doc benway

A quote from my Daoist teacher when asked about reading recommendations. Not particularly eloquent but something that has been deeply important for me. 'Don't waste time reading... PRACTICE!'

Some ideas about compassion mostly related to personal practice and cultivation. I bolded your last comment as I think it is often a good idea to start there. In Tibetan Buddhism, we're taught to liberate ourselves before we are able to help others. Until we have a direct realization of emptiness, we are deluded. Any actions arising from delusion tend to perpetuate fundamental ignorance. As you suggest, despite our best intentions, we can make things worse. Satirical wisdom from one of my favorite authors, a dead old junky... Our efforts to "help" are often rooted in selfishness. Anthony Demello talks about this. He describes two types of charity, both of which are fundamentally selfish, but I'll adapt that to compassion: 1. Giving ourselves the pleasure of pleasing (helping) others 2. Pleasing (helping) others to avoid feeling bad about ourselves. Both are selfish motivations that come from pain and ignorance rather than true compassion. It doesn't mean that we shouldn't care for and help others, rather it's intended to shine light on our fundamental selfishness. It's a reminder not to think too highly of ourselves simply because we practice compassion. The most direct path to true compassion, IMO, is to let the self (the thinker, the inner narrator, the doer) rest and to simply remain open and present to the situation. Listen rather than speak, let the inner voice rest rather than dictate, remain open to all possibilities rather than focusing on conclusions and solutions, offer my attention and presence rather than what I think are the right answers. So often, our attempts to help are a reflection of our own conditioning and bias rather than what the other person really needs. The one who assumes the mantle of self is precisely what prevents the direct realization of true compassion. When that one finally gets out of the way, the result is that any action needed in the moment will naturally manifest and such spontaneous activity will be precisely what is needed. in Tibetan Buddhism this is referred to as enlightened activity. In Daoism it is referred to as Wu Wei - non-doing or, as I like to think of it, non-interference.

John McLaughlin and friends exceeded expectations! (and they played my favorite Mahavishnu song - Trilogy) He's still got it at 75 - my wife, who doesn't really know their music, was floored. Jimmy Herring is a master - sounds alot like the young John. Etienne Mbappe was brilliant and Ranjit Barot, the 4th Dimension's drummer/singer really stood out. The old Mahavishnu stuff was the highlight of the concert - massive sound with 2 drummers, 2 bassists, 2 keys, 2 guitars, and a violin. For anyone interested, here are the setlilsts: Jimmy Herring and the Invisible Whip John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension plus everyone together doing Mahavishnu If anyone has the opportunity to catch him on this tour (his last), you won't be disappointed. It was hard to get decent photos because of the backlighting and my phone camera but this one's alright...

Going to see John McLaughlin tonight on his last US tour... Mahavishnu Orchestra was the first concert I ever saw, circa 1974. Can't believe I'll be seeing him 43 years later! This clip's probably from ~1972 based on the lineup

Learning to be open Cultivating empathy Practicing generosity

That's precisely the point of sky gazing.

Not barren... pregnant with potential. We look at the same sky and see it not as it is but as we are.

The basic point of sky gazing is to recognize the nature of one's own mind. The effectiveness is based on the similarity of the nature of mind and the clear sky, illuminated by the sun, unobscured by clouds, manifesting natural warmth and radiance.

Ouch Thanks for giving me the opportunity to practice. _/\_

Looking forward to the end of your probation, brother. _/\_

Steve also feels sad for whatever is making you hurt so much that you like to attack people anonymously. Peace

I generally practice this sort of exercise resting in a five point posture, hands in the the mudra of equipoise... after some preparatory practice such as the 9 breathings of purification and tsa lung, and following guru yoga. I then seal the practice through dedication. It can also be done more informally such as here and now as I read and respond to this forum's participants.

In honor of His Holiness Lungtok Tenpai Nyima, 33rd Menri Trizin during the full moon on the 49th day following his passing. How marvelous! Wholeness of Space and Clarity dance a magical display into which I release and dissolve... ཕཏ།

Then it is good to practice the following meditation: From where does ignorance and ugliness arise? Where does it abide? To where does it liberate? ཕཏ།

I'm not so sure of that, to be honest. Understanding can be supportive but can equally, perhaps more frequently, be a distraction. It reinforces the primacy of the one whose transcendence will bring us closer to what you seek.

My opinion and experience is that immortality does not mean 'more life for me in this body' in the Buddhist or Daoist context. If it did, we could all go study and practice with Daoist immortals on this Earth and in this waking life. There would be endless news stories of the 3,000 year old masters with video clips and reality shows... Immortality means to experience a personal and direct connection to that which transcends life and death and to abide in that essence and awareness, allowing it to inform your every thought, word, and action. Skillful meditation can help you get in touch with that, if you haven't yet felt it, far easier than philosophy or thought.

