Aaron

It is only silly if you believe it is silly. The fact of the matter is that most of what Thussness has shared has already been expressed in other manuscripts and texts, nothing is original or authentic, at least there is no individual voice that I hear, but rather the stereotypical Buddhist DO voice I hear so often. You are obviously a devotee of Thussness and that's fine, I'm just pointing out that enlightenment is more than beautiful words, it's a practice expressed first in honesty, then in self examination. When one has examined these things they can move on to deeper contemplation. I don't see this expressed very much in what Thussness shares, which leads me to believe he has not recognized the importance of the former and rather is seeking to gain an audience with the latter. It's a shame people don't question their religious authorities, rather than accept what they have to say on faith. Again Thussness can no more show someone enlightenment than a pile of crap can drive a car. Not meant to be offensive, just making a strong point. Aaron edit- I can show you an authentic apple, but sadly it's really an orange, Wait though, since people have deemed it's authentic, then I'm sure you'll have no problem accepting it as an apple.

Hello Xabir, You do not need anyone to achieve the highest degree of awareness. If someone tells you differently they have not reached awareness or have some ulterior motive to encourage you to follow them. In regards to Thussness, I feel he is quite adept at regurgitating what he's read, but he has fallen short of any real experience. In other words, he talks about it, but doesn't seem to know about it. This isn't meant to offend, just an observation. Who knows, he may very well be enlightened and I am the idiot. Aaron

Hello ARAB, I quit school in the ninth grade, around fifteen. I mowed lawns for five years, then at the age of twenty went away to a trade school, learned tv cable installation and eventually got my GED and driver's license. With my GED in hand I went to a community college and then on to University where I earned two degrees. I was twenty six or seven I believe. The moral of this tale is simply this. You are eighteen, your life is before you, so you haven't f***ed up anything. You have choices you'll need to make, sometimes these choices will not be the same choices your parents would like you to make, but keep in mind that most parents have their children's best interest in mind. This may make taking criticism from them a bit easier. Really, when your father got angry with you, he was angry with himself just as much, because he feels your actions reflect his own actions towards you, if that makes any sense. Live life every day as if it was the last day you had to live. Live life as if nothing matters. There is no right way to live life. The right way to live is the way you believe is right. Aaron edit- Also there is no reason not to create a false identity, so long as you are aware that it is false.

I think it's important to clarify that I'm not saying one should not seek guidance, but rather one should be aware that when one does seek guidance it will often be along an orthodox path set forth by over 2,000 years of practice, or less, all depending. With that in mind, one should always consider that, if one man can achieve awareness without guidance, why can't another man? Is enlightenment so evasive that it requires a special program and dogma to reach, or is it available and readily accessible simply by practicing certain principles? Of course these principles have nothing to do with morality, but rather clarity of the mind, dedication, and meditation. If one practices these three virtues, then others will arise of their own accord. Aaron

Hello K, I never said I was enlightened. I'm only enlightened if you say I'm not. I'd say that it's often a paradox, in order for one to truly begin to achieve awareness, they often must have a desire for greater awareness, but in achieving greater awareness, they must also learn to let that desire go. If you don't wish to be enlightened, well it's too late, you already are, you're just not aware of it. I mean this honestly, the enlightened you is living and breathing here and now, but there is no requirement for you to become aware of this at all, you can go forth, raise a family, have children, buy a car, walk in the park, do whatever you want to do. When it is time, you will know it, then you will begin to search for it, then once you've searched long enough, you will understand that there was nothing to search for in the first place. Aaron edit- I hope that's not too evasive, but there is no right answer to what you're asking. The right answer is really only the answer you believe is right.

