Perhaps its the finger i am interested in.

Sometimes reality is easy and relaxed and all that exists is the task at hand (especially when I'm reading, cooking or practicing t'ai ch'i). During these times I'm barely aware of "me," mostly just what's going on. But there are plenty of moments when thoughts take over and hijack my mind for a while. Slowly but surely it's become easier to "catch myself" when I'm distracted by thoughts that have nothing to do with what's going on in the moment. (They just keep coming, don't they?) When this happens (a hundred times a day, two hundred?) I try to have a chuckle at this rascal of a mind I've got, re-direct my attention back to my breath and body and what's going on in the moment and just get on with it. It's similar to the way I "correct" my cats' behavior. They're lovable little rogues, always angling to snatch something off the counter or make a dash for an open door. All I can do is gently re-direct their behavior and appreciate them as the cute little troublemakers that they are. Same with my mind. I've got a naturally chattery mind that needs to be "minded" or it will run off and create all kinds of weird and unnecessary trouble. But, as with my cats, I've learned that my mind likes a gentle, patient approach when being redirected. I try not to entertain thoughts about "attaining" enlightenment or if today's meditation session resulted in a little slice of "bliss." I'm just sticking with my practice every day and taking it as it comes.

you're right. "do not recommend this channel"

Somehow my mind mistakes listening to pointers as practice when it’s actually a much better use of time to actually feel the body and see through thoughts

Consume as much Non Duality content as you can. Books, videos, retreats... all of it! Become more and more frustrated, discouraged. Lose all hope. Then there is a chance you see through this madness and realize the futility of seeking that which you already are. Or just give up. It's not like you're going to find anything anyway 😉

Alan Watts said about psychedelics "when you get the message hang up the phone".

Western Non-Duality is not the same as what Buddhism teaches (Madhyamaka).

It's not because of the words. It's because of the energy field -- associated with the audio of the message -- which has a resonance effect. This DOES work, similarly to how taking an aspirin works. But it sure isn't mastery.

What would you suggest someone do when they are craving a non dual pointer?

It sounds so simple when you say it; I have been thinking it but believing in oneself appears to be harder than initially imagined.

I’m definitely addicted to non dual videos. It’s like I need to watch them multiple times a day. Awakening to the Truth is all I think about when I’m alone and I’m alone quite a bit during the work week.

A really helpful "meta-pointer"! 👏 I think one reason that the direct-path teachings were traditionally closely guarded is because they can increase craving for direct/unconditioned experience (a big confusion if there ever was one), as you say (or else spark delusions of grandeur among some). Spending a good chunk of time developing concentration and equanimity (e.g., with breath, mantra, or metta meditation) still seems to be the best antidote (though, I'm open to other ideas--noting or awareness practices throughout the day might also work).

🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

it is related to learning based in rewards of the psychologist skinner?

Nidanavagga, The Book of Causation: 12 Nidanasamyutta, Connected Discourses on Causation...there is a lot of activity prior to being born.

Thank you ❤

Are you a secular Buddhist or following a certain school of Buddhism?? Thank you for your answer. With loving kindness 💜

The Islamic invader Khilji raided the Nalanda University during his Islamic conquest of India in 1190 AD. Not finding the Quran there enraged him so much he razed it to the ground and burned it. The place kept burning for 3 straight months. It was built in 427 AD. The guy who coined the concept of zero studied there. It had hostels for each student and faculty and was supported by kings of Java and India. Both Buddhist and Vedic knowledge was debated, discussed and curated there.

Great exposition of dependent origination--thank you! 🙏I really liked the reference to Nagarjuna, who helped thoroughly dispel the notion of "things" intrinsically existing from their own side (rather than depending on causes and conditions). When it comes to insight practice of dependent origination (and of emptiness/sunyata) in addition to suttas, "Seeing That Frees: Meditations on Emptiness and Dependent Arising" by the late, great Rob Burbea offers an extremely rich and vast terrain of exploration for liberation (from clinging due to ignorance).

