UnbornTao

If someone is profoundly conscious (which is not a given and rarer than we often think), there wouldn’t be much disparity between two such people. This isn’t to say their beliefs or opinions would necessarily be the same -- they might differ greatly -- but a consciousness of what’s true is a consciousness of what’s true. The issue seems to arise when attempting to communicate the absolute, along with the sheer rarity of an individual truly "listening" to that transmission. As a game, imagine if we were to put Ramana, Buddha, and Rumi in the same room (and they somehow understood each other through language), there wouldn’t be much disparity in their “view.” But I imagine this mutual recognition would be incredibly difficult to convey to us, who are ignorant of any ultimate truth. As for the disagreements between people, most of them are really just posturing; they believe something and conflate a statement with consciousness of existence. What they're up to for the most part is entertainment, defending their beliefs, and engaging in various social games. Another story: In a gathering of monks, the Buddha was giving a lecture. He is said to have raised a flower, at which point Ananda smiled and was said to have “got it.” He grasped what his cousin was trying to convey. That seems like a magical occurrence. We must admit that such a thing is a complete mystery to us. So, the issue isn’t simply about making claims, agreeing on them, or being convinced by them. Also, you seem to be talking about relative matters too.

Because a perspective isn't about what is there as a fixed or objective reality existing independent of the author. A perspective is a limited interpretation made in order to meaningfully approach what is encountered; otherwise it would be completely meaningless data. But the real nature of what's encountered is up for grabs. And that direct encounter itself isn't a perspective. Also, there are perspectives or ways of looking at the world that are more aligned with fact and functionality than others.

Your relationship to "the obvious" determines your degree of openness. What do you overlook about yourself, reality, culture, health, creativity, communication, emotion, and so on? What is it that you believe? What aspects of your experience do you consider to be obvious? Questioning requires getting over the seemingly automatic and arrogant posture we often adopt in regards to our knowledge. Our experience of reality is quickly deemed known and "true." We interpret, make sense of, categorize things. We value having a solid sense of self and reality. Yet, deep down, there lingers a sense that this relationship may be artificial. Opening up beyond the way we currently hold things tends to undermine our sense of certainty. What is it that we claim to know? Is it a personal encounter with something? Is it a dispassionate, unbiased observation? How can we move toward a more authentic experience of things?

Who doesn't?

Breathe, it's fine. I'd add that contemplating is more about "silence" and "waiting" than it is about thinking and intellect -- thus providing an opening or space rather than "knowledge" and constriction. So, that's something useful to consider. Of course, when contemplating, one's intent has to be directed at a particular subject so as to give the mind something concrete to focus on.

Duplicate thread:

More like a raccoon.

Christ Sutras by Bart Marshall -- recommended reading.

Are you defending suffering? It is as feasible as generating it.

Can "lying" be unconscious? It seems that ignorance may lie behind certain forms of "lying." But I'm holding lying as having a broader meaning than the norm, as in operating from untrue things. This would be a deeper investigation. For example, we tend to take our beliefs to be true. We do. Yet they are beliefs--the truth is unknown. We might assume that we are X or Y, and, while not false, it is untrue, which might be called unconsciousness, or in a sense, "lying." I might be taking creative liberties with the word, though.

But isn't pleasure something distinct from happiness? Can you find pain -- and thus, likely suffering -- underlying the search for pleasure? Can one suffer and still be happy regardless? That would certainly place "happiness" in an unconventional category relative to how it is commonly understood. Essentially, what are they?

Consider that.

Nice, thank you. If there's some genuine insight beyond the rhetoric instead of something that is subjective, then that's OK.

You need to see that this is something you're doing, and how you're doing it. Essentially, it is based on what you create with your mind (what you "think"). Stop generating those expectations, ideations, and demands, and the subsequent negative feelings that result from them won't occur. Catch your own conceptual activity at the beginning of these dysfunctional thinking loops.

Dani Smash-It?

What is the nature of those realizations? What are they about? When you say: communicate with Jesus, what is that about? What actually goes through your mind, and what occurs in your experience as you do that? What is Jesus? When you say 'communicate', what is that? Does it take place in your internal dialogue, is it written down, or is it verbalized when alone?

I understand the difficulty in writing down his name.

@puporing People make claims of all kinds of stuff, especially in "spiritual" circles where fantasy abounds. That doesn't make them true. Beyond the rhetoric and trying to convince others as much as oneself, what is sourcing that claim?

@puporing What precisely do you mean by being the second coming of Christ? What is it that you're referring to as Christ? What does a claim like that have to do with honesty?

There's a theory that Jesus might have traveled to the east and studied Buddhism there. Are you sure your Lord and Savior isn't actually Gautama? "When you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him."

Haha

Obviously, I don't know the cause, but some of it might be withdrawal effects from quitting smoking. Quitting a drug like that isn't pretty -- even with coffee you can experience withdrawal symptoms for weeks or months. Congrats on your achievement, though -- keep it up! This isn’t professional advice, and it is rather simplistic, but it might help to some degree. It is about some foundational things: If you consume caffeine and processed sugar, consider quitting the former and drastically reducing the latter. Eat more frequently throughout the day. I've noticed that fasting (just skipping a meal or two) sometimes increases my anxiety. Fasting + drinking coffee on an empty stomach are sure to increase my anxiety levels. Move and exercise: Yoga, Tai Chi, walking, running, swimming, weightlifting--any activity or sport will do. Ideally one that is relatively intense, and a couple that are more lightweight. Limit screen time, and avoid blue light exposure at least an hour before bed. Look into potential supplements or vitamins (research and consult your doctor). I've heard magnesium is beneficial for this, and I personally like L-Theanine.