Beginner Mind

Agreed 100%. Rupert Spira uses that exact analogy. I guess the trick is, how to remove the clouds? So far, I've only managed to do this during self-inquiry.

@Aaron p I just disagree with Leo's assessment of other teachers. Like, does anyone honestly believe Eckhart Tolle isn't fully awake? To me, being awake is not a matter of having the answers to all questions about reality, but rather, simply recognizing your true nature and experiencing the peace and happiness that are inherent within it.

Agreed. His meditations are special. He is a gifted communicator.

@Serotoninluv I just want the happiness that was experienced when I recognized my true nature. It seemed like unconditional happiness to me, as there was absolutely no cause or reason for it. Just total causeless joy and fulfillment. Whether it's actually possible to experience this happiness permanently or not, well, I'm hopeful but not holding my breath. For now, I'm content with having small glimpses of my true nature.

You are an interesting character. I'm actually planning to watch it. Don't worry.

@VeganAwake I'll check out the video. Thanks.

I certainly don't see happiness as a trap, but if it was, I'd entrap myself in a heartbeat.

Yes, the latter is what I'm referring to. A happiness that shines even in the midst of negative feelings/experiences. A knowing that "all is well" even when things do not appear to be well. To experience this happiness is the ultimate goal of the spiritual search, in my opinion. Attempting to go beyond this realization is completely unnecessary. There is no higher goal than happiness.

@Nahm Why do you say happiness is a trap? Is happiness not simply the essence of our true nature?

@Serotoninluv In my experience, awakening is the discovery of happiness itself. True happiness and fulfillment. I'm not sure what you mean by "non-happiness related truths". When experiencing your true nature, happiness is all that exists.

Agreed. A happiness and joy that is not dependent on anything. So beautiful.

@VeganAwake I appreciate your passion for meaninglessness, but, your buddies Jim Newman and Tony Parsons just don't resonate with me. They might as well be speaking Chinese.

Interesting questions to contemplate, but ultimately, do they even matter once you've recognized yourself to be Awareness? In my opinion, no goal is higher than happiness. Once you realize you are Awareness, happiness is achieved. And so, no further investigation is necessary. But I know Leo is interested in truth so it makes sense from his point of view to go as deeply into these matters as possible. But for me, the happiness attained from the recognition of Awareness is enough.

I used to take this approach as well. But nowadays I prefer the simplicity of a single teacher. I don't even like to own more than one book at a time. I think I may have the opposite of a hoarding problem.

But doesn't Leo make a distinction between Awareness and God?

@LfcCharlie4 Thanks for the recommendations. I've recently decided that Rupert Spira is my teacher. Even Adyashanti (who I once followed) seems murky to me now compared to the clear pointers presented by Rupert. And I agree, once you've found the teacher that most resonates with you, it's best to stick with that one teacher and go deeply into their teaching rather than dabbling in multiple teachings.

@LfcCharlie4 Western Ramana is a good description. He demonstrates great respect for Ramana's teaching. Nisaragadatta as well.

@Preety_India Agreed!

@Chumbimba Nice! Thanks for sharing.

@LfcCharlie4 @The Lucid Dreamer @Chumbimba @Girzo @Rilles You've all got great taste. Good to see I'm not alone.

I'm jealous. He never visits Canada so I'll probably never meet him. What exactly was your question and how did he respond?

@mandyjw How are you not a mod yet?

I don't get that impression at all. Pretty sure he's legitimately just that smooth and articulate.

You're certainly entitled to your opinion. I'm just saying, the guy definitely has a sense of humor. But I would agree that he takes self-inquiry seriously.