Ajay0

The correct or natural state of the mind is present moment awareness or mindfulness. When contrary to this state, one unconsciously dwells on past memories of pleasure and creates similar images of pleasure through imagination ( based on memories), cravings for the same are created. Thus the culprit is actually chewing of past pleasures by thinking about them incessantly. Unconscious thought is the corruptor and creator of cravings. Jiddu Krishnamurti had elaborated on this theme in his book , 'Freedom from the known'... https://jiddu-krishnamurti.net/en/freedom-from-the-known/1968-00-00-jiddu-krishnamurti-freedom-from-the-known-chapter-4

Insightful article by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on how everything manifests when one meditates.... https://wisdom.srisriravishankar.org/everything-manifests-meditate/

Do virtuous deeds, as this will make your intellect pure, and the supremely blissful Satchidananda (Self) will be reflected in this refined intellect. You will overflow with such joyous contentment that you will spontaneously share it with one and all.~ Anandmurti Gurumaa Unless you have a morality, ethical principles that you are following with your bodily action, vocal action, mental action or in a certain non-violent, disciplined way, you are not able to meditate. If you do not meditate you cannot train the mind to concentrate. And without training the mind, you cannot awake the wisdom. ~ Samdong Rinpoche

All objective pleasures results in pain and misery in the long run, due to the factors of saturation or impermanence. The wise man thus would be anchored in the Buddha nature/ pure mind which would be a source of constant peace and happiness for him or her. He will enjoy the pleasures of the world and at the same time would be detached from them, not slavishly attached. It is in slavish attachment that sensory pleasures start to become a source of suffering. The focus is on seeing the transient nature of all sensory objects and pleasures, and using this philosophical understanding to detach from them rather than being inordinately attached to them. One enjoys such pleasures for entertainment, and at the same time can detach from them at will. Those who cannot do so, end up as obsessed, imbalanced people like sex addicts, alcoholics, gambling addicts, gluttons, shopaholics and so on, and who then seek treatment for the same. This obsession with external pleasures and objects would be a sort of compensation for the perceived lack of peace and joy within oneself, but which ironically is a characteristic of the natural state or pure mind, freely available to every human being. It is similar to the analogy of a beggar seeking alms from passerbys, while ignorantly sitting on a box containing large diamonds.

Buddhism emphasizes maintaining good health as a duty, considering its impact on ensuring a strong and clear mind. Vegetarianism has been validated by scientific research to be associated with lower rates of cancer and cardio-vascular diseases, the two biggest killers in the planet today. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/08/04/eating-a-plant-based-diet-at-any-age-may-lower-cardiovascular-risk https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2013-01-30-vegetarianism-can-reduce-risk-heart-disease-third https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/vegetarian-diet-and-cancer-risk.h31Z1591413.html https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-25/vegetarians-have-a-lower-risk-of-cancer-than-meat-eaters-study-suggests This is important as Cancer has become the second leading cause of death, second only to cardiovascular diseases in the western world and globally. Vegetarianism has also been linked with lower rates of diabetes, dementia and decreased symptoms of asthma.. https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/vegetarians-have-lower-dementia-risk https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6153574/ Vegetarian diet is also known to prevent osteoporosis associated with poor bone health, enables better mental health and reduced depression and anxiety levels... https://www.healthline.com/health/becoming-vegetarian#risks On the basis of health reasons alone , I would say vegetarianism is a better bet to ensure longevity and good health necessary for a clear and strong mind. Plus they are safer on the wallet considering the increasing costs associated with healthcare world-wide. I would say it makes no sense to work your entire life till retirement, and then get your savings wiped out for expensive health care afterwards.

