Sockrattes

Sure. But what will he teach me, that i don't already know? Kundalini for example is childs play. Is there any teaching or experience, which is a foolprove path to liberation? Prasthanatrayi (Upanishads, Bhagavad-Gita and Brahmasutras), the teachings in all three turnings of the wheel of dharma, the Bible and the Dao De Jing are talking about the same thing, and non of it actually worked for me. And i'm somehow sick of it. EDIT: Hell even the epicureans, the stoics, christian and muslim mystics, maybe even Kant and so on are talking about the same stuff.

It probably doesn't. But the statement, that life is about survival, is in itself questionable.

Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Never trust a "realized master" who's making money with it.

It seems like, there is no guaranty for success. You can only try to recognise it, but ultimately you can fail eternally. The question is actually simple: What has/had to happen, for God to recognise for him to be that he is God?! We are walking the same path, don't we? That's the tragedy. Somehow 'i am'. I don't know how and why, but it is certain, that i don't like it at all. On my way to get rid of all this never-ending pain, all i get is some of these spiritual-mystery-boxes, with basically nothing in it. It seems like, God or whoever is in charge, has no idea how to teach it to me. Strengthening, practicing, becoming.... These are all words which imply time. How can i use time in one way or another, to recognise or attain the eternal? Sounds like another rabbit-hole. A subtle one, but a rabbit-hole nonetheless.

If it's an experience, that i can have somewhere in the future, how can it be called "eternal" in the first place? In the end, we are talking about consciousness, right?! About the self. Everything that can be experienced is by the very definition of the term not the self. The self will always be the experiencer, but not the experienced object (thoughts, emotions, objects in the world...). This means: Every "direct experience" is by default samsara. This is actually what Buddha said in his four noble truths, no?! "Now this, bhikkhus, is the noble truth of suffering: birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering; in brief, the five aggregates subject to clinging are suffering. Now this, bhikkhus, is the noble truth of the origin of suffering: it is this craving [taṇhā, "thirst"] which leads to re-becoming, accompanied by delight and lust, seeking delight here and there; that is, craving for sensual pleasures, craving for becoming, craving for disbecoming. Now this, bhikkhus, is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering: it is the remainderless fading away and cessation of that same craving, the giving up and relinquishing of it, freedom from it, non-reliance on it. Now this, bhikkhus, is the noble truth of the way leading to the cessation of suffering: it is this noble eightfold path; that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration." This is also what Jesus said: Luke 17 20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

If the path to awakening, liberation or enlightenment is a process, this can be undone, right?! That's what i'm aiming for. Everything that can be attained, can be taken away again. How can THAT be eternal, peace, freedom and wisdom?

That video is just straight dumb...^^

It's actually the cessation of cravings and attachments. You must understand that everything taught by the Buddha is based on a particular worldview: Samsara exists. If you don't believe in or understand Samsara, Nirvana won't make much sense either.

Sounds like you have a very superficial view on what enlightenment actually is. The whole text sounds like you are suggesting that people on a spiritual path are getting enlightened on a daily basis. But that's not the case. It is an extrem rare phenomena if what Buddha taught is real. Once you have realised Anatman (no self) you can still live up to seven lifetimes until you reach Nirvana. According to Buddha Shakyamuni Nirvana is the end of all suffering and everlasting bliss. He never talked about "ego". That's a term used by western esoteric authors. It is not a term rooted in south, east or southeast-asian spirituality. You shouldn't mix that up. The Buddha taught dependent arising after his enlightenment. Can't say anything about 5 and 6 but those statements sounds wrong as well.

You are very fortunate. You have realised that Samsara is real. Now it is time to attain Nirvana. Just follow Buddhas teachings to get rid of the fetters, which leads to rebirths: 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratītyasamutpāda (or dependent origination) 2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truths and the most important of them all 3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Path This is the most important thing in your life now. Abide in it no matter what. Good luck bro. The Kingdom of God is awaiting you.

No. Spiral Dynamics is not about people. It is about values.

You're welcome. And nice video. I'm still watching.

I phrased wrong, what i actually wanted to say. My fault. You said that non-duality is buddhist and then you have tried to encompass God in it. That's a little petty of me now, but buddhist non-dualism (Mahayana) doesn't have a God. In fact many of them are fighting everyone who uses this terminology..^^ Hinduism or better say Advaita Vedanta or Kashmir Shaivism is non-dualism with God. I know exactly what you want to say because i already know all those terms, and you are not wrong about them. But it is hard to get those fine distinctions you want to make. So i would suggest you should use terms like immanent and transcendent to describe the essence and the localisation of God. I think this way, it is way easier.

