Search the Community

play it for me, Sam this kaleidoscopic dream wonder of wonders...

After death you fall into a confused dream, where you do not even know that you are dead. Actually you might be dead right now.

Hello Mikaelz, It is possible to wake up in a dream totally lucid ,and this does not refer to astral travel,but waking up in own reality where one exists as a sort of vacuum reality from where sounds and light is coming and making us up as we are,shaping us. So i suppose im interested to learn to traverse mindscape more regulary,efficiantley.Its like mind tricking its self out of its self. I feel lucid dreaming has potential to be a good mental excersise ,but maybe i could be wrong too.

The purpose of dreaming is a mental cleansing isn't it? So wouldn't lucid dreaming run contrary to the purpose of dreaming? Bringing the conscious mind into that field will stop the automatic process that occurs every time you go to sleep. I can see dream practice as a very advanced practice for those who don't need this mental cleansing, but for most of us I'd guess we need stuff to get worked on and released automatically every night. Turning sleep time into a fantasy desire land (which is what many lucid dreamers do) doesn't seem very positive in my eyes. I could be wrong.

I've been practising from this book with good results so far after 2 weeks http://www.amazon.com/Tibetan-Yogas-Dream-Sleep/dp/1559391014/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276119333&sr=1-1 Edit: you can read it for free at Google books

Hello all! My name is Jonathon David, and a good pal of mine directed me to this forum recently, and i finally got around to registering. It's good to be here. REALLY seems like my kind of crowd! A little about me: I am 24, generally high energy and activity, once i get going, but otherwise a hypocritical, lazy, procrastinator. ;D However, many things in my life have been changing rapidly as of last summer, which i spent on the streets, learning the real ropes of life. Reality has never before been so stark and real to me, as if i had just woken from a dream. In my time on the streets, i learned more about myself in 3 short months than the collective 24 years prior! While struggling to get by and acquire hand outs from the rare but ever so appreciated generosity, i declared myself a sovereign in the eyes of god, and further declared that i will continually uphold the will of the infinite whole of god's will, so long as i am a free and sovereign individual human being. Since making this declaration, life has become increasingly obstructed and uneasy, difficult to push forward or often to even see ahead of myself. But i refuse to give (it) up, for without freedom, without sovereignty, i might as well occupy a hole in the ground and push up some daisies. I might not have a whole lot of personal power over my own life at this time, but i am earning it more and more every day. My name is Jonathon David, and i am a Free and Sovereign Human Being, just being Human.

Some people wouldn't respect SHAKTIPAT or even open up to it if they didn't pay for it. Money is karma and offering money or service in exchange for SHAKTIPAT has always been customary in order to create cracks in a persons karmic shell. Some people already have the opening due to past life work though and others need to sit on the fire and thaw out before feeling the fire. Nothing happens in the cosmos without some sort of exchange at some point or another. I did get SHAKTIPAT from Gurumayi many years ago and it was immensely powerful and I didn't pay for it. I was just looking at her picture sometime after puberty while at the Shree Muktananda Ashram in upstate NY in the 80's. I received many wonderful experiences through the path of Siddha Yoga both form level samadhi's and formless samadhi's. All sorts of different visions and travels to other worlds spoken about in the Hindu texts, etc. Experiences spoken about in Christian mystical books as well. Past life re-experiences and other such things. I learned a lot of valuable information through this path and met many wonderful and highly realized people in the path of Siddha Yoga. This is just my karma though. All good things in Siddha Yoga for me and plenty of others. I for one don't believe most of the stuff posted on the "leaving SY" website. Most of the stuff I do believe that happened which is posted on that site is pulled way out of context in my opinion and experience. But, I do find the philosophy and experiences available through the Theist traditions to be wanting as compared to Buddhist realization so this is the only reason why I left Siddha Yoga and went to Buddhism. I had some meditation experiences, walking eurekas' and lucid dream experiences via contemplation of dependent origination/emptiness that revealed the limitations of Theistic interpretation of spiritual experience and the cosmos. Many of these experiences came to me as a shock and made me deeply uncomfortable. Then I had some amazing direct "mind pointings" from a Dzogchen master named Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and paid very little for the retreat. These experiences set me straight and made me more comfortable with the realizations I was having about Theistic interpretations of life. Again, this is my karma, manifest due to past life work. Other than all this, I think Shaktipat is wonderful, powerful and profound, but the "mind pointing" or "transmission" I have received through my Dzogchen teacher is far more profound in both subtle and in my face ways. I met a couple of women who are involved in the same Dzogchen tradition who got powerful SHAKTIPAT experiences through Swami Muktananda in the 70's but also found the goal of Hindu realization to not be as profound as the Buddhist realization even after years of fruitful Hindu Yoga Tantra practice, no matter the lineage. This is merely my opinion and experience that I'm sharing here.

Thanks CowTao, it's a pleasure to hear from you. I hope I don't intimidate anyone. I don't want to impose on this forum any more than only what's necessary to say what I think. Of course I have my views, but I don't dream of one day making everyone share my views. I won't lie -- I would like to have at least a few like-minded people to talk with though. So, when people say they don't "do" "mind", what is the meaning? Is it an admission that we have substance to contend with, and thus, why waste time with the mind? Kind of like, we have these bricks to move, stop thinking about it, and let's load up the truck? It's a valid way of thinking if you believe that mind is just a side-show, just a distortion upon a perfectly objective and independently existent world. I don't believe the world exists objectively or independently, and that's why for me the mind is not just a side-show, or a distortion, but is the key player in the game, the Lord who sits in the place of power. If people believe that substance is objectively and independently existent, and behaves according to studiable laws, then of course the mind just seems like a detour. In that sense, the best the mind can do is to reflect the state of the substance accurately. But, as I said before, if someone chooses to believe in substance, why not go with science? Science has achieved much more impressive matter conversions than any yogi I've ever heard of that was not presented as a myth. I share your views for the most part. I do think Chuang Tzu talks about dying well, but not as directly and as vividly as the Tibetan Book of the Dead. And this brings me to an interesting point that's been very useful to me. I always try to understand what Bardo is like. At first I thought it was dreamy, but then I realized, since the psychic basis of this world dissolve, the vividness of Bardo becomes unparalleled, meaning Bardo appears as crispy, as viscerally as this here awaking experiencing that we experience right now, even as we read and type on this forum. Then I thought, in Bardo, I will be potentially challenged by various beings who will look imposing and quite real, and who will tell me everything about me, about their own selves and who will then try to impose on me in some way. But then I thought, this is exactly what's going on now in this world now! So, let's say, if I am quite scared and intimidated by the visions in this world, such as cops, or let's say muggers or gang members, then what hope do I have in Bardo, which will appear as viscerally and as authentically as this appearance? It seems to me that the only way I can be certain not to fall for any suggested meanings of Bardo visions, is if I am completely fearless right now and completely cognizant of the suggestive power of all the visions that appear right now. In other words: Bardo is not later. This life is Bardo. If I wait to recognize something later on, or if I wait for my opportunity of fearlessness until after I die, I am trapped in this Bardo that appears now. When I reflect like this, it helps me a great deal and it's really affecting how I relate with the world and other people and myself. It's a slow process, but with every time I reflect like this, there is a tiny change that seems to be accumulating. No problem. I think reading everyone's replies is helping me learn.

