forestofclarity

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Posts posted by forestofclarity

  1. Posted

    This forum (and others online) sometimes makes me incredibly sad. This is a forum of dedicated spiritual practitioners and yet we cannot get along or act like adults in the most simplistic sense: i.e., refrain from insults, refrain from trolling others, try not to hurt people, or follow a few simple rules. Creating a post takes time and can be edited or removed. Everything here is entirely intentional. 

     

    So if this is the best we can do, well, no wonder the world is in the shape it's in. 

     

     

     

     

     

    • Like 5

  4. Posted

    On 10/1/2019 at 5:11 PM, forestofclarity said:

    I didn't say it was illogical. I said I couldn't make sense of it. In this case, I mean phenomenologically, i.e. as a matter of experience. Analogically, perhaps the best metaphor to use is space given it is unchanging, attribute-less, etc. 

     

    It seems to me that the term "chidabhasa" can be applied differently:

     

    1. To "pure awareness" or "pure consciousness," i.e. the unchanging, objectless, awareness that is ever present like a golden thread connecting all experiences, and yet never apart from any object or experience which arises; or 

     

    2. Some sort of object. This could be the mind, the "I am," the ahamkara, etc. 

     

    My feeling is that it is pointing to #1 in an effort to reconcile our experience with the proclamations found in the Vedas. Our experience is never universal. For example, I may experience a waking state centered on my body-mind; a dreaming state centered on a fluid body-mind; or deep sleep that is not centered on any body mind. However, I never experience looking out from some one else's eyes. Nor have I ever had the experience of looking out through all body-minds. 

     

    So I suppose I would say that it appears to be saying Brahman + upadhis = jivatman = chidabhasa. In other words, Brahman under the limitations of ignorance is not really Brahman (the sun) it is a pseudo-Brahman (the reflection). 

     

    However, you all seem to be saying that it is pointing to a #2. 

     

    All right, let me take a crack at this question: 

     

    So this is explained in the Pancadasi, Chapter 8. Swami Paramarthananda points out that both are present at the same time. Pure consciousness is always present, but chidabhasa arises when certain parts of the mind are active. Pancadasi likens it to a mirror shining a bright spot of the sun on the wall. The sunlight is already present, and the reflected light makes an additional spot. Without the mirror (the functioning mind) there is only the sunlight. If you have multiple mirrors, you have multiple patches of bright, reflected sunlight, but between them you still have sunlight. 

     

    So pure consciousness is the base, and chidabhasa is an appearance that arises due to the functioning of the mind. In other words, unchanging pure consciousness is always present and the transitory, relative awareness comes and goes. 

     

    As set out by Swami Sarvapriyananda: 

    Nirguna Brahman + maya = Saguna Brahman or Ishvara (tvam)

    Pure consciousness + avidya = jiva or You (tat)

    Tat Tvam Asi: Per Vakya Vritti, the direct meaning that you, the Jiva is Ishvara is rejected. Rather, the implied meaning refers to the essential nature of both being the same.

     

    I think neo-Advaitins focus on the transitory, relative awareness. 

     

     

     

  8. Posted

    Quote

     

    Self-attention, in the form of who am I, alone is that teaching of Sri Ramana. The investigation method of Sri Ramana is attention intensely fixed on the first person ‘what is this I?’ rather than meditating ‘I am this’ or ‘I am that.’ aware that any activity given to the ind the form of attention to second and third persons (like japa, dhyana) will not destroy it, and to fulfil the aim of the mahavakyas, Bhagavan breathes new life into the scriptures through his teaching, ‘Who am I?’ Bhagavan had added this hitherto undisclosed revelation to the world of scriptures, as it is essential for an aspirant to practice self-investigation without losing his way. What is this revelation? Only when the mind turns towards the first person is it destroyed. 

     

    The subtle mind perceives the divine lights and sounds, holy places like Kailas, visions of Gods such as Siva, the six yogic centers such as muladhara and similar objects through the five senses. However, they are nothing but second and third person objects of knowledge (drsya or the seer)! Moreover, when the mind, an aggregate of thoughts, itself is a second person object perceived by us, can the things perceived by the mind be other than second or third persons? Therefore, without diverting attention towards any second or third person object, the aspirant should focus on atman, which always shines (even when the mind is not). 