The feverishness for perfection often makes you miserable. If you are vigilantly pursuing the perfection of things and situations, then you are bound to be anxious and angry. It’s not possible for all things to be perfect all the time. Even the best, the greatest of actions performed with the noblest of intentions can have imperfections. The tendency of the mind to hold on to the imperfection makes our feelings and minds imperfect and negative. Wisdom lies in getting out of these cycles and staying untouched and strong from within. ~ Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Contentment, perfection and siddhī dawns in that person who is happy and contented with whatever has come; who does not hanker for something more. It is so strange, and yet very true! Be contented with what you have and you will see perfection or siddhī dawning in you. ~ Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

A knowledge of virtue is to precede its practice. A rational understanding of the nature and meaning of goodness, self-control, truth, wisdom and justice is the pre-condition of their being practised in life. ~ Swami Krishnananda “If a behaviour has resulted from absence of the three poisons (attachment, hatred and ignorance), as the causal motive, it can be understood as a clean behaviour and a right behaviour; if a behaviour has resulted from, or is tainted with, any of the three poisons, it can be understood as an unclean behaviour and a bad behaviour.” ~ Samdhong Rinpoche Karma moves in two directions. If we act virtuously, the seed we plant will result in happiness. If we act non-virtuously, suffering results. ~ Sakyong Mipham This stability of the mind (samadhi) can be brought about through sustained practice of meditation on one subject. At the same time, an orderly mind is necessary for the effective practice of meditation. However, to achieve a qualified samadhi, we must also have acquired, before and during our meditation practice, good conduct and high moral standards. ~ Samdhong Rinpoche

The full moon for this month May is on fifth, today. The lunar calendar is used in Islam, and importance is attached to the new moon as well as the full moon. https://islamonline.net/en/the-blessings-of-the-lunar-calendar/

Around 68 % of the world buddhist population adhere to Mahayana Buddhism as opposed to 32 % of Therevada , and most of the famous world figures of Buddhism, such as Bodhidharma, Dalai Lama, Padmasambhava, Thich Nhat Hanh, Dogen, Hsuan Hua, Shunryu Suzuki, Nichiren Daishonin, Daisaku Ikeda, Pema Chodron, Matthieu Ricard are similarly from Mahayana Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism, due to zen and non-effortless paths to enlightenment, is quite similar to Daoism as opposed to the austere, monistic path of Therevada which emphasizes effort. Zen, a Mahayana tradition, is also considered a mixture of Mahayana Buddhism and Daoism. Here are some sayings of recognized Mahayana Buddhist masters on the 'buddha nature'...

Samsara is considered to be dukkha, suffering, and in general unsatisfactory and painful, perpetuated by desire (craving/aversion) and avidya (ignorance), and the resulting karma. You state here that the pure mind is samsara or suffering, while the Buddha states that the pure mind brings happiness in its wake (Dhammapada 2). Who is speaking the truth then !

It is mainly the Mahayana, Zen and Vajrayana traditions that use the term Buddha nature in their teachings. It is also an important element of Nichiren Buddhism. If you are uncomfortable with the term 'Buddha nature' on account of the Buddha not ever using the term , you are free to use the terms 'pure mind' or 'luminous mind' that he had used instead, and substitute them with 'buddha nature' in my posts. The Buddha-nature is traced to the 'luminous mind' which is mentioned in the Anguttara Nikaya, and is part of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism as well. Leading Theravada figures like Ajahn Mun have also elaborated on this teaching in his commentaries.

The origin of the Buddha Nature doctrine can be traced to a teaching of the historical Buddha , as recorded in the Pali Tipitika (Pabhassara Sutta,Anguttara Nikaya 1.49-52): Buddha nature as a term is mainly used in Mahayana and Zen traditions,.

