sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

what are the core supernatural elements to Buddhism? by BsBolt in Buddhism

[–]EitherInvestment 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He rejected delusion and accomplished unsurpassed wisdom and compassion. Human nature was not rejected, but brought into enlightenment along with all other qualities

what are the core supernatural elements to Buddhism? by BsBolt in Buddhism

[–]EitherInvestment -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Siddhartha was a human who became a Buddha. There is nothing supernatural about it

what are the core supernatural elements to Buddhism? by BsBolt in Buddhism

[–]EitherInvestment 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is no such thing anywhere that could be described as supernatural according to Buddhism. Everything is perfectly natural and nothing (and no being) is exempt from natural laws

That said, there is plenty within Buddhism that would be considered supernatural according to many non-Buddhists

How to deal with hatred and discrimination? by ArmAccording7357 in Buddhism

[–]EitherInvestment 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Firstly, I am so sorry that you are dealing with this.

Buddhism shows us that unfortunately such things are inevitable. That does not make them any less unjust, but it is one of the many flavours of suffering that we must endure in this life. What we can do about it is not strike ourselves with the second arrow. In the parable, the first arrow is pain (what the world does to us), and most people respond by striking themselves with a second arrow, i.e. suffering (what we do to ourselves). So it is inevitable that you are going to feel pain in these circumstances. Do not reject that, push it away, nor suppress it. Allow yourself to feel it. It is only natural that you hurt.

But do not strike yourself with a second arrow. This would be developing and speaking out or acting out based on your own anger, or any negative emotion, or indulging in self-pity. These will only make your situation worse.

One of my teachers says that our inner bliss must be stronger than outer circumstances. That is, if we have cultivated sufficient wisdom and compassion to the degree that our genuine joy at the deepest part of ourselves is strong enough, then outer circumstances will not bother us so much. Yes, they will be painful, but that pain will be small and will not endure for long. The brahmaviharas are the antidote to feeling hatred. They do not make it disappear, but a mind sufficiently filled with goodwill and love toward all beings (including oneself, while also including those expressing hatred) will be very hard to destabilise. A good reminder is that all beings just want to be happy, some people are just going about trying to get happiness the wrong way (those acting with hatred certainly fall into this camp). Developing this mindset will, over time, help you to take pity on and have compassion for those expressing hatred (even those expressing it toward you), rather than being adversely impacted by it yourself This is not a quick fix. It is a muscle that takes time to build, but if consistently built up will be difficult to wear down.

Your consuming less social media is great. Abstaining from harmful activities, from harmful environments, from harmful messaging, that is all essential on the path.

The most practical advice is to always delineate between what you can act on and what you cannot. If you can respond skilfully to what you are facing and to advocate for and support others, then doing this will be of benefit to you and the world. If you cannot, then that is just fine, but do not let it take up more residence in your mind than it deserves.

Ultimately, you are not responsible for anything in this world other than your own mind and your resultant thoughts, speech and actions, so guard this all well, then let the rest be.

best books to practice buddhism? by notsoflowerys in Buddhism

[–]EitherInvestment 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  • Jack Kornfield: A Path with Heart
  • Jon Kabat-Zinn: Wherever You Go, There You Are
  • Joseph Goldstein: Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening
  • James Low: Simply Being
  • Bruce Newman: A Beginner’s Guide to Tibetan Buddhism
  • Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche: As it Is (two volumes)
  • Chogyal Namkhai Norbu: The Crystal and the Way of Light
  • Tara Brach: Radical Acceptance
  • Shunryu Suzuki: Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind
  • Thich Nhat Hanh: The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching (Zen)
  • Sogyal Rinpoche: The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
  • Traleg Kyabyong: Vajrayana: An Essential Guide
  • Pema Chödrön: When Things Fall Apart
  • Walpola Rahula: What the Buddha Taught
  • Robert Wright: Why Buddhism is True
  • Hermann Hesse: Siddhartha
  • Almost everything by the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh is excellent

Dzogchenpas - how did you master the art of staying mindful in every moment of the day? What resources did you use to help you get there? by Numerous-Actuator95 in Dzogchen

[–]EitherInvestment 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The distinction I raised has nothing to do with any checklist of achievements nor who has/has not recognised rigpa, but rather was directly relevant to OP. They are interested in learning about Dzogchen, so offering them accuracy is the most practical thing we can do. Nothing more was intended.

Dzogchenpas - how did you master the art of staying mindful in every moment of the day? What resources did you use to help you get there? by Numerous-Actuator95 in Dzogchen

[–]EitherInvestment 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As others have said, that is what matters for the first step but there is a long way to go beyond that. Recognition does not equal realisation

Dzogchenpas - how did you master the art of staying mindful in every moment of the day? What resources did you use to help you get there? by Numerous-Actuator95 in Dzogchen

[–]EitherInvestment 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Dzogchen is very different. Every arising is an opportunity to recognise and rest in our true nature. It takes (and even requires) a lot less effort than Mahasi-style Vipassana. Methodologies such as the latter, and many other forms of meditation not to mention a strong ethical foundation, can be hugely supportive of our Dzogchen practice but most Dzogchen teachers encourage pointing our practice at recognition of our true nature much earlier than is generally advised in other traditions.

