexual thoughts.   These are hard to do,  if you are a young man who is NOT a monk.   Ejaculations will stop,  over time,  if you learn  to practice  proper  "Sila" (even in thoughts).  Do not feel dejected,  because this is a PATH that pays dividends over years/decades.  The longer you stick to these practices & path,  the better off your life will be in all aspects.  As you said,  balance is the key (for us, laymen).

Does anyone know a reference to a Sutta where Buddha directly classifies or defines "what substances are considered  intoxicants" ?  I ask this because i came across a Alan Watts video, where he says there are about 5 or 7 substances that were mentioned in ancient texts.  He did not give reference to them directly.  I have my doubts about this, because i have consistently come across only the word "intoxicant" used in a generic sense in all the Suttas that I have read.    What does an intoxicant do ? It alters the state of the mind by artificial/chemical  means.  

Spotless,

     Congrats on the long fast.  For many people, just abstaining from the craving/addiction to food for this many days is more of a mental challenge.  We don't realize that we are addicted to food too, and mostly eat out of habit rather than real hunger. BTW, did you figure out what was causing the stomach upset few days ago ? I suspect the carbohydrate component in the intake, but i am not sure.  

These logs are motivating me, to attempt a long duration fast.  It would be helpful, if you post a summary of tips  based on your experiences (for those who already know the basics of fasting and have done it before).

I  have seen a old man (about 60) who went to Phillipines and got married to a 20 yr old woman.  He was living alone and had nobody.  So, i think he got too eager to have companionship.  She came to USA, did not take care of him, went around screwing other men and he died of heartache soon.  She took all the money (which was her reason to marry him) after his death - poor guy died alone in a hospital because she didn't even bother to stay near him when he got sick.  He was heartbroken at end, because he  came to know that she was fucking around with other men.

In addition, note that Buddha said that older men should not associate with younger women.  I am of the opinion that it leads to regression of the mind.  By nature, as men age we tend to gain subtle mind/sensitive mind, and become inclined to spirituality - this is regressed by association  with a young woman, who is likely to be more interested  in sensual pleasures but not in spirituality or  development of the subtle mind.  

So, how much difference in age is ok ?  I don't know.   How difficult is it to live alone until death ? Perhaps the last few years of life  are the toughest without help ??   I recall now that Steve Jobs died alone in a room.  I vaguely remember reading that he wanted it that way.

This has been my experience as well, just walking the Way there have been a few experiences of retaining consciousness while transitioning into sleep. I usually immediately shift back into waking up though as it is hard to maintain!

As  steve mentions, dedication and proclivity help.  Dedication is dependent on strong FAITH on the PATH. Proclivity is dependent on kamma (past actions) and volition.  Develop these two without worrying about results.   Your shifting back into wakefulness/awareness  only shows that your consciousness is active/maintained  as you drift  into sleep.  Like a long lasting marriage,  commitment  to the practices/path  is more important,  than thinking about what lies ahead OR worrying about setbacks.  The PATH is longer than most of us can imagine, but the fruits along the path can be enjoyed during the journey without  worry/concern  about final destination.

Their is no highest and nothing describes the process well - but putting the cart before the horse is a mind game and part of the rabbits way. The "suffering" is not suffering - but that is not clear until you are in less grasp - it was never about suffering. Even the translation to "suffering" is incorrect / far from the original intent. All suffering is related to grasping.

Truth, right there in that last statement....."All suffering is related-to/dependent-on  grasping/attachment/craving/clinging".   As far as my reading/understanding goes,  the pali word used by Buddha has been translated into  multiple english words, which  try to catch  the various  facets  of that  one pali word. The english words I have seen are  Suffering/Unsatisfactory/pain/conflict-in-mind  etc.   All these are english words, motivate  one to seek  the PATH -  a way to reach  Peace/Bliss/Joy/Tranquility/Liberation from bondage.

This article helped me process the insights given in this thread with more depth.

 

http://qigonginstitute.org/html/papers/Qigong%20as%20a%20Portal%20to%20Presence.pdf

 

It describes how any system of cultivation which is hierarchical, such as the "stages" of transmuting Jing to Qi to Shen etc. become obstacles.

 

Thank you again Spotless and Uroboros. I will approach the mechanics much with more awareness and stillness now.

Good article, full of gems/wisdom/truth, but as always has been interspersed with misunderstandings commonly seen among western psychologists/Ph.Ds who study eastern teachings. I see this as recurrent pattern, in many of the articles of western teachers who are not yet liberated, but have the scholarly/bookish understanding of the concepts taught by the highest teachers that humanity produced over our entire history. Are we supposed to believe the words of a Ph.D over the words of Jesus/Vedas/Buddha/Enlightened-Taoists ??

