doc benway
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Everything posted by doc benway
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Why should I have a teacher? Or follow anyone's advice here at all?
doc benway replied to Ryan94's topic in Daoist Discussion
My response is that you shouldn't as you seem to already have it figured out. We tend to see what we are looking for… I see a few genuine and lovely participants, many hurting and confused folks lost in the morass created by thought, and a few angry and bitter people who seem to be trying to ease their own pain and confusion by passing it on to others. Daoism, not to mention other spiritual paths in general, are more about opening to reality through careful observation and accommodation rather than narrowing our experience through the story created by our ideas and biases. Carrying judgement in your heart based on your assumptions and expectations of others is probably not the most expedient or skillful way of embracing wu wei and the three treasures. It may be helpful to understand your expectations of what the goals of Daoists are before concluding that they have never been reached. I agree that the teacher cannot tell you what Dao is but can help you to better understand what it is not and, if you are fortunate enough to find the right teacher, help you refine your search or your methods. Good luck…. it sounds like you need some. -
Buddhist monks expanding their practice a little ;)
doc benway replied to BaguaKicksAss's topic in General Discussion
Maybe next time they'll create the mandala first, then dance it to oblivion and prove the NY guys wrong! -
Words rarely capture the truth of being, Poetry may be recognized by it's subtle savor. _/\_
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A good teacher can point to the nature with very clear and familiar language. Semantics mostly figures into it when we try to 'understand' the nature with thought and words... The nature is only seems unfamiliar until it is experienced, then you realize that it's always been with you and it feels like coming home after being away for a very long time.
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That could have come right out of a Krishnamurti talk…
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Have you ever seen a live head without a neck? And what is that exactly, and where does it reside? Very good advice and it is equally important to cultivate skillfully, otherwise we are cultivating bad habits. Most of us need some degree of learning and guidance.
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When resting in the Nature, who is there to be mindful or lost in appearance? I agree with this view (by definition perhaps). Thanks for that clarification. I think I understand the point you are trying to make regarding subtle grasping but then how are you defining wisdom? Even the most subtle grasping at wisdom is not wisdom... The way I look at it, if even the most subtle grasping remains, ignorance remains and true wisdom has not yet dawned. Ironic, isn't it, that Dzogchen terminology can be so confusing and Dzogchen can be the source of so much debate when the fundamental principle is to simply let everything be as it is? It is already naturally perfected and nothing can be added or subtracted. I have no experience with Zen practice although your practice sounds and feels familiar. I'm quite sure that there are experts and scholars who could point out the (perceived) differences but I'm not too concerned with that. I think I learn as much or more looking for similarities than I do emphasizing differences. I also acknowledge the value of scholarship and healthy debate, although I'm more a practitioner than a scholar. I was always that way in my martial arts training and it has carried over into my meditative life and practice.
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Sorry if I wasn't clear but I wasn't referring to resting in a state with little or no thought. Rather, I was referring to a state in which the thought arises, dwells, and liberates without distraction, without taking us out of the nature, without causing any attachment or aversion, simply as an ornament. Quite a different proposition, IME. Perhaps that is also what you are describing and we are speaking of the same thing, perhaps not.
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Here is something that will be available soon that may interest you: http://www.namsebangdzo.com/Precepts_of_the_Dharmakaya_p/9789937623070.htm As far as I know it will not be a restricted text. The 21 Nails offer multiple perspectives of the natural state and are intended to help the practitioner gain confidence in and stabilize their experience, hence the reference to 21 nails or seals. Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche is offering a 3 week retreat on this teaching this summer in Virginia.
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No doubt that an in depth study of those original works would be very valuable. I just don't have the time for both practice and that level of scholarship, so I focus on practice and read more accessible and concise material. I freely admit that my knowledge base is limited but my practice is deepening and stabilizing and that's a good thing for me. The Bönpo Dzogchen Teachings book gives a fairly thorough comparison of the Bönpo Dzogchen view as Lopon Tenzin Namdak sees it to Madhyamaka, Chittamatra, Tantra, and Mahamudra. It is very easy reading, practical, and straight forward. Not a rigorous exposition like Mipham's. It is a compilation of several teachings given to Western students so there is some redundancy.
