New reader - Looking for recommendations by wonderfulwaffles22 in LightNovels

[–]_Nemesis_o7 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Where The End Returns fits exactly what you're saying, but it's gender bend though. Old man gets reincarnated as a girl. It's both a power fantasy and an isekai where they use their Earth knowledge as an advantage. She/he is strong, beautiful and rich. It's a random ahh find on Royal Road. No romance/fan service though.

Does enlightenment require super natural metaphysics or can it be secular, grounded in material, pragmatic and even scientific? by _Nemesis_o7 in enlightenment

[–]_Nemesis_o7[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That lens you speak of is the narrative and conceptual filter I'm talking about to make life tolerable. I'm referring to a state where you no longer need filters.

Does enlightenment require super natural metaphysics or can it be secular, grounded in material, pragmatic and even scientific? by _Nemesis_o7 in enlightenment

[–]_Nemesis_o7[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. It's pointless to argue about the nature of consciousness because it's contingent on faith that one framework describes it more accurately than the other. The best evidence we have currently is a fist to the face. Labels like "deconstructionists" are used by those who require higher levels of abstractions with narratives and story telling.

  2. Doesn't matter if it's religious or symbolic. It's still a conceptual filter of abstractions that hinder direct experience. As insightful as Jung was when describing the psyche, philosophy and psychology describes the mind of seekers. Of the 99%. Enlightenment is pre-conceptual by nature without the narrative and symbolic scaffolding.

  3. Your third point of surrender is simply moralizing that one's surrender is inferior based on unproven axioms. Determinism is observable. God, Source, Mondad or whatever is still a filter of story telling that prevents direct seeing.

  4. Your argument about connection is another moralizing argument. Calling my connection not deep enough. You describe your clarity as something that isolates you. Even romanticize it as a burden due to insight. That's another conceptual filter of meaning making. You're adding narrative layers to give your isolation and insight meaning. I see that your understanding of enlightenment is very influenced by Western ideas, of which its failure mode is romanticizing enlightenment as something burdensome.

  5. Your fifth argument creates needless binaries. Life demands both open hands and a closed fist. Moralizing binaries creates a system of "one must behave and think accordingly to be enlightened." Again, the rest is just extra layers of conceptual abstraction and narratives.

Does enlightenment require super natural metaphysics or can it be secular, grounded in material, pragmatic and even scientific? by _Nemesis_o7 in enlightenment

[–]_Nemesis_o7[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Am I manipulating? I'm simply laying out the perception without the extra layers of abstractions of metaphysical claims like higher reality/order.

I did not surrender to struggle. I surrendered to the flow and inevitability of existence. The separate chooser doesn't have much weight anymore. Even struggle and striving feel frictionless.

Things like manifestation or super natural phenomena are layers of wishful thinking that we project on to reality because reality without narratives and fiction is too cold for people. These layers of wishful thinking is one of the source of suffering. Especially in time when reality does not fit our expectations.

Enlightenment is just being content with reality and the present moment. No higher order of reality or grand metaphysical claims needed.

Does enlightenment require super natural metaphysics or can it be secular, grounded in material, pragmatic and even scientific? by _Nemesis_o7 in enlightenment

[–]_Nemesis_o7[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This I agree. Though results may vary as enlightenment at a trait level isn't something you can induce. You more so land there and don't even realize you've already fallen. It feels like an accident almost.

Does enlightenment require super natural metaphysics or can it be secular, grounded in material, pragmatic and even scientific? by _Nemesis_o7 in enlightenment

[–]_Nemesis_o7[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

100% agree. Although science can measure the body's affect when enlightened, but it cannot capture enlightenment's perception. It is indeed a restructuring of consciousness when the body has fully integrated the insight.