As always, read everything on the internet, but use your innate wisdom to decide if the words are in perfect hormone with the teachings of the highest teachers of humanity. I am not saying that these people are completely wrong. It is just that it is easy to slip in a misguiding words into an article (unintentionally), when most of the article stays true to the high teachings. Certain words/presentations could be easily misunderstood by a novice practitioner.

I am writing this with a bit of passion now, because I returned just now from a conversation with a highly intelligent (i mean much superior IQ than mine) friend of mine, who lives a happy life and is well accomplished in society. And he was trying to teach me a principle that is very similar to what is presented in this article cited above. I refuted him clearly, with the words that an ordinary human who is under suffering/delusion/unsatisfactory world condition needs to go through certain steps in order to evolve to a certain stage, where he can practice what is being outlined in this above article. He had no reply to that. One does not understand level 10, when one is still trying to understand what is at level 1. It would be a mistake to assume that we have to practice level 10, right off the bat.

A perfect example which  shows why "Sila (morality)"  is emphasized in all religions as one of the foundations.  When one starts diving deep, and directly feel  what is hidden(past karma ??)  in subconscious,  better to have  the foundation strong.  Otherwise  one  won't know how to deal with  deep feelings, by being still/equanimous/tranquil.

If cosmos is filled with duality,  won't you find  peace/joy/love  as the dual opposite of  pain/suffering/hatred ?  Won't they  be in the same space,  as  dual  presence ?   Which  one  these  dualities  do  you choose  as your  presence ?

 

 

The Mind is Everything. However unless you are a Buddha (and even though 5E come into play, he needed tree help/wood to reach enlightenment) don't dare to go against the yin and yang and 5 elements or you'll crash and burn. The Bagua is a quick way to nirvana. Great aid, I wish Theravada would incorporate these principles into their practice in today's world, that would ease things a lot. Rigidity is not good. Water for times of Fire. Use your personal intuition and own energetic/mind make up shaped by your date of birth to model your practice.

 

Bagua circle walk is the greatest tool in existence. Return to the origin when it's erasing work

is done.

LOL           Who  says  there is no humor  in  Daobums ?

To flush the system, one can also  try  Polyethylene Glycol 3350.  This is what is given in preparation for a colonoscopy.  It is sold in walmart as ClearLax brand.  Lighter doses  (than what is recommended on instructions)  are sufficient  over separated  days.   Produces  output  over the following  few hours, even at quarter the dosage.  An  enema will only clear the lower part of the large intestine (sigmoid area)  whereas  this will clean out the small + large intestine, entirely.  

This is going the extra mile, because a water fast naturally flushes out even  trace toxins in the body.  Body's natural healing mechanism  will clean out the gut, over the course of days.  Larger the amount of toxins in the body,  the longer it will take to flush out everything - perhaps  these mechanisms will expedite the process.  It is worth noting that, during these entire set of days, body  must be provided with excess amount of water,  much more than the usual 10 or so cups/day.  Much more frequent urination  than  the usual  will be  the indication  that  things are going  smoothly  in the fast.

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Correction to above post :  During early morning meditation, i contemplated on this topic for a bit  because I felt uncomfortable before  sleep, with  my above reply and wanted to explore what i had missed/misinterpreted.  Then, it occurred to me that i had consulted  a renowned Buddhist scholar  once before,  on the topic of  awareness.  Following were his words to clarify me:

So,  my earlier words are not accurate  because mindfulness  and awareness are not the same (which seems obvious to me now - duh).  As humans we possess mindfulness,  whereas most animals are not capable of this mental factor,  but they do have undeveloped awareness.

My practice uses attention to the inside/outside impressions.

 

............

 

Then I go to bed. In bed I continue to be aware of my local environment, but also shift my attention to feeling myself. The qualities that I am composed of. I look at how well the different aspects of myself are working together or not. If not, this gentle form of attention is often enough to correct things.

 

Next I often spend some time feeding the location and its beings with appreciation and gratitude, and then I let myself start to wander about, {with my mind senses} and I see what unfolds from there. Depending how it goes, sooner or later I drift into sleep and dreams.

 

This tends to be a great way for me to unpack my day, straighten things out within me, and keeps me learning about the nature of the dreaming soul, perception, and the Animistic universe.

This is an example of  one such practice, which is focused on the foundation area  that i was talking about earlier. 

Steve has good points.  A strong practitioner  realizes  that  daytime experiences are not not separate from  night time experiences.  They are conjoined, and they affect  each other in a cycle.  What is learnt  in  one part of the day can be used in the other part of the day - this is exactly  what  the yogi  realizes and practices;  thus the  words..."A yogi is awake when the whole world sleeps".   Many deep meditative states  can be glimpsed at,  without  the use of  any  drugs/stimulants but with use of proper/strong  practices,  when  mind  enters  pure consciousness  during  sleep.  I welcome  corrections to the last statement (if  contrary opinion is present anywhere in the Suttas).

