UnbornTao

Thank you. What about the fact that things are distinct from one another? Is that "activity" (distinction) the same? A bit like: the opposite of distinction, which could be sameness, is also a distinction. As a side note, I initially considered distinction to be conceptual but am having doubts about it--might not be.

Good old Jung.

Nice. Hope God and you get along now.

Interesting, care to elaborate?

And what is the nature of that perception? Setting aside philosophies, the "little person" within and behind the scenes, is assumed. But an assumption isn't just a thought, as we can see that self is for us the center of existence plus our most precious possession. Yet, where exactly does it land in the psyche? Is it objective? Show me a self. This is not to say we live it as if it were "false", as we clearly don't. It is this certainty that's being challenged. At some point in our efforts, we have to admit that we have a hard time exactly locating the source of this one in our experience. Also, we doubt our own reality as selves. Wouldn't whatever is found turn out to be something other than yourself--perceived by and from this presumption? Consider: without self-history, identity, attachment, which are forms of concept, what in your perception is self? Where is it to be found? Does it exist independent from the complex system of mental activities identified as self? That's self and being is a different matter.

Got it, thank you.

Been using it quite a lot lately, in place of Google.

Moved to Intellectual subforum.

Not sure, it sounds like a story you are telling yourself. Calm down and focus your mind on the contemplation subject itself, or on something constructive. Hope that helps.

https://youtu.be/8m7Ybp3Ehrs?feature=shared

Effective if done, although that's the hard part. Notice that that is "known" and perhaps even obvious, yet can you do it, and to what degree? That's the work here.

What do you mean?

Sharing a documentary that explores this possibility: I'm convinced he studied Buddhism in his lost years, became enlightened, and returned to his homeland to teach others. The Gospel of Thomas is an insightful read and much recommended.

The simple answer is master your mind.

Do you think this thread and similar would be better suited for the Intellectual sub-forum?

Definitely.

@Sugarcoat That picture is the closest I've gotten to making a tiramisú myself.

Surf the waves of "Maya" 🌊🌊🏄

What can we think that hasn't been thought of before?

Perhaps. There are also distinctions to be made within constructions: your coffee table could be called a "fact" or perceptive occurrence, as opposed to, say, a two-headed dragon.

Perhaps another way to frame the discussion: What is inherent and intrinsic to reality? What is itself?

Let the communism flow!

Painted by Lao Tzu himself Surfing on Samsara edit: I don't even know what the Chinese text in the picture says. "Take off your shoes at the entrance"?