What is Stream Entry?

[ardacigin]

Stream entry is called stream entry because before you hit it, following the path requires continued work and diligence; after stream entry, it's like you got in a boat and it's carrying you downstream: you don't have to be constantly diligent to make progress. It's still worth being diligent—you're less likely to get tangled up in the weeds. But at stream entry, three things drop:

1- The self as a real thing: Before, when your idea of "me" was threatened, this would tend to create a story which would be self-perpetuating. After stream entry, most of the time things that would have had this effect are just noticed and dropped immediately. Some stuff still sticks, but it's a lot easier to see that it's happening, and, once seen, to release it. It may stay or go once released, but it's no longer "happening to me," so it's not a problem either way.

2- Doubt in the path. The experience of stream entry is such that afterwards, it's pretty clear that there is a path to some kind of freedom, and that the path works. You start to see clear patterns in dharma teachings, and see what the patterns point to. It can be more or less vivid depending on the person experiencing it, but the idea that might is all just be a waste of time and that nobody can get results is lost.

3- Magical thinking. You stop believing that you can get results without establishing the causes, and that you can avoid results for which you have created the causes. This is often explained as the loss of the belief in rites and rituals; the point there is not that you no longer believe that any rite or ritual could produce a result, but you no longer think that the result is magic: there is a reason why it works, and as a practitioner you are responsible for doing the work to bring about the result.

[Raptorsin7]

23 minutes ago, ardacigin said:

Stream entry is called stream entry because before you hit it, following the path requires continued work and diligence; after stream entry, it's like you got in a boat and it's carrying you downstream: you don't have to be constantly diligent to make progress.

Facts. How do i start this process in my direct experience?

[WelcometoReality]

@Raptorsin7 You have a realization of the True self.

[Raptorsin7]

@WelcometoReality Sounds terrifying. 

[Shin]

54 minutes ago, Raptorsin7 said:

Facts. How do i start this process in my direct experience?

You practice being conscious until until you cannot be unconscious.

It's a 24/24, 7/7 practice.

Edited January 6, 2020 by Shin

[WelcometoReality]

@Raptorsin7 It can be or blissful. You have recognized that direct experience is key which is good, but what if even trying to get there within your direct experience is dropped?

[Raptorsin7]

@WelcometoReality That's too far for me. Like i read that sentence and my mind thinks my world will collapse around me. So clearly i'm self defeating myself here with my mind. 

I want truth. But i don't want to die in the process. So i'm stuck haha

[WelcometoReality]

@Raptorsin7 Only your imaginary world. No need to rush things. If you feel like your not ready then why force things. <3

[Raptorsin7]

@WelcometoReality Because i'm tired of my normal life but i don't want to die so i'm stuck.

[WelcometoReality]

@Raptorsin7 What is creating this feeling of stuckness is the thought of being stuck. In reality you are free.

[Raptorsin7]

@WelcometoReality Fair point. I will contemplate.

[WelcometoReality]

@Raptorsin7 ?<3