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Excerpts from Nagarjuna's Bodhicittavivarana trans. by Geshe Thubten Jinpa: http://www.tibetanclassics.org/html-assets/Awakening%20Mind%20Commentary.pdf 39 The cognizer perceives the cognizable; Without the cognizable there is no cognition; Therefore why do you not admit That neither object nor subject exists [at all]? ... 53 To whom consciousness is momentary, To them it cannot be permanent; So if the mind is impermanent, How could it be inconsistent with emptiness? 54 In brief if the Buddhas uphold The mind to be impermanent, How would they not uphold That it is empty as well. 55 From the very beginning itself The mind never had any [intrinsic] nature; It is not being stated here that an entity Which possesses intrinsic existence [somehow] lacks this. ... 57 Just as sweetness is the nature of molasses And heat the nature of fire, Likewise we maintain that The nature of all phenomena is emptiness. 58 When one speaks of emptiness as the nature [of phenomena], One in no sense propounds nihilism; By the same token one does not Propound eternalism either. 59 Starting with ignorance and ending with aging, All processes that arise from The twelve links of dependent origination, We accept them to be like a dream and an illusion. ... 63 In brief from empty phenomena Empty phenomena arise; Agent, karma, fruits, and their enjoyer – The conqueror taught these to be [only] conventional. 64 Just as the sound of a drum as well as a shoot Are produced from a collection [of factors], We accept the external world of dependent origination To be like a dream and an illusion. 65 That phenomena are born from causes Can never be inconsistent [with facts]; Since the cause is empty of cause, We understand it to be empty of origination. 66 The non-origination of all phenomena Is clearly taught to be emptiness; In brief the five aggregates are denoted By [the expression] “all phenomena.” 67 When the [ultimate] truth is explained as it is The conventional is not obstructed; Independent of the conventional No [ultimate] truth can be found. 68 The conventional is taught to be emptiness; The emptiness itself is the conventional; One does not occur without the other, Just as [being] produced and impermanent. 69 The conventional arises from afflictions and karma; And karma arises from the mind; The mind is accumulated by the propensities; When free from propensities it’s happiness.

Hey all, maybe some of you guys can help me out interpreting this whole experience. I've been practicing Tien Tao Chi Kung lately, and I`m following Roger Hagood's advice of gently focusing on the lower dantien throughout the day. Two nights ago I laid to sleep at night and focused on my dantien till I got to sleep. after spending a whole day focusing on the dantien it's almost sure that a night it'll be vibrating full of chi, and so it was. All of a sudden my whole body was paralized (the all common night paralysis). But this time it was different, all my surrounding was vibrating and I was slowly falling as if I was sinking in the deep sea. I had a desperate feeling with it. Suddently I was in a very vivid dream, but the details were not that important. I woke up all of a sudden, in one violent grasp of air, as if the whole dream happened whilst my lungs were empty. ------------ Next night, same procedure, went to sleep and focused on my LDT till night closed my eyes. I started dreaming... In this dream I was in a soccer field... there was a wrestling team with powerfull men training and being led by a coach... I passed by in admiration, laid down on the grass at a distance of their training. There I entered the "whole body paralysis" again. Yes I was within the dream this time. The paralysis was intense with all the vibration sensations over my body., is was particularly intense in my LDantien, this focus point then rose spontaneosly to my crown, where it started to emanate a sound as if of a waterfall. I was freaking out, very scared. Why was that sound emanating from my crown where my intent got stuck? I suddently woke up from the paralysis, I but I still was in the dream... I woke up still in the soccer field thanks to the coach of the wrestling team who was directing water at my body with a hose in an attempt to "wake me up". Apparently the sound emanating from my crown point was nothing less than the sound of the water striking it from his hose. The whole fighter team stood around me, looking at me in shock and fear. "Geese" said one of them "I surely didn`t want to be in your skin". I told them all how I admired how they represented courage and strength. Then I really woke up from this dream, in my bed... also with a sudden grasp of air, as if it all happened while my lungs were empty. During the whole morning my respiration was very gentle, almost nonexistent, may be too gentle, I don'y know. ----- But all those experiences freaked me out, it`s too terrifying. I don`t know if it was triggered because the air here is too dry or if it`s because of over practicing qigong. but if it was due to over practicing chikung it would probably be an Excess symptom in traditional chinese medicine, and my breath was actually very, very gentle, which actually looks more of a deficiency symptom. or maybe it has to do with shen.. I don`t know! But I surelly would really want to know why it is happening and what is happening energetically. I had it before, but it passed away gradually, even though I continued practicing. ----------- Doen anyone have more information about this phenomena? Anyone knows how to interpret dreams? That would be great too... Thanks alot my brothers. ----------- When it happened I was sleeping under alot of covers, and the weather is getting hot in Canada, the sun hits my apartment directly all day long, so there is alot of solar energy in the place. I passed the last 2 -3 days with this very gentle respiration, and feeling very warm on my skin.. warm and stuffy, almost stale, the air I`m breathing is feeling a little stale too. I`ll sleep with my windows open. for some reason I thing it can be related to the sun, the warmth and the dry weather.