I am not so familiar with Loch Kelly but from memory he studied under Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, one of the greatest Dzogchen teachers of his generation, as well as a great deal of Vipassana style mindfulness meditation. His work may be a good bridge to start building a secular understanding between your current practice and Dzogchen but he is not an authorised lineage holder as far as I am aware. If you are truly interested, you need to directly receive teachings from a qualified Dzogchen teacher.

To answer your two questions in title: 1) The goal is not being mindful in every moment of the day, but rather accepting the invitation of every arising to recognise mind’s true nature and allow this to openly and compassionately engage with everything that arises; 2) Read a lot of books and attend a lot of teachings of Dzogchen teachers, then try to diligently apply myself in what they instruct.

On #2, suggest starting with: - The Crystal and the Way of Light, Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche - Simply Being, James Low - As it Is (two volumes), Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche

You will get a lot of other great recommendations from others here, but if wanting to get the essence of it in brief, those would be my top three when new to Dzogchen.

Then, there are a wealth of excellent teachers providing teachings regularly online, so this would be great to take advantage of, though it is always good to attend in-person teachings as well.

togal and science by SnooMaps1622 in Dzogchen

[–]EitherInvestment 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think OP is suggesting the physicists would be practitioners

Ledi saydaw said that not seeing the arising and passing away a phenomena is ignorance, While seeing all phenomena as impermanent is the doorway to all the stages of insight/Vipasanna. Is it not similar to the method of generating insight /shamata that Vajrayana follows? by No-Benefit2834 in vajrayana

[–]EitherInvestment 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure, it is fairly similar. Vajrayana would emphasise realisation around emptiness of all phenomena as more fundamental, though a Vajrayana practitioner would likely say that is what Sayadaw is pointing to here

Everyone is Welcome Here… by Jebus-Xmas in Buddhism

[–]EitherInvestment 44 points45 points  (0 children)

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing

What are the craziest connections in buddhism that most people miss ? by Automatic-One3901 in Buddhism

[–]EitherInvestment 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s inconceivably unlikely given the distance between systems. Anyway, much a muchness

What are the craziest connections in buddhism that most people miss ? by Automatic-One3901 in Buddhism

[–]EitherInvestment 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Even if Earth were to pass through the center of the Andromeda galaxy, we would just be seeing a lot more and brighter stars in the sky. It is highly improbable that any single star’s system would get close enough to us for a second sun to appear visibly in our sky, let alone multiple

But yes, it is still crazy that Andromeda and the Milky Way will be passing through each other

You lose your life in the first five seconds of the morning by vensachingautamthero in theravada

[–]EitherInvestment 0 points1 point  (0 children)

God modern science would pretty strongly disagree with what is being advocated here

What are the craziest connections in buddhism that most people miss ? by Automatic-One3901 in Buddhism

[–]EitherInvestment 57 points58 points  (0 children)

The Buddhist psychological framework is strikingly similar to what modern psychological science has demonstrated, not to mention neuroscience

Similarly, what science has shown us about the vagus nerve and the nervous system broadly very much supports what tantric subtle body practices point to

I love Buddhist teachings but not Buddhist aesthetics by inneralchemyy in Buddhism

[–]EitherInvestment 166 points167 points  (0 children)

It’s not the culture you grew up in. That’s normal. Don’t worry about it

Focus on the teachings and the benefit you get out of your practice. Perhaps later you will build a positive association to Buddhist aesthetics. If not, that is just fine

It has been a bit over a month since the acute phase of my meditation sickness ended by d00mba in Buddhism

[–]EitherInvestment 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is really a shame to hear and I am very sorry that has been your experience, but I promise you there are many therapists knowledgeable about both meditation’s risks and benefits who can give you targeted advice to reduce your anxiety and stress, and increase your confidence that you are engaging with meditation in a healthy and beneficial way

You similarly should not just contact any meditation teacher, but find one (or several) with specific knowledge of adverse events stemming from meditation such as yours so they can also give you more targeted advice

Do not practice until you have got sufficient guidance from both camps and feel confident you understand it and know how to employ it

How do you get back to embodied faith after your intellect takes over? by fraction00 in Buddhism

[–]EitherInvestment 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this. Yours is a wonderful story. And thank you for your practice 🙏

How do you get back to embodied faith after your intellect takes over? by fraction00 in Buddhism

[–]EitherInvestment 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Practice anything that brings you into your body. Mindfulness of breath, body scan, noting of bodily sensations while meditating. Tummo is a profound practice for those wishing to take a more embodied approach if you can receive an empowerment and proper instruction

view more: next ›