Aaron

Hello VMarco, I was wondering, all these quotes you keep posting, do you have them saved on your hardrive or do you go to the webpage each time to cut and paste them? I would pose that you are not interested in the truth, but rather the truth as it applies to your own concept of reality. Many people have posed truths to you, but they aren't your truth, so they're untrue. Your compassion has a fine edge, use it to cut away the truth and in your blindness you'll see. The thing that astounds me, is that you have reached such heights of enlightenment, yet you haven't the slightest idea of what compassion is. I would wager that you enjoy the short path because it requires no work and allows you to sit smug with your sense of truth. As an aside, as many people have already mentioned, you are taking many of these quotes out of context. I would suggest finding a teacher so they can explain them to you, of course that might mean you have to accept that you might be mistaken about some things, so I doubt you'd feel comfortable doing that. Just a question, when was the last time you actually helped to ease someone's suffering, rather than go online and spout hyperbole and call it compassion? Aaron

Hello VMarco, Are you really going to plead innocence in regards to your comments? Why would you compare me to a rapist, unless you were trying to get a rise from me. Think whatever you want. I think the issue is that you are not enlightened, nor have you achieved even the slightest experience of enlightenment. Rather you are bitter angry, and perhaps a bit lonely, which is the reason you come here and attack others and refuse to listen or accept others viewpoints may be right. You are in need of a great deal more help than I or any other person on this forum can offer you. You have a degree of malice within you that I didn't expect and I presume until you deal with it, you're going to find enlightenment far off in the distance. Let me just make one point, if you have traveled down the path as far as you say you have, then why do so many people doubt you? If you were truly aware of what you claim to be aware of, it would seem that the majority would understand and accept that, but in reality they see you as a puffed up balloon unable to support your own arguments, except by repeating the same statements over and over. Yet when numerous people say this to you, you turn it back on them rather than accept your own failings. Perhaps you are the one eyed girl in the valley of the blind, except you don't understand that your one eye is keeping you from understanding the truth, so you cling to it fearful of what the world might be without your precious gift of sight. I know you don't want to hear this Vmarco, but uou are a mean spirited person. I don't say that maliciously, rather it's simply my understanding of you after examining your statements in this post. Anger and selfishness will keep you from achieving what you want to, just be aware of that. In regards to my comments being bizarre, I didn't expect you to understand them, you haven't reached the point where you would understand what I'm saying. You are self aware, nothing more. Your compassion is sharpened like a fine edge ready to cut down anything that might stand against it. I would recommend you use that edge to cut out your one remaining eye, then perhaps you will see as you are intended to see, rather than see things how you want to see them. Aaron

I wasn't implying you were, just making a comment about people's general behavior in that regard. No worries. Aaron

You are missing the point. You have not thrown your clothes on the ground, stood there naked and unashamed, dancing for the pure joy of dancing and being free of your clothes, you still feel naked, so you talk about the experience, but you can't remember it, nor can you ever appreciate it, until you do. You say you are not a teacher, but you readily admit you aren't willing to be taught anything that doesn't adhere to the short path. The short path is your clothing and you refuse to be rid of it. That's the point you're missing. Get rid of the short path and then you will be naked and unashamed. Get rid of your hatred of other religions and then you will naked and unashamed. Be willing to learn and you will then be like a child, then you can take your beliefs, throw them on the ground and dance, because you will feel the freedom that comes with nakedness and the innocence that frees you from shame. I hope you reach that point some day. I say this, not out of malice, but in the hopes of opening your heart and mind to something you might not have seen. Aaron edit- Also you aren't comprehending what I am saying. There is no such thing as pride or humility, they only exist within your mind. If I recommend humility, it is only because you are behaving in a way that appears prideful. If I thought you understood that there was no humility or pride, I wouldn't have to recommend that for you. In regards to compassion, the highest form of compassion comes from the heart/soul and it is not bound by morals, but rather a deep and abiding connection to all creatures and an intimate understanding of their suffering. when you understand this, you will start to show it in your actions. My last point, is that I see great potential in you, that's the reason I take the time to talk to you. I understand the goodness in your heart and the pain that you bear and I know that with time you will see these things as well and then you can begin to experience the beauty that exists within all things.

