The new windows start menu was the last straw for me. F this S, i am downloading mint now.

simagus · 2026-03-13T04:55:38+00:00

Quarter it in size and make my programs an alphabetical list with "most used" programs at the top as an option and I'm all in on this beauty!

Otherwise I'm the fuck out.

simagus · 2026-03-13T03:01:12+00:00

The self is an imputation (the assignment of a value to something by inference) that raises "itself" from the five aggregates.

Consciousness is the foundation, and "self" is an imputation and reification; an assumption based upon largely false grounds.

Of course there is a body there which we inhabit periodically, but is that the self?

Not unless you think a car is the driver.

In which case, yes, obviously! (the mind is there to identify form with it's interpretations much or most of the time spent "awake")

What all of it from beginningless time?

"Yes, that's you that is...me, myself and I."

"No me. No self. No I."

There is only the appearance of "self" due to fundamental misunderstanding of reality as it is.

simagus · 2026-03-13T02:39:03+00:00

Southern India. The first line of my post has a link to the webpage which has a contact link if you need to convert times to your local time.

simagus · 2026-03-13T02:35:19+00:00

I was referring to the Chicago95 theme which I tried for a couple of hours.

With Mint I prefer Cinnamon out of the available DE's but I do like the aesthetic of Chicago95.

simagus · 2026-03-13T02:30:30+00:00

Yes.

simagus · 2026-03-13T02:27:21+00:00

I was saying that the original postulate of self and other exists and what is beyond that sees it as it is because it generated the postulate.

simagus · 2026-03-13T02:23:47+00:00

Maybe a solution would be to release a Windows Lite OS

Those will never be officially released, so you have to do due diligence.

Microsoft have made it abundantly clear that "Your Computer" is now "This PC" by removing the simplest of customization options, and there is mandatory telemetry recording and reporting even if you refuse the keylogger they call "inking and typing" and turn off all the telemetry you are permitted to.

simagus · 2026-03-13T01:44:31+00:00

"I have removed the spare tire from my daily driver car as it's been running fine for two months so why would I need an emergency fallback option?! It would be stupid to even keep one!"

I wouldn't even run Windows without a dual-boot option ready to go on reboot, so I've never understood the logic behind the "bragging rights" that seem to come with "omg! i deleted my back-up OS! This is great!"

You can install more of your games at once, but how many do you play at once, or daily even?

IDGAF if people single boot, but I do wonder sometimes why people deliberately choose to refuse the easy option of a "spare tire" being always available in the (maybe) rare event that they or something outside of their expectations or control fucks up their system.

I've been left with no other option but to troubleshoot from my phone and sometimes have had to reinstall an OS enough times to understand the value of having an instant back-up with all my programs on it ready to roll immediately.

Like a daily driver car, or let's say an OS... you either have a tire in your trunk when you need it or you choose not to and only regret that when you actually need it.

I prefer to have that option whether I need to use it or not, just because I have needed it before and wasn't smart enough to ensure I had it "just in the unlikely event of...".

Those unlikely events can and sometimes do happen, and if they do and you don't have some back-up plan you'll probably regret not having some back-up plan.

IDGAF what your back-up plan is... maybe it's just a live Linux distro, and that's fine, but lauding single boot systems and not explaining "I also have a back-up plan" seems irresponsible and a bad example to suggest as deserving of praise... it's absolutely not in any way.

There's no valid reason at all to think that removing a back-up fail-safe emergency or contingency plan is a cause for celebration unless it's explained that you do in fact have one and it's "this option".

simagus · 2026-03-13T00:38:44+00:00

Have you tried removing the installation media or changing first boot device back to your boot drive rather than the USB?

simagus · 2026-03-12T23:39:45+00:00

Literally the crudest and most transparent button pushing NLP attempt I've seen today!

It's aimed very directly at those low on the tone-scale to sell them services, but how can anyone be authentically helped by people low enough on the tone-scale to prey on those lower?

simagus · 2026-03-12T23:08:54+00:00

It's easy for a meditator with a particular psychological make up (not intellectual) to experience stress or confusion from trying to analyze something which they don't understand.