Yes Edited to add - perhaps that is the most important aspect?

The Tibetans use wind (lung) to refer to something very similar to qi but there are some characteristics that are emphasized differently here and there. To be precise, lung is a Tibetan concept related to its shamanic roots and tantric practices. It's not so much a product of Buddhism. Buddhism (other than Bön) originates from India and so it would be more accurate to speak in terms of Buddhism and prana. Very similar but not identical conceptually. Daoists work with the qi in qigong, neigong, taijiquan, xingyiquan, baguazhang, yiquan... Arguably, there is nothing that is not in some way linked to or described by various lung/qi/prana.

The short answer is - yes The long answer starts with throwing away the word - enlightenment. It is so ambiguous as to have little meaning in this discussion. The word can be very specific and meaningful but first everyone in this discussion would have to agree to a definition. That's not going to happen. So let's reframe the question as, is it really desirable to "realize basic Taoist truths," using your definition. I think that's a more manageable question. The next question is, is the following statement a realization of basic Taoist truths? "most dualities and desires are simply meaningless human inventions" To me, there is some Buddhist language in there. Basic truths in Daoism are more related to the nature of taiji (the complimentary nature of yin and yang), wu wei (non-interference), and de (character, virtue, or integrity). It sounds from your post that you are struggling a bit with nihilism. I don't know anything about your background or studies but nihilism tends to be a result of trying but failing to grasp the meaning of the Buddhist concept of emptiness. No question there is a relationship between this and the Daoist concept of wu wei. Both concepts are pointing not to total absence, which is what gives rise to nihilism, but to the absence of something very specific - the commentator that lives in our thoughts and claims the title of "me." That is precisely what is preventing the effortless flow of Dao denoted by wu wei. It is also what Buddhist emptiness is telling us is an illusion that is responsible for all of our problems, fundamental ignorance. The solution to nihilism is either 1) give up the philosophical exploration and live a normal life as you point to 2) work more closely with a credible and experienced guide to help you along the path,whichever path that works for you 3) focus more on skillful meditation practice and less on philosophy The thing about emptiness is that it is not empty. Just like wu wei does not mean to do nothing. It is empty of inherent "selfness" but in that absence of self there is direct connection with all that arises. Similarly, wu wei is to get out of the way so that the Dao can fully flow and manifest. So emptiness is equivalent to fullness or wholeness. Wu wei can be described as doing nothing but leaving nothing undone. Enlightenment, in my definition, involves direct connection with that wholeness, with that unrestricted flow. When that connection is there, everything else that is needed is also there including meaning, creativity, opportunity, and so forth. It doesn't matter if we are talking about Daoism or Buddhism. So enlightenment, for me, is absolutely worth the candle. It can dramatically enrich our lives and that of those around us. And it happens by doing nothing but leaving nothing undone. In other words, getting out of the way and allowing the universe to flow through you. So if there is a feeling of meaninglessness, uncertainty, and nihilism; that is not enlightenment. Nor is it the full realization of basic Taoist truths. It is a partial truth that either needs to be abandoned, as you suggest, or much more deeply realized. Spiritual practice can certainly have ups and downs, some of our realizations can be shocking and painful. Overall, however, if it does not lead you to being better adjusted, more content, and more loving and supportive of others than, in my opinion, it's worthless and better left alone. I hope that helps in some small way.

My perspective - In the waking dream, perception is related to stimulation of the sense organs which in turn results in activation of the associated regions of the brain which is where the experience "exists." In the sleeping dream, the sense organs are bypassed but the associated brain regions are similarly active. In terms of what is real, it is all a matter of perspective. During the non-lucid, sleeping dream the experience is considered to be real. When we awaken from sleep, the dream experience is reframed as an illusion. During the waking dream, the experience is similarly considered to be real. When we awaken from life (whether into a higher level of consciousness during this life or into the bardo and beyond), the waking dream experience is similarly reframed as illusion. All of these things, and more, are in the purview of dream and sleep practices. One of the methods is to constantly remind oneself throughout the day that "this is a dream" at a very deep level. Over time the distinction between sleeping and waking dreams becomes less rigid. Marvelous practices with enormous benefits!

Quoted for emphasis. It's so much more valuable to observe ourselves than others. "Being aware of a single shortcoming within yourself is far more useful than being aware of a thousand in someone else." His Holiness the Dalai Lama

No doubt about that. I sincerely hope you will think a bit about the feelings of others. You are deserving of that blessing, as are they. Warm regards