Gerard Posted December 21, 2016 (edited) A highly recommended reading: https://appliedbuddhism.com/2009/08/28/lust-and-the-undeveloped-mind/ Which I hope it will make you practice with more determination. Interesting enough 3 months ago I was doing seated meditation after Bagua practice in the park, when an absolutely stunning female deva, beauty without a match, love and radiance shining in all directions and wearing some sort of golden crown, came down next to me and invited me to hop in her celestial carriage. I can tell you I was so tempted to leave this 'miserable' material world...but I declined. Opened my eyes and with a smile left the park. Wisdom prevails. Happy practice! Edited December 21, 2016 by Gerard 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SeekerOfHealing Posted December 22, 2016 Being reborn in Brahma worlds is not bad but reading your post you clearly have potential to realize some fruits of sotapanna so keep going. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wells Posted December 22, 2016 (edited) . Edited March 2, 2017 by Wells Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gerard Posted December 22, 2016 Being reborn in Brahma worlds is not bad but reading your post you clearly have potential to realize some fruits of sotapanna so keep going. Indeed. We all got the keep going regardless of the challenges. Never give up! Ananda. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
munky Posted December 22, 2016 (edited) . Edited August 23, 2023 by munky 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
munky Posted December 22, 2016 (edited) . Edited August 23, 2023 by munky 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Golden Dragon Shining Posted December 22, 2016 What harm would there be in joining her? can one not cultivate in a beautiful world? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edward M Posted December 22, 2016 (edited) Thanks for posting article! it's interesting how motivations evolve relative to our development, and how also its not a one way street, they can devolve if we dont keep up with the practice.. Edited December 22, 2016 by Edward M Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted December 22, 2016 I used to know Lust. Funny that the reason I decided to read this thread is because I dreamed last night. (I don't often do that.) I dreamed of two different redheads I actually knew in real life. Back when I knew them the attraction was Lust. In my dream there was no lust involved. The only visions were visions of their beauty and the nice people they were. I'm glad the dream reflected my "now" reality. (Yes, I still look at women.) 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dwai Posted December 22, 2016 Lust is a big hurdle if we consider it as such. Or it could just be a bodily reaction to a potential candidate of procreation. In my experience it becomes an issue when we start having inner conflicts over it...feeling guilty, self-judgmental etc. It is rooted in moral judgements thinking patterns we have acquired over the course of our lives. Lust starts to get sublimated automatically as we age imho and ime. It only becomes a vicious cycle when we start getting into neurotic patterns (as described above).... mind thinks a lustful thoughts...fear, guilt, self-recrimination, abstinence, lustful thoughts....over and over. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SeekerOfHealing Posted December 22, 2016 (edited) What harm would there be in joining her? can one not cultivate in a beautiful world? You would settle for less. If you practice spiritual path to settle for less then it's useless way. Edited December 22, 2016 by SeekerOfHealing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thelerner Posted December 23, 2016 I would at least try to have coffee or drinks with her. Have a good discussion, see what I can learn from such a creature. Though if its her way or the highway, then she's on her own, I don't do ultimatums. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gerard Posted December 23, 2016 You are all very funny! And certainly it isn't a creature, it's a deva, a being with very good karma who has been reborn in a plane 1,000 times better than this human world of ours. I only saw joy, unconditional love and complete happiness in her. Devas are all so happy and cheerful. That's right, never settle with the first dish when you can go all the way to the dessert! http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2012/03/the-buddhas-victory-over-a-god-demon/ Always the Buddha and his infinite wisdom. God, I wish I could have met him in real life. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Everything Posted December 23, 2016 (edited) Delete. Edited December 23, 2016 by Everything Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Golden Dragon Shining Posted December 23, 2016 (edited) You would settle for less. If you practice spiritual path to settle for less then it's useless way. Why not some beautiful friends along the way? Why even have this forum? Edited December 23, 2016 by Sionnach Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shad282 Posted December 23, 2016 A highly recommended reading: https://appliedbuddhism.com/2009/08/28/lust-and-the-undeveloped-mind/ Which I hope it will make you practice with more determination. Interesting enough 3 months ago I was doing seated meditation after Bagua practice in the park, when an absolutely stunning female deva, beauty without a match, love and radiance shining in all directions and wearing some sort of golden crown, came down next to me and invited me to hop in her celestial carriage. I can tell you I was so tempted to leave this 'miserable' material world...but I declined. Opened my eyes and with a smile left the park. Wisdom prevails. Happy practice! "I can tell you I was so tempted to leave this 'miserable' material world" Really? this "world" / reality we live in, is very perfect and very far from misery and imperfection. It is just a mind judgement to what is, and in your own mind, it is negative and miserable (according to what you said). I would say, this holographic experience you had, is just a mind image that comes out from your beliefs (energy, celestial...) and as you said, lust, and I would add your perception of the world (as something negative). It is a mind sort of escapism (advanced dream thought) of what is, created to elude your focus from effective meditation. As we improve in meditating and in increasing our awareness, the mind will also improve and develop, and so its techniques that elude our awareness of what is. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites