林愛偉

We associate it because we see that those in organized, institutionalized religion hold to the view that they touch upon the spirit realm more so than those not associated. Infact, before institutionalized "religion, there were only groupings of cultivators. To maintain the teachings they cultivated, they created close knit organizations to preserve...over time, ego got involved by those seeking a name for themselves, those getting stuck in views of being more wiser than others. Over time we see only what is presented, and at most times not told directly, the methods to cultivate to completion. Qi is mind, mind is Qi. Light is mind, mind is light. They are a substance which is only a substance when in the state of experiencing them and seeing them as being actually real. They are outcomes of concentration. Sensations of it is felt through the body's senses, and we view it as extraordinary, when it is only an expression of our original nature. Then what is our original nature? To answer that, it is best to cultivate and discover what has been always there, but without conclusion to direction. Peace and Blessings, Lin

Patience only arise when there is non-patience. Peace and Blessings, Lin In that light, these words are your words. Peace, Lin recognizing your thoughts that lead to what you see as an error in your mind will begin to shed light upon it, and thus the attachment to it will be less and less until it is put down completely. At that point, only right view will remain Excellent work. You have opened to wisdom. The more you cultivate with this in mind, the more wisdom will shine through. Peace and blessings, Lin

hahaha This thread is intense huh? ;-) One of the above posts reminded me of the story of an Arhat meditating in a forest under a tree. One day someone came along and asked for advice, or to be read the future. The Arhat helped the person out and moved to another tree. Then that person told many others, and everyone began looking for that Arhat. One day the Queen or so also sent out people to find the Arhat. Finally when the Arhat was surrounded by people with desires, he became upset..haha and screamed, "I just want to cultivate! Why don't you all just die!" something to that effect. And then...guess what.. haha Everyone dropped in their places and died. This situation happened before the Buddha Shakyamuni's time. That place where the situation happened was a barren land for the most part during the Buddha's time, and the story was told by the Buddha to his disciple who questioned him on why just a few feet away was plush green land, and at their feet was all sand and barren....lol Many things can happen Peace and Blessings,...hahaha Lin

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There is a saying in Buddhism; Put down all views, but if you are still to stay here, use those which benefit others and result in goodness. Views are not necessary to exist, but can be used. My vows are just that. Tools, not a desire to attain them, but tools to instill goodness. I have no personal attachment to a desire to fulfill them. I know that what results from utilizing those views is a good outcome. It is the use of function, not the drive of ego. There maybe the word "I" in there, but that is simply for the sake of saying so, not for the attachment of there being a "Me" who will be one day "attaining" anything. Ego is really a general term, and is simply an outcome of there being a person who views that they cannot do without. Take someone's food and they scream "I'm hungry!" Take away the food , let's say a monk is eating...monk of both Buddhist and Daoist schools, and they will simply let it go. They let it go siply because it is impermanent, satisfaction. So, trying to please the personal wanting is also a false view. What is actually getting satisfied? When one acts "selfless", they are trying to fulfill other's views, but that fulfillment isn't in giving what others want personally. It is in giving that which really nourishes one's desires, puts them out forever so as to not want any more, not view that there is a wanter. That thing which nourishes is cultivation. That is also one of the functions of my vows. Please, disagree with me all you want.. haha it is only that we must accept that which makes sense to our own reasoning, logic, common sense. So please, believe nothing i say. Question , question, question. There is nothing that gets offended here. Peace and Blessings, Lin

A need is simply something one is personally attached to. If one uses things, yet can put the down, not emotionally in need for them, not distrubed by them in mind, it is not attachment. So, if we use things for the function and not the need, it is not attachment. But one must be sure that emotionally, mentally they are not moved by what they are using. Its simple really. I am sure there are those in the Buddhist school who only speak things that keep them supported by lay people...I know it happens in the Daoist school, people say things just to appease the lay person, or even fellow cultivator for financial support. The attachment for money doesn't end with leaving the home life...hahaha Peace Lin