This is actually a subtle point I've run into again and again over the last few months, and each time I leave myself 100 notes trying to explain things, but I always foget eventually and start hoping again, haha. Practically speaking, hope itself is the enemy. If you are hoping, that means you believe something needs to change. I can totally understand your point of view here, though, and I know my own reaction would be, "Well, then, what's the point of doing anything? Aren't you just saying you can't escape, and whatever you feel is how it is?" The answer is so simple it's almost impossible to grab hold of - I've felt it slipping through my fingers so many times - surrender itself IS contentment. It's actionless action. Whatever you are doing RIGHT NOW is the action. To make it actionless action, all you need to do is accept it completely. Look around in your head at any feeling or thought and, once you see it, leave it exactly as it is. What causes our stresses is that we are always trying to make bad feelings go away or good feelings stay longer. No feeling is bad or good, though, they are all simply sensations. What makes something feel good is letting it do it's own thing. Even the worst anxiety can be contentment. I wouldn't type it if I hadn't seen it for myself. The word "rest" has actually taken on a new meaning for me, too, haha. It's the one note I left myself that always hits home. "What is the opposit of restlessness? REST!" Just rest within whatever state of mind presents itself. Edit: I should note that this is all my own interpretation of things, too. If I'm using the terminology wrong (probably) the content is still true in my own recent practice. I can empathize if I don't seem to be making sense, as well. It all seems so simple when you're going through your day in perfect equanimity, then you wake up the next morning and wonder if it was all just a beautiful dream.

It has abhisheka/direct introduction which is a shared feature between all tantric systems. It employs methods which work with tantric anatomy as these are classifiable as 'tantric practices' i.e. togal, guru yoga, semzin, rushan, dream yoga, karmamudra, phowa, etc. Many Dzogchen tertons also revealed mahayoga and anuyoga terma revelations which are a part of such nyintig cycles such as the Longchen nyintig cycle.

Oh yes! I had an 'ability' in my club to learn patterns a lot faster than the others. One asked me how once and I said I practice in my dreams ... then they all looked at me skeptical and like I was a ' a weirdo' or bullshitter <shrug> . It doesnt work if it is a vague imagining or it is just 'going through it in your head ... one must 'imagine' one is in the body and in relationship to a particular environment. I found it interesting that the one I had trouble to do in the dream state had a uniques and unusual motion to it; left, right, straight ahead , left (which so far is fairly typical) then a 3/4 turn and backwards moving diagonally through the original pattern ... every time I got to that point I became disorientated and came out of the lucid state. I eventually was able to do it. I took a break for a while from training and recently returned. All the patterns are coming back ( 14 empty handed 12 with various weapons) but I had totally forgotten that one I had difficulty with even existed. Why bother to try to read a card in the next room? IMO the value of this has nothing to do with that sort of thing. It may all be 'psychological' ... but so may everything else ? When young I had trouble with bullying in my dreams. I eventually learnt how to deal with dream bullies and then bullying stopped happening in my life. Also deep internal states can effect things like outward body movement, composure and demeanor ... and others detect that , unconsciously or not. And I may as well add (as I often do) that my personal shamanic belief system is that we are all a dream of a giant rainbow serpent curled up asleep underground dreaming within ' water from the heavens ' .

There is the idea of a Personal Legend. This thing we know as children. Then we forget, or a "mysterious force" convinces us that it is impossible. We grow up, listening to our families, friends, society. We stuff our dreams deep down inside, as they are impractical. Instead we go to college, or get a job, or marry and start a family. We grow old and we die, our dreams unfulfilled, our Personal Legend abandoned. I was envious of people who had this thing called a dream. I felt as if I was somehow missing something, incomplete because I did not have one, as far as I could recall. At my age the time for going after a dream, pursuing a Personal Legend, seemed to be coming to a close. I started reading the graphic novel adaptation of, "The Alchemist", and tonight I sat back and reflected. Seriously thought about my childhood, what I must have known as a child. I came to the conclusion there are three things that have stuck in my mind. I don't know how else to describe them: 1. To design and build structures or places, emphasis on building. 2. To play the guitar. 3. To go to the Big Sur area in California. As a child I played with legos. I think I mostly made buildings, but I do not remember clearly. This just feels right. It fits with my later building of structures around the place we used to live. Then, as a young man, I pursued various level editors, learning 3DS Max, and building things for video games. But these were counterfeits. I think the true legend is architecture. and the Taliesin Institute (the Frank Lloyd Wright school of architecture) specifically, as my starting point, unless an opportunity comes to just start building and designing things. I tried to learn the guitar. It was either not the right time or not the right teachers. I was teaching myself through DVDs and internet lessons. I think I need personal instruction, and a guitar. I sold the one I had. I don't know why the Big Sur area. It has stuck in my mind ever since reading about it in, "Spiritual Places." I have no specific place to go in mind (although there are numerous spiritual centers in the area I may visit.) Only a vision that may be connected, of an old man living in an old trailer near some red cliff faces not far from the ocean. That I have to see this person. Just the Big Sur area itself sticks in my mind, not this vision, but the two may be related. I am asking for help. Specifically I need the resources to go to the Big Sur, I think I am to start there, then I need the resources to go to the Taliesin Institute. Finally I need a guitar, something like I had before with more space between the frets than normal (a longer neck) as well as a teacher who is willing to teach me how to play it. Prayers, sending of energy, Treatments, mailing me items or donating money as you are compelled, these are what I am asking for. Funds can be sent via Amazon Payments to: dreamblissflows[at]gmail[dot]com. Replace the [at] and [dot] with the proper symbols. You may also contact me there for my mailing address. I also need someone who can either live here full time or be on call full time as a back up driver for my family and a helper for my grandmother. My dad would like to pursue his dream of hiking the PCT this year or the next, and if he leaves they will need another person here to take his place while he is gone. Normally that would be me, but I may also be gone. So prayer for the truest person for this position is also needed. I am leaving either this year or the next. I have made no plans yet. I have asked the Source for guidance and direction. I will not force things. I will flow, that is, I will be using grace, in my pursuit of what I believe to be my Personal Legend. Even if it is not, it should, by the very act of moving, that energy of going after it, draw me to it, or it to me. Only one thing I know for certain... Staying here is to stagnate and die inside. I choose to live life, in the present moment, to its fullest, not live the appearance of life, like a zombie, going from work to home, doing what society tells me I should be doing. It is time to follow my heart, not my head, or the voices of others. Thank you for your prayers and support!