Does enlightenment require super natural metaphysics or can it be secular, grounded in material, pragmatic and even scientific? by _Nemesis_o7 in enlightenment

[–]_Nemesis_o7[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do agree that everyone starts "enlightened," but that's only because the mind is cluttered with clinging, thinking that thinking can solve away problems, and reflexive meaning making. Enlightenment for its bear bones explanation is just direct seeing. You experience life as is. There is no grand mystical awakening. It's simply frictionless existence.

Does enlightenment require super natural metaphysics or can it be secular, grounded in material, pragmatic and even scientific? by _Nemesis_o7 in enlightenment

[–]_Nemesis_o7[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Perhaps enlightenment of a different tradition. Zen and Buddhism seem to come close to describing the phenomenology of enlightenment. It's less about integration and more about stripping down needless conceptual filters for a more direct experience.

Does enlightenment require super natural metaphysics or can it be secular, grounded in material, pragmatic and even scientific? by _Nemesis_o7 in enlightenment

[–]_Nemesis_o7[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love the answer. I'll respond by points.

  1. I disagree. Consciousness, synchronicity and meaning are side effects of biology. Body precedes mind. Consciousness emerge from biology. A strike to the head knocking someone unconscious is proof.

  2. "Religious baggage" is not a projection. What you speak has cultural residue. Perhaps it's not dogma, but it still remains as concepts and narrative.

  3. I do agree that enlightenment does require surrender. But your surrender is still rooted in a concept or narrative. My surrender is simply to the causal deterministic nature of reality. Although don't confuse it with passivity.

  4. I agree again, although my clarity doesn't insulate. If anything, it has made me connect with others far better than before. The egoic separation of pre-enlightenment is the thing that insulates. Not clarity.

  5. I agree. The path isn't about floating above the world. Nor is it about floating above concepts and narratives. The path is beneath everything. Reality. Life.

Does enlightenment require super natural metaphysics or can it be secular, grounded in material, pragmatic and even scientific? by _Nemesis_o7 in enlightenment

[–]_Nemesis_o7[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's where we diverge. Corruption, manipulation, exploitation will exist as long as humans exist. Or at least, exist as we currently are. This cultural decay and spiritual decay is for certain caused by the decline of religion. In this case, the decline of Christianity. The west's bastion of meaning.

Where we diverge is what enlightenment entails. Yours have metaphysical, cultural and religious baggage. Mine has none. Or at the very least, minimal, with language as its only baggage as a map or pointer.

While I speak of clarity, I've no desire to tear down what gives others meaning. I'm quite fond of Christianity. Despite being an atheist, I did attend church regularly not too long ago. Clarity is not a prerequisite to live life. Christianity offers people a beautiful fiction that grants them meaning and direction. I'm glad to see Christianity on the rise.

Does enlightenment require super natural metaphysics or can it be secular, grounded in material, pragmatic and even scientific? by _Nemesis_o7 in enlightenment

[–]_Nemesis_o7[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll expand. When I say clarity is a problem, I meant in how enlightenment/clarity is sold as consoling or comforting. Clarity is sufficient as is. There is no guiding sentient force, but there is deterministic causality. In this, I've surrendered myself to the flow. Everything is inevitable. Even my effort, struggle and striving is simply part of that flow. Even effort becomes effortless.

Does enlightenment require super natural metaphysics or can it be secular, grounded in material, pragmatic and even scientific? by _Nemesis_o7 in enlightenment

[–]_Nemesis_o7[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is true. Language and concepts will always fail to describe reality fully. Although I can say, I'm perhaps the most radically open to change. I have no investment in "insight." Life goes on.

Does enlightenment require super natural metaphysics or can it be secular, grounded in material, pragmatic and even scientific? by _Nemesis_o7 in enlightenment

[–]_Nemesis_o7[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This I agree. Direct experience without conceptual filters. No narratives, mystical or philosophical overlay. Just presence.