And while it is trye that we have some of the some experiences while we are sleeping as we do when we are awake, I will none-the-less suggest that there is a distinct difference between the two experiences. And that is that while in the dream state our experiences effect no other person but while in the awake state nearly every action we undertake effects others. Peace & Love!

Hi all, I want to revive my failing thread on the inner and the outer. A week ago on Saturday something happened that made me think of this discussion. It was very hot weather (for England) and I had had trouble sleeping the night before cos it was so hot and humid - so I felt rotten. At lunchtime my girlfriend went to the shops to get a few supplies and left me on my own so I thought I'll do a bit of sitting to up my energy and for a bit of clear out. Theses days I favor a particular way of doing this which involves consciously removing attention from the body by exclusively focusing on the breath. When I do this all the channels open and I get a very powerful 'flush' which purges my body. I was part way through this process when I heard some noise outside the house (I was upstairs). At this point I should explain that I live in a fairly rough neighborhood and my house opens onto a passageway and sometimes stuff happens outside. Usually I would go to see what was going on but because I was doing this exclusive breath watching I didn't bother. A few moments later there was a bump on the front door (which I thought might be the post) followed by an almighty bang. By this time I had given up my meditation. I went downstairs to find the front door had been kicked open, the lock broken and the door split. I rushed outside to see two youths disappearing round the corner about 50m away. Obviously they were intent on breaking in but had run off when they heard me coming down. They only kicked the door in because I hadn't responded to the noise and the first knock - which were just a way of seeing if the house was empty. Obviously I have some fairly shit karma but that aside ... after all the fuss had died down I thought about how ironic it was that at the very moment of my conscious withdrawal from external stimuli, the outside world had so brutally intruded. Indeed if this had been a dream then you could have taken the whole thing as symbolic ... the inner and the outer ... two worlds but linked in some way ... anyway I thought I would share .... Cheers John

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/chemistry-volatile-history/ I thought this was a very fascinating documentary. In the beginning it touches on alchemy, which I thought would be interesting for at least some people here. I think there is a lot to this story, if you can read between the lines. What it all took to discover and how great intellect often exists on the boundary of madness. I find that very interesting and relevant to spirituality. Watch how some people's ideas changed over time and what it took. Another thing that I find incredible is how hard people struggled against the unknown when it seemed like nothing would come of it. It's almost madness, or maybe it really is madness to look for something you really don't have any obviously rational reason to look for. Some of these reasons appeared later, but often at the time of the initial discovery, many leaps seem crazy and improbable. I have to admit that some time ago I would find all this completely at odds with spirituality. But I no longer see any contradictions. This is just one dream out of many possible dreams, as far as I am concerned.

05-29-10 between 11:00 and 15:00 The dream had A Glenn-Spirit Ape type bald approx 55 yo rugged redish tan guy w/ no facial hair. He was facing east, I south than west. I introduced myself and shook his hand, he swiftly locked the area between fingers 2-3 with his 2-3 like the vulcan peace sign type thing, he wore a ring with a flat oblong light green beige type stone. I got juice and it shifted my tongue to the left. I told him this and he said something that eludes me right now (line something, red shift?). Funny thing is this took place in the local dept store where my wife and I went when I woke up to get a new killin gas grill, and some top soil. Anyway one of the best rests in quite some time! Thanks to whoever, Robbie

Thanks GIH, Thought provoking isn't it? Isn't there a leaf that grows in the Andes highlands of Bolivia, Peru and Chile, that has been noticed by Westerners since the earliest days of the Spanish conquest? Not my cup of tea but an interesting thought anyway. Fact, 1454 Through the bull Romanus Pontifex, Pope Nicholas V authorises the king of Portugal to enslave all the Saracen and pagan peoples his armies may conquer. 1493 Pope Alexander VI authorises the King of Spain to enslave non-Christians of the Americas who are at war with Christian powers. I read somewhere the church approved abducting over 5 million West Africans to work in Brazil and beyond. Can't cite it right now, more than likely one of Nestor Capoeira's books. Glad these folk came away unscathed! " Every day sends future to past... every breath leaves me one less to my last" - Pull Me Under - Dream Theater Eternally learning, Rob

Actually I have no interest in women. The only reason I got into a serious relationship to start off with is she claimed to share my dreams and passions which she didn't. After we moved in together the subtle talk of babies began, condoms smell bad, the pill gives me acne, just pull out it will be ok, I took matter into my own hands got a vasectomy and she was gone before I healed from the operation. Since then I've pretty much kept to myself, I am not looking for even casual sex. If it gets thrown in my face I might accept it but I am not looking for relationships of any kind. The only way I would consider a relationship is if I were certain that the female truly shared my dreams and aspirations and I've only met one other person like that and she wasn't even serious about it, it was more her telling me what I wanted to hear so she could move in with me. Chang's master slaughtered an entire village women and children included and he's further up the transcendence ladder than almost 100% of the human population. I'd say morality has very little to do with it. I am certainly not very far along, Its been three years already and I haven't even filled my LDT, but I'm trying, and when I have saved enough to buy property I plan on working part time and living only with the bare minimum for survival. That is the only reason I continue to live, the dream that maybe one day I can transcend this world.

