Jeff

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Everything posted by Jeff

  1. Thanks, but we should take that point to another subforum, before the powers that be catch us... But... Before I sneak out Brahman = Emptiness too...
  2. Hi gatito, I would not say that Emptiness is an "experience" for me. Emptiness is more like a Void bubbling over with infinite potential. What constitutes "jeff" is just an aspect of that of that "potential". [in Christian terms, I would also say that God = Emptiness and that I am a child of God, but discussing that (and describing it that way) would only lead to even greater confusion for the readers of this thread.] Always nice to be able to disagree in a constructive and thoughtful manner. Thank you for the conversation. Best, Jeff
  3. Hi gatito, Yes, I speak directly from my own experiences. Yes, I agree that Form is the same as Consciousness. Form is the definition of consciousness. It is all that can be perceived. Void is more like consciousness with zero activity. Or from the other side, like a completely calm sea of emptiness. Emptiness is not the same thing as consciousness. Consciousness is more like a reflection or "subset" of Emptiness. In Buddhism, the difference between the two are often called things like "noble wisdoms", but it is really more like raw and pure desire/potential. Best regards, Jeff

  4. alright Jeff

    Jeff replied to 3bob's topic in General Discussion

    Hi Clarity, I do not see how your judgements regarding 3bob are related to the discussion of whether it is possible to defend honor while not being effected by karma. Also, my point on "subconscious" is that judgements on things like honor are often clouded or obscured by the relative perspective of the individual person trying to make the call. Best wishes, Jeff

  5. Dead Tree Zen

    Jeff replied to idiot_stimpy's topic in Buddhist Discussion

    Agreed. I tend to sometimes also call it conscious and subconscious cravings/responses.
  6. The "something" that exists in the subconscious is an energy structure of what you would call "consciousness". Subconscious and conscious are descriptive terms for useful discussion. All is ultimately emptiness. Self-inquiry is a game of mind in mind. It does not escape mind. Yes, form is directly the same thing as consciousness. But Form is only the same thing as Void when one has realized emptiness. That is the point of the Heart Sutra.
  7. OK. Maybe next time... Best wishes.
  8. Hi gatito, I did not say that it (or the concept of you) did not exist. I just said that the view is inherently obscured by subconscious issues and fears. Also, I do not see how what I said was "dualistic". Finally, self-inquiry is a game of "mind" or consciousness that only leads to "cessation". But, as the Heart Sutra states... Form = Void and Void = Form. In the second half of the equation Void = Form is where one finds out how to do a "light transmission" (on which SJ doesn't seem to want to respond. ) Best wishes to you (and all).
  9. What happened to my guru light transmission question?

  10. Dead Tree Zen

    Jeff replied to idiot_stimpy's topic in Buddhist Discussion

    Aversion and ignorance is the "clinging".
  11. Nope. Just reporting what I have found and trying to use words that are potentially useful. You could also use terms like "mind stream" or other such descriptions. As an example of the "cross pollination" concept, how would you describe a "light transmission" of a guru in simple words?
  12. Hi gatito, "That which is reading these words" is a provisional view subject to obstructions (or subconscious issues). Those "as not yet perceived" subconscious issues and fears cloud the true vision or keep someone in consciousness/universal mind. As one realizes the "emptiness of Self", the light/noble wisdom starts to shine thru. Ultimately this leads to the emptiness of ultimate reality (seeing past consciousness). Buddha taught the concepts of the "vow" specifically to help people see past the layer of perceived consciousness. The point is explicitly stated in the Lankavatara Sutra... The exalted state of self-realisation as it relates to an earnest disciple is a state of mental concentration in which he seeks to indentify himself with Noble Wisdom. In that effort he must seek to annihilate all vagrant thoughts and notions belonging to the externality of things, and all ideas of individuality and generality, of suffering and impermanence, and cultivate the noblest ideas of egolessness and emptiness and imagelessness; thus will he attain a realisation of truth that is free from passion and is ever serene. When this active effort at mental concentration is succesful it is followed by a more passive, receptive state of Samadhi in which the earnest disciple will enter into the blissful abode of Noble Wisdom and experience its consumations in the transformations of Samapatti. This is an earnest disciple's first experience of the exalted state of realisation, but as yet there is no discarding of habit-energy nor escaping from the transformation of death. Having attained this exalted and blissful state of realisation as far as it can be attained by disciples, the Bodhisattva must not give himself up to the enjoyment of its bliss, for that would mean cessation, but should think compassionately of other beings and keep ever fresh his original vows; he should never let himself rest nor exert himself in the bliss of the Samadhis. But, Mahamati, as earnest disciples go on trying to advance on the path that leads to full realisation. In Buddhadarma, full realization is beyond the perception of "consciousness".
  13. I was just attempting to show a comparative mapping of relative terms. Agreed on consciousness as "all that can be perceived". Do you propose that there is no "universal mind" as a relative view?
  14. No eternalism. Just a terse description. Do not you & I share the cognition of the same tree when standing next to each other?
  15. I know that I will probably regret this... But I would have to agree with SJ regarding the defined definitions of buddhadarma. In the "buddha framework", consciousness is not equal to (or the same as) awareness/emptiness. Consciousness maps to Universal mind (or buddhamind). In Taoist terms...Emptiness = Tao. Consciousness = The One. Best wishes.

  16. alright Jeff

    Jeff replied to 3bob's topic in General Discussion

    Well, I am still interested in the razor's edge point. What do you think that I am missing?

  17. alright Jeff

    Jeff replied to 3bob's topic in General Discussion

    The difficulty for me with your definition is that most of our reactions (and the resulting karma) happen at a subconscious level. One can "honestly" believe that the honorable thing to do is to kill someone who insulted your honor, while at a subconscious level you are only protecting your "ego". As 3bob pointed out, many wars have started that way.

  18. Jeff replied to doc benway's topic in Buddhist Discussion

    The challenge of iPhone viewing. My apologies.

  19. Jeff replied to doc benway's topic in Buddhist Discussion

    If one is self luminous and self knowing, they are beyond the perception of such a thing as "meditating".

  20. alright Jeff

    Jeff replied to 3bob's topic in General Discussion

    CT - I would agree and have been making much the same point. But, from our back and forth, 3bob may have a slightly different meaning for the word "honor". 3bob - I think this is an interesting point, could you better describe your razor's edge of honor that clear the gauntlet of karma? To me, it is not possible unless as CT describes the being is beyond the sense of "self".

  21. alright Jeff

    Jeff replied to 3bob's topic in General Discussion

    It does seem to keep coming down to our different connotations of the word "honor". Would "noble honor" to you sort of translate to self-sacrifice? Or something like doing it "for the benefit of all sentient beings"? Literally a guy who throws himself on a land mine to save his fellow troops?

  22. alright Jeff

    Jeff replied to 3bob's topic in General Discussion

    Even if it does not go "dark", good karma is still karma. The one who motivated by honor, is bound by karma.

  23. alright Jeff

    Jeff replied to 3bob's topic in General Discussion

    Sounds similar to those who sometimes invoke angels. The sword can always cut both ways. Clarity can be very sharp.

  24. What is your motivation for practicing?

    Jeff replied to Unlearner's topic in General Discussion

    Clarity, nothing but clarity...
  25. Hi SJ, Do you agree with Xabir and Thusness regarding their definitions and the "Thusness scale"? Thanks, Jeff