doc benway
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Everything posted by doc benway
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Book study leading to mastery
doc benway replied to Harmonious Emptiness's topic in General Discussion
"One may think that one lives; actually, one is only 'being lived'." "Only"(?!) being lived? I question the master's choice of word here. I think I understand his point ---> we are too wrapped up in "our" lives, ignorantly believing ourselves to be independent agents of volitional activity. The "only" may be an attempt to help us let go of our self-importance and allowing life. On the other hand, once the apperception of truth is directly experienced, there is no "only" about it. There is nothing more liberating, fresh, and wonderful than that gnowledge. The realization of our nature goes beyond "being lived" because that which is being lived and that which is doing the living are one and the same. -
They certainly don't always help and can be misused. On the other hand, sometimes they can help prevent murder and suicide… and the trauma that can come from living with someone who is out of control and a danger to themselves or others. My heart goes out to you, Captain - I pray for you to experience peace and healing.
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Excellent question- If my heart is beating me, who is the me that is other than the heart? Can that me exist absent a heart? I don't mean to ask for an answer to the "who am I?" question, rather call attention to the duality inherent in both of our replies. Nice post and I thought I'd offer the following random ramblings it evoked in me as I sit as work on my lunch break: The "limited perceptions" we all exist with are all we ever have. We tend to make the assumption that there is "something" common, whatever you call it or however you attempt to describe it. And I'm not saying that there is not. On the other hand, on what does our certainty rest that there is? I will only ever know what is known through the unique and constantly changing set of aggregates that define "me." Each and every one of us will have that experience, or maybe just me, I can only guess. And when it ends, we can then grasp onto any of the various gratuitous assertions that governs what comes after. But the after is a conceptualization, a projection. And the "thing" is, itself, a conceptualization and is not as solid as one might like. Empty, one might say, or ineffable, un-nameable, etc... I think this is why the DDJ starts with the caution - from here on out, everything that is written is not "it" because you can't ever capture "it" in words and concepts. No credible tradition defines the undefinable, only beginners, institutions, and fundamentalists do that because they don't (want to) know better. So maybe there is a big "it" and maybe not. Maybe there is something that is aware at a different level than us little ants, and maybe not. Maybe Dao encompasses everything, and then again, maybe it is absolutely nothing, or both, or neither... One thing I do think is important is that, whether or not there is a big it, or right and wrong, and whether or not everything is part of Dao and manifests as the Great Perfection, we have choices to make in our lives and our lives, and the lives of others, are much more pleasant if we are kind to each other and to ourselves.
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If I beat my heart, I also shine the sun… - paraphrased from Allan Watts
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"The empty aspect (stong cha) of the Natural State is called the Mother (ma), while its clarity aspect (gsal cha) is called the Son (bu) or the Wisdom of Awareness (rig pa'i ye shes). These two are inseparable. There is no separation involved here and their unity shining in all its vividness is called the nature of mind (sems kyi gnas lugs). All this must be very clear as it is the very base of Dzogchen and if this does not arise as something very clear for the individual, then the rest of the teachings will be of no use at all. In order to clearly experience this state devoid of all thoughts, it is necessary to practice and recognize the space between thoughts. Then you have to practice for weeks, months, and years to be familiar with the empty clarity of mind." Lopön Tenzin Namdak RInpoche - commentary from The Three Precepts: From the Oral Transmission of the Great Perfection in Zhangzhung transl. Jean-Luc Achard
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I really like the fact that the thread now contains multiple quotes from masters both using the OP as a pith and a caution. This helps me quite a bit more than just accepting or non-accepting the premise.
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Book study leading to mastery
doc benway replied to Harmonious Emptiness's topic in General Discussion
I have a different interpretation. The practice does not exist in a vacuum. The context is important, as is the motivation to persevere in the practice. The context develops as a result of one's environment, life experience, relationships, teachings, study, etc... The motivation develops as a result of true renunciation and devotion. How many folks sit around contemplating "I am" for a while and fail to achieve Nisargadatta's insight? There is much more to it than any particular method, IMO. -
Book study leading to mastery
doc benway replied to Harmonious Emptiness's topic in General Discussion
Nisargadatta shares with us the importance of devotion and trust in the guru. This is the fuel. The view is the foundation. And the practice is mindfulness and connectedness.- 83 replies
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I lives forever and birth and death go round and round...