1) Pretty much any of B.K. Frantzis' books. Great mix of philosophy and practices- let's you "connect the dots" between what it says in something like the Tao Te Ching, how you can implement that in your practice, in your life, pretty much anything. 2) Qi Dao - Tibetan Shamanic Qigong. Simple and straightforward book. Practices might be too simple for anyone who's been into qigong for a long time, but I thought that the philosophical parts talked about in that book really clicked for me. I also do a lot of dream work, and liked how he talked about dreams. The entire book is available to view on google, thanks to the author very much for that, but I did purchase my own copy because I liked it so much Books I am in the process of reading but are great so far: 2) Qigong for Total Wellness, by Dr. Baolin Wu. 4) A Light Warrior's Guide to High Level Energy Healing, by Michael Lomax. Again, haven't completed either of these two, but they are excellent so far and I can't wait to get through the rest of them.

Sloppy, I was just giving some advice based on my experiences. If you are getting a vasectomy and want to keep your relationship don't let your partner know your sterile, that's pretty honest advice irregardless of ethics. My ex was aware of the vasectomy and left before I was even able to try it out once. My next girlfriend the relationship ended a day after she found out I was sterile. My advice is be prepared to keep your mouth shut about it if you have one, if you have ethical issues with that DON'T HAVE ONE. Perhaps you can find a relationship with a woman who already has lots of children, and honestly wants no more, in which case you might be able to be open about it. As to knee jerk reactions there really wasn't much alternative as she refused birth control, and other options. A vasectomy was something I had wanted anyway since age 18, It's nice not to be afraid of having the "guess what, we're pregnant" card pulled on you. Even though it turned out to be a bad investment, it's nice I don't have to lose sleep ever worrying about being a father in any future scenario. Ironically after having the vasectomy I have no further plans for any relationships sexual or otherwise. I really don't cohabitate well with other people, and prefer being a hermit. As I get older I find I have less and less in common with people, I live solely for my dream of transcendence that is the reason behind almost everything I do. Maybe if I find a woman as monomaniacally focused on that same goal then we could be partners however I'm not so optimistic.

check out the amounts of Benzene that would be released via burning or use of chemicals. also interesting the amount of benzene adrift in the air from volcanic eruptions.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzene[/color]"]Benzene "Glutathione seems to play an important role by protecting against benzene induced DNA breaks and it is being identified as a new biomarker for exposure and effect" "Here Kekulé spoke of the creation of the theory. He said that he had discovered the ring shape of the benzene molecule after having a reverie or day-dream of a snake seizing its own tail (this is a common symbol in many ancient cultures known as the Ouroboros or Endless knot" Benzene used in sleep aids and anti anxiety drugs and accumulated heavy in the public water supplies causes: "A 1999–2005 Australian police survey of detainees reported preliminary findings that self-reported users of benzodiazepines were less likely than non-user detainees to work full-time and more likely to receive government benefits, use methamphetamine or heroin and be arrested or imprisoned" LINK Louisiana's ambient air standard for the VOC benzene, for example, is 3.76 ppb, while its standard for methylene chloride is 61.25 ppb. Long-term exposure to airborne benzene has been linked to cancer. Air testing results show VOC concentrations far above these state standards. On May 6, for example, the EPA measured VOCs at levels of 483 ppb. The highest levels detected to date were on April 30, at 3,084 ppb, following by May 2, at 3,416 ppb. We don't have any third-party verification that this evaluation is correct, but the information comes from the Gulf Oil Disaster Recovery Group, which correctly informed us that BP's underwater dome failed in advance of the oil company's announcement. If the air quality news is true, BP better be prepared to shell out many millions more in damages. Benzene is the active ingredient in all benzine drugs. The manufacturers attach other molecule so it will attach to specific receptors and to re-patent the same old benzene ring molecule under a new name. When the ring is bound to a fluorine, bromine or chlorine ion it attaches to calcifying tissue like the pineal gland.

Is there any solid understanding from old knowledge or own experience about the implications (causes, messages, results) of the frequency with which dreams are occuring? I'm excluding the case where one is simply so sleep-deprived that a lot of experiences have to be processed. I mean, what does it signal when while the sleep patterns are regular and dreams occur sporadically, one night there's a lot of dream acitivity, the sleep stuffed with various very creative, interesting dreams? And do you experience phenomena like this that in any way correlate to your meditation practice?

I don't think so. Do you remember what you had for breakfast forty nine days ago? No, but does that mean it was unconscious? Or if at first you don't recall a dream, and then you do, does it suddenly shift from unconscious to conscious? Stephen LaBerge has done intensive scientific testing on dreaming subjects. Measuring brain activity and correlating this to dreaming, he estimates we have many dreams in a night.

Well,from personal expirience-meditation is a tool that helps declutter the mind. As the time passes it may become a constant habit through the day and night. Becouse these meditation rhytams go deeper and deeper into psyche and changing the personality s/he was born(adopted) with.It will affect all aspects of life. Which includes dreams. This means more clarity or feeling natural in a dream state,less sweat/thought/emotion processing. That is how it is in my universe.

I have a friend who has noticed that for some days at a time he'll have very few, sporadic dreams, then for a couple of days he'll have an explosion of very intense, very vivid dreams. He's been trying to figure out what causes this stuff, if there is a cause, or if it's just a natural phase, and everyone has a different dream cycle. For me, I don't pay much attention to it.