The Buddha-nature is the pure mind, also known as the Buddha-mind, luminous mind and true mind. It is the first point emphasized by Buddha in the Dhammapada. https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.01.budd.html An impure mind (tainted by the poisons of greed, hatred, and delusion) leads to suffering. A pure mind (untainted by the poisons of greed, hatred, and delusion) leads to happiness. The three poisons that defile the originally pure mind are greed, hatred and delusion. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_poisons Here greed is but an intense uncontrolled desire or craving for more pleasant sensations and experiences, while hatred is but an intense uncontrolled desire or aversion for unpleasant sensations and experiences, leading to destructive thoughts, speech and acts. The mind filled with strong desires in the form of cravings or aversions due to conditioning is considered impure and deluded, due to its inability for proper perception and interpretation of events or facts, and consequent incapability for proper judgement, correct and ethical action. A judge being partial towards his own criminal son due to desire for his well-being inspite of evidence to the contrary, a religious fanatic arguing for the destruction of other religions, well as a jingoist nursing irrational hatred for other nations are some commonplace examples of a deluded mind caught in its own conditioning and resulting cravings/aversions and being swayed by them mechanically like a puppet. The unconditioned mind is the pure mind which can properly perceive and act correctly, as opposed to the impure mind with the filters of conditioning that may generate likes and dislikes, cravings and aversions that would lead to incorrect perception, poor judgement and wrong actions.

An insightful article by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar highlighting Mahavira's teaching of Ahimsa or nonviolence. Mahavira is the founder of the Jain religion and is a contemporary of the Buddha. https://www.freepressjournal.in/spirituality/guiding-light-by-sri-sri-ravi-shankar-breathing-ahimsa

There is a difference between needs and greed. The greed part is where the desire or craving comes in. Cravings are bound to end in suffering due to the factors of impermanence or saturation. Needs are finite, but desires can be infinite. One can spend all one's life in satisfying desires for transient pleasures of an expensive nature, and not getting peace and joy of a lasting nature that is found in the Buddha nature within, free of cost. It is also the one who is anchored in the Buddha nature within, who can enjoy the pleasures of the world without being attached or slavishly addicted to them . The one who is not anchored in the Buddha nature within, will be inordinately attached to sensory pleasures leading to addictions and imbalance and mental disorders, and greater tendency towards poor judgement, vice and crime. Studying the background of some serial criminals , I found that it was their intense desires in the form of cravings that lead them to their transgressions of morality and virtuous conduct, even seeking pleasure in sadistic activities. They had no understanding of the nature of desire or Buddha nature within, and allowed their cravings instilled by conditioning, environment and imagination to get the better of them in the search for pleasure of a transient nature which they confused with happiness. Desires of an uncontrolled nature are thus bound to affect the judgement of the individual and become destructive and harmful in nature.

More than 30 of the Vedic sages were women. Gargi and Maitreyi are two famous female sages mentioned in the Vedas. https://thesanatanchronicle.com/2020/08/30/brahmavadini-the-forgotten-tradition-of-women-scholars-in-ancient-india/ In modern times, there has been female enlightened sages like Anandamayi Ma, Sharda Devi, Nirmala Devi, Mata Amritanandamayi, Shivayogini Amma, Mother Meera, Rajini Menon, Anandmurti Gurumaa, Karunamayi Ma, Vimala Thakar, Shri Anandi Ma, Gurumatha Amma, Shree Ma who had numerous disciples in India and all over the world.

This is not true based on what I know. Prajnatara , Bodhidharma's enlightened teacher was a woman. BAsed on my understanding, it was Prajnatara who persuaded Bodhidharma to spread Zen Buddhism in China.

I had come across some sayings of Dr. David Hawkins with respect to emotions and the numerous thoughts they induce. I had put them in the quotes section here some months back. Press on ' Ajay0 replied to a topic'. I think meditating on emotions can have a force-multiplier effect as they are more subtle and basic than the thought process. I think it is very important to emphasize this. Rather than trying to stop emotions which may lead to its persistence, I just try to be aware of them and this gradually dilutes them along with the numerous thoughts that follow in the wake of the emotion.

Desire is like fire. If it is under control, it is a useful tool. If not, you risk getting burned. All crimes like theft, murder, rape, paedophilia and others can be traced to strong desires in the form of cravings or aversion that result in lust, greed, hatred and so on. All the vices are nothing but strong desires. Understanding the nature of desire, one must control and channel it into constructive areas rather than destructive ones. This is where control and disciplining of the mind as taught by Buddha comes into the picture.

