UnbornTao

None. Every one of them is a failure to personally grasping the absolute. The spirit of Zen is probably the "purest" or clearest one. But it is pretty rare. Plenty of crap passes as Zen nowadays. To conclude: none.

"I'll be right here."

Don't confuse a breakthrough with a breakdown. Btw, moved to Mental Health section.

Upsides: It's a spiritual forum Downsides: It's a spiritual forum

@Water by the River Enlightenment and transcending suffering are different pursuits. Trying to dissolve suffering is still a form of suffering.

How could we approach real personal transformation or change? Can your attempts at "resolving" yourself, or life, ever be effective? For instance, feeling inadequate, you might pursue strength, popularity, or wealth to pacify inner lack - hoping these will "fix" you. I’m not disparaging such efforts but pointing us toward investigating their motives. Don’t use doubt to undermine action; instead, do what you want, but clarify why. It’s like being blind and - wanting to recover your sight - going about changing your surroundings. This analogy reveals how we address only superficial manifestations, leaving intact the very conditions that source our struggles. What recurring challenges do I encounter? What’s the root of this condition?

Macho macho man

Seems to be mostly unnecessary and self-created. But the reality of this eludes us.

The mind is constantly struggling for certainty and safety.

AVOID. Stick to the relatively safe psychedelics.

By not doing it.

Is Madrid going to win the Champions League?

Enjoying the Shogun TV show.

The Buddha had several enlightenments before his awakening under the Bodhi tree. This suggests that paradoxically, one can become more deeply conscious of the absolute, and also that transcending life and death requires more than a few enlightenment experiences. Maybe.

@bebotalk Keep to the guidelines.

@bebotalk Easy.

Hmm. I think it's useful to first see it in yourself. Then, you can see how you actually love everyone, and so do others. Although this isn't evident or obvious. It's more existential. A bit like: without another, I can't exist. So my existence is fundamentally shaped by "other." Something to investigate.

Just started watching True Vs False Skepticism.

Do it anyways.

Notice how language subtly influences the way you hold infinity to be "something"--an object, a perception, a state or experience, something "huge" out there to be attained. Seriously, whatever you have regarding this "absolute" matter is not it. At best, it is a grounded notion or possibility; at worst, a complete fantasy based on wishful thinking. Whatever it is remains to be personally realized by you and you alone--and will remain so until you are completely, entirely, and profoundly conscious of everything there is. So be humble and do not fool yourself. And when you do, admit it instantly and keep inquiring.

What is worth and what is life? We've got work to do!

[Fill in with correct answer]. What does hearing an assertion change in your consciousness? At best it opens up new doors; you may even get a hint of its reality experientially. In any case, it's best to get serious with grasping one's nature, and that of life, for yourself independent of confabulation.

What do you mean?