Thats good. What can we expect from an untitled buddahood person? I wouldnt dream of skipping any stage, thats cheating. Do we need lots of electrolytes to progress to stage 5 then? You answers seem create more question

Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche - chanting http://www.megaupload.com/?d=85RU8Q1S do not commit non-virtuous actions subdue the mind thoroughly, this is a teaching of the buddha no thoughts The bodhisattva's career 2.a The bodhisattva's intention [3] The Buddha said, "Subhuti, a person who has set out on the bodhisattva's way of life should think, 'I must lead all the beings of the universe to nirvana, whether they are born from an egg, from a womb, from scum, or they miraculously appear; I must lead them into nirvana where nothing remains behind. And yet, although innumerable beings have been thus led to nirvana, no being whatsoever has been led to nirvana.' Why is that? If a bodhisattva thinks of a 'being' he or she is no bodhisattva. Why is that? He or she is no bodhisattva if they think in terms of a self or a being, or in terms of a living person or a soul." [4] "Moreover, Subhuti, a bodhisattva who shares with others should free themselves. When sharing, they should be free from lust for beautiful sights, lovely sounds, gourmet tastes or smells, tactile enjoyments, and seductive thoughts. The bodhisattva should give to others without being influenced by seductive things. Why is that? Because a bodhisattva who shares uninfluenced by such things will reap vast benefits. "What do you think, Subhuti? Can you comprehend the vastness of space to the east?" "No, blessed one! It is impossible to comprehend the vastness of space in the east." "Subhuti, is it possible to comprehend the limits of space in the north, the south, or the west? Or any direction in the universe?" "No, world-honored one." "Subhuti, it is equally impossible to comprehend the vast benefits that incur to a bodhisattva who shares without being seduced by appearances." [5] "What do you think, Subhuti? Can someone see the well- traveled one in the phenomena of physical presence?" "No, honored one! It is impossible to even see the well- traveled one in the phenomena of his physical presence. Why? Because the phenomena of his physical presence is not the same as the essential well-traveled one." "You are right, Subhuti. The phenomena of the physical presence is wholly illusion. It is not until a person understands this that he can realize the true well-traveled one." [6] Subhuti respectfully asked the lord buddha, "Honored one! In the future, if a person hears this teaching, or a part of it, whether a section or a sentence, will true faith awaken in their mind?" "No doubt about it, Subhuti. Even 500 years after the nirvana of the well-traveled one there will be some who, practicing charity and keeping the faith, will believe in sections and sentences of this scripture and will awaken their minds purely. Know, however, that such persons, long ago, planted seeds of goodness, not simply before one buddhist temple, or two, or five, but before hundreds of thousands of buddhas, so that when they hear sections and sentences of this scripture a pure faith will awaken within their minds. "Subhuti, the well-traveled one knows that the sentient beings who awaken faith upon hearing sections or sentences of this scripture will accumulate inestimable blessings and merit. How do I know this? Because these sentient beings must have already discarded such arbitrary conceptions of phenomena as one's own self, other selves, living beings, and a universal self. If they had not, their minds would inevitably grasp after such things and they would then not be able to practice charity nor keep the precepts. "Moreover, these sentient beings must also have discarded all arbitrary notions of a personal self, other personalities, living beings, and a universal self. Otherwise their minds would inevitably grasp after such relative conceptions. Furthermore, these sentient beings must have already discarded all arbitrary notions of the non-existence of a personal self, other personalities, living beings, and a universal self. Otherwise, their minds would still be grasping at such notions. Therefore everyone who seeks total enlightenment should discard not only conceptions of their own selfhood, other selves, living beings, and a universal self, but they should also discard all notions of the non-existence of such conceptions. When the well-traveled one, in teaching, uses conceptions and ideas, people should remember the unreality of all such concepts and ideas. They should recall that the well-traveled one, in teaching spiritual truths, always uses such notions in the way that a raft is used to cross a river. The raft is of no more use when the river has been crossed, and should be discarded. So these arbitrary conceptions of and about spiritual things should be given us as one attains enlightenment. How much more should one give up conceptions of non-existent things?" [7] "What do you think, Subhuti? Has the well-traveled one attained anything that can be described as complete enlightenment? Has he ever given you any such teaching?" Subhuti replied, "As I understand the teaching of the lord buddha, there is no such thing as complete enlightenment, nor is it possible for the well-traveled one to teach any fixed spiritual truth. Why? Because the things taught by the well- traveled one are, in their essential nature, inconceivable and inscrutable; they are neither existent nor non-existent; they are neither phenomena nor noumena. What does this mean? It means that buddhas and bodhisattvas are not enlightened by fixed teachings, but by an intuitive process, spontaneous and natural." [8] "What do you think Subhuti? If a follower gave treasures enough to fill 3,000 universes, would that person gain considerable blessings and merit?" Subhuti replied, "Considerable blessings and merit. Why? Because what the lord buddha has referred to as blessings and merit does not refer to anything objective, he merely refers to such things in a relative way. The lord buddha continued, "If another, after studying and observing even a single stanza of this scripture, explains its meaning to others, their blessings and merit will be much greater. Why is that? Because from explanations such as these buddhas have attained unsurpassed enlightenment, and their teachings come from this sacred scripture. However, Subhuti, I must take back my words as soon as they are uttered, for there are no buddhas and no teachings." [9] "What do you think, Subhuti? Suppose someone has entered the flow. Could that person arbitrarily say, 'I have entered the flow'?" Subhuti replied, "No way man. Because, even though they have entered the flow, truly they have not entered anything, nor has their mind entertained such arbitrary conceptions as form, sound, taste, odor, tactile thing, or discrimination. Thus are such people known to have entered the flow." "What do you think, Subhuti? Suppose someone has only one more life to traverse? Could that person say 'I have only one more life to go'?" "No way man. Because even if set to return only one more time, truly there is no rebirth either in this world or any other. By knowing this someone has only one more life to traverse." "What do you think Subhuti? Suppose someone will never be reborn. Could that person say, 'I won't be reborn again'?" "No way man. Because even though they won't be reborn, they don't really think in such arbitrary terms. Because of which they won't be reborn again." "What do you think, Subhuti? Suppose someone is completely awake. Would that person think, 'I am awake'?" "No way man. Because there really isn't such a thing as a truly awakened person. If someone harbored a thought such as 'I am awake' they would find themselves attached to ideas about a self, other selves, living