I already lived my dream hike, which was to take several days' walk in the foothills of the Himalayas, in Nepal. I did one loop around Kathmandu Valley, and then the following year I walked around the Pokhara region. We only got up around 9,000 feet, but the scenery was jaw-dropping since the huge peaks loom over you. My hiking buddy and I hired a guide, porter and cook (you had to have at least a guide as foreigners weren't allowed to go outside the settled areas alone) and we had an amazing time. Back home in the States, I did some hiking in Maine and in New Hampshire's White Mountains over the years, but would like to get to BC and the PNW in general.

(I hope the formatting holds up) i thank You God for most this amazing day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes (i who have died am alive again today, and this is the suns birthday; this is the birth day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay great happening illimitably earth) how should tasting touching hearing seeing breathing any-lifted from the no of all nothing-human merely being doubt unimaginable You? (now the ears of my ears awake and now the eyes of my eyes are opened) e.e. cummings 1894-1962

... Dream on, dreamers. But would you believe I couldn't find a decent version of Supertramp's "Dreamer?!" I love that song. Still, I got these instead. ...

... I might be interested in assisting with conducting some remote viewing experiments. For sometimes when we dream we wake, To take the grail our thirst to slake.. ...

This is what the Dream Yoga is all about. Here is a question for you all. Do any of you really understand what it is that you are experiencing when you are 'in the body', that you can really frame any meaningful questions about what it means to be 'out of body'? The question is rhetorical and an invitation to self examination, to ask yourself what you believe and why you believe what you believe, about your being right now. The only important answer is your own. Don't bug me about it.

I've had so many incredibly realistic and vivid experiences in the dream scape that my suspicion is that the awakening buddha speaks of and the tao intimates, is akin to becoming lucid during 'waking life'.

I will have to say here for all general disbilievers out there( no one specific ) , that I am very sceptical if someone who consider themselves to be serious cultivator and has no idea what their dreams are about and how they connect to waking life . Further more sceptical if someone is not at least sometimes awake/aware to some degree within dream as this is just natural continuation of being aware during waking state .

hey now, no apologies and no shit, ok? You were either led astray by people who credit Richard Bach with writing the Laozi, or you were thinking about the 'butterfly dream' from Zhuangzi. So what? Caterpillars and butterflies are sweet

If you're going to be delusional, its probably better to be hyper-delusional. To be hyper realistic, may be to close some important doors and avenues of experience. The people who believe OBE's are the one's most likely to master the phenomena. Whether its traveling astrally, dimensionally or within a lucid dream, they'll gain an experience a nay sayer won't approach. I trust Rawn Clarks work. Not that he teach's OBE, but according to some of his old writings he had consistent astral meet ups with a group of other high level hermetic magicians. These meetings were preplanned with real people and they'd later talk about it online or over the phone for confirmation. Does he have any proof of the meetings, no. Does he have any interest in proving they're possible or existed, no. Still, there's a large amount of evidence such a phenomena exists. High level stuff, and a telephone is much easier, still.. fascinating..

... I believe I left my body. When I "died." Perhaps I spontaneously do it in meditation, but I am not truly aware of it. It's all most strange. Also, for a time in my teens I experienced lucid dreaming. By that I mean when I dreamt, I knew I was dreaming, I could determine events and so on in the dream at will with a certain omnipotence, limited perhaps now I recall. I could also wake at will. It would be nice to attempt some conscious dreamwork/astral travel, perhaps attempting to connect with some of the members here. I did download that free e-book by Michael Raduga, "Teaching out of body travel and lucid dreaming." Did anyone else take a look at that? Funnily enough, in the fiction work I reading at the moment, Julian May's "Intervention" a group of parapsychologists and "functional meta-operants" have just demonstrated "excorporeal excursion" (astral travel) in front of television cameras broadcasting to an astonished world. ...