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I know that I am guilty of standing my ground and being argumentative at times so I am including myself first and foremost in my criticism below. I'm not pointing fingers at anyone in particular but rather everyone, including myself, and I would like to make the following general comments: It would be really encouraging and perhaps even beneficial if we were to find a way to discuss these matters in a collaborative and constructive manner. Maybe we can actually learn something from each other rather than simply dig our heels in and try attempt to sway others to see the world the way we see it or denigrate them or their perspectives. I'm probably just being unrealistic and naive but I see several very intelligent and knowledgable people getting together here but rather than growing as a team, we often tend to be divisive, dismissive, and defensive. I think it's natural to feel that way when our ideas are challenged and it is a precious opportunity to practice! So I'm going to appeal to all of us "Buddhists" to try and keep an open mind, pretend that we have not yet figured it all out or reached total enlightenment, and can actually learn something from each other. Otherwise, why are we even hear? Just to read our own posts? I love all of you (well, at least in my boddhicitta practice, but I'm working on it!) guys and gals. PS - please feel free to rub my face in it when you see me disregarding my own advice and if I come off as arrogant or presumptuous, that is not at all my intention
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It may sound "absolutely ordinary," and, in one sense it is, but that is quite deceiving. First one must become aware of the quality of being in which one is not dragged around and buffeted by thought. Then one must become familiar with and stable in that state. Not a trivial matter, IME. The following of thought and the sensory consciousnesses and the generation of judgements are near instantaneous and vary from gross to incredibly subtle. I don't find this to be something easily achieved for substantial periods of time. Nor do I think most practitioners are terribly stable in this state of non-attaching cognizance. I think RInpoche is pointing to recognition because that recognition has to occur before familiarity and stability are achieved.
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What paradigm do they teach as the basis for acupuncture if not energetic?
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I can only speak to my own practice and my understanding of others' practices but, no, it is not "just about removing the stream of thoughts." I do think that in the beginning its necessary to recognize that there is a way of being that does not involve being constantly buffeted and dragged through life by the stream of thoughts. Then there is an opportunity to see what lies beneath and behind that. In addition, it is equally necessary at some point to let go of "watching the senses" as well. In my view and practice, it is primarily about recognizing one's basic nature, finding refuge there, and stabilizing in that. Then integrating this new way of being into every aspect of life. Then the stream of thoughts naturally lessens but is never removed. The difference is that the thoughts are no longer in control, no longer a distraction or a disturbance. One may indulge them, recognizing their emptiness, and in the same way one may watch the senses without attachment or aversion for the watcher and the watched collapse into the basic nature.
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I have no fucking idea
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Good explanation although can we not subject sems to the same analysis regarding its arising, dwelling, and ceasing, thereby rendering it indistinguishable from inner and outer space? Then we are simply dealing with an issue of nomenclature as pointed out by Tulku Urgyen.
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Interesting response in light of the ideas of rebirth in the animal realms...
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Yes it's nice to have her back... Nice video too. The last time I practiced the chicken feet form I only got about 1/4 of the way through before eating my weapons...
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WOW! Impressive set up and accuracy especially since he was jumping to close the distance.
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The qualities of a true leader "princess"
doc benway replied to mewtwo's topic in General Discussion
I'd volunteer to light incense and pour tea. -
Another way to look at it - Does Buddha include dog-nature?
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Can you comment further? These two excerpts from your post seem at odds with each other.
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That may be because the Bönpo view seems to be fairly internally consistent, thus obviating the need for opposing classifications within their lineage. They certainly do recognize the existence of these categories of teachings in the Buddhist community and have encouraged debate regarding the various systems. If you're interested in the Bönpo view, the most thorough exposition I've seen is Bönpo Dzogchen Teachings: According to Lopon Tenzin Namdak by John Myrdhin Reynolds (editor). The Beacon of Certainty was quite good though not easy to read for me. I've yet to read the others you recommend.
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Not me, the forced abortions and sterilization are too big a price to pay for forced qigong...
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The qualities of a true leader "princess"
doc benway replied to mewtwo's topic in General Discussion
Nah, Marblehead will be renamed Chauncy and will be Head Gardener.