beings, and a universal self. Oh Lord, you have said that I have become passively atuned, have reached the pinnacle of my potential, and am therefore awakened. If I cherished the thought, 'I am awake, free of desire!' you, good lord, would not have said that I delight in the practice of silence and tranquility. But, in truth, I have cherished no such arbitrary thought, so you could truly say, 'Subhuti delights in the practice of silence and tranquility." [10] "What do you think, Subhuti? When the well-traveled one was, in a previous life, with Dipankara buddha, did I receive any definite teaching or attain any definite degree of self-control, whereby I later became a buddha?" "No, honorable one. When the well-traveled one was a disciple of Dipankara buddha, in truth, he received no definite teaching, nor did he attain any definite supremacy." "What do you think, Subhuti? Do the great bodhisattvas embellish the elysian fields to which they go?" "No way man. And why is that? Because what you mean by the expression, 'embellish the elysian fields' is self-contradictory, for elysian fields thus embellished would no longer be called elysian fields. Therefore the expression 'embellishment of the elysian fields' is merely a figure of speech." The lord buddha continued, "Therefore, Subhuti, the minds of all bodhisattvas should be purified of all thoughts that relate to seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touching, and discriminating. They should use their mental faculties spontaneously and naturally, without being constrained by preconceived notions arising from the senses. "Subhuti, suppose a person's body was as big as the highest mountain. What do you think? Would that body be considered huge?" "Exceedingly huge, world-honored one! Because what you really mean by the expression 'huge body' is not limited by any arbitrary conception, so it can correctly be called huge." [11] "What do you think, Subhuti? If there are as many Ganges Rivers as there are grains of sand in the river Ganges, will these rivers be numerous?" "Exceedingly numerous, lord." "Suppose there were these innumerable rivers, how immeasurable would be their grains of sand! Subhuti, if a good and faithful person, whether man or woman, were to give gifts of desirable things equal to those grains of sand in all those Ganges Rivers, would the merit accrued be considerable?" "A very considerable merit, my lord." "Subhuti, if another person, after studying and observing even one stanza of this scripture, were to explain it to others, their merit would be greater." [12] "Furthermore, Subhuti, if any person in any place were to teach even one stanza of this scripture, that place would become sacred ground and would be revered by numerous kinds of beings, as if it were a sacred temple. How much more sacred would the place become if that person studied and observed the whole scripture! Be assured, Subhuti, such a person will attain total enlightenment, and the place where this scripture is reverenced will be like an altar consecrated to the buddha, or to one of his honored followers." [13a] Subhuti said to the blessed one, "By what name shall we know this scripture, so that it can be honored and studied?" The lord buddha replied, "This scripture shall be known as The Transcendent Awareness that Cuts Like a Diamond. By this name it shall be revered and studied and observed. What does this name mean? It means that when the buddha named it, he did not have in mind any definite or arbitrary conception, and so named it. This scripture is hard and sharp, like a diamond that will cut away all arbitrary conceptions and bring one to the other shore of enlightenment. "What do you think, Subhuti? Has the well-traveled one given you any definite teaching in this scripture?" "No blessed lord, the well-traveled one has not given us any definite teaching in this scripture." [13b] "What do you think, Subhuti? Are the atoms in 3,000 worlds very numerous?" "Very numerous indeed, lord." "Subhuti, when the well-traveled one speaks of atoms, it does not mean I am thinking any definite or arbitrary thought, I merely use the words as a figure of speech. It is just the same with the word universe; these words do not assert any definite or arbitrary idea, I merely use the words as words." [13c] "What do you think, Subhuti? Can someone grasp the well- traveled one's personality by its 32 marks of physical excellence?" "No blessed one! We cannot grasp the well-traveled one's wonderful personality by its 32 marks of excellence. Why? Because what the well-traveled one has expressed as '32 marks of physical excellence' does not convey any definite or arbitrary assertions as to the qualities of a buddha. The words are merely used as a figure of speech." [13d] "Subhuti, if a good and faithful follower, whether male or female, has, for the sake of charity, been sacrificing their life for generation upon generation, for as many generations as the grains of sands in 3,000 universes; and another follower has been merely studying and observing a single stanza of this scripture and explaining it to others, their blessings and merit will be greater." [14a] As Subhuti listened intently to the words of the lord buddha, the teachings of this scripture penetrated his awareness, and he realized it to be the true path to enlightenment. With tears in his eyes, he said, "Oh, blessed lord, I have never before understood this profound scripture. You have opened my eyes to transcendent awareness. "Honored one, what has been taught about the true significance of phenomena has no arbitrary or limited meaning. This teaching is, as you say, a raft to carry us to the other shore. Noble lord, when, as now, I have the chance to hear this scripture, it is not difficult to concentrate my mind upon it and clearly understand its significance; it awakens within my mind a pure faith. In the future, after 500 years, if there are any ready to hear it and ready to attain enlightenment, able to concentrate their minds upon it, able to clearly understand it, able to awaken a pure faith in it, such a person will thereby become a wonderful and preeminent person. And if there are such people, they will be able to awaken pure faith because they have ceased to cherish any arbitrary notions of their own selfhood, other selves, living beings, or a universal self. Why? Because if they are cherishing any arbitrary conception as to their own selfhood, they will be cherishing something that is non-existent. It is the same with all arbitrary conceptions of other selves, living beings, a universal self. These are all expressions of non-existent things. Such a person, able to discard all arbitrary conceptions of and about phenomena, will immediately become a buddha." The lord buddha was very pleased with this reply, saying, "True, quite true. If a person, having heard this scripture, is not surprised, nor frightened, and does not shrink from it, they are a truly wonderful person." [14b] "In talking about the practice of transcendent patience, the well-traveled one does not hold onto any arbitrary conceptions about the phenomena of patience, he merely refers to it as the practice of transcendent patience. And why is that? Because when, in a previous life, the Prince of Kalinga severed the flesh from my limbs and my body, even then I was free from such ideas as my own self, other selves, living beings, and a universal self. For if, at the time of my suffering, I had cherished any of these arbitrary notions, I would have fallen into impatience and hatred. "Besides, Subhuti, I remember that during my five hundred previous lives I had used life after life to practice patience and to look upon my life humbly, as though I were a saint called upon to suffer humility. Even then my mind was free of arbitrary conceptions of the phenomena of my self, other selves, living beings, or a