Hello Everything, If you believe that you are not conscious because you are concentrating on something, then what you are doing is tricking yourself into believing you are only conscious when you do things you want to be doing. You can be conscious all the time, but it requires time and practice. I can feel the source (I call it that, you can call it whatever you want) even when I work, eat, sleep, or dance. Do not mistake mundane experiences as being a hindrance to consciousness, mundane experiences exist, so does consciousness, one does not cancel out the other. Be still, even when you are moving, that is the trick. Aaron

I wanted to address this comment, but I felt it was not in the spirit of this thread, so I will make a new post. If you wish we can discuss this idea there, since I think it is a discussion that bears merit. Aaron

I know this is a bit of delayed response, but I finally decided that this post doesn't necessarily belong in the Tao Te Ching section. It's an interesting thread, but what we're addressing in the TTC section are the classic texts, rather than the possible texts. If you have any issues with this, please feel free to contact me. Aaron

I watched this video. In my opinion the girls were foolish and disrespectful and should have expected this kind of reaction to their behavior. The man was very much acting in defense of his person. I don't think any court would convict him of assault, simply because he didn't use excessive force (imo). With that said none of the parties involved were innocent and I don't think assigning degrees of blame help the matter. The person most to blame was the cameraman. That guy should get a job that doesn't involve the suffering of others. Aaron

This is the truth everyone is missing. You can worship the man, make him more than a man, or use what he taught as a basic stepping stone to greater awareness. Or of course you can follow over 2,000 years of dogma and ideology and see where that gets you. It's really up to you, but my own suggestion is forget Buddhism and instead listen to what Buddha said. Of course the tricky part is sorting through all the things he supposedly said compared to what he actually said. Or even better yet, don't listen to Buddha and just sit and contemplate on your own. You'd be amazed what an ignorant white man from the good ol' south can become aware of when he silences his mind and reaches a state of absolute stillness. Aaron

I think women tend to be more open to talking about these kinds of things with their friends, hence they don't feel the need to go online and share, whereas most men feel uncomfortable talking about spiritual things with others, hence they look for an anonymous output. I have no problem talking to anyone about this kind of stuff, but I very rarely find anyone interested in having these discussions, unless they're women (seriously), so I tend to come to the forum to talk about this stuff. Lately I've felt less of a need to express myself in this regard because the more I practice, the less important it all seems. Aaron

I read some of his posts. He's just a guy with a strong personality and crazy lack of impulse control. For those who need to admire others to find some kind of self worth, and especially those with misogynistic tendencies, he would be right up their alley. I'm certain he fills the void for certain people that think there's a void to be filled. I'm wondering why he was banned... that was sarcasm by the way. Aaron

The other day I was at a store and I saw these two little children, a boy and a girl. The girl was hitting the boy over and over smiling, you could tell she knew she was annoying him, and the boy sat there and didn't do anything for quite awhile, then finally tired of it he turned and hit her, just once, and not very hard. The girl cried, the mother flew into a fury and said, "don't you hit a girl you little bully!" Although death threats can't equate, I do feel that there is a strong anti-male vibe in the world right now. I also feel we are teaching little boys to feel bad about themselves, when they have nothing to feel bad about. Sad state of the world when we punish the son for what the father did. Aaron

Hello Tulku, I am going to teach you your first great insight. Love is love, regardless of where it comes from. To say that love is quantified by the person who is expressing it, is like saying all rich people have beautiful children. When you can love someone, regardless of who they are, regardless of what they have done, then you have realized compassion as the buddha expressed it. When you are not quite so young and impressionable, when you cease to be blown about by the winds of ideology, I think you will begin to see this. A buddha is tolerant of all people, but not all actions. When you know the difference you will understand what I am talking about. Also if I showed you my sidhis, then you would never be the same. Are you ready for that? Aaron

Tulku is the first person I've called ignorant in several years, that I can remember. I might've said it in anger to a few people, but I actually feel Tulku meets much the criteria for the definition of one who is ignorant and that it needed to be said, lest people mistake what he says for being anything resembling reality. Aaron

They have medication for that. Aaron

You are so off base I don't know where to begin, so I wont. If you wish to live in a fantasy world of your choosing, that's your choice. The fact that you can't even understand what I'm saying tells me that it's pointless to talk to you. You did a good job of trying to touch a nerve, but it's hard to touch a nerve when there isn't one present. Your pushing buttons that do nothing, but I see that your buttons are all very much still attached. I would wager this has to do with your desire to maintain an image of enlightenment. I could care less if you think I'm enlightened or not, I know what I know, which is this... You will never be clean so long as you think you need to be clean. You will never be pure so long as you think you need to be pure. So long as you think you need to be good, then you will always be evil. Remember that, because one day it's going to smack you upside the head. Aaron edit- One thing though, why are you stuck on this creator/tao/universe "himself" idea. The universe is not a him. So long as the universe is created in your image, you will always see it in that light. If it helps you to sleep at night I have an intimate relationship with the universe, he is well endowed and passionate. and yes I can communicate with him, he just doesn't talk back.