Never. If you want something to focus on: Pick an organ and feel into it. See it. Hear it. Smell it. Taste it. Let it grow in importance and become all-important. Try listening to your liver. That's what Zhuangzi would do, if he weren't busy breathing through his heals. Or a muscle. The diaphragm is a good place to start. Not a bad place to end, come to think of it. Still curious about that caterpillar reference. Do you mean the butterfly story? The butterfly "dream"?

Anyone that has hiked, climbed or backpacked in the wilderness must have a dream hike destination. Here is my first one. Mt. Whitney on the John Muir trail. I have camped out next to the glacial end moraine below Whitney (above Lone Pine).

Thanks a lot Friend. Yes, this was my impression already that the shielding is part of the transmission. Just wanted to make sure I supposed correctly. It is very interesting what you say about tests in dreams. When I was practicing Tenaga Dalam some years ago, I even had to fight in dreams. I remember one dream where I was taken to a colloseum and had to fight what looked like a Daoist Master in my dream. He wanted to test my abilities and mentioned that he had "heard" of me. I could defeat him, thank god My teacher at that time gave quite a weird explanation. He was convinced that this had been a place of power that was obviously near the place I live. The place was obviously curious about the "new guy" in town and wanted to see what I am up to.

In other words: She was only halluzinating, her brain was producing an illusion/dream and there is nothing "real" to so called "out of body" experiences! D-BUNKED!

will and personal power creativity sexual expression action The Fire Element governs the Sacral Hara Chakra andSolar Plexus Chakra. Zodiac Fire SignsThe Fire signs are Aries, Leo, Sagittarius. People born under a fire sign are energetic and assertive. They tend to be active, competitive and spontaneous. They have a passion for the freedom to do as they wish. They are adventurous, and fun-loving. Lion Meanings and Thoughts on Lion Symbolism The symbolic meaning of lions, as one might imagine, primarily deals with strength. The fact that it is a nocturnalcreature means that the lion is a symbol of authority and command over subconscious thought (as night is an ancient symbol of the subconscious - or dream states). It's interesting that the lion is considered by many ancient cultures to be a solar animal symbol, however it is primarily a nocturnal creature, conducting its hunting activity mostly at night. Further, the lioness is considered a lunar animal. This serves as a symbolic message of balance and sound judgment. In that the lion shares the world of both night and day, the lion bears a message of prudence to us. In other words, the lion asks us to not overdo in certain areas of our lives. Rather, keep an even mind and an overall balance in our life activities. Other than a symbol for strength, other symbolic attributes of the lioninclude... Symbolic Meaning of LionWisdom Power Royalty Dignity Courage Justice Ferocity Dominion Authority In Egypt, the lion represented the ferocious heat of the sun and was seen in the likeness of Sekhmet who is the Egyptian goddess known as the Eye of Ra. She is the power that protects the good and annihilates the wicked. In ancient Greece, lions were identified with Dionysus, Phoebus, Cybele, and Artemis because myth indicates lions drew the chariots for these gods and goddesses. Here, the symbolic meaning of lions revolved around protections and they were viewed as guardians of the dead as well as guardians of palaces, doorways, shrines and thrones. They were also ultimate protectors of hearth and home. In Hinduism, the lion is an avatar (embodiment or personification) of Vishnu. In Buddhism the Buddha sits upon the lion as a throne of consistency, strength and wisdom. In alchemy, the symbolic meaning of lions is associated with the highly idealistic and prized attributes of gold. Lion Symbolism in Heraldry The symbolic meaning of lions in England is shown in heraldic art where it is a common emblem of English sovereigns because of these lion-like traits: Honor Courage Royalty Strength Leadership Lion Meanings in Astrology As a zodiac symbol - those with the sign of Leo likely possess some lion's personality traits such as: Fiery Loyalty Passionate Intuition Generosity Territorial Controlling Self-confidence Those born under the sun sign Leo are fiercely independent, confident and in control. They are creative and influential forces and have the internal power to make positive (or negative) changes in their lives and the lives of others around them. They are very loyal people, and will defend friend and family honor to the death. My friend Goran Jonsson has perfectly captured the strength and ferocity the Leo represents in his zodiac pendant shown left. Lions as dream symbols indicate we may feel as though we are being preyed upon, or we are in a position to defend ourselves. Dreaming of lions may also be a sign of our need to get in touch with our emotions, and tame them if necessary. In esoteric studies, the lion makes its appearance in the Tarot where it is illustrated in the Strength card of the Major Arcana. When we observe the lion in nature, we detect an easy strength and a natural dignity. The lion is born powerful, and power comes naturally to it. There is no false bravado as the lion has no need of it. When the lion comes to us it is a sign for us to step into our natural birthright of power. Each of us is born powerful and divine. The lion reminds us of this. Symbolic Messages the Lion Offers UsHave courage, have faith Stand tall, remember your birthright of power Hold your head high - even in times of conflict - conduct yourself with dignity It may be time to defend something that is dear to your heart - defend it fiercely if you must Perhaps it's time to show your authority (not in a dominating way) but lead others with a loving heart

