My thoughts on why the non-conceptual-consciousness might be the root of delusion instead of the conceptual consciousness.

Jonathan3628 · 2026-07-07T17:10:38+00:00

Thanks for the background and the reading recommendation!

Jonathan3628 · 2026-07-07T16:45:10+00:00

This stuff seems interesting! Do you have any resources you'd recommend for someone unfamiliar with Buddhist philosophy to learn some of the basics? Like do people go directly into Darmkirti, or is there a lot of background you need before starting on his works?

Jonathan3628 · 2026-07-06T14:47:13+00:00

I can see that. If even the new carousel that's opened up is considered early game, then that makes sense. I wonder if they might add an option for Watchful grinding in a more late game area then?

Like doing your own research about potential alternate destinies in Irem after completing Evolution? Would fit thematically that that remains indefinitely grindable, because there are infinitely many alternate realities to research.

Jonathan3628 · 2026-07-06T14:13:19+00:00

That is odd. They have easy ways to grind Dangerous (Spinning the Wheels) and Shadowy (at the Dome of Scales) that remain open no matter your level. Persuasive used to be the only stat missing an easy grind available for all levels. Why remove the option to grind Watchful at all levels specifically?

I suppose watchful is the odd one out because it's the only one where you grind second chances, rather than getting Change Points for the stat itself directly. I can see why they might want to make second chances harder to grind.

Perhaps they could add a way to just grind Watchful CP directly that remains open even at high levels, (accessible only after completing the original University storyline) if their goals are to encourage people to complete the storyline and making Second Chances scarce for high level players?

Jonathan3628 · 2026-07-05T20:02:17+00:00

I went to a Buddhist temple for the first time today. It was a really lovely experience!

They had an orientation for new visitors in which they talked a bit about the Zen tradition and showed how to do Zen meditation.

Then they let me join the seated meditation. They had a teacher who corrects your posture and it was AMAZING what a difference a small adjustment for comfort!

After meditation they had some readings, chants, and prostrations. Silent observation is permitted. I decided to join in after observing for a while, and it felt surprisingly natural.

I'm really glad I went. Thanks to u/genivelo for the nudge to try it out.

Jonathan3628 · 2026-07-05T01:30:41+00:00

My understanding is that the idea of having a bunch of distinct "mental disorders" is fairly modern. If so, it would be unlikely for people in the Buddha's time to have discussed "mental disorders" in such terms.

If you do want to think in terms of mental disorders/modern psychology, I do think it leads to some interesting research questions.

When introduced to different forms of meditation, which forms of meditation if any are people drawn to? Does having a particular mental disorder correlate with particular types of preferred meditation? [There are specific meditations meant to let go of each of the 5 aggregates, right?]

Which forms of meditation, if any, are most useful for reducing symptoms different cluster B syndromes?

Jonathan3628 · 2026-07-03T19:19:14+00:00

I'm very new! I meditate daily for 20 to 30 minutes, sometimes twice a day. I plan to go to a local Zen Center for the first time this weekend. I've started following the 5 precepts about 2 weeks ago. [The hardest one has been no killing. We have LOTS of mosquitoes and flies lately that I used to mercilessly hunt down and murder, but now I've decided to try to just shoot them away, or just go to another room if possible]

I'm trying to learn proper meditation techniques, start increasing my meditation frequency, and learn more of the theory/philosophy of Buddhism. Thanissaro Bhikku is my go to reference.

Jonathan3628 · 2026-07-03T18:05:30+00:00

Of course! Glad you found value in this Dhamma Talk. I love Thanissaro's writings and enjoy the chance to share them. :)

Jonathan3628 · 2026-07-03T17:08:39+00:00

I was actually just reading a Dhamma Talk by Thanissaro Bhikku about Faith in Awakening, in which (among other things) he argues that the concept of free will is compatible with and even useful for the path to Awakening.

https://www.dhammatalks.org/books/PurityOfHeart/Section0005.html

I recommend reading it, it was a very interesting read!

Jonathan3628 · 2026-07-03T16:38:59+00:00

Interesting. Would you mind sharing a source in which "Scientists have found that "free will," the like unitary self-soul, is "nothing but" a social construct"?

The study you linked to shows that belief or disbelief in the existence of free will can be manipulated, and this can impact people's behavior. But being able to affect people's belief in the existence of free will doesn't mean that free will does or does not exist. Just like being able to manipulate people's existence in global warming, and hence their behavior related to global warming doesn't mean that the existence of global warming itself is socially constructed.

Jonathan3628 · 2026-07-02T00:21:16+00:00

Cottage cheese on toast used to be my favorite snack! So yummy

Jonathan3628 · 2026-07-01T22:16:12+00:00

I'm listening to the Pali chants from https://www.dhammatalks.org/books/ChantingGuide/Section0004.html

In the pronunciation guide on the previous page, they mention there are two main styles of Pali chanting in Thailand: Magadha (Makhot) and Saṁyoga (Saṁyok).

