doc benway

Ever read Born to Run by Chris McDougall?

Can't wait to see where my new Luna's will take me!

Not right, not left.... inward.

It's a matter of ego identification. There's a thought that wants to claim the role of doer... That thought is just like any other. It's not about how, pay attention to who. That's the direction I recommend.

One worthy objective is to find that me and my you refer to... When we look, we can't find it. With patience we can find a deeper, far more supportive me. Everything changes and there is infinite potential for achievement! Nihilism is not the view, it is the product of a threatened ego. The view is being open to change and achievement, allowing it. It's not a realization, it's just another thought... Realization is an entirely different sort of process. In general, we go to them. They don't knock on our doors... not the legitimate ones. Your misconceptions are what they suggest you wake up from because they are the very problems for which you sought their guidance in the first place. Think about it less; open and connect to the moment more. Talk less (internally also); listen and hear more. That helps to cut through the confusion. The cloud is not who you are... not even the wind. The you that makes no mistakes is the space and awareness within which they arise, abide, and depart.

I was just reflecting on how many priceless opportunities exist for learning and practicing. For example, today I was able to participate in live teachings from two different Bön geshes, one in Nepal and one in Germany. Both are open to anyone interested and easily accessible from the comfort of your home if you have a computer and internet connection. In the not too distant past this would have been considered magic.... and it most certainly is! These teachings were highly restricted and even if they could be received, finding the teacher, traveling to meet them, taking time away from responsibilities, finding a way to afford the travel... unimaginable! It occurs to me that perhaps this accessibility is a blessing from the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to balance all of the negative forces that seem to be at play in the world today. So I simply wanted to share how fortunate I feel to have these opportunities! I send you all my love and respect. _/\__/\__/\_

Constant renewal as long as resources last Space embraces all

No need to let go if it's not easy. Simply notice, in the moment, be aware of what is happening. Once you are aware of this process it is already beginning to change. The deeper your awareness, the sooner it will release spontaneously. it's not a matter of working hard to let go, if that's the case you will simply be repressing or suppressing and it will resurface. Over time you get more and more sensitive, picking up progressively more subtle tendencies to judge and comment. Awareness is the key.

My opinion is no. As long as we live, we will judge. We are hard wired to do this - is it good or bad? is it a threat or a support? At some level this is necessary for life. The problem is that we take it far beyond what is necessary and over-identify with the aspect of the mind which renders judgement. This over-identification leads to dysfunction and can be lessened with practice. That is the judging mind in action. The answer to these questions are as you say below... If you are interested in carrying this process forward, be the mirror and watch yourself constantly. No better use of one's time, IMO.

Ah moderation Can't we all just get along? Spontaneously

It's been a long time since I read it. As I recall, he published 3 books - one about parenting, one about aging, one about relationships. I read and enjoyed all three but the one on parenting was my favorite. I do recall the advice and philosophy of parenting as seeming to come from an open, practical, and sensible place. I fear that technology is taking is farther and farther from contact with mother Earth, with each other, with other living creatures. It's a brave, new world but I do think the wisdom traditions can provide us with support.

i read it and liked it very much

Habit... karma We have been distracted for countless lives. Like a rolled up piece of paper that you try to flatten after many years, let go and it rolls right back up. We die because all compounded phenomena are impermanent. Losing consciousness (I assume you mean awareness?) in the bardo the same way we lose it in dreams, projections, etc... This is one reason it is good to practice dream and sleep yoga.

I've found that taking it literally is of immense value as well. We busy ourselves with so many unnecessary tasks, thoughts, words.... Those very things obscure.

Sounds a bit like the non-dualists being discussed elsewhere

At the New Year my teacher's instructions were to do a little less in the coming year... talk a little less, plan a little less, do a little less, [post a little less! ], 5%, 10%, whatever you can do. Then do a little less... He's not a Daoist but good advice is good advice.

Great story! Thank you for sharing that.