According to the Prajnaparamita's, consciousness does not exist in the universe (aka duality). Science can only observe motion. There is no consciousness in motion. The perception of consciousness in motion is a simulation,...perhaps a dream of consciousness. Hawking's has said, their is no time,...and thus no singularity, no big bang, no creation, nor a creator. For most, science is more diversion, than serious path. The only way to understand Buddhism and Taoism,...is to let go of physical 6 senses. "the ego is a monkey catapulting through the jungle; totally fascinated by the realm of the senses....if anyone threaten it, it actually fears for its life. Let this monkey go. Let the senses go...." Lao Tzu 　 "the only way to understand the Tao is to directly experience it." Lao Tzu It is impossible to has a direct experience through the 6 senses,...all experience born of the 6 senses can only be experienced through the conditions of the 6 senses. Prajnaparamita points to a 7th and higher levels, which, according to alleged enlightened beings, is the only way to see things as they are. A short version of this is the Heart Sutra. If the Heart Sutra is untrue,...then the whole of Buddhism and Taoism is untrue. Thus, this would be a much better place to begin than science (aka sciential mind).

That's a good Off-Topic....Consciousness does not exist time. Definitely not something for the General Forums. The statement is absolutely true. Consciousness does not exist in time. The implications for ego,...overwhelming. There is no present in time,...there is no (real) consciousness in time. Of course,...ego thinks, therefore it is. But isn't thinking always and irrefutably in the past.> Ever heard of anyone thinking, seeing, tasting, touching, smelling, hearing...in the present? No! To get such a dialogue going,...what does Buddhism say about it? And the true mind? 　 The Bodhisattva of Compassion Kuan Yin (Avalokitesvara) dialogue with Buddha on realizing the Way Things Are, and the True Mind, as told in the Shurangama Sutra: "The sea of enlightenment in its nature is perfect and clear. Complete, distinct Bodhi is its miraculous source. But when basic brightness shone so that objects appeared, With objects' existence, the nature's brilliance faded. Confusion about falseness brings about emptiness. Relying on emptiness, worlds coming into being. Thoughts settle, forming countries. Consciousness becomes beings. The emptiness created within great enlightenment, Is like a single bubble in all the sea. Beings subject to outflows and lands like fine dust motes, All emerge out of empty space. Just as the bubble bursts, so too, space never existed. How much the less the three states of being! Returning to the source, the nature is not two. Many are the entrances through expedients; The sagely nature permeates them all. Whether compliant or adverse, all situations are expedient. Those who initially resolve to enter Samadhi, Progress slow or fast according to the method selected. Forms are defiled objects created from thought. They cannot be discerned by the essence of mind. How can something not clearly discernible Be used to gain perfect penetration? In sounds, language is intermingled. But the meaning in a word, a name, a phrase, In such that no single one can included them all. How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? Awareness of smells comes through contact with them. Apart from them, one does not know that they exist. Since sensation of them is not constant, How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? Flavors are not to us fundamental by nature. They only exist when there is something to taste. Since this sensation is not perpetual, How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? Touch becomes clear only when something is touched. Without an object there can be no contact. Since contact and separation fluctuate, How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? Dharmas are know as internal defiling dust. Reckoned as defiling dust, they are certainly sense objects. Involvement of subject and object cannot be pervasive; How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? Although seeing itself is lucid and penetrating, Clearly discerning in front, it cannot discern behind. Ever reaching only half the four directions, How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? The nose's breath penetrates in and out. But in the rests between there is no air. These interruptions render it inconsistent. How can that be used perfect penetration? The tongue is not an organ without a function; Flavors form the source of its sensation. When flavors cease, it knows nothing at all. How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? It is the same for the body as for objects of touch. Neither can be regarded as a perfect awareness. With defined and limited invisible divisions, How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? Mental knowledge is a mass of deliberating. What it perceives is never profound insight. Unable to get beyond reflection and thought, How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? The seeing-consciousness combines three aspects. Probe its origin: it has no appearance. Since its very substance is variable, How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? The essence of hearing penetrates the ten directions, For those who have already developed great causes, Those of initial resolve cannot enter this way. How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? Reflecting on the nose is a provisional method. It only serves to gather in and settle the mind. Once settled, the mind is simply still. How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? Those of former accomplishment enlightened by Speaking Dharma through the medium of language, But since words and phrases are not free of outflows, How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? Refraining from transgressions only controls the body. For one lacking a body, there is nothing to restrain. Since its source is not all-pervasive, How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? Spiritual penetrations are based on past causes. What connection have they with distinguishing dharmas? Conditioned thought is not apart from things. How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? One may contemplate the nature of earth, But it is firm and solid, not penetrable. Whatever is conditioned is not the sagely nature. How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? One may contemplate the nature of water, But such mental reflection is not the true and real. This state of suchness is not an enlightened