There wouldn't be, for Ego is a western perception of character/mind. But what cultivation texts would point to is the view of there being one observing, and or cultivating. Hinting to drop all views, and attention to all sensations as being "owned", or being one's own experience is written about in cultivation texts. In Chinese, the equivalent to Ego is Zi Wo. Basically a "mine" mentality, or even "Wo" a me perception. Also because the Ego is false. A false thought in mind. Pointing to it may cause one to attach to it. So just don't bother, but at the same time don't get attached to experiences, for they are still of the mind either way...lol The word ego may be used nowadays in translated texts to accommodate the language and way of understanding it, but that would be all I believe. Peace, Lin

Its not that they are separate from you, it is just the cultivation of things in mind. The mind/conditions they have, are far more cultivated than the one practicing/receiving methods from them. Though ultimately we are all without dual nature, due to conditions in mind, there will be a dual nature. Therefore the view of them being separate. In either case, they are of one's mind, and also are cultivated beings at the same time. Peace, Lin

You know me too well.. lol Ego is just one's thoughts about themselves and things they feel they can't live without. Children already have it, and it flows through them without them realizing the conditions which let it arise. For children to embrace a mind of egoistic behavior would just be another obstacle they have to deal with. They can do quite well without views that they are better than others, that other people are less capable then they are, even with attitudes of competitiveness, children can do great without them. With the putting down of one's personal attachments, which include views, they would not be less sociable. On the contrary, they would find the cultivation of bein gin the world good for their on cultivation...haha Children , if taught and shown non-discrimination, they will be able to embrace things easily, be wiser, and not be filled with resentment, or hatred, or low self esteem...for there would be no personal attachment to a view of the self. Ego is a view. Nothing we do everyday requires the view of ego. Its only that we have become so used to functioning with it, that we find an excuse for it. Like a person who smokes often finds excuses to smoke another one when trying to quite. The view of it satisfying some part of them is false, but was constantly entertained by the smoker that the view of a need for it to function arises. Strength, character, these things are only expressions of mind. If one is wise, they know which expressions carry the meaning of how they present themselves. Strength, functioning, socializing...doesn't require an ego an at all. As long as one realizes that none of it is really separate, then using the view of there being others will not hinder their wisdom mind. But that must be very much realized, not just intellectually understood. Un-enlightened, one is human, Enlightened, one is still human. This is because both have not realized their Buddha Mind, Buddhahood. Once one realizes the Buddha Mind, Buddha hood, a human is still a human, and a human is only of their own mind. Peace...fun topic. Lin

The performers in that video were all deaf before preparing for the performance. Some born that way, others became deaf after taking medicine for a fever, and some other sicknesses. Not joking.

Answer: Those which are not asked. Koan: He who seeks, attains the seeking. He who creates, attains intended results. When seeking and creating are dropped, who is left to attain nothing?

Amitabha... Zen=Chan=Dhyana It, Zen/Chan/Dhyana, originally was brought to India and transmitted by Shakyamuni Buddha, to Arya Mahakasyapa through several patriarchs down to Bodhidharma, then to China, to the 6th Patriarch in China, and from there, in between or after the 6th Patriarch, to Japan. Peace and Blessings fellow cultivator! Lin

Answer: Affinities created, is the call to the one who hears. Conditions arise, Dharma is taught. Koan: Defilements myriad, Dharma arises. Four views cut off, the ground is pure. Who remains to tend the fields? Peace, Lin P.S.- Nice thread.

They aren't contradictory in the sense of using the same energy. But method is obviously for different results to an extent. Making the energy rise is one manner of cultivation, but it will come down anyway. Focusing on the dantian just utilizes that energy that goes up, and works to change it. That is its function, it changes energy. Also, the change brings benefits to the body. When the body is clean from toxins, it's ability to function is not hindered. Thus mind is also unhindered. It is two different practices, and it is utilizing same energy. What goes up will come down, relatively. So as to not cause too much pressure in the head, eyes, some cultivation brings the energy to the dantian. Gradually, one will be able to handle high vibrations of energy in the head. There are practices in sitting cultivation which work for compression at all energy centers, bringing energy up the spine, nourishing everything along the way, and once it reaches the crown, one shouldn't let is shower over oneself and waste away. Direct it to the dantian at the naval for further cultivation. In any manner, the energy will be circulating throughout the body. The Large Heavenly Circuit, Macro Cosmic Orbit, is constantly circulating. Focusing on it emphasizes the amount of energy there. If it were closed, one would die. If an energy center is closed, the person would be seriously ill. So its just that a person's energy is not highly vibrating in a certain area, and thus the sensation from that place is less obvious. But the term "Closed Meridian" was created, but it misleads.... just had to add that...lol Peace, Lin