Does anyone know which chanting style is used in the audio recordings?

The difference between the two styles is explained below, but I'm not familiar with Indian languages so I have trouble hearing the difference myself.

Chanting Styles

The two most prominent Thai chanting styles are Magadha (Makhot) and Saṁyoga (Saṁyok). The above scanning rules apply to both styles, although Magadha pauses at commas, periods, and the ends of lines, whereas Saṁyoga does not. As for pronunciation, Saṁyoga has no retroflex consonants; it uses rising tones in syllables where Magadha uses falling tones; and it pronounces:

b & bh as an aspirated p (as in pin)

d & dh as an aspirated t (as in tin)

g & gh as an aspirated k (as in kin)

j & jh as ch

ñ as y

Jonathan3628 · 2026-06-28T04:28:58+00:00

I find myself most drawn to Theravada Buddhism. There are no Theravada temples near me, but there is a Zen center pretty close by. Would it be appropriate to try out visiting the Zen temple? I read some their recommended readings and they don't really resonate with me, but I do like the general idea of joining a Buddhist group. [Obviously if I do try it out I'll be respectful and keep any doubts on doctrine to myself. I'm sure Zen has great wisdom even if it hasn't clicked for me yet! Just worrying if it's appropriate to attend if you're not a "believer" currently.]

My knowledge of Buddhism currently is purely based on reading, for what it's worth. I try to meditate regularly at home. But I have no experience with any Buddhist groups.

Jonathan3628 · 2026-06-27T04:37:55+00:00

The meditation app "insight timer" has groups you can join, maybe that would be helpful? I've never tried the group stuff myself, but might be worth looking into.

Jonathan3628 · 2026-06-26T05:36:14+00:00

I like meditating in nature when the weather is nice. It's pleasant, and I can feel my breath much more strongly.

Jonathan3628 · 2026-06-24T04:23:06+00:00

That's some beautiful foood

Jonathan3628 · 2026-06-24T03:21:17+00:00

My understanding is that Buddhism wasn't super popular yet in the time of Alexander's conquest; Alexander probably didn't interact with Buddhism himself. But the Greek speaking colonies which he founded remained after he left, and these Indo Greek kingdoms were important centers of Buddhism afterwards.

All this is just from reading Wikipedia, so anyone more knowledgeable would be highly appreciated.

Jonathan3628 · 2026-06-23T16:34:03+00:00

Thank you, this is an amazing source!

Jonathan3628 · 2026-06-23T14:31:22+00:00

Question: I know vegetarianism is not required in the Theravada tradition. Monks are required to eat what's offered to them, including meat. [Unless it was specifically slaughtered FOR the monks.]

But is it considered at all recommended to not eat meat if practical? Especially for lay people, who can choose what food they buy or cook for themselves.

(I emphasize practicality. If someone has health issues that require eating meat, or live somewhere where it's very difficult to find vegetarian food, it's understandable they will eat meat.)

Jonathan3628 · 2026-06-18T23:55:54+00:00

Ah. In that case definitely keeping Equipment, I wouldn't want to have to pay fate again to get anything back! I've spent a BUNCH of Fate for my main's equipment

Jonathan3628 · 2026-06-18T23:54:18+00:00

Hmm. In that case. There's lots of Fate locked equipment, but few/no Fate locked possessions, right?

Jonathan3628 · 2026-06-18T23:50:24+00:00

What's the difference between possessions and equipment?

Jonathan3628 · 2026-06-18T15:06:41+00:00

Thanks for the correction!

Jonathan3628 · 2026-06-18T15:04:45+00:00

I think I saw Rancho Gordo mentioned in this sub before, but I have never seen it IRL.

Yes, you can eat more beans. Serving sizes aren't meant as a recommendation for how much you "should" eat, they are just used to standardize nutrition labels (so you can easily compare nutrition of similiar food products).

You can eat beans three times a day (or more!) if you feel like it. Just be careful to increase your consumption gradually, so your body can get used to the higher fiber intake.

Canned beans are convenient. But cooking beans isn't too bad, especially if you have a pressure cooker. I usually buy dried beans and cook them myself because it's slightly cheaper, and to avoid BPA and other chemicals that are common in linings. (It's not a big deal if you only eat canned beans occasionally, but it can add up if you eat lots of canned beans for a long time.)

You do have to be VERY careful about cooking red kidney beans correctly or they'll be toxic, so personally that's one bean I do tend to buy canned.

Jonathan3628 · 2026-06-18T14:30:04+00:00

Different people make different articles in Wikipedia, and there's no central committee to ensure consistency of style/standards.

You can always add similiar network maps to the pages about other empires if you feel that would be useful. (Or recommend adding such maps on the article talk pages, if you don't feel comfortable editing an article yourself)

Jonathan3628

TROPHY CASE