universal self." [14c] The lord buddha continued, "When a great bodhisattva begins to practice toward attaining unsurpassed enlightenment, he or she must give up attachment to arbitrary ideas about reality. When thinking, he or she should definitely banish all thought connected with the sensory phenomena of sight, sound, taste, smell, touch, and all discriminations based thereupon, keeping the mind free of such arbitrary conceptions about reality. The mind becomes disturbed by discriminating in terms of sense data and the arbitrary conceptions that arise in their wake; as the mind gets disturbed it begins to falsely imagine a self and its relationship with other selves. Therefore the well-traveled one has constantly urged the great bodhisattvas, in their practice of sharing, not to be influenced by any arbitrary ideas about reality, such as sights, sounds, and so forth. "Great bodhisattvas should share uninfluenced by any preconceived notions as to a self and other selves, and for the sole purpose of benefitting sentient beings, always recalling that both phenomena and sentient beings are to be considered as mere expressions. Nevertheless, Subhuti, the teachings of the well-traveled one are all true, credible, unchangeable; they are neither extravagant nor chimerical. The same is true of the attainments of the well-traveled one--they are neither real nor unreal. "Subhuti, if a great bodhisattva, in practicing charity, holds within his or her mind any of these arbitrary conceptions, thereby discriminating self from other selves, he or she will be like a person walking in the darkness and seeing nothing. But if a great bodhisattva, in practicing charity, has no arbitrary conception of receiving blessings and merit by such practice, he or she will be like a person with clear sight, seeing all things in bright sunshine. "If, in the future, there is a worthwhile man or woman able to observe and study this scripture, their success and attainment of inconceivable blessings and merit will be instantly known and appreciated by the overarching vision of the well-traveled one. [15] The lord buddha continued, "Subhuti, if a good person, whether male or female, in their zeal to practice charity is willing to sacrifice their life in the morning, at mid-day, or in the evening, on as many occasions as there are grains of sand in the river Ganges, and these occasions recur for a 100,000 eons, would the blessings and merit be great?" "It would be great indeed, lord buddha." "Supposing, Subhuti, another person were to observe and study this scripture with pure faith. Their blessings and merit would be greater. And if still another person, besides observing and studying this scripture, were to enthusiastically explain it to others and copy and circulate it, their blessings and merit would be far greater. "In other words, Subhuti, this scripture is invested with an inestimable, illimitable, ineffable virtue and power. The well- traveled one elucidates this scripture only to those persons who are earnestly and perserveringly seeking to perfectly realize total enlightenment and attain the bodhisattva stages of compassion that characterize the greater path. As people are able to enthusiastically and faithfully observe and study this scripture, explain it to others and circulate it widely, the well-traveled one will recognize and support them until they succeed in attaining its inestimable, illimitable, and wonderful virtues. Such people will share with the well-traveled one its task of compassion and its reward of total enlightenment. "And why, Subhuti, is this promise limited to the followers of the greater path? Because the followers of the lesser path have not yet been able to free themselves from such arbitrary conceptions as personal selfhood, other personalities, living beings, and a universal self, and are therefore not yet able to faithfully and earnestly observe and study and explain this scripture to others. "Listen up Subhuti! Wherever this scripture shall be observed and studied and explained, that place will become sacred ground to which countless spiritually advanced beings will bring offerings. Such places, however humble they may be, will be reverenced as though they were famous temples, and countless pilgrims will come there to worship. Over them spiritually advanced beings will hover, sprinkling that place with celestial flowers." [16] The blessed one continued, "Subhuti, should there be among the faithful some who have not yet matured their karma and who must first suffer the natural retribution of evils committed in some previous life by being degraded to a lower life form, and should they earnestly and faithfully observe and study this scripture, and thereby be despised and persecuted by people, their karma will immediately mature and they will attain supreme, total awakening. "Subhuti, I recall that long ago, numerous eons before the time of Dipankara buddha, without my having been at fault, I served and worshiped and received spiritual instruction and discipline from 84,000 myriad buddhas. Yet in the far future ages of the last era of this world, if a student faithfully observes, studies, and puts into practice the teachings in this scripture, the blessing that will accrue will far exceed that acquired by me during those long years of service and discipline under those many buddhas. Yes, it will exceed my poor merit, billions to one. Yes, even more, it will exceed uncountable myriads to one. The lord buddha continued, "Subhuti, in contrast to what I have said about the inestimable blessing that will come to earnest followers who observe and study and practice this scripture in that far off time, I must tell you that there will probably be some students who, upon hearing this scripture, will become bewildered and will not believe what they hear. Subhuti, you should remember that just as the spiritual message of this scripture transcends human thought, so also the effect and the final result of studying it and putting it into practice is inscrutable." [17] Then Subhuti asked the lord buddha, "Suppose a good person, either man or woman, having aimed themself toward total enlightenment, still finds their mind to be disturbed. How are they to keep the mind tranquil, how subdue wandering thoughts and cravings?" "The lord buddha replied, "Subhuti, any good person who concentrates on attaining total enlightenment should cherish one thought: the intention to attain the highest transcendent awareness in order to show all sentient beings the eternal peace and freedom of nirvana. If this intention is sincere, these sentient beings are already freed. And yet, Subhuti, if the full truth is realized, one knows that not a single sentient being has ever been freed. And why, Subhuti? Because if the great bodhisattvas have held onto any such arbitrary conceptions as one's own self, other selves, living beings, or a universal self, they could not be called great bodhisattvas. And what does this mean, Subhuti? It means that there are no sentient beings to be freed and there is no selfhood that can begin the practice of seeking to attain total enlightenment. "What do you think, Subhuti? When the well-traveled one was with the buddha Dipankara did he have any such arbitrary conception of the spiritual truth by which he sought to attain total enlightenment intuitively?" "No, blessed lord. As I understand what you are saying, when you were with buddha Dipankara you had no such arbitrary conception of spirituality by which you sought total enlightenment intuitively." The lord buddha was very pleased with this, and said, "You are right, Subhuti. Speaking truthfully there is no such arbitrary conception of spiritual truth as that. If there had been, Dipankara would not have predicted that in some future life I would attain buddhahood under the name Shakyamuni. What does this mean Subhuti? It means that