view. How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? One may contemplate the nature of fire, But admitting dislike is not true renunciation. This expedient cannot be one for beginners. How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? One may contemplate the nature of wind, But movement and stillness are not non-dual. Duality cannot bring highest enlightenment. How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? One may contemplate the nature of emptiness . But its aspect is murky and dull, lacking awareness. Whatever is unaware is different from Bodhi. How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? One may contemplate the nature of consciousness; Yet one is regarding a consciousness that is not eternal. Even the thought of it is empty and false. How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? All activities are impermanent; So, too, mindfulness has its origin in arising and ceasing. Since at any given time the factors propelling cause and effect differ, How can that be used to reach perfect penetration? I now inform the Bhagavan, The Buddha appearing in the Saha world: In this land the true substance of teaching Resides in hearing the sounds purely. If one wants to attain Samadhi, Hearing is the best way to enter. Apart from suffering, liberation is found. How excellent is he who contemplates the world's sounds! Throughout eons as numerous as Ganges' sands. He enters Buddhalands as many as fine dust motes. Obtaining great power of self-mastery, He bestows fearlessness on living beings. Wonderful is the sound of Contemplator of the World's Sounds, A pure sound, like the ocean's roar. He saves the world and brings peace to all within it. He has transcended the world, and his attainment is eternal. I now evaluate, Tathagata, What the Contemplator of Sounds has just explained: Consider someone in a quiet place, who, When drums are rolled throughout the ten directions, Can hear at once the sounds from all ten locations. That is actual true perfection. The eyes cannot see through solid forms. The mouth and the nose are much the same. The body registers awareness only through contact. The mind, tangled in thoughts, lacks clear connections. Sounds can be heard even through solid walls. The ears can listen to things both near and far. None of the other five organs can match this. It, then, is penetrating true and real. The nature of sounds is based in motion and stillness. One hears according to whether there is sound. With no sound, there is said to be no hearing. But this does not mean that the hearing-nature is gone. In the absence of sound, the nature is not ended; Nor does it arise in the presence of sound. Entirely beyond arising and ceasing. It is, then, truly eternal. Ever-present, even in dream-thinking, It does not disappear when conditions and thought are gone. Enlightened, this contemplation transcends cognition, Reaching beyond both the body and the mind. Now, in the Saha world, the theory of sounds Has been proclaimed and understood. Yet beings are confused about the source of hearing. They follow sounds and so turn and flow. Ananda's power to remember was exceptional; Yet he fell prey to a deviant plot. Was it not from heeding sounds that he was nearly lost? By turning back the flow, one will be above falseness. Ananda, listen attentively: I rely upon the Buddha's mighty power, In describing to you the Vajra King, A Samadhi inconceivable that is like an illusion. It is the true mother of all Buddhas. You may hear the secret Dharma-doors Of Buddhas as numerous as atoms of universe, But without first renouncing desire and outflows, You may amass learning, and still make mistakes. You exploit learning to uphold the Buddhahood of the Buddhas. Why don't you try to hear your own hearing? Hearing does not arise spontaneously; It gets its name due to sounds. But when hearing returns and is free of sound, What does one call that which is set free? As soon as one sense-organ returns to the source, All the six are liberated. Sight and hearing are like an illusory covering. The triple realm, a vision of flowers in space. When hearing reverts, the covering of the sense-organs is gone. The defiling dust gives way to pure and perfect insight. With ultimate purity, the light is penetrating. A stillness shines and includes within it all of emptiness . Looking at the world from this point of view, Everything that happens is just like a dream. Matangi's daughter, too, is part of the dream. Who was able, then, to physically detain you? Consider a shadow puppeteer at work, Making the dolls seem as real as people. Although one sees them move about freely, They are really governed by a set of strings. Cease operating the controls and they become still. The entire illusion was never really there. The six sense-organs are also thus. At first there was one essential brightness. Which split into a six-fold combination. If but one part ceases and returns, All six functions will stop as well. Responding to a thought, defiling objects vanish, Becoming pure and wonderful perfect brightness . If there is residual defilement, one must still study. When the brightness is ultimate, one becomes a Tathagata. Ananda, and everyone in the great assembly, Turn around your mechanism for hearing. Return the hearing to hear your own nature The nature will become the supreme Way. That is what perfect penetration really means. That is the gateway entered by Buddhas as many as dust motes. That is the one path leading to Nirvana. Tathagatas of the past perfected this method. Bodhisattvas now merge with this total brightness. People of the future who study and practice Will also rely on this Dharma. Through this method I, too, have been certified. Contemplator of the World's Sounds Bodhisattva was not the only one. The Buddha, the Bhagavan, Inquired of me which expedient, Would save those in the final eon Who seek to escape the mundane world, And perfect the mind of Nirvana: The best way is to contemplate the sounds of the world. All the other kinds of expedients Require the stateliness and sacrosanctity of the Buddha. In some cases they bring immediate transcendence, But they are not the customary means of practice, Spoken for those of shallow and deep roots alike. I bow to the Tathagatas and the Tripitaka And to those inconceivable Ones with no outflows, Trusting they will aid those in the future, So that no one will doubt this method. It is an expedient easy to master; an appropriate teaching for Ananda And for those floundering in the final age. They should use the ear organ to cultivate A perfect penetration surpassing all others That is the way to the true mind."

