forestofclarity
-
Content count
1,692 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
17
Everything posted by forestofclarity
-
Dzogchen and Brahman....Same or Different?
forestofclarity replied to stefos's topic in Buddhist Discussion
I don't know about Dzogchen, but from little I know about Brahman is that Brahman is said to be beyond name and form (nirguna, or beyond the gunas). So when you make comparisons and contrasts, you are already talking about name and form, and not about Nirguna Brahman. To put it another way, to make mind questions about the ultimate is not unlike forming body questions about the mind, asking about the color and shape of the mind. -
Proving Breathless State to Medical Community
forestofclarity replied to SecretGrotto's topic in General Discussion
According to many of the ancient worthies, East and West, the acid test of a master is freedom. -
Help us help Buddhist Discussion
forestofclarity replied to Flolfolil's topic in Buddhist Discussion
If we attempted to follow the words of the Buddha, that would be a start: "Monks, a statement endowed with five factors is well-spoken, not ill-spoken. It is blameless & unfaulted by knowledgeable people. Which five? "It is spoken at the right time. It is spoken in truth. It is spoken affectionately. It is spoken beneficially. It is spoken with a mind of good-will." — AN 5.198 The challenge to the Buddhist would be to ask oneself, before posting: 1. Is it true? 2. Am I speaking affectionately? 3. Is this for the benefit of others? 4. Do I have a mind of good will? -
Today, I saw some male antelope resting in the sun. As I looked, I saw the sun above them. At first glance, the sun appeared to be one thing, a ball of bright light in the sky, and the antelope another. Yet there was no separation between the antelope and the sun. The light and warmth engulfed them, it ran inside their blood and bones as the grass they eat, and it shifts and stirs the air all around. Even more, it was the same sun that warmed my body and lit my senses. I would not point to the golden fire and say it is the antelope, and I would not point to the antelope and say it is the sun, but there is no separation between them, and no separation between them and I, and no separation between I and the source from which we spring.
-
Question on Secret of the Golden Flower
forestofclarity replied to FraterUFA's topic in Daoist Discussion
Are you using an English translation? If so, which one? -
There is Zen sickness, for example, that Zen Master Hakuin contracted from concentrating too hard on his koans. He sought the advice of a Taoist master who taught him a meditation technique to help.
-
This is where having a teacher can be useful. For example, if we cannot see beyond thoughts or judgments, a teacher can help create the conditions for us to do so.
- 45 replies
-
- 1
-
-
- sectarianism
- pride
- (and 6 more)
-
Dos and Don'ts. 1.What practice/s if low on time? 2.What practice/s day-to-day? 3.What activities/habits to avoid? 4.What activities/habits to do?
forestofclarity replied to Satya's topic in General Discussion
I have found the Buddha's Five Lay Precepts to be valuable, and they take no time at all: 1. Refrain from killing 2. Refrain from taking what is not given 3. Refrain from harmful sex 4. Refrain from harmful speech 5. Refrain from intoxication One may also add positive components, which I've found helpful: 1. Practice kindness 2. Practice generosity 3. Practice responsibility 4. Practice helpful speech 5. Practice sobriety- 34 replies
-
- 3
-
-
- Practice
- Priorities
- (and 2 more)
-
You have to see it to believe it. Stepping away from thoughts, judgments, and the thinking mind reveals a new world of possibilities.
- 45 replies
-
- 1
-
-
- sectarianism
- pride
- (and 6 more)
-
Why do only very few Dzogchen practitioners attain rainbow body?
forestofclarity replied to Wells's topic in Buddhist Discussion
It strikes me as two different debates that occur in these whatever-Buddhist arguments. In this case, I will insert the word Dzogchen, but you could inset Zen or other traditions. Question 1: What is Dzogchen? Question 2: What is true? These may be separate questions. If all Dzogchen teachers say you need a guru, well, then you need a guru to do Dzogchen. To say otherwise strikes me as claiming to be married by yourself. However, for me, this is not the important question. The more important question is: what is true? Dzogchen may or may not lead to the truth, and finding the truth may or may not involve Dzogchen. The old Zen parable is to see the moon, rather than stuck on the finger. -
For me, it isn't about refuge in an internal guru or elevating oneself to godlike status. It's not about power at all. It's about freedom. The problem isn't this or that authority, or this or that judgment. The problem is in creating authority and making judgments in the first place.