what I attained is not something limited and arbitrary that can be called 'total enlightenment,' but is that buddhahood whose being is identical with the being of all things and is what it is--universal, inconceivable, inscrutable. "Suppose, Subhuti, there were a student who asserts that the well-traveled one had some ideas about the spiritual truth that warranted his seeking to attain complete enlightenment. Understand, Subhuti, that the well-traveled one truly had no ideas of the spiritual truth by which he sought to attain total enlightenment." The lord buddha emphasized this by saying, "Subhuti, the buddhahood which the well-traveled one attained is both the same and not the same as total enlightenment. This is merely another way of saying that the phenomena of all things is one beingness with buddhahood and complete enlightenment, and is neither reality nor unreality, but is together with all phenomena in openness and silence, inconceivable and inscrutable. Subhuti, that is why I say that the spiritual truth of all things can never be encompassed by any arbitrary conception of phenomena, however universal that conception may be. That is why it is called the truth, and that is why there is no such thing as the truth. "Subhuti, suppose I were to speak of the largeness of the human body. What would you understand thereby?" "World-honored one, I would understand that the lord buddha was not speaking of the largeness of the human body as an arbitrary conception of its being. I would understand that the words carried merely an imaginary meaning." "Subhuti, it is just the same when the great bodhisattvas speak of delivering numberless sentient beings. If they have in mind any arbitrary conception of sentient beings or of definite numbers, they are unworthy of being called great bodhisattvas. And why, Subhuti? Because the very reason they are called great bodhisattvas is because they have abandoned all such arbitrary conceptions. And what is true of one arbitrary conception is true of all conceptions. The well-traveled one's teachings are entirely free of all such arbitrary conceptions as one's own self, other selves, living beings, and a universal self." To make this teaching even more empathic, the lord buddha continued, "If a great bodhisattva were to speak as follows, 'I will add embellishments to the buddhafields' he would be unworthy of being called a great bodhisattva. Why? Because the well- traveled one has explicitly taught that when a great bodhisattva uses such words, they must not bear in mind any such arbitrary conception of phenomena; they are to use such expressions merely as so many words. "Subhuti, it is only those students whose understanding can penetrate deeply enough into the meaning of the well-traveled one's teachings concerning the egolessness of both things and living beings, and who can clearly understand their significance, that are worthy to be called great bodhisattvas." [18] The buddha then asked Subhuti, "What do you think? Does the well-traveled one have ordinary eyes?" "Subhuti replied, "Sure, he has ordinary eyes." "Does he have the eyes of enlightenment?" "Of course, the well-traveled one has the eyes of enlightenment, otherwise he would not be the buddha." "Does the well-traveled one have the eyes of transcendent intelligence?" "Yes, the well-traveled one has the eyes of transcendent intelligence." "Does the well-traveled one have the eyes of spiritual intuition?" "Yes, lord, the well-traveled one has the eyes of spiritual intuition." "Does the well-traveled one have the buddha eyes of love and compassion for all sentient beings?" Subhuti agreed and said, "Lord, you love all sentient life." "What do you think, Subhuti? When I referred to the grains of sand in the river Ganges, did I assert that they were truly grains of sand?" "No blessed lord, you only spoke of them as grains of sand." "Subhuti, if there were as many Ganges rivers as there are grains of sand in the river Ganges, and if there were as many buddhalands as there are grains of sand in all those innumerable rivers, would these buddhalands be considered numerous?" "Very numerous indeed, lord buddha." "Listen up, Subhuti. Within these innumerable buddhalands there are every form of sentient beings with all their various mentalities and attitudes, all of which are fully known to the well-traveled one, but not one of them is held in the well- traveled one's mind as an arbitrary conception. They are all merely thought of. Not one of this vast accumulation of conceptions since beginningless time, through to the never ending future, not one of them is graspable." [19] The buddha continued, "What do you think Subhuti? If a follower were to give away enough goods to fill 3,000 universes, would a great blessing and merit incur to him or her?" Subhuti replied, "Honored one, such a follower would acquire considerable blessings and merit." The lord buddha said, "Subhuti, if such a blessing had any substantiality, if it were anything other than a figure of speech. The well-traveled one would not have used the words blessings and merit." [20] Again the lord buddha inquired of Subhuti, saying, "Can the well-traveled one be fully known through any manifestation of form or idea?" "No, world-honored one! The well-traveled one cannot be fully known through any manifestation of form or idea. Why? Because the phenomena of form and idea are inadequate to express buddhahood. They can only serve as mere expressions, a hint of that which is inconceivable. "What do you think, Subhuti? Can the well-traveled one be fully known through any of his transcendent transformations?" "No, world-honored one! The well-traveled one cannot be fully known even by his transcendent transformations. Why? Because what the well-traveled one has referred to as 'transcendent transformations' is merely a figure of speech. Even the most advanced bodhisattvas are unable to fully realize via intuition that which is essentially inscrutable." [21] The lord buddha then warned Subhuti, saying, "Subhuti, do not believe that the well-traveled one ever thinks, 'I ought to present a system for teaching spiritual truths.' You should never entertain such an idea. Why? Because if anyone thinks this way, they will not only be misunderstanding the teachings of the well- traveled one, but they will be slandering as well. Furthermore, what has been referred to as 'a system of teaching' has no meaning, because truth cannot be cut up into pieces and arranged into a system. The words can only be used as figures of speech." Then Subhuti, blessed with enlightened, transcendent intelligence, said to the buddha, "Blessed lord, in future ages when any sentient beings happen to hear this scripture, will the essential elements of faith arise within their hearts?" The lord buddha said, "Subhuti, why do you still think in such arbitrary terms? There are no such things as sentient beings, neither are there any non-sentient beings. Why? Because what you think of as sentient beings are unreal and non-existent. When the well-traveled one has used such words in is teachings, he has merely used them as figures of speech. Your question is therefore irrelevant." [22] Subhuti again asked, "Blessed lord, when you attained complete enlightenment, did you feel in your mind that nothing had been acquired?" The buddha replied, "That is it precisely, Suhuti. When I attained total enlightenment, I did not feel, as the mind feels, any arbitrary conception of spiritual truth, not even the slightest. Even the words 'total enlightenment' are merely words. [23a] "Furthermore Subhuti, what I have attained in total enlightenment is the same as what all others have attained. It is undifferentiated, regarded neither as a high state, nor a low state. It is wholly independent of any definite or arbitrary conceptions of an individual self, other selves living beings, or a universal