forestofclarity

I agree with the nature, especially spending time around large, old trees. Shamatha or calm abiding meditation is the most grounding thing I can think of. Metta or lovingkindness practices are also useful.

Many religions/spiritual paths also. The thing about Damo is that all the criticisms seem to swirl around his personae. I haven't come across any of his substantive teachings that have been contradicted by other trustworthy sources--- in fact, they generally tend to be confirmed. I think it is a power path, and power generates all parts of the mind. It does seem natural-- there's an interesting book on this called "Cultish" talking about the tendency for people to form cults. Even when teachers actively discourage it. Qigong and intensive meditation can generate powerful experiences, so it is ripe for cultish activity. I think this is one reason in Buddhist traditions there is so much initial emphasis on sila or right conduct.

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The mind tries to shape and crate it, turn it into an object so it can grasp, cling, and manipulate it.

What do you think guru yoga is? It has different meaning according to the different yanas.

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Sounds a lot like objectless shamatha (calm abiding) with the dissolution of vasanas (mind habits). Sorry.

Obviously, it depends on what one means by meditation. If you mean samadhi, then one the method is fairly simple as set forth in the Yoga Sutras. 1. Follow a moral code. 2. Choose an "object" of meditation. 3. Disengage from other objects. 4. Place your mind on the object of meditation. 5. Repeat 3-4.

It is helpful to others-- many of whom may be reading anonymously!

Because I don't understand it.

I've never heard a teacher give such teachings without some sort of context. Buddhism isn't a series of stand-alone axioms, it is a whole tradition, usually transmitted from a living teacher to a student.

Do you think that truly happy beings would commit evil acts?

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Some also say this guy knows a thing or two (Pa Auk Sayadaw). Different end of the spectrum (an end that includes Patanjali, FWIW).

This part is absolutely correct IMO.

Like this thread, but open to all traditions. Self Liberation Through Seeing with Naked Awareness, trans John Myrdhin Reynolds As for this sparkling awareness, which is called "mind," Even though one says that it exists, it does not actually exist. (On the other hand) as a source, it is the origin of the diversity of all the bliss of Nirvana and all of the sorrow of Samsara. And as for it’s being something desirable; it is cherished alike in the Eleven Vehicles. With respect to its having a name, the various names that are applied to it are inconceivable (in their numbers). Some call it "the nature of the mind" or "mind itself." Some Tirthikas call it by the name Atman or "the Self." The Sravakas call it the doctrine of Anatman or "the absence of a self." The Chittamatrins call it by the name Chitta or "the Mind." Some call it the Prajnaparamita or "the Perfection of Wisdom." Some call it the name Tathagata-garbha or "the embryo of Buddhahood." Some call it by the name Mahamudra or "the Great Symbol." Some call it by the name "the Unique Sphere." Some call it by the name Dharmadhatu or "the dimension of Reality." Some call it by the name Alaya or "the basis of everything." And some simply call it by the name "ordinary awareness."

- Khenchen Thrangu, Vivid Awareness p.77 (emphasis added)

Yoga Vasistha Book Three, Chapter 5, trans. Swami Jyotirmayananda states: And in 3:10: Which sounds like: Self Liberation Through Seeing with Naked Awareness, trans John Myrdhin Reynolds How can this be? Ramana Maharshi, Talk 445: As the Swamis sometimes say, "True philosophers never agree, true sages never disagree."

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