     

     

    Sri Sadhu Om, the Path of Sri Ramana

  11. Posted

    On 6/11/2025 at 10:07 AM, Thrice Daily said:

    it is interesting to return to Bruce’s system with such profound and noticeable results from the go, in my energy body it’s a very strong practice. 

     

    I think the system is good, but I was not able to put up with the BKF persona. Basic dissolving is not that different from certain body based meditations like U Bha Khin's vipassana. I think it is really how one practices with non-intentional awareness, a relaxed sinking body, and body alignments. So for instance, I get a similar benefit from 8 Brocades and Yang Style Tai Chi, but without the drawbacks. 

     

  15. Posted

    Every few years I find myself, inevitably, drawn to reading or receiving teachings on a few books over and over. They seem to expand every time I read them or receive teachings on them. Some of them are mysterious, like the Dao De Jing. Others are more straight forward, like the Path of Sri Ramana by Sadhu Om. Others are both, like Self Liberation Through Seeing With Naked Awareness. Each time I almost feel like I'm reading something quite different, which is of course a reflection of my own mind. 

     

    I'd be curious to hear about specific books or teachings others return to over and again. 

    • Like 3

  16. Posted

    There are many ways to deal with anger, but the general one I'm more familiar with is to strip it of its story and feel it fully. Usually what keep anger going is engaging with it-- I can't believe he said that, who does she think she is, etc.

     

    Instead of doing that, one may just feel it as it is, without trying to modify or change it. This allows it to fully express and dissolve, i.e. to be digested into the consuming fire of awareness.  

     

     

    • Like 3

  17. Posted

    2 hours ago, BigSkyDiamond said:

    Why is sitting cross-legged so desirable and important? 

     

    I agree with doc above. There is nothing magical about sitting cross-legged from most Buddhist POVs I have been exposed to (Theravada, Zen, and Nyingma/Kagyu). I think this bears repeating because I know many people who have wrecked their knees and back trying to pursue an ideal physical posture or avoiding the "shame" of using a chair on a retreat. 

     

    As db points out, the point is to set up a relaxed stable structure so that one may meditate. Buddhism is at core a wisdom tradition (along with Advaita Vedanta), which means the fundamental problem is ignorance (avidya) so the solution is generally wisdom (jnana or prajna usually). There is also an energetic component to having a relaxed, well aligned structure, but this can be achieved sitting in a chair, kneeling position, etc. I would say the straight back and balanced head is more important than the crossed legs based on the energetic component.  

     

     

    • Like 1

  20. Posted

    My most constant spiritual companions is my dog. He always gets up early and sits with me when I meditate. I tend toward jnana, but the dogs are always bhaktis. 

     

    “The Sweetness of Dogs” by Mary Oliver 

     

    What do you say, Percy? I am thinking
    of sitting out on the sand to watch
    the moon rise. It’s full tonight.
    So we go

    and the moon rises, so beautiful it
    makes me shudder, makes me think about
    time and space, makes me take
    measure of myself: one iota
    pondering heaven. Thus we sit, myself

    thinking how grateful I am for the moon’s
    perfect beauty and also, oh! how rich
    it is to love the world. Percy, meanwhile,
    leans against me and gazes up
    into my face. As though I were just as wonderful
    as the perfect moon.

     

    • Like 3

  25. Posted

    Interesting that in his current site, he states: 

     

    Quote

    His foundation in internal energy work was laid through study with Shen Hongxun, a master known for powerful forms of medical Qi Gong and internal force training.

     

    Whereas his uncle played a "supporting" role.

     

    But he previously stated here, when confronted by a student of Shen's that: 

     

    On 7/14/2009 at 1:03 PM, Damo said:

    The lineage actually comes down through Phil (my Uncle),

     

    and

     

    On 6/2/2009 at 3:30 PM, Damo said:

    My Uncle is a full Lineage holder under Shen Hongxun and he was my main Taiji instructor for a long time. I trained under him and Shen until a few years ago and so the lineage comes down through Phil.