Tommy

I do not know for sure. However, it should be no different than having events happen in different places at the same time. This .. the different places makes them separate in relative truth. And happening at the same time makes them parallel. It could be different as in parallel universes. I don't think it matters. But, it happens at the same time. Of course, the motion of time is relative to the position one occupies in space. If one is in the vastness of space travel between galaxies then how does one know what speed a one travels at? Since speed is in relative to some other position. So, how does time know how to flow? And space is only vast because of the time it takes to travel from point A to point B. But, if one's time moves slow then distance is shortened. If you read thru that then you are a better person than I. Cause my head goes thru trash and useless ideas very quickly. However to read, it is tedious. That is why TL:DR exist. Too Long: Didn't Read. Always thought as a child that I should have become a writer of novels because of all the twisted ideas i had. Just could never put the words together. Still reading??

The sound of music is a wonderful thing. It reaches the heart of people and sometimes even makes them dance with joy. What is the connection between sound and the nature of reality? Time. Everything is based in time. The beat of the music. The nature of reality is based in time. Time gives us the feeling of being real. Time gives lovers the feeling of something real. Time heals all wounds. Chanting is a wonderful way to take the focus of the mind and transform it conditions. A way to let it play in emptiness and fill every space. To bring the single moment to every moment. Sometimes a song catches fire and the mind holds onto it. Persistent in its beat and the words goes to the heart. I know not what the discussion is about. Does one argue about how wonderful the world is with sound? Or does one argue that sound is reality? There were no questions. No idea presented that needs to be discuss. So, does this end here? Maybe I just missed the intent?

Thanks for the explanation. Yes, there is motivation. Just like suffering is a motivation. Only death feels more immediate as one ages especially after seeing loved ones pass. Yes, for very short moments, I become aware of just observing. There are times when there is nothing but narration. And times when, I can feel the present. Sometimes the awareness travels to the ears and I listen. Other times it is behind the eyes and I see the darkness. A few times the sun rose and the transition to the light was something to observe. But, I get your point. Thanks.

When Bodhidharma went to China, he was invited to speak with Emperor Wu of the Liang dynasty where the emperor asked him if there was merit in his actions to promote Buddhism and build Buddhist temples. The Emperor got very angry when Bodhidharma said there was no merit. So, if one thinks they are doing good and looks for credit then there is none? Was there good Karma or not? IDK. Yes, thoughts about death do preoccupy the mind as I get older. Having seen relatives and my parents passed before me. Age has changed my body. There are more aches and pains. But, that is life. Death soon comes later. Thoughts about Karma. So, what is the difference from this present moment and death? The only thing I see is the end to this constant talking in my head. The lack of sensations. Is there a spirit? Or something that goes from this life to the next? Or is it just Karmic energy that migrates across? Does it matter, now? I believe the best thing to do is to live the best we can for as long as we can. And while we have the chance, to seek the stillness. Also, humor is a nice touch if one can see the humor.

I have found that the actions one does is preceded by thoughts about the action. Such as I think I will sit and let the mind quiet down. Then go to sit and let the mind go quiet. And at first, I saw no issue with that. Then my mind would continue with this is what I am doing. I am trying not to follow the thoughts but they seem to dictate the actions I do. I do this catch and release of my thoughts. But, the mind is truly restless. Progress is stunted. And only very short moments of quiet observation come and go. So, to seek stillness and do it a lot is really such an understatement. Sitting or seeking those moments of stillness .. has become a preoccupation. i look for it in each available moment. Sitting waiting for the bus or sitting in the doctor's office, I am trying to release the hold and seek the quiet. Oh, sorry for the tangent. Back to topic. Yes, and no. Zen is Zen Buddhism and no it isn't Buddhism. The journey may be different but the destination is the same. All the principles are the same but the methods are different. One point concentration. Koans. Is one better than the other? And do they point to different things? If one is to put a microscope on each item then they are different. However, if we back up and take in the whole picture then there is no difference. Like looking at the earth from the ground, one can see the great oceans and high mountains. But, if one looks from space, at a distance, then earth almost looks uniform. Like a big blue marble.