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Journey to Certainty - Anyen Rinpoche
doc benway replied to Tibetan_Ice's topic in Buddhist Discussion
As stated, while it is a brilliant work (both the Beacon and Anyen's interpretation) it is no substitute for direct introduction and instruction from a living master. It presumes one has had direct introduction and is intended to stabilize and induce confidence in view and practice. -
Journey to Certainty - Anyen Rinpoche
doc benway replied to Tibetan_Ice's topic in Buddhist Discussion
For me, it's a great book. I'm currently reading it for the second time. To be clear, it is not and does not include a translation of Mipham's masterpiece. It is Anyen Rinpoche guiding the reader through Mipham's Beacon in his own words, section by section, which is indispensable. Anyen makes the challenging material much more accessible and helps everyone but the most experienced reader to understand many obscure and subtle references in the original that would otherwise be elusive. This is a work that will reward thoughtful and repeated study, IMO. It's one of the few books that have actually had a direct and immediate effect on the quality of my practice. As always, YMMV. -
I like the Ameridote salute... Ooss!!!
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Book study leading to mastery
doc benway replied to Harmonious Emptiness's topic in General Discussion
My experience and study say YES - if the goal is spiritual development on the Buddhist path, one needs to incorporate both study and practice. The study is critical for developing the proper view and context. It is what informs and guides the practice. The practice is essential to gain certainty through direct contact and confidence through results. It breathes life into theory. View without experience is unstable and subject to degradation. Direct experience without context leads to confusion and difficulty with integration. Same thing applies to Daoist cultivation. I've had a change of perspective on this due to direct personal experience. Martial arts are an entirely different matter - theory is of limited value - practice is king.- 83 replies
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What would your "perfect" retreat look like?
doc benway replied to Spotless's topic in General Discussion
With some Buddhist cooks, that's not a bad thing… -
What would your "perfect" retreat look like?
doc benway replied to Spotless's topic in General Discussion
I. Silence except for asking questions during teachings and mandatory functional speech - for meditation retreats at least, not as big a deal for martial arts and qigong retreats II. Cellphones and laptops must remain in room or car and used for emergencies only III. Daily schedule: Teaching is with master, practice led by senior instructor 7-8 - practice 8-9 - breakfast 9-10:30 - teaching 10:30-11 - break 11-12 - practice 12-1 - work hour (voluntary) 1-3 - lunch 3-4:30 - teaching 4:30-5 - break 5-6 - practice 6-7 - dinner Specifics, of course, would depend on the focus and content of the retreat. Not sure if you're asking about specific content vs logistics and layout. -
Really?
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How can you tell if you are getting the real deal / indoor teachings?
doc benway replied to BaguaKicksAss's topic in Daoist Discussion
If my intention is to cause you to change your life to suit my preferences, I would not consider that a good intention. That's rather selfish and presumptuous, IMO. -
I've done a very small amount of journeying. I have a close friend who is a shaman and has helped me with it a bit. One valuable aspect of this sort of work is that it helps to develop intuitive powers. It helps to develop trust in one's intuition as well as openness and sensitivity and can lead to looking at the world in a very different way. Since the experience is so unique with each individual, I don't want to say much more than that as I find it can easily be too leading.
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Lots of examples out there of people who clearly have some deep insight and yet express human weaknesses. I think it's very important for us to not forget that our teachers are human and subject to mistakes. I suspect this is why we are always taught to do guru yoga with a figure that represents all of our teachers and never specifically with our teacher him or herself. The vulnerability of the teacher does not necessarily weaken or negate their message. We can learn from anyone and any situation if we are engaged and open. Trungpa is a good example of that, along with Watts, Osho, Gurdjieff, Krishnamurti, Milarepa, etc... On the other hand, the teacher's behavior does have a strong impact on who I would choose to actively study with. In my own experience, I had a superb teacher for a long time and saw them act in ways that ultimately led me to look elsewhere for deeper instruction. If we don't see our teacher living their teachings, it is very hard to generate and maintain genuine devotion and trust [edited to add] in the teacher OR the teachings. Without that devotion and trust in our teacher and the teachings, progress is difficult.