Dream Bliss, That was laying it on the line... and with a lot of serious experiences and reflections! First: If manifest reality is already written in stone then think of the "stone" as infinite and malleable in a liquid like flow... Thus in a way (and yes) it's already all written, as in the past, present and future all being rolled into one giant 'right now' and one can flow to any place or time in all of that time and in all of space by mastering their own mind - for the past, present and future are the mind as part of the most complete definition of that word. (which is not limited to just a linear and veiled flow via a 3d framework or only a physical reality) Second: The next big question - will controlling your own mind be enough, as in being able to flow any where in the mind that you want, or to a state of mind that is of great happiness yet is still conditional on its opposite? In other words will somewhere in some various mental state be enough or give you final satisfaction? (and granted mastering the mind is greater than a Mt. Everest type of achievement ! ) I think you probably answered 'no', that such will not give complete and lasting satisfaction. Thus is complete and lasting satisfaction to be found? Can it be realized and actualized? I'd say only if and when that which thinks it is mind - even with all of the vast and cosmic aspects of the mind - can find and know its true Self as Spirit then will it be truly happy beyond the conditional yet not rejecting or being reactive about the place that manifest realities in flux have - yet such can no longer take over or enthrall its true identity resulting in separation and suffering - that is because it is Free, Free in the Spirit that it is. Good fortune to you.