True, one may not be able to absolutely control thoughts or even predict the kind of thoughts that do arise. However, it is possible to influence them with the things we wish for. For example, if one is in fresh love and the thought will be about her, more or less. Simply that not a thing arises from nothing. It is all connected in someway? I do believe that what we surround ourselves with .. it does influence what thoughts arise. Spend lots of time watching vampire videos and thoughts about vampires may arise? Listen to lots of love songs .. and then, one pines about your lost loves?? If one has interest in auto mechanics then thought may be about cars? What does control of thoughts means to me?? The choice of following those thoughts that do arise or to not follow those thoughts. If there is emotions that take over ... then thoughts can move so fast to cover those emotions. Effectively backing those emotions. To reinforce them beyond reason, before reason has a chance to think before actions taken . If we can have the choice, to be able to see the moments before and after the emotion then we might be able to direct the thoughts and/or actions to a wiser choices.

If one looks for it then one will find it. Seek and you will find. Look for evil and there will be evil. Look for the good and you will find the good. One's world is colored by the thoughts in one's head.

So, what is your opinion on this device? I looked at it. Read some of the literature. The organization behind it seems to be okay. Don't know for sure. Got side tracked with Albert the spiritual AI. Asked Albert questions about spirituality and emptiness and meditation. It seems to have answers to all the questions and knows more than I do. I mean I know nothing. But, the difference between me and the AI is that I have consciousness or awareness. Not sure about the AI. Guess only the future will tell??

For me, it was feeling first then acting upon such feelings without thought. Now, it has changed over the years. I let things happen and look at myself reacting. Wondering if this is the right thing to do. Of course, it is subjective to who is looking and what direction. I have not had the feeling of wires being implanted. But, I have had a moment where thought seemed to shut down. I did not particularly enjoy that moment and have not had such things happen again. So, to me, even though I wish for enlightenment, I have no wish to change my present condition. I only wish to better my understanding. More of the journey rather than the destination. Non thinking condition? One still needs to think to plan and do things. Decide a course of action and then act upon such notions. Life doesn't go away.

Reincarnation may happen to that person but who knows what form that may take? Will it be in this world or one of the other planes of existence? Will it be like heaven or a very nasty hell? IDK. But, please believe what you like. It is all grist for the mill.

You are looking for a reason why good or bad things happens to someone. To either give good reason or blame it on coincidence? I won't say that most people aren't born with the ability to see such things rather that most people do not see the inter-rated(ness) of things. Some have said to see where you are now is to look at where you have been. To see where you will go is to look at where you are now. And so, I have no vision to give you an answer to satisfy your need for understanding. But, I have always gone by the saying that if one does good then good will come to them. However, my actions were not always to gain favor or goodness to come my way. I will guess that you will make your own truth about Karma.

I did not know where to put this topic so I apologize if it is in the wrong place. Here is the quandary, ... As some believe that Karma has a way of steering the course of events to meet the needs of the energies involved. So, if one has free will then can one avoid these energies and thus avoid the fate Karma has for one? Or is it that - no matter what one does or chooses to do - that karma will take over and force the energies to deal with the matter at hand? Say for the matter with Jesus. That his fate was to end up on the cross and suffer this terrible death. And even then his disciple wanted to protect Jesus from that particular end that Jesus would rebuke them. Matthew 16:23. Get behind me Satan. He knew his fate. There was no other choice for him. Matthew 26:34. You will deny me three times. It was fated and that person had no choice?? So, do the choices we make actually fall into the path that was chosen for us already? Does a person truly have free will? In my mind, I tell myself that I do make my own choices and live with the consequences of those choices. But, is it ordained that that is how it will happen anyway? Sort of like DNA pre-determines how tall one is and whether a person is man or woman and how smart a person is?? Do I choose to smoke and die early or does environment make my choices for me? Googled, ... The philosophical question of free will explores whether human actions are truly voluntary and self-determined, or if they are predetermined by external forces like genetics, environment, or fate. It delves into the nature of control over our choices, the extent of our agency, and the implications for moral responsibility.