"No matter what circumstances or what worlds we find ourselves in, we are without any expectations or changes. We are just what we are, the Natural State which is like a mirror. It is clear and empty, and yet it reflects everything, all possible existences and all possible lifetimes. But it never changes and it does not depend on anything else. It is just itself, and nothing special. Even if the mind finds itself dull or drowsy or agitated, the Natural State is in no way disturbed or modified by this. So there is nothing to be removed and nothing to be purified in any particular way. For example, this is like the sun shining in the sky. It occurs naturally; no special work or effort is required. It is like a lamp illuminating a dark room it does this effortlessly. It is just the nature of the sun or the lamp to illuminate. There is nothing special to be done to remove the darkness. This is the pure view of Dzogchen." ~ Lopon Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche ~

I'll agree that modifying physiologic urges is not an easy task. For sure we are over-stimulated in the age of technology and this leads to unnatural exaggeration of natural impulses. One thing that can be helpful is to channel sexual energy into a healthy sexual relationship. While there is nothing wrong with masturbation, the prevalence of pornography can take it to unhealthy levels of obsession and compulsion. One thing that may be helpful is to realize the enormously negative impact the pornography industry has on our youth. It is a major contributor to the epidemic of human trafficking. Most of the victims are teenagers. Even the "willing" participants are generally involved because of desperation and addiction. Good luck

In taste and texture, In sense of smell, I abide Culinary bliss!

I find the above to be an insightful and accurate statement that is equally applicable to the Mahayana path that I'm familiar with. "The Mahayana schools, despite their great differences, concur in upholding a thesis that, from the Theravada point of view, borders on the outrageous. This is the claim that there is no ultimate difference between samsara and Nirvana, defilement and purity, ignorance and enlightenment. For the Mahayana, the enlightenment which the Buddhist path is designed to awaken consists precisely in the realization of this non-dualistic perspective. The validity of conventional dualities is denied because the ultimate nature of all phenomena is emptiness, the lack of any substantial or intrinsic reality, and hence in their emptiness all the diverse, apparently opposed phenomena posited by mainstream Buddhist doctrine finally coincide: "All dharmas have one nature, which is no-nature." I find some faults with his criticism of the Mahayana perspective. He is conflating the doctrine of emptiness with a doctrine of nihilism. The inability or refusal to reconcile a common basis for nirvana and samsara is a consequence of this misunderstanding, and would lead to a similar disagreement with Daoism. Yes, emptiness implies a lack of intrinsic "selfness" which is different than saying it implies a lack of intrinsic reality. The idea that "all dharmas have one nature, which is no-nature" refers to that lack of intrinsic "selfness" not to a lack of intrinsic reality or existence. In my view at least, the Daoist approach to ultimate reality (Taiji born of Wuji) is much closer to the Mahayana view. The sage would be equally at home in samsara or nirvana, recognizing each as defining each other in a never ending play of Yin and Yang. Furthermore, the validity of conventional dualities is not denied in Mahayana, hence the doctrine of the Two Truths. It's ironic that what I agree with in the snippet from your quote, "the Buddha's intent in the Canon as primarily pragmatic rather than speculative" is precisely the antidote to what I find at fault in his argument agains the Mahayana approach. At the end of the day, there has been this sort of debate in Buddhism since its inception. I'm not, and have no interest in being, a Buddhist scholar. Bikkhu could no doubt argue (and meditate) me under the table. I prefer to follow his implied advice of following the pragmatic path. I suspect I could find myself equally at home and make my way in either tradition, Mahayana or Theravada. I know the Daoist path is also a very supportive and effective one, although finding expert support and a connection to a lineage is much more rare. I have enormous respect for all of the above and karma has brought me to where I am today. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunities I do. Rather than debate the various views, far better for me to dig in deeply to the path unfolding in front of my feet and see where it leads.

For anyone interested, here is a detailed talk on the Bönpo view of soul. I find it fascinating. Dmitry Ermakov, the author, is a Bön scholar, translator, and practitioner:

Not sure I buy into that statement...

This is one of many reasons why following a trusted teacher and a time-tested wisdom lineage are so valuable.

My friend and long time training partner, who is also on the path, moved about 1700 miles away... We chat on the phone sometimes but it's not the same. I miss him. There aren't very many people around who can relate to these things. I guess that's why we're here!