Because you haven't given me a reason to. You just talk and talk and talk and never listen. If I choose not to talk to you, it's because you have nothing to offer me and you're too thick headed to listen to anything I have to say. If anyone was in need of a good lay, I'd say it was you. Aaron Edit- You know what the pure irony is, I have given up sex, alcohol, drugs, sweets, and most other indulgences, yet I don't see myself as being deprived, nor do I feel the need to exclaim that these things are wrong. You however can't seem to help but go on about it. What do you think that means?

Tulku, Quit being so full of hate. I have seen what I have seen, now tell me what you have seen, not read, but seen, then we will continue this conversation. Until then I suggest you chill out. As a famous clown once said, "why so serious?" Aaron

Hello Tulku, You are ignorant. I have no desire to drink, smoke, or indulge in sex indiscriminately, hence I can go to a bar and not do any of those things. You are talking about hypotheticals, you don't understand the experience. I can go to these places because I have no desire to do any of them... I don't know how to make that any clearer. The fact that I choose to go to a bar, doesn't mean I want to drink, have sex, or smoke, rather it means that I have some other purpose for being there. One does not need to go to a bar simply to drink, one can go and talk, listen to music, or do something else. Perhaps one day you'll be able to understand this, until then, kindly keep your opinions to yourself. Second Buddha drank, probably smoked, and obviously had sex. I'm sure he went to bars, hung around with people that weren't pious, and he was still Buddha. I am not saying that I am Buddha, I'm saying you are completely ignorant for believing that, because you lack self control, which is what this comes down to, that everyone else does. I am also very happy that you think I am not enlightened, because I think if you did, that would scare me more. I may be crossing the line here, if so I accept any punishment deemed necessary, but I think your problem stems from a deep seated hatred of yourself. You are doing things you think are bad and suffering immense guilt from that. You are pushing your guilt off on others in an attempt to appease your own self loathing, but let me be the first to tell you that wont happen. You wont get rid of those filthy thoughts by being pious, only by addressing them, seeing the effects they have on your life, and making a decision to turn your will and your life over to the care of something greater than yourself. Right now you are very religious, but if you want to overcome these things you need to become spiritual, unfortunately the depth of spirituality necessary to achieve this is only born from great suffering, so I sense that you will need to suffer more before you will ever be able to find a way to come to terms with this and ultimately find help for whatever is causing you to suffer. Aaron edit- You wont be able to find salvation from it in a monastery or cave either, nor will you be able to escape it by going to these places. The fact of the matter is that it will follow you wherever you go, because it is within you.

My my... that is a long list. It will take me awhile to remember them all. I will just say that all duality comes from singular source, hence duality can only be the product of non-duality. I'm not hypothesizing, I've experienced this non-dual source, light, whatever you want to call it. Second names, labels, etc. do not dictate what something is, they are just terms we ascribe to what we recognize so others can recognize them as well. We tell a child, that is a cat, he knows it is a cat, but if we tell a child a dog is a cat, does that make the dog a cat? It is best not to oppose anything if you can, however if you can't, it's best to apply as much force as needed to take control. The man who avoids the crocodile is the wisest, but the man who chooses not to better hope he has a firm grip on its snout. I wont even go into synthesis right now, that boggles the mind, but suffice it to say, that it still comes down to names and labels. In the end a crocodile is what it is, regardless of what you call it. Aaron

