Forum Replies Created
-
The feeling I get is that you may be ready to open up to these teachings, yet might be feeling some understandable hesitation before fully embracing what the Buddha offered? It’s hard to tell as we are exchanging little glowing slabs of text 😉 So let us know if I’m on the right rack…
It’s totally natural to feel some hesitation and test the waters before diving in…; I think we are genetically predisposed to that type of behavior anyhow —
Sometimes a little bit of faith is needed to jump start the process. I found that faith in my own way, by listening to the talks on the DT site (especially the teaching retreats) — those being a huge catalyst.
You can trust that following what the Buddha taught, informed via the TMI book as an initial filter, does work. Are you guaranteed to have the experience of an Arahant? Or how about the experience of a stream entrant? or something more? Something less? Who can say…
I said Filter because (in my experience) one must be careful to separate out information directly related to the awakening process vs. rules and procedures based on necessity, and cultural context, that has been added over time. The TMI book can help serve as a filter because (in my opinion) the information presented gives you enough context to filter out what is directly related to awakening.
In relation to being paid or accepting money:
The criteria for whether or not my acceptance of money is skillful, is strictly related to the intention behind accepting the money, and if clinging/craving are involved. I invite you to start listening to the talks by Culadasa over a long period of time. He goes into great detail about intention, right lively, and so on, etc…; hopefully that will kindle your fire to jump in!
Give all those talks a good listen!!
Cheers,
-Ivan/-
This reply was modified 5 years ago by
Ivan Ganza.
-
This reply was modified 5 years ago by Ivan Ganza.
Hi Alex,
I think it is a matter of perspective.
For example — If I take the highest possible view and look out — I might say there is a single process of information exchange. And that might be a good way to look at it from that perspective.
If I dig into this process on a finer level — within that process — would it not inevitability start to look like there were multiple instances within the greater process?
Seems to me it depends on how and where we take our stand, how we want to look at it.
Ultimately though, none of these concepts can fully capture, and it is like grabbing handfuls of sand. Good to a point, however when pushed to far…
-
This reply was modified 5 years ago by Ivan Ganza.
Greetings,
This has been a nice thread.
I think we need to slightly correct the definition of “Consciousness” posted by Santtu above;
Let me type the text from the TMI Glossary (pg. 417):
“The Moments of Consciousness and Mind-System models conceptualize consciousness as a “place” within the mind where information exchange happens. Although thinking of consciousness as a locus or place is useful in simpler theoretical models of the mind, the idea is, in the end, problematic. Therefore, as such models evolve, the final conception of consciousness is not as a place, but simply as the process of information exchange…..”
Consciousness (as we define it in TMI domain) is not a place, but simply the process of information exchange.
All we have is process….
Can we go beyond and define what that is?
Very difficult. Impossible to define with words.
We arrive at the place of not knowing.
Of not needing to know.
The place of wonder.
(DT Teacher)
-
This reply was modified 5 years, 1 month ago by Ivan Ganza.
Hi Mohnish,
It is very similar to formal meditation, for example returning to the breath each time we are alerted attention has wandered.
Basically you stay with the relevant activity you are doing, and that is pretty much it. If the mind then wanders, it is noticed, and one returns again to that activity. It is really very natural and becomes quite normal to be simply on the task at hand, happily typing away or whatever it is, and staying with that. There will also be a sense of the room and what’s going on the in background, which can usually be quite pleasant. For example, while I am typing this the light is shining ever so beautifully and I can hear the sound of the heating system as it’s cold outside here near Calgary.
To Summarize; stay with what you are doing, when wandering is noticed, simply return. Eventually it becomes automatic (so you don’t need to do anything active) — it just occurs on it’s own.
Cheers!
-Ivan/
(DT Teaching in Training)-
This reply was modified 5 years, 6 months ago by Ivan Ganza.
Hi Florian,
Shikantaza and such practices are deep and effective. From your descriptions above it sounds like you are ready to explore these practices.
To get a context apart from what you already have, I would suggest the following two books. They should give you an excellent context.
Cultivating the Empty Field
AND
The Art of Just Sitting
Cheers,
-Ivan/ (DT Teacher in Training)-
This reply was modified 5 years, 8 months ago by Ivan Ganza.
-
This reply was modified 5 years ago by
