Jonesboy

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Everything posted by Jonesboy

  1. creating karma

    Jonesboy replied to whitesilk's topic in Buddhist Discussion

    Even then, they smoke socially, smoke only when they drink, etc. While they are not addicted there is still some desire that is driving them to such action.

  2. creating karma

    Jonesboy replied to whitesilk's topic in Buddhist Discussion

    Exactly, so when I read about some enlightened Sage who smokes everyday.. His followers will say it's because he just liked it but wasn't addicted. To anyone who has ever smoked such excuses don't pass the smell test.

  3. creating karma

    Jonesboy replied to whitesilk's topic in Buddhist Discussion

    I did say remove, but if you realize the emptiness of it, there is no attachment, hence no desire to do such activities because of the need to do so. Would you not also say that as you have progressed, the more you have let go of "stuff" you have come even closer?

  4. creating karma

    Jonesboy replied to whitesilk's topic in Buddhist Discussion

    Addictions would show that one is still caught up and hasn't realized emptiness. What is the difference to addiction to cigarettes or sex or TV or food or power or money or needing attention? To say it is okay to have these desires for some "thing" , and getting caught up in "stuff" and you can still be enlightened is kind of crazy to me. Isn't that what spiritual practices are all about removing?
  5. Show me where a mirage remains. You have shown me pictures of ones coming and going but where is one that never ends? Your question also points to something interesting with AV. Knowing the mirage is an illusion you still see it. You can negate it all you like but it doesn't make the mirage disappear now does it
  6. Thank you Dwai. I completely agree that what the OP talks about is possible. I just disagree with AV in so much that it is really pointless to keep bringing up the same inconsistencies over and over again. I mean I don't even agree that the people you mentioned are jivanamuktas. Anyways, thanks for the OP.
  7. Thank you but none of the pictures show a mirage that never goes away. I agree the answer is nuanced depending on tradition.
  8. Interesting Can you point to a mirage that has never disappeared as an example? Are you also saying that no matter the realization one achieves they will still be caught up/see the illusion?

  9. Slang terms we can and can't use!

    Jonesboy replied to Patrick Brown's topic in The Rabbit Hole

    One word that is for sure off limits is "ButtHurt" It's a long story but trust me. Don't use it. .
  10. The mirage does disappear. That is why it is called a mirage and not real or an illusion. It is of the mind only. So with your answer is the world real or not and if it looms not as large does that mean one can never escape the bonds of illusion?
  11. Isn't it saying that the body is an object you identify with which is no different than the world or the universe? 6. Listen, Rama! This illusion is very old, being no other than the deep-rooted ignorance which mistakes one thing for another. 7. See how the true Self has been ignored and the body has become identified with the Self. Consider this foul body comprised of blood and bones beside that unblemished, pure intelligence! 8. Even the gross body becomes mistaken for crystal- clear consciousness by mere force of habit. 9. So also the universe has repeatedly been taken to be real so that it now looks as if it were actually real. The remedy lies in a change of outlook. If the world is an illusion is not your body an illusion also? .

  12. Vedanta as explained by Sri Ramanuja

    Jonesboy replied to s1va's topic in Hindu Discussion

    You may have missed it but there is a thread already about AV compared to KS. No reason to derail this one.

  13. Vedanta as explained by Sri Ramanuja

    Jonesboy replied to s1va's topic in Hindu Discussion

    Seems like there is a lot of debate even in the Hindu section as to what the Self is. Universal seems to be what the Self is most often revered to. Now what is the Self or what is that Universal mind is another question. Is it silence, no thought, stillness, is it more than that? I am glad it is so simple for you beyond academically of course.

  14. Vedanta as explained by Sri Ramanuja

    Jonesboy replied to s1va's topic in Hindu Discussion

    Not sure what you are saying. But the TTC would be more like the Dao begot the One. One being Universal mind which is beyond local mind. I think you are confusing various traditions where some believe the Dao=One. As you know this is very complicated stuff and throwing in other traditions can just add confusion to an already complicated and rich tradition. Especially if you start to mix up meanings and terms that don't mean the same thing. This is the Hindu section after all.

  15. Vedanta as explained by Sri Ramanuja

    Jonesboy replied to s1va's topic in Hindu Discussion

    Are you sure that is what the Tao is? A truth beyond local mind? So move beyond the local mind and you know the Truth but you can't name it?
  16. Think of spiritual practices like a snow ball rolling down the mountain. In the beginning it rolls just a a little and starts out small. One session a week it moves a little. Twice a day keeps it moving . Over time with consistent practice the ball gets bigger and bigger as do the results of the practice. Life gets busy, sometimes you just can’t meditate or you are in such a state the practices would be counter productive. Shit happens. The main thing is to do your best and to be as consistent as you can. Spiritual practices are a lifetime thing so don’t sweat having a cheat day so to speak. Just realize where cheat days can lead you if you have to many. Just like a diet.
  17. Please forgive me. I jumped in at the end and didn’t read the entire thread. I understand your frustration with all the different and often conflicting advice. There are so many different teachings and means of meditation. It does sound like you are making excellent progress. Keep doing what you are doing and please don’t give up. A suggestion, maybe just reach out to someone in PM whom you have felt has an understanding of what you are doing and you feel knows what they are talking about. Again I am sorry if I have added to your frustration.
  18. Adding to the discussion.
  19. What I am trying to point out in your example is notice that the mind is noticing the thoughts. That the mind is now distracted with hearing the thoughts. We all notice when meditating that we are focusing let's say on the breath and the next thing we know we are aware that we are lost in some day dream or lost in some thoughts right? Once we go deeper in silence we are able to observe lets say our thoughts or even your example you notice there is some activity in the mind. Yet, there is still this mind that is drawn to the activity of whatever is arising in the mind. It pays attention to that activity, the mind is drawn to it. What is drawn to that activity that is arising? When we start meditation it is easy to notice that it is hard to keep the mind focused on the breath for instance. We are on focusing on the breath, get lost in thoughts, notice it and return back to the breath. The same thing is happening when one is in silence but the mind is being drawn to some activity that is arising. Just like with breath meditation you have no control of the mind focusing on that activity. It is a deeper thought that you are getting lost in. You may be at a level of silence but the mind then takes over to notice the activity that is arising in the silence. The next step is to get to the stage where whatever arises within the silence, it arises without you having any focus of it. It arises and passes through without the mind going there is a thought, there is a sound, there is a vision or some activity. You are pure awareness without attaching to whatever arises in the mind.
  20. I found this very important as well but I think your two quotes sum things up nicely.
  21. Thank you. Here is another with smaller words for people like me.
  22. I thought this was interesting.
  23. You are already a mountain of a man to me Marblehead
  24. One point on Obsevering thoughts. I really liked the analogy of the mountain and the clouds. The Tibetans will often say be like the sky. With meditation and mindfulness the point is to get to the point of being able to observe your thoughts. Once you get to that point what one should notice is now at a deeper level the observing of the thought is a thought itself. Your mind focuses on the creation of a new thought. The sky doesn’t focus on the clouds passing by. The mountain cares not about the clouds around it. Try to get to the point where you are like the sky with thoughts. Let go of noticing the creation of thoughts, that your attention is drawn to one as it is passing by. Just be like the Sky.
  25. Do you believe the inner-eye to be accurate for such things? Are you also saying that everyone with the 3rd eye open would then be a qualified teacher in such an area?