Sorry. Massive error: No buddhist scolar ever said there is a God.

Buddha was homeless for 6 years. Jesus was 40 days without food in the desert. I can resonate with what you're saying. I guess there is no easy way to enlightenment. Psychedelics won't help either. Trust me... they will make it worse. This is the time to heal. Healthy nutrition, sports, love and compassion towards everyone, if you don't feel like socialising don't do it, decelerate as much as you can. Don't care about what others think about you. This one is the really hard part. You can't see i right now and everything feels like, there is no going back anymore. "What happened, will stick with me forever. That's it. my life's over..." That's individuation. Do what you are comfortable with. Challenge yourself if you want. Soon you will see whatever happened to you is not as bad as you think it is.

Enlightenment is solely religious, spiritual or philosophical. No scientific research can help you with that question. It is like asking: "Should i mute my phone when i have my appointment with God? Are there any case-studies?" ^^

Change the track

Your materialism IS escapism. Deep down you are longing for something entirely else. This sound cheesy but it fits perfectly: The Rich and the Kingdom of God 17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[d]” 20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is[e] to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” -------- Your addiction is partly caused by the fact, you already have a collection of watches. So the urge to expand the collection is an additional weight you have to carry. Sell them all and donate the money and tell nobody about it, unless someone asks. You won't regret it.

I don't think this is true. Brahman in (Advaita) Vedanta is defined as Sat-Chit-Ananda (Existence-Consciousness-Bliss). Absolute Brahman is pur subjectivity with no content or object. And it says you are that Brahman. Your error is to assume because it has a name therefore it must be "something". But that's not what Advaita Vedanta says. There is a clear distinction between subject and object.

Well i didn't say heaven is somewhere else. What i'm saying is: In Indian theology and philosophy Samsara is what you call "oneness" or "Infinity". Buddha says Samsara is suffering and we are trapped in it. (check out the four noble truths) Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." You are saying: Nirvana = Samsara - Ego Kingdom of God or Heaven or eternal life = My life - Ego Right?

But the Heart-Sutra belongs to Mahayana not Theravada. ;D Thanks for the links. I will check them out soon. @Aakash Don't worry. I have my own unique way of learning things.^^ I already have surface-level understanding of the four noble truth. Now i'm setting things up for further understanding.

So you can read it and stay unaffected and everyone else shouldn't touch it? @Arhattobe I would like to see those videos. If you find time for that, please post the links here.

I will check out https://accesstoinsight.org now. Satsangs recommendations won't work for me. I live in Germany.^^ But thanks a lot.

Thank God! Finally... Sorry i've interpreted your comments this way. My english is kinda crappy. I could have known it better. Your username gives it away, right?^^ For me it really feels like Jesus and Buddha were the only ones who found out the truth. I can resonate with them in a certain way. I had some mystical experiences which led me to studying Christianity. Sad part about Christianity is it raises more questions than answers. And then some more mystical experiences led me to Advaita Vedanta, which is basically Madhyamaka/Mahayana + God. For 6 months now i was diving deep into this. But somehow it always felt like a "logic cave" to me. It feels like the only thing you can experience with non-duality is the fact, that you aren't human: Gospel of John 10:32-34 32 But Jesus responded, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?” 33 “We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, declare Yourself to be God.”…34 Jesus replied, “Is it not written in your Law: ‘I have said you are gods’? But there is no true and final liberation in Advaita. We are (i am!) still bound to Samsara with that insight. And now i'm gravitating towards Theravada. Any advice where to start? I know a bit of everything, but i want to dive deep into it. Good not boring lectures (on Youtube?!) and most important and must read books or something?

I'm extremely confused by this post to be honest. 1. Why do you feel attacked? We are just a bunch of dudes who are discussing religious teachings. 2. Where can i find this story of Buddha you are speaking off? What is the source? I would like to know if Buddha realised non-duality before his enlightenment. I would like to read about those things you are saying about Buddha myself. 3. You mean "the four noble truth" are NOT Buddhas teachings? 4. What teaching or which school of thought are you proposing if not non-duality? I think @Shin suggest you are muslim. Is that right?