Jonesboy

Are lineages just a set of teachings or is there more to them?

What is your definition of Awakened?

The Tao is emptiness. The One emerges from the Tao. The One is universal mind. Attaining the Tao is reallizing the emptiness of universal mind. One could say that you attain the Tao when you realize universal mind, when you realize emptiness of self. In Taoism it would be the difference between an Immortal and a Ruler Immortal.

If one doesn't like to watch thoughts.. try switching to Shine with Object instead. Both are beginner Buddhist practices.

That is why I provided the link to the sutra 😉 What are you having trouble with? Maybe I can help.

Here is my favorite Buddhist sutra. It should help as it goes over the various stages for disciples, master, arhats, bodhisattvas and talks about attaining Tathágata-hood. http://buddhasutra.com/files/lankavatara_sutra.htm The Tathágata’s Nirvana is where it is recognized that there is nothing but what is seen of the mind itself; is where, recognizing the nature of the self-mind, one no longer cherishes the dualisms of discrimination; is where there is no more thirst nor grasping; is where there is no more attachment to external things. Nirvana is where the thinking-mind with all its discriminations, attachments, aversions and egoism is forever put away; is where logical measures, as they are seen to be inert, are no longer seized upon; is where even the notion of truth is treated with indifference because of its causing bewilderment; is where, getting rid of the four propositions, there is insight into the abode of Reality. Nirvana is where the twofold passions have subsided and the twofold hindrances are cleared away and the twofold ego-less-ness is patiently accepted; is where, by the attainment of the "turning-about" in the deepest seat of consciousness, self-realization of Noble Wisdom is fully entered into, that is the Nirvana of the Tathágatas. Nirvana is where the Bodhisattva stages are passed one after another; is where the sustaining power of the Buddhas upholds the Bodhisattvas in the bliss of the Samádhis; is where compassion for others transcends all thoughts of self; is where the Tathágata stage is finally realized. Nirvana is the realm of the Dharmata-Buddha; it is where the manifestation of Noble Wisdom that is Buddhahood expresses itself in Perfect Love for all; it is where the manifestation of Perfect Love that is Tathágata-hood expresses itself in Noble Wisdom for the enlightenment of all- -there, indeed, is Nirvana! .

Depends on ones definition of enlightenment

That is the exact opposite of what I said. One guy said that but that is not what the traditions teach.. Being a Buddha benefits everything. Such postponing would not be the benefit of others and would show ego..

That is misunderstood and not truly the vow. It is love for others that helps one progress from a Bodhisattva to a Buddha. There is no clearer explanation of the bodhisattva path than this. https://www.thoughtco.com/taking-the-bodhisattva-vows-450005

When I think of this part I want to know where is heaven. 3. Jesus said, "If your leaders say to you, 'Look, the (Father's) kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the (Father's) kingdom is within you and it is outside you. When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will understand that you are children of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you live in poverty, and you are the poverty. So, when Jesus says this heaven will pass and the one above it will pass he is saying one has not realized it. It is still dualistic. ”The dead are not alive, and the living will not die.” This is very much like this verse. ”29. Jesus said, "If the flesh came into being because of spirit, that is a marvel, but if spirit came into being because of the body, that is a marvel of marvels. Yet I marvel at how this great wealth has come to dwell in this poverty..” The spirit is eternal and for those who have realized it, will not die. .

Do you find just that particular sentence in the verse interesting? Any thoughts on the verse? 11) Jesus said, "This heaven will pass away, and the one above it will pass away. The dead are not alive, and the living will not die. In the days when you consumed what is dead, you made it what is alive. When you come to dwell in the light, what will you do? On the day when you were one you became two. But when you become two, what will you do?"

Here is a little more on the topic of the bridal suite. Fasting and praying is for those who have yet to become or have realized they are a Son of God.

Welcome to the bums. I don’t practice qigong so would hate to disrupt your thread. Again welcome and I hope you find the answers you seek.

Are you familiar with Kashmir Shaivism at all?

Isn't that a Buddhist explanation on emptiness? Can anyone show me where Ramana used it in that manner?

This to me sounds more like dealing with an attack, like with a demon or you could even say negative energy. This is very much like Chapter 69 of the TTC as Jeff described it here. Much the same is being describe in the GOT quote. You know an enemy is going to attack. Do not advance but gather your resources. Staying within your own mind space you are prepared.... and half way to victory.

Thank you Still Waters, I will say that my experience is much different than what you have described. Much like Jeff described earlier, it is the Master that radiates and it is that, which takes one to deeper levels of silence to deeper states of being. A sharing of Oneness through the direct transmission of the Masters being. To me it isn't about thoughts arising and then the answers flooding in. It is about realization of being, of Wisdom rather than intellectual understanding. Remember silence is only one half of what we are and is not the goal.

I thought this part was very important. "Sometimes one feels up and cheerful, but sometimes one feels down. This is natural; for we are all subject to the Heavenly bodies that influence our lives. The Sage experiences these as well as ordinary men, for he is one of the Ten Thousand Things. " Even a Sage still has obstructions.. the road never really ends.

Hi Still Waters, If one has realized a thing one is able to describe it to one degree or another. What do you think is happening with Master A in the story? Do you think they are all just sitting there staring at each other or is more going on?

Found some interesting stuff from The Kula Ritual of Kashmir Shaivism. Next is a short little excerpt of the guru merging the disciple with a deity. Any thoughts?

I did and didn't care for it You see to me to say a thing is an illusion is to mean it is not real. That veil is something, something creates that illusion, that transmission. It isn't that the veil goes away, you realize it, you are part of it and realize it's true nature. An example is to say the world is an illusion, a veil.. hinting that is truly nothing like a mirage that you see but with the correct view was just a trick of the mind. To me it is more than an illusion. One can be one with that illusion, that transmission, can feel the clouds as you, the texture the shape, be one with the wind dancing about and at the same time realize it is all just energy of which it's true nature is emptiness. That is my experience anyways and it is much different than thinking about "I" this or that. No question I have ever asked has helped me realize anything as to my state of being. To each his own and if it helps you and you feel you have arrived.. Awesome.

I agree, but realizing it is the key, much more than a mental understanding.

Thank you dwai but I would not say I am a realized being, a Buddha. Still a little ways to go

Is that you? Care to elaborate?

Welcome