self." [23b] "Subhuti, when someone is selflessly charitable, they should also practice being ethical by remembering that there is no distinction between one's self and the selfhood of others. Thus one practices charity by giving not only gifts, but through kindness and sympathy. Simply practice kindness and you will become fully enlightened. "Subhuti, what I just said about kindness does not mean that when someone is being charitable they should hold onto arbitrary conceptions about kindness, for kindness is, after all, only a word and charity needs to be spontaneous and selfless." [24] The buddha continued, "Subhuti, if a person collected treasures as high as 3,000 of the highest mountains, and gave them to others, his or her merit would be less than what would accrue to the person who simply observed and studied this scripture and, out of kindness, explained it to others. The latter person would accumulate hundreds of times the merit, hundreds of thousands of trillions of times the merit. There is no comparison." [25] The lord buddha continued, "Do you think, Subhuti, that the well-traveled one would consider in his own mind, 'I will deliver human beings'? That would be a degrading thought. Why? Because there are not really any sentient beings to be delivered by the well-traveled one. Should there be any sentient beings to be delivered by the well-traveled one, it would mean that the well- traveled one was harboring in his mind some arbitrary conceptions about phenomena, such as a self, other selves, living beings, and universal self. Even when the well-traveled one refers to himself he is not holding on to such arbitrary thoughts. Only earth people think of selfhood as a personal thing. Subhuti, even the expression 'earth people' as used by the well-traveled one does not mean that there are any such beings. It is merely used as a figure of speech." [26] Then the buddha inquired of Subhuti, "What do you think Subhuti? Is it possible to recognize the well-traveled one by the 32 physical marks?" Subhuti replied, "Yes, world-honored one, the well-traveled one may thus be recognized." "Subhuti, if that were true then Chakravartin, the mythological king (who also had the 32 marks) would be called a well-traveled one." Then Subhuti, realizing his error, said, "World-honored one, now I realize that the well-traveled one cannot be recognized merely by his 32 physical marks of excellence." The lord buddha then said, "Should anyone, looking at an image or likeness of the well-traveled one, claim to know the well-traveled one and worship him, that person would be mistaken, not knowing the true well-traveled one." [27] The lord buddha continued, "Subhuti, do not think the opposite either, that when the well-traveled one attained total enlightenment it was not by means of his possessing the 32 marks of physical excellence. Don't think that way. Otherwise, when you begin the practice of seeking total enlightenment you would think that all systems of phenomena and all conceptions about phenomena are to be rejected. Don't think that way. Why? Because when a person seeks to attain complete enlightenment, they should neither grasp after nor reject arbitrary conceptions of reality." [28] The lord buddha continued, "Subhuti, if someone gives treasures equal to the number of sands on the shores of the Ganges River, and if another, having realized the egolessness of all things, thereby understands selflessness, the latter would be more blessed than the one who practiced external charity. Why? Because great bodhisattvas do not see blessings and merit as a private possession." Subhuti inquired of the lord buddha, "What do you mean 'great bodhisattvas do not see blessings and merit as a private possession'?" The lord buddha replied, "Because those blessings and merit have never been lusted after by those great bodhisattvas, they do not see them as private possessions, but as the common possession of all beings." [29] The buddha said, "Subhuti, if any person were to say that the well-traveled one is now coming or going, or sitting up or lying down, they would not have understood the principle I have been teaching. Why? Because while the expression 'well-traveled one' means 'he who has thus come, thus gone,' the true well- traveled one is never coming from anywhere or going anywhere. The name 'well-traveled one' is merely an expression." [30] The lord buddha resumed, "Subhuti, if any good person, either man or woman, were to take 3,000 galaxies and grind them into microscopic powder and blow it into space, what do you think, would this powder have any individual existence?" "Subhuti replied, "Yes, lord, as a microscopic powder infinitely dissipated, it might be said to have a relative existence, but as you use words, it has no existence. The words have only a figurative meaning. Otherwise the words would imply a belief in the existence of matter as an independent and self- existent thing, which it is not. "Furthermore, when the well-traveled one refers to the '3,000 galaxies,' he could only do so as a figure of speech. Why? Because if the 3,000 galaxies really existed, their only reality would consist in their cosmic unity. Whether as microscopic powder or as galaxies, what does it matter? Only in the sense of the cosmic unity of ultimate being can the well-traveled one rightfully refer to it." The lord buddha was very pleased with this reply and said, "Subhuti, although earth people have always grasped after an arbitrary conception of matter and galaxies, the concept has no true basis; it is an illusion of the mortal mind. Even when it is referred to as 'cosmic unity' it is inscrutable." [31] The lord buddha continued, "If any person were to say that the well-traveled one, in his teachings, has constantly referred to himself, to other selves, to living beings, and a universal self, what do you think, would that person have understood my meaning?" Subhuti replied, "No, blessed lord. That person would not have understood the meaning of your teachings. For when you refer to them, you are not referring to their actual existence, you only use words as figures of speech, as symbols. Only in that sense can words be used, for conceptions, ideas, limited truths, and spiritual truths have no more reality than have matter and phenomena." Then the lord buddha made his meaning even more emphatic by saying, "Subhuti, when people begin their practice of seeking to attaining total enlightenment, they ought to see, to perceive, to know, to understand, and to realize that all things and all spiritual truths are no-things, and, therefore, they ought not to conceive within their minds any arbitrary conceptions whatsoever." [32] The lord buddha continued, "Subhuti, if anyone gave to the well-traveled one treasures sufficient to fill the universe; and if another person, a good man or woman, in seeking to attain complete enlightenment were to earnestly and faithfully observe and study even a single stanza of this scripture and explain it to others, the accumulated blessing and merit of that latter person would be greater. "Subhuti, how can one explain this scripture to others without holding in mind any arbitrary conception of things and phenomena and spiritual truths? It can only be done, Subhuti, by keeping the mind in perfect tranquility and in selfless harmony with the thusness of being well-traveled. Why? Because all the mind's arbitrary conceptions of matter, phenomena, and of all conditioning factors and all conceptions and ideas relating thereto are like a dream, a phantasm, a bubble, a shadow, evanescent dew, a flash of lightening. Every true student should see all phenomena and all activities this way, and thus keep the mind free and selfless and tranquil."

http://integrallife.com/member/federico-parra/blog/world-not-dream THIS!

now we dream, of life in funny fragments, unkempt seaweed hat, smiling