Spotless,

    According  to accuweather,  full moon is on July 31st.  I suspect that the surrounding nights may also have strong energetic effect.  Meditation in the quiet of the night, and in open nature (if possible, or in backyard) is auspicious.   One should note that during a water fast,  the need to pass stool decreases - over time, there is  no solid to pass out.  So, the need for enema may decrease over days.  Congradulations on carrying out a long water fast, and  encouraging others  with your  log.

Something to keep in mind...... For someone who is seriously walking the PATH, faithfully and observing the various necessities (sila, samadhi, panna),   dream-yoga  arises  naturally.   No need for any specific herbs/drugs or effort  to create lucid dreams.  A serious student  keeps his attention  on strengthening  the foundation,  because  without  proper  foundation  anything built on it  is likely  to  fall down/regress/fall-back,   and  one is forced  to restart the building process, without ever reaching  higher  levels. 

I am not discouraging in any way.  A yogi is awake, when the whole world sleeps.  This does not mean he is a night-owl 

To observe, be aware and watch is the natural function of consciousness, you don't have to do it or make it happen.

 

Its possible trying to do that type of observation with effort can create an internal division, what is observing what? Instead of being intimate and unified with life observation of it can lead to a dissociation from it.

We are getting into distinction between concepts/definition here, and different english translations/words are used to convey that.  As far as my reading goes.....Awareness is the word used when the topic of mindfulness (or some such) is discussed.  Consciousness is used in other contexts (like in the discussion of samadhi states or 5 khandas or dependent origination).  Consciousness is present until one dies OR  the highest state of samadhi is reached. 

Awareness/observation/mindfulness  may not be always there, but mind consciousness is always there (except as noted above). So,  Being in awareness/mindfulness is not a natural state of consciousness - for example, in animals, this sort of mindfulness is absent even though other functions of mind-consciousness  maybe  available to animals.  I also feel that the english word "awareness"   is overloaded and is used in different ways  by various people, thus leading to confusion.  All that i carry in my mind is the way this word  is used  in Sutta translations.

On a separate note, as steve noted, there is a gradient between effort and non-effort of a practice.  Hence, A novice is encouraged to apply the "right effort"  until  he reaches a point where the mindfulness (or some other practice) arises effortlessly. When done effortlessly,  there would be no disassociation from life experiences.

I think these 6 word instruction by Tilopa is a high teaching that was probably given to a very high student, who already understands the hidden depths of these words,  and he would understand how to properly practice them.  

My knowledge/experience is limited and hence I would be glad if someone corrects my understanding (with proper sutta quotes).

Absolutely beautiful,  this essence.  It catches the core, i feel.  I was a bit amused when i noted that  the instruction to  "Observe/Be aware/Watch"  is  absent in the 6 words.  I have an explanation for the absence of this word in these essence of six word instruction, but would like to  hear other people's  opinions.

Herbal tea fine, juice pushing it a little, potato, carrot and kale soup...well...i guess if you only drink the water there'll be very little energy in it so yes I suppose it is still fasting.

correct.  There is probably one tenth of the calories in it when compared to a juice drink.  Even juice drinking is considered a fasting practice, so this would be pretty close to a water fast.  It would be great if Spotless can carry this into the full moon day, which appears at end of this month.  And a meditation on that day/night, after his fasting of 10 days,  is considered good.  

In the first (original) post, you said  "i get nightmare every single night, i scream every night because of nightmares".   Now, you said  "since i created this topic, i have had 2 nightmares lol".   So,  you can consider  that  sharing  and asking for help has been useful. You have made progress.

 I remember reading somewhere that dreaming a skeleton indicates that one is progressing in the PATH/dhamma.  But, i am not a  dream-analysis expert, so only you will know the real relevance of this dream to your life.   But,  Have you considered the possibility that the treasure in your dreams  is actually  referring  to the  treasure of dhamma  that you have lately  incorporated seriously  into your life (through meditation) ?  Consider that alternative too.  In fact,  this  more valuable  than any material  treasure,  if you have serious faith in the PATH.  Of  relevance would be the question of  how long it has been since you have take up spirituality  (seriously)  into your life and started related practices (like meditation) ? 

Your statement  "my fear increases as the day progress towards night"   makes me wonder if your fear  is constantly present, even when you are NOT meditating.  If  it is present even when you are doing something else during daytime,  then you have other  issues that are the origin of this fear.   Most fears will disappear  if you start living a  moral life  and have good habits in eating/drinking/exercise.  Not overnight, but over time, these practices will give strength to your mind and bring down your fear levels.  It would help  to know if you have  FAITH in something - a religion or spirituality  to anchor you.   Based on your faith, you can come up with a stronger way to deal with this.  Your age also will give clues to those who are trying to help you, to give appropriate  suggestions to you.