This came up in another topic and I'm not going to name names, but I think it's an excellent question. You see a year or two back I did not have the same opinion of Buddhism that I have today. In fact I didn't have the same opinion of most religions. To me they were moralistic institutions meant to keep the "sheep" in line. I viewed morality as being silly and pointless, mostly because I had yet to meet a truly moral man. I saw the dark side of people, never seeing that other side, the potential for good. Now I know many people feel the same way, and you know maybe it's true, in fact it probably is true, there is no such thing as a moral man, but that isn't the point really, because I learned something that I never realized, and the only reason I learned it was because I was willing to accept that maybe, just maybe, I didn't know. Okay, so I started a thread about morality and how to live life without morals and along comes this guy, who normally never agrees with me, in fact very few people did, because I was opinionated and tended not to listen, but he did listen to what I was saying and he agreed, but only with a twist, that perhaps what was wrong, wasn't morality itself, but the judgement that accompanies morality. In other words, we need some ideas in regards to our behavior and how we treat each other, but what we don't need to do is judge others for their behavior, rather we need worry about our own. I could agree with that, because in truth, it doesn't deny that morality is a construct, but rather it defines it for what it is, suggestions on how people should treat each other. So in that light I could accept that morality wasn't necessary, but it wasn't necessarily evil either, it had a purpose, just as religion had a purpose. This brief insight was what began to soften my heart in regards to religions and in particular Buddhism. I began to see these institutions as not necessarily needed, but there for a reason, in other words they didn't exist without a purpose. When I could see that, then all this dogma I spouted about doing away with morality and religion fell along the wayside and instead I understood that religions are a beautiful thing, they add perspective, color to the grey. Of course I never would've figured that out without first admitting that maybe I don't know. So my point is this, if I can be open to ideas because I admit I don't know, how much more open should I be because I admit I do know? If I actually do know, then my heart should not be closed off to new ideas in the least, but rather, as a child I should be curious and interested in these different perspectives, if for no other reason than I understand how much color they add to our understanding. The moment I say, I know, I don't know. The moment I say, you can't be right, then I am wrong. The honest man understands that every truth is a lie and every lie is a truth, the only thing that separates the two is perspective. Aaron

I agree. Very important. I think this is the first step to seeing things as they are, rather than how you think they are. When you can cease to see something as good or bad, or right or wrong and simply examine it for it's inherent qualities, then you can see through it and in seeing through it understand where it comes from. Aaron

Hello Goldisheavy, from a purely psychological point of view, dream analysis is entirely subjective. I would however attempt to discuss this dream from a spiritual point of view. The rat, from my understanding, has killed more people than any other creature on the face of the earth, aside from man himself (actually it was the ticks on the rats, but lets not quibble). The idea that the creature that comes to you is a rat probably has little to do with that, but I thought it was worth mentioning. For me the rat is the trickster, the thief, the pest, essentially the critter that embodies all those devious qualities we've come to look at as bad. When you view it as that, then the creature that's coming to you over and over is a devious little trickster, one that just one go away. Now the fact that you can't get rid of it, no matter how hard you try, and that you're unwilling to kill it, tells me that you haven't come to terms with it. Is the rat your shadow? Is the rat someone else? I couldn't tell you, nor will I advise you on how to approach it. You can make that decision for yourself. Aaron

You make that decision. I keep saying this and people just don't seem to get it, there is no wrong or right, there just is. Stop moralizing and start thinking about it and the truth will come out on its own. Very good question, I think that's the reason it keeps coming up over and over. Sadly those that can't distinguish what is are left with right and wrong and understandably, will never be able to grasp what you're actually saying. Aaron

Hello VMarco, If you want to know my motives, simply ask me and I'll tell you. I don't dislike you or think that you're wrong per se, but rather that you don't see the whole picture. Has Cowtao insulted you, perhaps, but it's only an insult if you see it as such. If you've truly reached a degree of enlightenment, than you should understand that nothing we talk about on this forum will ever amount to anything, other than what we choose to take from it. I will not enlighten you, nor will Cowtao, nor will anyone else. Enlightenment is not taught, because we are all enlightened, just most of us never become aware of it. The most enlightened being you'll ever meet is a child. You love to quote that saying about throwing your clothes on the ground and trampling on them, but I would suggest one thing to you, if you can remember what it's like to be a child and throw your clothes on the ground and dance on them, then you'll know what that saying actually means. Quit teaching and start sharing and I think people will be more open to your ideas. Understand that you're not right, nor is anyone else wrong, they simply just are. Allow people to be free to be who they are and they will gravitate to you like ducks to breadcrumbs. Feed them, don't chase them, and they will eat. Aaron edit- Also do you really believe that I think ad-hominem is a noble and unprideful practice or perhaps is that your own reaction to what I've said? If I point out that something you believe is attributed to your character, that isn't meant to be mean or surly, but rather I see you as someone who has progressed far enough down the path to accept it as it's intended.