- 45 replies
-
- 3
-
-
- sectarianism
- pride
- (and 6 more)
-
One issue I see with Zen in the West is the difficulty of dealing with ancient terms and concepts in addition to dealing with the warp of our own minds. However, what seems to happen is that we often spend so much time learning and debating about what these terms and concepts mean that we tend to entrench the thinking mind rather than become free of it.
-
For a slightly different view, my friend William Samuel would call it Tranquility: William Samuel, A Guide to Awareness and Tranquility, pages 217-218
-
The first step for most paths is adopting a simple system of morality. They vary from here to there, but the Buddhist one is easy. You begin training with the Five Precepts: 1. Refrain from killing. 2. Refrain from taking what is not given. 3. Refrain from sexual misconduct. 4. Refrain from false and divisive speech. 5. Refrain from intoxication leading to heedlessness. No matter where you go or end up, these training precepts can be very helpful.
-
What is the longest you've ever meditated?
forestofclarity replied to KenBrace's topic in General Discussion
So true. The question for me becomes, is practice for gaining or for losing? I am finding a far better return on losing than on gaining. But even this is saying too much.- 83 replies
-
- 2
-
-
- meditation
- training
- (and 4 more)
-
What's the easiest way to live in the present?
forestofclarity replied to TheExaltedRonin's topic in Daoist Discussion
This verse from the Tao Te Ching comes to mind: Chapter 48 Pursue knowledge, daily gain Pursue Tao, daily loss Loss and more loss Until one reaches unattached action With unattached action, there is nothing one cannot do Take the world by constantly applying non-interference The one who interferes is not qualified to take the world -
Which points to the emptiness of the eyes. For me, wherever there is change there is emptiness. Personally, I don't see emptiness is as rare or complicated as it is spoken of in Tibetan circles online. But I don't mean to interrupt a Dzogchen thread.
-
I don't know anything about Dzogchen but I know a little about emptiness. If you look at anything long enough, it will reveal it's empty aspect to you.
-
Qi gong. Taoist, buddhist differences. yoga
forestofclarity replied to zxcvbs's topic in General Discussion
Strangely, I see all of these coming together in a basic, simple way. For me, each of these things are about loosening points of fixation and allowing the world to flow. -
The idea of "pure philosophy" tends to be Western (if you believe the Eastern yogis) and modern (if you believe Pierre Hadot). For me, it is only purely intellectual if it doesn't relate to an ongoing practice or tie into experience. But Parmenides, and Krishananda both have practices to go along with their theories. If you look at the ancients Greeks, they had very practical goals to their philosophy: to produce equanimity, peace, well-being and so on (ataraxia or euthymia, etc.).
-
I also learned that from Parmenides. Nothing or non-existence is an empty concept, like the son of a barren woman. Which means there is no "non-existence" to be born out of nor "non-existence" to die into.
-
It took me many years of doing before I learned the meaning of non-effort. Some teachings say that it is through expending effort that we discover the futility of effort, I have found this to be true.
-
I don't understand much of Dzogchen conversation because it relies on terms that are too esoteric and far removed from my direct experience. However, Steve, what you describe here is very much in line with my own experience in Soto Zen. For me, zazen is a balance. In zazen, there is clarity and openess as one simply sits with the world as it is.
-
Is There A Spiritual Thesaurus? Multi-spiritual-linguals Wanted! Perennial Philosophy/Perennial Technique.
forestofclarity replied to Satya's topic in General Discussion
I've been trying to clarify terms in non-dual traditions here. If anyone has suggestions, let me know. For example, emptiness has different terms depending on the tradition. For example, it can mean nothing, it can mean potentiality, or it can mean the absence of a self depending on the tradition. Consciousness is another one--- the same word in English can mean many different things.- 21 replies
-
- 1
-
-
- Perennial Philosophy
- Sadhana
- (and 8 more)
-
Depending on the person, energy work can be difficult if you don't have enough relaxation, concentration and sensitivity. Based on what I've seen online, this is the downfall of many students. Also, energy methods are extremely different and different people react to them differently. Although not strictly Taoist, concentrating on the breath and developing general mindfulness can be extremely helpful and is the safest method I know: Mindfulness in Plain English Breath of Love As far as self inquiry goes, Sri Sadhu Om and Michael James explain it very well: The Path of Sri Ramana Part 1 I have also learned quite a bit from the Direct Path, being Francis Lucille, Greg Goode, and Rupert Spira, they can be easily googled. Finally, I would say keep and open mind and an open heart. I have found that with sincere practice, the cosmos itself will begin to guide you.