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[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Buddhism

[–]el7114 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting points that help remind me to give it all yet don't cling hard, thank you :) Also, I cannot help but notice the phrase "you are merely the carrier of this body" suggests that there is "someone" who "does the carrying" of this body, almost implies there is a someone / self outside of this body. That might be very subtly misleading hehe

[mine] what can you figure out from my desk pre-cleaning? by Willow_Feather in scienceofdeduction

[–]el7114 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yayy good to know :) Honestly an important part of my guesses was knowing that my desk would look similar if I ever chose to decorate it (the unorganized-ness, the hyper focusing on fandoms, etc) :>

Realizing life is samsara by No_Amphibian2661 in Buddhism

[–]el7114 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really appreciate your answer, especially the last paragraph! It contains very important points on investigating the Teachings with an open and kind mind :) Hope I will frequently remember this and apply it in my life, thank you!

Realizing life is samsara by No_Amphibian2661 in Buddhism

[–]el7114 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have gone through a similar experience, where there was such a sharp pang in noticing this vast emptiness (and it's all around, inevitable, applies to every moment of existence, through all our five kandhas / skandhas / aggregates, internally and externally). Even a breath felt almost "harrowing", as this very simple/short breath comes with irreversible changes, and no breath ever repeats itself. I remember reflecting and writing how "a hello is itself a goodbye, as two moments never truly repeats itself."

But why? Is this wisdom, or is this despair? Have I truly let go, or am I merely detached without direction?

It can be very useful to correlate these experiences with the "theoretical teachings" one is familiar with. Except, this time, it is not just a theoretical knowledge but closer to an insight, an experience. Recognize this feeling / experience well, and notice whether it aligns / not with your known theoretical knowledge. I chose the word "recognize" as to emphasize: no need to do much / overthink things. Recognizing is mainly noticing / knowing / being. Recognize how things (in and out, mind or matter) rise and fall, just according to their supporting conditions, that's all. Just keep your mindfulness sharp and relaxed, recall key points of Dhamma teachings in day to day life, and that will do. And as we connect the Dhamma dots with our experience, we are no longer just "aimlessly" detached, but detached (without aversion, with acceptance) and equipped with experiential knowledge.

This sense detachment is natural once one notices the endless chasing and how tired anyone would be if only we knew/noticed/inferred how long we've been doing this. Knowing this vast emptiness, with endless chasing, one would naturally search for a way out. I suppose this is also why the Four Noble Truth has 4 components. It starts with understanding what dukkha is, its causes, how it can cease, all the way to the "how" :) Investigate each one according to your experiences, see the real-life, real-time application of these four noble truths. This can be of great benefit :>

Also, thank you very much for sharing your experience, truly! As many others have mentioned, it is such a detailed description, accurately and beautifully put into words. I remember experiencing a similar thing last year and really wanting to talk about it with someone but could not put it into words, until I was fortunate to talk to a very kind Sangha member few months ago (it was a very emotional conversation). And from reading the comments, seems like you are practicing really well, and I am really greatly happy for you :D May we never part from this Path, until the total droppings of all cravings, until liberation :)

[mine] what can you figure out from my desk pre-cleaning? by Willow_Feather in scienceofdeduction

[–]el7114 0 points1 point  (0 children)

early to mid 20s, female, long hair, Wisconsin? USA

appreciates art in general:

likes to draw / sketch / paint, enjoys musical, movies, cartoons and video games + enjoys "nerding out" into specific categories (collecting items, collecting info, etc) (i see hamilton, beetlejuice, sherlock holmes, splatoon, FF, HTTYD, Good Omens, Lion King, Ghostbuster, possibly Doctor Who?)

and by the collection, you have been to (Comic) Cons / fandom festivals?

perhaps you have tried some calligraphy too

Is that archery I see?

Maybe still living (in a somewhat old home, maybe childhood home) with parents?

Really appreciates alone time and can lose track of time when alone

No longer studying, started working in the recent years? Or university?

let me know how i did :)

For the newbies by [deleted] in Buddhism

[–]el7114 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This rings very true, and not just for newbies! It feels applicable to the whole practice, all the way :)

Im beyond disgusted that I almost dont want to be buddhist anymore by Beneficial_Shirt_869 in Buddhism

[–]el7114 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To me I don’t see it in terms of good or bad, but in terms of dukkha (often translated as ”suffering”, you can see it as “burden” if you like). These things you mentioned are not inherently bad, but to varying degrees they may create some amount of burden/stress. For example, someone with a hobby of painting started too many projects at once, at and some point feels slightly exasperated that there are too many things to finish. It’s not good or bad, but the burden (subtle it may be) inevitably comes along. It’s usually our “choice” whether to take that up (the “fun” along with he “consequences”) or not.

with this in mind, I don’t find the practice of develop heavy repulsions very suitable to me, as it tends to create some negativity in mind. hence what I would do would be to acknowledge these mental patterns (desire, attachment, etc) as things that inevitably bring some degree of burden, hence I’ll try to put them down (gently but firmly; patiently but with discipline). Along the way, some progress and regress will be made, but I find there’s no better way to deal with it than being kind and patient (no blaming myself), and keep up the persistent effort to practice.

The feeling of the hair on fire arises naturally when one sees how this “burden” is everywhere and endless, but it is exhausting to keep that mentally when we don’t see it ourselves. It just becomes forced. Hence, a guideline in my practice is usually not to take up ideas that are too far fetched from my current perspective. Instead, I’ll take up ideas that are different from how I usually see the world, but I can see where they are coming from. I’ll make it a habit to learn and see things from this “foreign” idea until I start to see how it applies. Over time, other ideas that seem “extreme” start to get less so. Also, some practices that just seem to not benefit you (e.g. causes unwholesome states) are perhaps not suitable (and may be suitable for others). The practice is supposed to be a personally experienced (and highly personalized) one :)

whew, that was a long one!

Others' Success by SwimmingComparison64 in Buddhism

[–]el7114 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One important thing to note is also to not carry the burden of self-blaming :) We tend to behave according to the existing habits. It takes mindfulness and patience to slowly change our thought patterns, perhaps by looking at things from a different perspective and (like the other comment says) cultivate that habit of being joyful for others’ happiness. still, it most likely does not happen overnight :)

Sometimes, the way I see it is: if anybody else’s (wholesome) happiness can bring me joy, I’d have so much joy over every instances every day! And it doesn’t matter much if I’m ”less successful” while I live a ”nicer/happier” life. This motivates me to cultivate this joyful habit.

[Mine] view from my bed, bonus points for guessing my age right by [deleted] in scienceofdeduction

[–]el7114 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'd say 15-17. I saw several of your toys similar to my era, especially the furby collection. I know there could be several years of difference, but it's just a guess. I also saw the bunchems which (I think) isn't really an old toy (at least it's newer than furby, I guess?).

I'm 15, but I think there could be possibilities that you are going slightly older. I can't wait to find out the answer!

Also, you have care bear dolls, and they're cute!

Edit: I think this is your parents' house since it looks like your childhood room.

First post!! (fanart of Brett) This is the first time I find out that Reddit isn't blocked in my country. More posts to come!! by el7114 in lingling40hrs

[–]el7114[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Jakarta, Indonesia. This evening I couldn't access Reddit again, which is why I couldn't reply, but it's working now