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How can you tell if you are getting the real deal / indoor teachings?
doc benway replied to BaguaKicksAss's topic in Daoist Discussion
Manipulation is just that, regardless of the tools we use... What is important is the intention behind the action. -
I read a quote that I liked which may have been Osho and may have been Allan Watts. I'll paraphrase it - Belief is the hope that an idea or concept we hold dear is the truth. Faith is the strength that allows us to let go of all ideas and concepts and accept that whatever remains is the truth.
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Thanks for the link - I will definitely check it out. A few acquaintances tried fairly hard to get me involved with Sadhguru. I read a portion of a book and watched a bit of a video then passed both on. I don't get a great feeling from him either but he does speak some truth here and there. I
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Psychic vampires and concealing gender.
doc benway replied to Tibetan_Ice's topic in General Discussion
Doesn't bother me in the least. I take responsibility for my energies and am not unknowing unless I choose to be. No. The "victim" is a voluntary participant in the relationship and chooses to enter into that relationship fully aware of the lack of available, verifiable information. No. You are describing a situation in which someone is, in their own mind, developing a sexual or gender based fixation on another person without that other person's consent or participation. The "meaningful bond" is in the mind of the "victim" and is a projection of their own beliefs, desires, and expectations. The disgust and humiliation are a reflection of the inappropriate addition of sexual overtones to what, presumably, is otherwise an intellectual or spiritual discussion. No. In my opinion, I am the one responsible for my behavior and choices during my online participation. The forum exists as an open venue for discussion. Projecting our ideas regarding emotion and intimacy onto this is our problem. In my read of the situation, the one with the hidden agenda is the "victim" that is projecting their fantasies onto the person who chooses to keep their gender a private matter. Is Tibetan_Ice your given name? Why are you misleading everyone to believe that you are Tibetan? How is offering up a misleading name different from offering up a misleading gender? We participate in this forum knowing that most people want to maintain some degree of privacy and anonymity then complain when we misinterpret their cues and project our own emotional and psychological baggage all over the place? I think that is something the "victim" needs to work on in their own mind and life. It's a great opportunity for practice and growth in my opinion. -
When one has a direct experience of what you are describing, a profound and overwhelming feeling of unconditional love for all living (and non-living) things is there, a natural and unavoidable consequence of seeing the non-other nature and the great perfection. The love of one's Self, absent all judgement and expectation. I know that you know this… I"believe" that this is why bodhicitta is often referred to as the nature of mind by Buddhist masters such as Longchenpa. I find it interesting that bodhicitta is equated with concepts like unconditional love and compassion when discussing our training and spiritual growth on the Mahayana path but when the same term is used to describe the very ground of our being in other contexts, such as Dzogchen texts, it is often stripped of that aspect and translated as luminous mind or in similar, more sterile terms by Western translators (see Keith Dowman's translations for example). I am relatively inexperienced and un-learned, but I find it difficult to accept that masters such as Longchenpa intended a different interpretation or connotation when using boddhicitta to describe the very nature of our being as compared to generating unconditional love and compassion in our spiritual growth. In fact, I "believe" that one of the reasons that the generation of bodhicitta is so strongly emphasized in the Mahayana path is that practiced familiarity may make one more likely to manifest (dissolve into) the direct, spontaneous experience. Perhaps an explanation is that the direct experience is lacking among some of our learned scholars and translators, therefore the context for accurate interpretation is absent (and seems too far fetched to accept on faith). Or maybe I'm just misguided and dead wrong - quite possible and certainly not unprecedented! I like Sadhguru's very direct and clear discussion of the third eye: Sobering and accessible as compared to some of the pie in the sky bullshit I often see and hear for sale regarding the third eye… edit - added 'regarding' in the last line
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I think of belief as a fervent hope that an assumption is correct. One can (and does) lead their entire life based on incorrect assumptions… Knowledge, on the other hand, is based on fact or experience. More likely, though not always, a solid foundation. I try to avoid substituting belief for the absence of knowledge. Better to know that one does not know.