Joseph Maynor

I agree with you. I'll give you two examples. It is like the difference between reading Plato and a secondary source on Plato. Or the difference between reading primary authority in law or some secondary source like a treatise. Both can be useful in their own right but they are not the same.

I'm all for everyone experiencing their best. In this sense I have no judgement. I know we all come from different perspectives. I don't want to lord my perspective over anybody once I see where they stand.

It seems like many people cannot even work a regular job. I love these people and wish the best for them and champion them, but let's get real.

I see the underlying issue as a question as to what is power? This is not really dealt with thoroughly with most people.

@zurew No and I wouldn't trust any of those websites anyway. You need to read the original materials. All that is just secondary analysis.

I know I've heard this for years now. More power to you.

Awesome. I would never want to intrude on your spirituality. That is not my role.

Do you believe mind is an illusion?

What you are avoiding and this is the third time I have asked you this, why do you think that mind and awareness are in a duality? This is your question to answer.

Yes. And you make a lot of distinction too. So this is really a non starter.

Who decides what is the foreground and what is the background?

Unless you know someone you never know for sure what they are going through. This is a more of a problem today with social media communication. We don't even know who we are dealing with oftentimes or what they are going through. We have to infer many things that are hidden. This is a real problem.

One of the most difficult problems in philosophy, especially Indian Philosophy, is the relation or lack thereof between the self and the other. This is rife with conflict and will haunt anyone on the path due to the framings internalized due to study of these materials. You have to think this duality thru for yourself.

But in writing aren't you using lots of concepts and labels?

This is an interesting quote: "Understanding of the self only arises in relationship, in watching yourself in relationship to people, ideas, and things; to trees, the earth, and the world around you and within you. Relationship is the mirror in which the self is revealed. Without self-knowledge there is no basis for right thought and action."

If I haven't met someone face to face ideally in a physical setting it is hard for me to even think there is a real relationship there. So that is important but often overlooked.

How do you feel about Jiddu Krishnamurti?

Why don't you explain your duality between mind and awareness.

Why do you need to convince me? I gave you honest answers to your questions in this thread.

You seem like you need validation from me or like you have an axe to grind. You are constantly in teacher mode lately.

Can you not make these things so personal?

This is the best video I have ever seen on Schopenhauer. His idea of will is really fascinating.

Do it. You will get some feedback through. You will get a variety of feedback. But this is useful!

People absorb groupthink instead of thinking and feeling for themselves. This is the primary issue.