UnbornTao

I was pointing out the "inadequacy" of any relative element in order to "reach" the absolute. If awakening is not a function of neither memory nor experience, then what are we talking about when what remains after a trip is a memory of a dramatic state change? This is what gets conflated by psyche users. I'd wish there was a pill to enlightenment. If you frame awakening as something relative, that's another thing, such as becoming aware or producing insights, but isn't a direct consciousness. After the experience, what are you conscious of now that you weren't of before?

Nothing you can do can produce it since the absolute isn't a process nor relative. It's a matter of directly grasping your nature as it is now. Paradoxically, focusing, questioning, paying attention to how you hold yourself—aka contemplation—help focus the mind, until a breakthrough suddenly arises on its own. Meditation can assist in various relative things such as controlling your mind, healing, relaxing, etc. It's a bit like asking: What can I do within a dream in order to wake up from it? Everywhere you look is part of the dream, and waking up from it is its own sudden "act" with no discernible factors behind it, unless your mind makes them up, but they wouldn't be true either. So, self-inquiry is recommended. Even though no practice can produce it, without the practice, intention, and work, enlightenment won't fall on your ass.

I think we're done with this thread. Question has been answered.

Purpose: the reason why you undertake an action or course of action. Let's add a couple of related terms: goal; and strategy A goal isn't the purpose, but a form to realize it. The strategy is the specific plan you make to achieve your goals. Depending on the purpose, it could be fulfilled throughout the endeavour, not just achieved as the end result.

I'd press you on that by asking what you hold awakening to be. What remains after the experience is likely just a memory of a state change, whether dramatic, healing, loving or relaxing is secondary. Rarely is it a genuine direct consciousness of the nature of something. A powerful state change may often be conflated with enlightenment.

Ok then.

You could also get over this neurotic need of yours of posting and removing your posts later.

@Leo Gura Ralston? Also heard he's looking for publicity.

Add to that a recontextualization: It's the woman asking the guy.

Made this today. The sweetness of the onion was fantastic. Not the best look (understatement) for my first Spanish omelette, but it was quite tasty.

Like the difference between being given an explanation on how to do something versus being able to produce that result non-randomly. Even though it is reasonably easy to intellectually understand an explanation provided by a skillful person, that doesn’t mean you’re able to do it, much less with the same skill level. The explanation, and logically making sense of it, aren't the action. Of course, the trap lies in conflating these distinctions, assuming that since the explanation sounds simple, you already know what the communication is about. Judging the expression and operating from impressions is another common pitfall. Understanding requires making new functional distinctions within your experience. Just thinking and intellect alone generally won’t cut it, depending on what we’re talking about. We tend to get confused on what's experience and what's concept.

Additionally, I'd say your approach, disposition and overall relationship towards things is the priority, not so much what one may do. Wanting to discover some aspect of your experience shifts your relationship to it, facilitating introspection. You are then suddenly contemplating what things are, not just at the effect of them.

- "Is my dick big enough?" - "I won't dignify that with an answer"

There isn't one right now but I'd imagine that a second episode might come up at some point. edit: think this was answered somewhere else. What's paradox? is supposed to be the second one in the series.

"What do you want me to say?"

Lol Just in case, it was a joke.

You and Schmachtenberger, Wilber, etc

You have to kill a goat with your bare hands and eat it raw.

How could we define each term? How can we move in the direction of experiential understanding?

So did you just fall out of a coconut tree?

Honesty. To be clear, if (big if) you actually realize your nature and aren't just jerking off, which is likely the case. In any case, why would you openly claim that stuff, knowing that it will be received in the wrong way?

Made flan!

Good post.

Red, although there're several types of them.