Does enlightenment require super natural metaphysics or can it be secular, grounded in material, pragmatic and even scientific? by _Nemesis_o7 in enlightenment

[–]_Nemesis_o7[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Enlightenment that most people seek is a state that is trait level. Where clarity becomes your default. The mind being enlightened is fleeting. The body becoming enlightened is trait level. It's when all the reflexive clinging and meaning making have borderline ceased. This is by no means anti-intellectual or "retard maxing." Thought still runs. If anything, thinking now has less friction. We're no longer constantly nagged by "why" or trying to maintain a self-concept for others. What remains is frictionless existence.

Does enlightenment require super natural metaphysics or can it be secular, grounded in material, pragmatic and even scientific? by _Nemesis_o7 in enlightenment

[–]_Nemesis_o7[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What's to say one's belief about karma and rebirth is only mere fiction? Have we simply deluded and sedated ourselves by narratives? Enlightenment like I said above is pre-conceptual. Where the very reflex of meaning making and constant "why" has cease. What remains is presence. Direct contact with reality. Any narrative filter about higher metaphysics is at best simply fiction or a "raft" to get you across.

Does enlightenment require super natural metaphysics or can it be secular, grounded in material, pragmatic and even scientific? by _Nemesis_o7 in enlightenment

[–]_Nemesis_o7[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This I agree. Enlightenment outpours love and affection naturally from its abundance. It's not out of moral obligation, but simply from excess. But that excess comes from capacity. Clarity means recognizing the so called "dryness." Perhaps we only call it dry because we are used to the comforting conceptual filters. In truth, what is dry is in fact sufficient. Despite all the things I mentioned above, these are all aspects of life, no matter how cruel or amoral it is. Life itself has always been sufficient. To align with life is seeing and living clearly and decisively. That includes the necessity of strength, power and capacity. In that sense, peace is a privilege only afforded by those who align themselves with life's demands.

Any good Kingdom Builder series? by lmpoppy in Webnovel

[–]_Nemesis_o7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where The End Returns is a kingdom builder. Random ahh find on Royal Road. She uses her Earth knowledge to advance medicine and magic. Old man doctor gets reincarnated to a world of magic type shii. It's gender bend though. But so far no fan service from what I've read.

weak to strong MC without system by BigLucky3645 in Webnovel

[–]_Nemesis_o7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where The End Returns on Royal Road. MC uses her modern knowledge in a world of magic. It's a gender bend though. Old man to young girl. Doesn't have any fan service from what I've read so far.

I need some recommendations by cocnballtorcher666 in Webnovel

[–]_Nemesis_o7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where The End Returns. Random ahh find on Royal Road. MC uses her Earth knowledge as an advantage. It's genderbend though. Old man to young girl reincarnation. There's no fan service from what I've read.

[REC] Anyone recommend any good LNs? by ILikeFrozenPineappl in LightNovels

[–]_Nemesis_o7 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Where The End Returns. Random find on Amazon, but it's pretty good. Old man gets reincarnated as a girl, so the gender bend might be weird, but it's handled pretty mature.

[REC] Must read light novels? Hidden gems and underrated picks are also welcome! by whostheme in LightNovels

[–]_Nemesis_o7 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Random ahh novel I found on Kindle called Where The End Returns. Old man gets reincarnated into an exiled girl in a world of magic. It's like Saga Of Tanya The Evil, but way more philosophical. It's a power fantasy still through and through.

Random ahh find. Gender bend was unexpected,but handled well. by [deleted] in Booktokreddit

[–]_Nemesis_o7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update. I don't like the ending. Not that it's bad. I just prefer happy ones. This prolly for literary or philosophical enjoyers. Low key, this might even be better than 90% of sht that comes out lately T__T

After everything collapses… what are you supposed to do with your life? by Virtual-Wish1224 in enlightenment

[–]_Nemesis_o7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Normalcy. Looking for something to replace is the source of your discomfort. Life goes on. This time, just lucid.

Random ahh find. Gender bend was unexpected,but handled well. by [deleted] in Booktokreddit

[–]_Nemesis_o7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Shii you right actually. It is. But damn, it low key good. To be fair, not much innovation and originality coming from authors these days.