There is an obvious difference in mind, so the change is noticeable, but the thought, and the feelings of an "I" being enlightened are just not present. Such a distinction would be simply to recognize that there was an "I" and "now" there is "none". Peace, Lin

No one can enlighten another. One who is enlightened does not wear it on their shoulder, chest, forehead. THey are humble, not saying, My way will make you enlightened in 40 days..haha They would never advertise. What they may say is , 'Hey, I have a method that may lead you to enlightenment. It requires you to investigate your own mind, and decide what is and isn't permanent.' They would give a method proper for the cultivator. When the cultivator reaches another level, the method changes. Enlightenment is not from a method, it is from the mind alone. One doesn't need a method in order to become enlightened, but if one has not realized enlightenment, they need a method.. hahaha How funny it is. When one has attained full, complete pure enlightenment, that means all worlds, they can go to, all realms they can see, travel, all beings of all directions can be conceived of and observed. If one has not attained complete pure enlightenment, that simply means they still have things to let go of. They can develop powers along the way, but they will not be the highest level. It is said that those on level one do not know what level two looks like. And those on the second to highest level are ignorant to the highest level. It is only when they attain that state do they know. It is better for us to get to meditating, cultivating, and realizing the result of proper practice. Practice like you have the word 'Death' pasted onyour forehead.. it can come at any time,...until it does, cultivate. Peace and Blessings, Lin

Ya... a bit of mindfulness goes a long way actually. Slight stimulation is all that is needed really. Nothing intense. Peace, Lin

Lack of sleep drains energy hahaha Just calm your thinking, reactions to things, speech both fast and moderate speed, as well as constant chatter. Attention splitting; giving your attention to many things at once drains the energy. I made a short video specifically for it. Nothing great, but its something. I 'll do it again so its more clearer and less background noise. XoD7Lix-O70 Peace, Lin P.S.- funny... "try not to leak out a lot, as little as possible..." hahaha sometimes I make myself laugh. I didn't say anything wrong, I just thought it was funny that I said it in that manner...hahaha

Thanks Minkus!!! I just edited the post and learned to embed into the post. Peace and Blessings Lin

Initiations mean a lot of things to the people giving them. But basically, you can practice anything you want without the initiations. Depending on what you are practicing, eventually one's energy would reach that of the level of the origin of the cultivation method...so to say. Initiation ceremonies are also for making sure some cultivators "entering" the room of cultivation stick to their practice. It has many functions, and not at all useless...but if what is transmitted is not utilized, it is useless. The disadvantage is just in the mind of the practitioner. Peace, Lin

Initiation ceremonies raise one's energy level a bit hgiher, making it easier ot anchor in the energy they are pulling in, becoming aware of. Thus making it easier to anchor the teaching sfor the level of energy. Its a big push for the time , but if one does nothing with it afterwards, it is useless, until the energy has been cultivated again. Peace, Lin

There are some physical signs, but that is too broad...such as; space in between the fingers when the hand is open and the fingers are not separated. Dark circles under the eyes, fatigue. Sensations in some areas are can point to weakness physically. Energetically being aware would require one to be mindful of the changes that occur moment ot moment. Some ay be subtle, others not. A good way to tell is if when you wake up in the morning, you still feel tired. Peace, Lin

It is said that in any cultivation method one opens the orifices, clears the stagnancy within them. This makes sensations through the senses and orifices more sensitive, especially more succeptible to outside influences of heat and cold, and wind. Keeping the root lock would hinder excessive leaking of energy. Fun Stuff! Try keeping it locked as much as you can throughout the day...not with a tense hold, but a slight one. Peace and Blessings, Lin

It is not the practices that didn't do it, it was the mind practicing them. The mind didn't feel proper until it did. Peace and Blessings, Lin