Hello, I am relatively new here. And I have a minor idea what qigong is. Could you possibly tell us how you got interested in it and what steps you have taken to follow this interesting subject? Thanks, Tommy

This topic seems to have gotten some mileage with many people speaking on one side or the other. And there even seems to be some hostilities thrown into the mix. Personally, I see everything as inter-related. One thing brings with it another. One condition sets up the actions of another. Environment along with genetics plays their part in what actions are done. So, is there free will? Yes, in so much as we believe there is. And no, when one continues to react to the world instead of responding with awareness and compassion. I doubt whether anyone takes me seriously. And maybe no one should as they have made up their own minds. So, the wise old band once sang their songs, "Let It Be". Speaking words of wisdom, "Let It Be".

Karma isn't an agency for justice. Justice is more of a human construct. It's boundaries are made from moral ideas and judgements. Karma is not so easy a subject to discuss or explain. But, in simple terms, whatever your intent when committing an action, it has an affect on your future. Some say it is like planting an apple seed and an apple tree will grow. So, nothing arises from nothing. Everything is dependent on something else. One action creates the next. So, commit an act of evil intent, then, that will create forces which need to be played out. Will it happen in this lifetime or the next? I do not have that information. But, I believe that it will play out. How? I do not know. Will it be justice? My belief is that when Karma is created that it must resolve itself. What is the resolution? If one killed someone or something then maybe it is to learn how it is to be killed? Personally, I like to think that Karma will present itself in a way to provide the person who created the Karma to learn something that is needed to move forward on the spiritual path. It could be pleasant or painful. I just don't know. But, if one doesn't learn the lesson then doomed to repeat it again and again. Now, of course this isn't what most people believe Karma to be. It is just something I believe. You have yours thinking that there is justice and wishing there be a cosmic agency that dispenses that justice. You could be right?? IDK. Note: Karma does exist in my world.

When I was first taught how to meditate, no one mentioned emptiness. Just how to sit relaxed and watch the breath. Not to get caught up in chasing thoughts. And after some practice, I can sit in what I consider some quiet. I observe my breath. I observe my mind. Thoughts come and go. There are times when I can not tell the different from watching myself from just being myself. I have read a lot about emptiness lately but still do not understand the meaning. I am reminded of the story of Bodhidharma's visit to the Shaolin Temple. He went into a room where the monks were suppose to spend all the time there in meditation and not speaking. Bodhidharma asked what the monks were doing there. The monks replied with something like they wanted to become enlightened or become Buddha like. So, Bodhidharma picked up a roof tile and started rubbing it against the ground. The other monks asked him what he was doing. I think he said something like if you can practice meditation to become enlightened then I can polish this roof tile to become a mirror. It just shows the actions are not congruent. One doesn't lead to the other. So, practice doesn't make one become enlightened. But, without practice then there may be no chance to become enlightened?? IDK. Is one awareness? And does keeping that awareness clear and empty allow one to see the truth of nature? When I first started and much younger, I so wanted to experience this. Then having read that the person who want this isn't the same person to experience this. I no longer believe this to be my wish. I think the experiences along the way is what is important. And the people we meet along the way helps us to understand more. So what does emptiness mean especially during meditation? Please feel free to say anything. I appreciate replies especially if you are not on my ignore list.

Welcome to the forum, I am relatively new here also. Have met good people with much knowledge and compassion here. I hope to learn from you too. Tommy

Yes, you bring up a good point. And, it is good to be reminded of something so simple and integral of practice. And yet, it affects me to the point of being an itch that I can not scratch. The person doing the practice will not be the person who experiences the truth of Buddha nature. So, polishing the roof tile will never become the mirror. Bringing the practice into your life and/or sitting will not bring enlightenment. Because one is trying to change one thing into something else. It will never happen. If it were not already a part of the person then it will not ever be. The truth is already there. Yeah, stink of Zen. I do not know enough Zen or Zen Buddhism to stink of it. But, I am like you, the learner. I listen and see for myself what is truth. Thanks for the reply.