Hello Tulku, The connection to life is the only connection to the void you have, there is no other way to find it. It is only through the life you have been given that you will be able to experience the void. Cutting off your connection to life will not lead you to the void, it is through inspecting life, understand from whence it comes that one can find their way to the void. I have experienced the void, so don't think this is simply abstract theory, but rather from experience. You cannot remove desires, they will arise, the best you can ever do is come to a understand them for what they are. If you begin to live your life in accord with a power greater than yourself, those desires that are harmful will disappear, but also, you can come to know the true nature of where these desires come from, not only from within, but a place beyond that. All things arise from the void, even the light that creates this world. The light itself is not the void, but rather is created by the void. The void is not even the right name for it, because it is not darkness, it is not light, it is not empty, but neither is it full, it is the source from which all things are created. If you are seeking the creator, it is best to start there. Aaron

Hello Tulku, Please do not speak to me of addiction, unless you know what you talk about. I was an alcoholic and now I am sober. I smoked cigarettes for years and now don't smoke. I was addicted to sex and now I am not. I know about desire more than you can ever imagine. I indulged my senses and saw the error in that. I have not given up these things, I just have no desire for them. I go to bars and other places that have bars girls, guys, and smokes, and I have no desire to indulge. When one understands that they have no control over these things and they are willing to give up trying to control them, then they can touch something greater than themselves, that is what gives you freedom from these addictions. Most people, despite what you are led to believe, do not suffer from addictions, rather they suffer from the normal desires that life offers. You are viewing things too black and white, good and bad, rather than viewing these actions for what they are. When someone tells you, don't have sex because it is a sin or bad, then that is the person you need not listen too. When someone tells you, don't drink alcohol because it is a sin or bad, then that is the person that has idea what drinking is. When someone tells you that pleasure is sinful, then that is a person that hates himself, for life in its essence is pleasure and pain, and the middle path is not depriving oneself of one or the other, but rather understanding the grace of moderation. If a monk chooses to be celibate, it is often not because sex is bad or sinful, it is because he has taken a vow required by his order. Ironically, if you choose to become a monk, you need to become comfortable with others monks asking if you want to have sex with them, because it does happen, more than you think. You can believe what you want, but please be kind enough when you do join a monastery to not be indignant or judgmental of these monks, their hearts are in the right place. Don't be a snitch either, because the head monk will most likely admonish you for it and if you continue send you packing. There are ways that the world works. As you grow older you will understand this and all these ideas you have will fade away like fog under the morning sun. I just hope when the fog clears you will be wise enough to see, that even if the landscape has been burnt and scarred, there is still beauty present, it is only waiting for you to see it. Two cents from the enlightened. Look within and not without, that is where you will find what you are searching for. Aaron

I don't believe the creator exists, at least not a creator in the fashion of God, but there is a source that we come from and will return to, I have experienced it and know this, but there is no way for me to prove to you that this is true, so I wont try. Freedom is a concept, in reality there is only action, the motion of the universe, the only freedom we have is to choose which direction we take, but much as the twig floats along the river, we too float through time, our choices are dictated, there is no freedom there, only choice. When one ceases to search for freedom and instead gives themselves over to the universe, reality, God, whatever you wish to call it, then they will awaken to true freedom, which does not stem from doing what you will, but doing what is right. Oftentimes it is difficult to make a decision, because we see the world in black and white, good and bad, vice and piety, but in reality making that choice is as easy as seeing what is beneficial and what isn't. When you speak to me, you speak to one who has already reached where you wish to go. It would be wise for you to listen rather than tell me how it is, because I know how it is. I will be more than willing to debate this with any monk and I'm sure they will find that nothing I say can be disproved. You have come to a firm sense of faith and belief and that faith and belief is what holds you back from the very thing you seek. Quit judging others and instead worry about what you are doing. Quit telling others what they need to do and do what you know needs to be done. If you wish to be celibate and pious, then be celibate and pious, but do not expect others to be the same, at least not without showing them through your own actions the benefits of being such. The problem is when they look at you, they see nothing that is worth achieving. Take that to heart, not as an insult, but as a piece of wisdom. Hammer your beliefs into someone and they may come to believe, but when things get shaky they will return to what they before. Show someone how to live a life in accord with the universe and they will learn to live the way they should and they will never return to the place they came from. Aaron

Hello Marblehead, It doesn't matter really. The important thing is what you consider important. Be like the water running to the ocean. When you return, you will realize that is where you came from to begin with. Aaron