The light that you shine on these subjects is helping me tremendously. @very-much-happier-person-making-a-deep-bow-and-blowing-kisses:Emoticon (couldn't find that one in the selection)

17:51

I approach it as an aesthetic: what flavour do I like, and then, why? It's not like I want to then be them (I've never really wanted to be anything but "myself") but would I find a conversation with them entertaining. For instance, I quite like Jason Gregory's stuff, and Eckhart Tolle seems a jolly fellow, quite amusing. Alan Watts is always very satisfying. Spiro I find repelling but he's probably a nice chap, for all I know. Then there's others who just spout drivel (IMHO). Your stuff is quite engaging too 😁

I once read/heard (I no longer remember which) that the desire to be free from suffering was the ultimate suffering. That small phrase has had more effect on me than oceans of (very fine) texts about all of it...

Perfect timing as always. Thank you 🙏

🙂❤👍✌ Social conditioning leading to delusion, leading to attachment, leading to craving, leading to dissatisfaction, leading to suffering. Its depressing that we are bound to suffer, but at least we can see that there is a way out, even if it does currently seem impossibly difficult.

"Enlightenment is a simple realization that everything is as it should be. That is the definition of enlightenment: everything is as it should be, everything is utterly perfect as it is. That feeling...and you are suddenly at home. Nothing is being missed. You are part, an organic part of this tremendous, beautiful whole. You are relaxed in it, surrendered in it. You don´t exist separately - all separation has disappeared. A great rejoicing happens, because with the ego disappearing there is no worry left, with the ego disappearing there is no anguish left, with the ego disappearing there is no possibility of death any more. This is what enlightenment is. It is the understanding that all is good, that all is beautiful - and it is beautiful as it is. Everything is in tremendous harmony, in accord."

Which Guru does this? And beware of all those gurus bound by KZbin 😉

It looks like you are enlightened after your little giggle you had at the beginning of the video. 😊 With metta 💜 🙏

strangely enough I'm spiritually awake but still find some people Intolerable my Love bucket is on vapours sometimes hmm maybe I'm not awake ? I'll take the test again with Guru shazamataz ...yeh good ol shaz he'll give me a discount.

Nicely put. Thanks for sharing. 🙏

That's why I love the diamond sutra. If I understand it correctly (questionable!), it describes both the impossibility of explaining enlightenment and the necessity of sharing it! 😵‍💫

Personally, I find maps like Buddhism’s ten fetters model very useful in helping me see which delusions I’m still clinging to. That said, I agree that too many gurus will say “I know nothing” and in the next breath say “it is clearly seen that…”. Or they’ll say to look not into thoughts and beliefs, but only into direct experience. Then they’ll spin a fantastic yarn about how your true self is pure awareness or consciousness and all of us are refractions of the one universal consciousness. Really? You got all that from direct experience? That’s funny. In my direct experience there’s awareness, but no indication whatsoever that there’s anything universal about it.

Thank u, genuinely.

Who?

And mostly if it can be put into words or even more ridiculously giving steps and prescriptions, for sure ,did not happened and they didn't experienced anything

I mean you can just say something like " if a chair is not a chair, then its not a chair" Einstein, einstein dident say that and i did and it dosent mean anything but the way people suddenly belives something beacuse it ryhmes or just because someone is a genius at lets say carpeting and think that must mean they are a genius at everything often suprises me

Do the 10 fetters fall in this category?

Know your own mind, not someone else's right?

He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know. Lao Tzu

This is absolutely correct, but you should always seek the advice of gurus and consciously choose whether it's relevant to you or not. Rejecting advice just because it's confidently delivered and may be false is foolish. Take all things on board and decipher whether it's right for you or not.

There is no point in getting guidance from an unenlightened being. Even then all that is needed is a surrender, openess and the universe will take you apart. There is nothing to do, no learning, just undoing.

We can only show the path and our enlightment in fact.

Interesting. I’ve been studying spiritual literature for 40 years and never mention God as it minimises it …. At times I sense that the Ultimate cannot be explained but possibly experienced ..the Zen Masters were correct when asking “ Are you Sure?”

🙏🌞♥🎹