Thanks for the reply. You have given me plenty to chew upon. Guess understanding will come later with experience. Thanks.

Having the feelings that my awareness can go from being whole to going to one side of my brain or the other is a bit disconcerting as I believe myself to be this whole person. Now, I find myself being not this but awareness that can change its location? Or maybe I am just fooling myself. That I am just paying more attention to one side of my head than the other?? My practice never really had the feeling of emptiness as explained by others. Cuz there was always a sense of me being aware of what was happening around me. Concentration left my mind working on the task. And sometimes, I felt that much of the five senses had dropped out. But now, it feels like going from one of the five senses to another one of the five senses. Guess I must be doing something wrong. Fooling myself. I am glad you can make sense of such things. It baffles me.

I have read somewhere on these forums where one's awareness can change its location such as being at the nose to follow breath in and out. Or, awareness is at the belly below the navel. So, I just wanted to mention that I have had the feeling of my awareness shift from one side of the brain to the other side. At sone time, sitting in meditation, I will feel that I am looking thru my right eye and not my left. I do not do anything to encourage or discourage this. And mostly it is just a feeling as I do have my eyes closed. Just like this emptiness one feels during sittings happens for some. I experience this shift sometimes after the moment gone quiet. It can be due to hearing sounds in my left ear and the right ear has gone quiet. I do try to do anything. It just happens. I do assume that it is just another distraction my mind is putting up. Oh well, it is an interesting journey.

I am sorry. I am probably wrong in my assessment of the practice that leads to a wider understanding of the nature of our world. But, the practice is not to eliminate thought . Rather to disassociate the awareness from the thoughts. To stop from identifying with thoughts. That the four noble truths talks about the path to liberation from suffering. Not eliminating suffering. One isn't suppose to eliminate desire. Rather, it is to remove the attachment to desires and to not cling to the desire. This way, love and compassion remain viable. The Buddha, even after his enlightenment, chose to teach the path to liberation from suffering to others. And to not harm living beings due to his compassion. So, if one's practice is leading one away from love and compassion then wisdom is lost. Again sorry for my narrow point of view. Note: One shouldn't lose the appreciation for beauty.

God gave a choice of good and evil as a means to have free will. It gives one a choice. If the only choice was one of good then how is one free to choose? So, God has made the choice of good and evil available to humans. Well, that is what I interpret from my readings of the Bible. I do not know if it is true. But, have to admit there is some sense in it. Although, humans are also a product of their environment. A human raise in the wild (there are cases of Feral Children) would or would not have free will, since everything is not either good or evil but much more a matter of survival?? Humans grow in an environment which help to determine what the essence of that person will be. These things must have some sort of factor in shaping the person's character. And so, what comes next is based on what has come before. Dependent Origination. One may feel there is free will or choices which one makes is dependent upon one's thoughts and feelings. Where the truth lies somewhere in between what a person has experienced in life and the thoughts and feelings raised in the mind. What is going to happen - will happen. It is the momentum of events driven by the forces unknown to us. And although it may feel that the future is dependent upon our choices, I believe the choices have already been made. Living it, it only lets us believe there is a choice.

When a dog is cornered by humans that are trying to capture it to put in a safe place. The dog's instinct is to fight and growl which lowers its chance of survival as the humans may decide just kill the animal if it isn't tame enough to handle. So, even if it is instinct, it doesn't mean the instinctual actions will elevate its chances of survival. A choice whether low IQ or not is still a choice. Choosing instinctual action is still a choice. The good or the evil or the action is decided by others. Since allowing evil is a sign of free will, then do you have free will if you only choose the good? Does this mean you are evil or can choose evil? Why couldn't free will be just a choice, when approaching a fork in the road, of going to the right or left path?? Free will without good or evil??