What is light? What a fantastic question. Physics will tell you that it is a range of electromagnetic radiation that we can perceive with the naked eye, but is that enough for most people? I think the fascination with light comes from our fixation on dualities. We've come to symbolize light with good and darkness with evil, so it's only normal that we are fixated on this notion of light. In reality light is neither good or bad, rather it is just light. In a purely esoteric metaphysical sense, it is also the key figure that occurs when one reaches a state of awareness or enlightenment. In my own experience when I was in that state of light there was a sense of nothingness, or emptiness, it's impossible to describe, the one intriguing factor was that the light was consistent, no flickering or anything like that, just one constant light that seemed to be. To say it encompassed everything would be a lie, because there was nothing to encompass, so I think it is better to say it's all there was. Now many people have given detailed and defining explanations of what light is, but I will go one step further and say that light is consciousness, that which embodies everything. It is the reason all things exist, but to say that the light we see is this light isn't true, because the light that embodies everything isn't really seen with the naked eye, but rather with the minds eye. I'll leave it at that and let the philosophers and spiritualists have their way with it. In the end it doesn't matter so much what light is, but rather what we do with the moments of our lives. Aaron

Hello VMarco, Remember when I said there is no ignorance or enlightenment? Well when you had your experience and quoted Saraha, you unknowingly were saying the same thing. I think your problem is that you have tunnel vision, you only see those things you think are valid and leave everything else out of your sight. In regards to Cowtao, I would suggest you listen to him, except for perhaps Matt Black, he has the greatest intuitive knowledge of Buddhism of anyone on this forum. If you choose to dismiss him, it will only be the result of your pride and assumptions that cause you to miss out on someone who could contribute greatly to your path. Aaron

I see you were listening to what I said, now you just need to go further. Aaron

Hello Otis, First, I would ask that you read what I posted over on the Oxymoron thread since I think it has to do with what you are saying here as well. I think the issue is that you are coming to terms with the notion of duality, but perhaps after reading what I posted over in the other thread, you'll understand more clearly why I say certainty is not a bad thing, nor is it wrong to be uncertain. I wish you the best in your investigations. Aaron

Hello VMarco, I'm going to make an illustration... hopefully it comes out right. Ignorant_______________________________________________________________Enlightened We look at this illustration and the first thing we see is that ignorance is separated from enlightenment, the reason is that we choose to believe that the world operates along the pretense of duality. The fact of the matter is that there is no duality, except for what we choose to see. The Ignorant man is enlightened and the enlightened man is ignorant. The only difference is their view of their own level of awareness. The line is really not there, in reality the only thing that exists is MAN... But even then we're not happy, because simply saying Man exists isn't enough, because there has to be this duality to it all, so if man exists, then he has to not exist as well, but that's not true either, existence and non-existence, self and no-self are simply observations. So man arises from emptiness and it is by becoming aware of that emptiness that we understand the true nature of man, well let me be honest with you, that's bollocks too. In fact emptiness could not exist without reality, nor could reality exist without emptiness. They are the same exact thing, only our observation of the two is different. You are striving to "liberate" the human race, when it's already liberated! You are certain that you are right, when there is no such thing as right or wrong, rather it's simply your observation of what is right and wrong. So every truth is a lie and every lie is a truth, because they are simply how you observe those things to be. Now if all things are subjective, in other words open to our own individual interpretation of actions, then merely entering into an argument is a lost cause, because if you really understand this premise, then you also understand that having the conversation in the first place has no value, except for the value you place on it yourself. So I can sit here and argue with you about this, knowing that Bodhi is silly, that Buddha is silly, that Jesus is silly, and also understand that all of it is quite serious too. I choose to discuss these things, not because I think that they will change your mind, or that you need to believe what I do, but rather simply to illustrate a point. Now lets look at compassion and indifference. These two are along the same lines too, what you view to be compassionate, I could be view to be indifferent. So anything we say about the subject doesn't matter, however do our actions matter? Well of course they matter. Our actions have a definite impact on our environment. So a Sage doesn't teach through words, why? Because he understands the nature of words. A Sage chooses to rely on his actions. Actions cannot be denied. So when one is seeking enlightenment or the liberation of souls, he does not go about telling those souls that they need to be liberated, rather he behaves in a way that shows that liberation is something of value and you cannot show that it has value by telling people that it is empty. Who is going to strive for emptiness when the entirety of their existence has to do with the fullness of physical and mental stimulation? When you can see this, then you'll understand where all the arguing arises from, it's not that you are right or wrong, but rather that you are stripping away the duality of existence and simply stating there is no duality, that everything is simply one thing. There is no man, earth, galaxy, emptiness, and ultimate truth or intolerable lie, there just is. There is no good or bad, pleasure and pain, suffering and happiness, there just is. When you've experienced what I've experienced you understand this clearly. Am I enlightened, by no means, I'm as ignorant as anyone else, the only thing is that my perception of existence has changed. Am I still an asshole, well yes I am. Will I stand smiling as someone yells at me, no, normally I'll walk away. Does that mean I'm attached to this existence? Perhaps, but where you and I differ is that I see through these things and understand them for what they are. I can see through my thought and see where it arose from. I can see through to the child that was born and raised and understand the nature of its pain and suffering. I can see through the man who drank and understand the nature of his drinking. I can see through this argument and understand it for what it is, simply a perception of reality and once I see that then I can view it for what it is and remove myself from it. I can witness it as a spectator, examine it and observe it without attachment and it is from this observation that I can see that it has no meaning, nor any purpose, that in the end it is just one long string of words and that these words in no way will bring a person to enlightenment or ignorance, simply because they cannot change what is, and that is simply what is. If everything just is, then how can we presume that anything we do will change that? No one needs to be liberated, nor is anyone a captive within their soul. They just are. It is when they realize that they just are that they can begin to see suffering and pleasure for what they are, they can not be free of either, not in this lifetime, but they can understand it and in understanding it, they can begin to come to terms with it. I hope that explains what I'm trying to say a bit more clearly. Remember I haven't studied Buddhism for long, I've really only spent the last several months investigating it, most of these realizations came from my own examination of myself and some wise words I read from a man who died several decades ago. Am I wrong, perhaps so, but if I'm wrong, then I also have to be right. Aaron edit- As an aside, this is also how I know I am never right, nor do I have the right to say someone else is wrong, because the only thing I'm ever right about is my own perspective of reality.