There have been so many beliefs I had to let go of from my former Christian faith. Some of these, such as the concept of sin, have been a relief. As I progressed along my spiritual path I found other beliefs that empowered me, such as the concept that my thoughts create my reality. In other words, the world I experience is a reflection of my thoughts. But now I am faced with the possibility that this belief too, may be wrong. As a Christian it was all about God. If it's God's will. In God's time. It was such a relief to be out from under the thumb of some all-powerful eternal entity outside myself, who seemed to have the same ego-driven impulses as the human race He created. Judgment, punishment, allowing Job to be tormented. And Heaven was not the perfect place I was brought up to believe it was. How could it be, if Lucifer and 1/3 of the angels fell from it? Where could sin come from in a perfect place? Why would I want to spend eternity in one place anyway? I mean I no longer have a physical body. So I don't need to eat, I don't need money, I can go wherever I want. A grand adventure awaits me! These realizations helped me work through the threat of eternal damnation, something I had to struggle with when I renounced my faith. I turned my back on that belief, and all other organized religions. I decided instead to learn from the teachings of each religion whatever I needed to learn. After all I went through all that, and my experience with the tulpa I believe I created and had to disconnect myself from, I thought my struggle was over. I was actually feeling peaceful, serene, calm. Anger and depression no longer had the hold on me they once had. I was able to smile and laugh more often, when before I smiled and laughed rarely. This concept that I create my reality with my thoughts opened up the world for me. It did not matter to me that I did not have the power on a physical level to challenge or change the things in the world that bothered me. I knew I could change my thinking about them, stop investing belief energy into the reality these happenings proposed, and thereby remove all power from them. I could, just by addressing how I thought about things, change the world. At the same time I could come to what I now called the Source, a general-purpose name for what I used to call God that I adopted, about anything and everything. The Source, unlike God, had no ego. I simply could not bother it with my requests as it is eternally and perfectly loving and creative. All I had to figure out is how to access that power to manifest the things I wanted in my life and the world. How to properly ask for things, or pray. Kinda like figuring out what plug would fit this socket. If I could do that, I could do anything I wanted and be anything I wanted. But then I started reading things that told me that the creation part was finished. Everything was pretty much set in stone. I could not heal myself or others. I could only Treat them, by not focusing on the person or the dis-ease but on the nature of God. It was God that did all the work. At this level of my spiritual growth I could accept God and Source as different names for the same thing. God is not at all, in my mind, what He was when I was a Christian. Now God is more of an It, an energy, as I started. So when I use God from this point on, outside of the reference to my former faith, I am still referring to this new concept I have of this entity, which I also call Source. Anyhow up to this point Jesus, as detailed in the New Testament, became a sort of a role model for me. Now that I was no longer a Christian there was more freedom in studying the Bible. With other things I had read I could see this book differently now. I could see Jesus as a man who figured out how to plug in. I thought if Jesus could do it, so could I. We are both children of God afterall. We are both connected to or one with God. I am still struggling with this oneness thing. This essentially made me feel that I could live a life without limitation. All my life I had been limited by my circumstances, beliefs, thoughts. I had never been a powerful or wealthy person. All of a sudden it seemed as if I could experience what that would be like, to have the power in me to heal, transport myself anywhere in the world, fly, take control of my dreams, astral project and explore the energetic realms of the afterlife. I thought I could do anything. I was flying high, then the plane stalled. Now once again I was being told I was wrong. My beliefs were wrong. I can not control things. I can not create my reality. My thoughts do not create my reality. I do not do the miracles. There is nothing I can do. The world is set in stone, creation is finished. Even though what I, and the rest of humanity, call reality is not how things really are, how things really are can't be changed, so what would be the point in knowing the Truth of reality? I guess I though if I knew the Truth, I would then know how to do the things I wanted to do, or how to become what I wanted to be. Essentially everything now is hopeless. My life has no purpose. I have no idea what my dream may be. Even if I were to see reality as it really is, I can't change anything. Reality is set, my course is set, I have the illusion of free will, of the ability to do anything I put my mind to, but these are as illusory as what I think of as reality itself. On top of that there seems to be no way to really know the Truth. Everyone has different definitions, who knows which one is right? I have to hear my parents constantly saying that the world is coming to an end, the second coming a big part of the Christian faith. I also read in text after text that the purpose of my life is to serve, which I know is a pile of bullshit. So that just adds to the depression energy I feel. All day, every day. It is no wonder that I finally got sick in my physical body. It is a reflection of my inner state, in serious dis-ease, I am sure. So now I have to ask, if everything is set in stone, then what is the reason to keep going? I can only come up with one. Illusory or not, there is a big world out there, and the Big Sur has stuck in my mind, so I guess I am going to have to ignore reason, free my intuition, step out in faith, with no guarantees I will even have a place to sleep, clothes on my body, or food in my belly, and go. I will have to lay my son on the alter, so-to-speak, the comforts of living here. I am blessed with a roof over my head, clothes and food. But I am starving spiritually, and if all my life were to be was living here, I would kill my physical body right now and free myself without hesitation. I need to let this go, get rid of unreasonable reason, and act solely on intuition. I know this is a major area in my life I must address. But how do I deal with this desire to have some measure of control or power, which I have never had, my whole life? I will have even less when I am hiking or biking down the coast. No safety, no security. No assurance that even if my inner landscape is at peace, and I am thinking nothing but loving thoughts, that I will even survive on the way down there, or if I get down there, once I am there. I mean if my thoughts do not create my reality, I certainly can't create a realty of getting along with everyone I meet, can I? If things are set in stone, if fate or destiny or karma rule, then I am powerless to insure a pleasant experience for myself. If I can't think good thoughts about what will happen, and the people I will meet, and expect that to be the reflection I see out in the world, then I am at the mercy of the whims of some design already set in place. The script is written, so-to-speak. I only think I can ad-lib. Once again I am left without answers, without even the faith I once had that if I just thought correctly about my circumstances and the people I meet, that I would be safe. I know I need to deal with the things driving my need for control, power and magic. I will use the word magic to describe acts that most people do not do. Walking through walls, teleportation, flying, healing. Maybe miracles is a better word. But I have always thought of this as magic. That this world is plain and dull without magic. Without wonder, a sense of wonder, without amazing things. Not that life in its many forms on this planet is not amazing. But a beautiful bird that can fly is nothing to a human who is flying, with no wings, devices or anything other than simply having figured out how to supersede the concept of the law of gravity. I need to figure out the roots of these desires and address them. But I am tried of this letting go. I am weary of it. Every time it has hurt and taken me a long time to recover, and I still have not recovered fully. I am hurt and tired. I don't believe oneness with God is any more of a desirable future than Heaven or reincarnation. I question the things I have been reading. I wonder what the Truth really is. I wonder if things have to be so hard. If I have to go through all this shit just to finally, someday, when I am 90 years old and have little time left physically to enjoy it, be able to do the things I have always wanted to do and be the person I want to be. I am not even sure who that is. Someone who is doing whatever they love to do, that thing they loose track of time doing, that thing they get lost in. I guess I want to live that life, and I want to live a life without limitations. I am tired of limitations, restrictions and rules. I want to live an unlimited life, doing what I love doing. If I am going to have a dream that is it. If this is an impossible dream to attain in a reasonable amount of physical time I guess I had better just kill myself and be done with it. There would literally be no point in living if I can't have that life. Or at the very least a life where I am doing what I love to do, and I have figured out how to access, channel or work with the Source to keep my own physical body healthy and manifest needed things. I guess now I want to see what others think. If you have a point of view I would appreciate it if you expounded on it. I remember in a previous thread that someone said my thoughts do not create my reality. They never explained why they said that. I seek understanding here, and if it is available, confirmation. I seek the Truth, whatever that is and however painful it may be. The true Truth too, not the Truth according to your religion. The Truth that has been proven to be experientially true by someone with many years experience on their own spiritual path. I am feeling a little lost and directionless right now. I have hacked my way through the dense jungle of various spiritual teachings and am now standing here, unsure of where I should go next. Please point me in the right direction if you can.