Sin repeatedly perpetrated, destroys intelligence; and the man who has lost intelligence, repeatedly commits sin. Virtue repeatedly practised, enhances intelligence; and the man whose intelligence has increased, enhances intelligence; and the man whose intelligence has increased repeatedly practises virtue. ~ Vidura Neeti (Mahabharatha) Saintliness is not dumbness! Divine perceptions are not incapacitating! The active expression of virtue gives rise to the keenest intelligence. ~ Sri Yukteshwar ( Autobiography of a Yogi)

Today (6-4-23) happens to be a full moon. Hopefully, i may be able to utilize this as an opportunity for spiritual exercise, though I wish had worked on this two days earlier to make the most of it. Sadhguru had also talked about the full moon being an opportunity for faster advancement. https://isha.sadhguru.org/us/en/wisdom/article/pournami-the-night-of-the-full-moon

@ Nuralshamal I hope you have not lost much money in this issue. That and the feeling of being cheated perhaps maybe agitating you. I would ask you to relax, detach and leave this matter aside. It is hard to meet a genuine astrologer these days. To a large extent, the quality of a genuine astrologer depends on his intuition , that springs from a pure mind or no-mind or pure state of consciousness. An enlightened master had talked on how hitherto expert and precise astrologers get their readings wrong later on, as greed for money and fame corrupts their mental state and consciousness, resulting in error.

Hi Nuralshamal, I am sorry that you had a bad experience with Nadi astrology. I would say I had a nadi reading myself, and my experience was similar to that of your uncle. Due to positive reviews by my friends, I went to the naadi astrology institute and gave my thumb print and was asked to return back after two weeks, so that they could fetch the palm leaves that corresponded to my thumb print. I returned and they went through a couple of old palm leaves checking out whether the data in the leaves corresponded to my life data. A few of the leaves were wrong, but they finally came to a leaf that matched my name, parents names, and other family data in exactitude. They took this leaf and then switched on a tape recorder with a casette, and started speaking from the leaf about my past life and present life issues. The information was quite valuable to me, made a lot of sense with respect to my present life tendencies, and the future predictions came true as well. It was pretty interesting, and I just kept the information in a mental folder for future reference. Years later, while sightseeing a town festival, I came across an old astrologer seated on the ground and waiting for customers. Feeling sorry for the old guy, I decided to take his service thinking that the fees money of 50 rupees would be useful to him and ease his life a bit. However the old guy turned out to be an expert astrologer, and said in exact detail what the nadi astrologer said about my past lives and present life too. Impressed I shelled out 500 rupees instead . The fact that two different astrologers said the same stuff or information in vastly different points in space and time, vouched for its accuracy to me. This also helped to dispel my skepticism and disbelief in astrology as well, which had been conditioned in me from childhood by rationalists and rationalist literature. I was curious to know your own experience. That you stated your uncle had a great experience, prompted me to state my own experience as well. Imo, you might have had a better experience if you had personally contacted the institute in person. It's possible that you might have contacted a fake nadi astrologer, or maybe the communication gap did not allow proper flow of information.

Whatever is done lovingly, with righteous purity and with peace of mind, is a good action. Everything which is done with the stain of desire and with agitation filling the mind is classified as a bad action. ~ Ramana Maharshi The result of spiritual practice should be our inner transformation into better human beings. After practicing for months or years, we should be less prone to anger, pride, and jealousy. Our practice should lead us to a vaster, calmer mind. ~ Shechem Rabjam Rinpoche

Despite my focus on creating a calm and equanimous mindset prior to the full moon, I found thoughts of past memories of a negative, depressing kind stirring within me and stirring similar emotions within me for a long time yesterday night. In retrospect, this helped me to gauge my state of unconsciousness, or ability to be aware when forceful thoughts and emotions of a compulsive nature comes up. I figured out from this that a lot of inner work needs to be performed to clean up the vasanas or psychological impressions within. I understood my inner pressure points, issues and the need to work on them. I think the amplifying effects of the full moon, as described by spiritual masters, could help one to recceing the mind better and gathering necessary intel on it. The full moon period isn't over yet, and I wish to make the most out of this period.