I don't mean to be offensive or diminish you (well maybe I do, who can be completely certain of the ego's motives,) but from the way you present your arguments, I'm not so sure I want to go to the same places you've been. I really don't want to be right to the point that I'm sure everyone else is wrong, even if, I'm certain, that it does give someone in that position a degree of pride in their own accomplishments. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you come off as pompous in many of your posts and I can't see how someone who claims to have achieved the enlightened awareness that you have, could operate on such a callous level? I've met monks who have achieved "enlightenment" and none of them seem to behave like you do. Perhaps, though, their enlightenment was absent of blinding light of truth yours seems to be. Aaron

Hello Otis, So how do we live without certainty? You can't be not-certain without being uncertain. I think that may be the point you're missing. You're mixing up attachment with certainty and, as I stated before, they're not the same thing (at least not as I understand it). Certainty is an analgesic, but what's wrong with that. If you cut your finger off, I guarantee you'll be begging for one. This brave new march towards enlightenment, this fearless and ruthless pursuit of enlightenment seems to me to be born from uncertainty. Too many people "know" how we're supposed to be, but in the end it's all just presumption. Aaron edited to appear less certain. Just kidding.

Hello VMarco, You already know all about this, so there's no way I'll be able to convince you otherwise. I'll just leave you with a little statement and allow you to come to your own conclusion. Every truth is a lie and every lie is a truth. If you can understand that, you'll understand why I believe it is an oxymoron. Your enlightened awareness shines through most when you express the compassion that arises from your Buddha nature thus... I hope you guys learn from these debates, rather than just stroke your egos til they're ready to explode and make a mess. Aaron

It was a jpg, but I think I might try and save if as a gif and see if that fixes the problem. Thanks for your help. Aaron

Hello Otis, I think for me, I don't think certainty is the same as attachment, in the sense that one can still reach enlightenment and be a scientist, so he can be detached from science, but still practice science and in practicing science, be certain of specific theories and ideas. Of course he would probably find it easier to apply the scientific method to his practice at the same time. Detaching, in the Buddhist sense, isn't saying, "nothing can be certain" or "I must not hold to any idea", rather it's about being able to see through ideas, understand what an idea actually is, the root cause and origination of that idea, in order to achieve a greater awareness, and by doing so you understand that beyond this formulated and constructed thought, there is something more. So a Buddhist would not tell a scientist, in order to reach enlightenment, you must stop working with physics, that would just be silly. I think that many of the models professed in the No-self forum aren't necessarily accurate. They lack depth and experience and instead seem to stem from an intellectual idea of the premise of no-self. I have tried to explain my own experience with no-self and it is extremely difficult because the experience is not a physical experience, so trying to put it in words is impossible (imo). I could explain how to achieve the experience, but not necessarily what the experience actually feels like, because even the word "feels" isn't necessarily accurate. I don't want that topic to come over here, so I'll leave it at that and just suggest that maybe you would be better off reading some literature on the topic, rather than listen to professed enlightened people who don't seem to be able to behave in a civil manner amongst each other. edit- I would suggest if you really want a good perspective on no-self and enlightenment, that before you read any books on Buddhism you read "The Empty Mirror: Experiences in a Japanese Zen Monastery", "A Glimpse of Nothingness: Experiences in an American Zen Community", and "Afterzen: Experiences of a Zen Student out on His Ear". They are all by Janwillem van de Wetering and I'm sure they will give you an intimate understanding of enlightenment (they did me). Aaron

I really enjoyed this interview, though some of the questions seemed a bit "out there" his answers always seemed very grounded. Definitely a person worth listening to. Aaron

Perhaps you should add this to your list of oxymorons? Aaron