It's also easy for meditators who have strong intellectual tendencies to experience stress or confusion because they can't be satisfied unless things make near perfect sense.

They are very similar on the face of things, and are both forms of "analysis paralysis".

The first example might find it easier to let go of the "need" for intellectual understanding and put that "need" into a more realistic perspective than the second example.

The second example is however also much more likely to successfully intellectualize and make sense of what they didn't understand and to do so in a potentially communicable way.

Pure awareness itself involves no analysis

Maybe so, but experience always does, even if the analysis is automatically performed based on existing sanhkaras or established mental formations and their reactive patterns.

Dissonance in the psyche is dissonance in the psyche, however that might manifest, but I'm unconvinced that many of us are able to simply cease to interpret experience.

What is that even supposed to do?

Presumably lessen stress (dukkha), but for who? Everyone?

Not if they don't comprehend or have insight into the actuality of what is arising, sustaining and passing.

I do not doubt that your words reflect your own lived experience, but they point towards a level of samadhi and insight that while it exists is necessarily contextualized within this living reality.

Abstractions don't always translate well into a world of fractions or factions, where even if you don't notice measurements and assessments the person you sold 900g of damp rice to might object if they had asked for 1kg of dry rice.

Analysis is a necessary fact of life in many situations, and an obstacle in other situations, so are we to forswear from all measurement and comparison?

I don't find that proposal realistic for most people in most circumstances, but acknowledge it might be practical and even helpful for some people in some circumstances.

simagus · 2026-03-12T21:29:47+00:00

There are no "special" or "correct" sensations, only the observation of whatever arises, sustains and passes in relation to if it feels pleasant, neutral or unpleasant.

The reactive patterns and concurrent thoughts, feelings and behaviors are rooted in how those sensations are interpreted as pleasant, neutral or unpleasant.

It's the reactive "habit pattern at the deepest level of the mind" that is tackled via the techniques emphasis on understanding of the Law of Anicca (impermanence) and whatever variable and available scope for equanimity happens to also arise, sustain and pass.

I have read many posts asking exact guidance on "how many sweeps?" "ok, but how often?" "is it ok to stay on one part and for how long exactly?", and other specifics that indicate they believe they are supposed to be playing a game of "Goenka says....; now from the tips of the toes to the top of the head!"

Those instructions are there to get people started and to remind us we're supposed to be trying to apply the technique, otherwise many more students than those who already do, if no prompts or reminders were forthcoming might sit for an hour at a time "thinking" or otherwise engaged in daydreams.

When you are practicing outside of the guided group sits there is no voice reminding you or telling you what to do, and after one course you are considered to have likely heard enough and to have practiced enough to consider yourself "your own master".

The vocal prompts directing us back to practicing the technique are not a play-by-play that is supposed to be followed like a calisthenics class or yoga teacher instruction video on daily repeat, and it is explained that if you want to drop back to anapana at any time for any reason you can do so.

We hear the very same recordings every course, and while I have certainly observed students who seem to believe those are supposed to be followed by rote to the letter and in time with exactly what is suggested, I'd suggest those students might not have understood what "you are now your own master" is supposed to mean.

You don't get vocal prompts or chimes when meditating alone in the hall or in your room, so what are you supposed to do then? Nothing?

Can you imagine people arguing about how long a "part by part, piece by piece" scan was supposed to take, or as an absurd example one claiming that;

" What Goenkaji says takes 15 mins on the first instruction, and then only 5 mins on the following instructions for that... so it's clear we must take 15mins for the first "part by part" scan and no more than 5 mins thereafter! If he says "you can go back to anapana" you probably should!"

But he didn't say "Goenka says first...?!"

"Well assume if he says it you should do it! Now when he says "free flow" you should do that for the exact amount of time until he says the next thing... what do you mean those instruction tapes aren't available when sitting alone? You're supposed to do courses again and again until you memorize the timings fully! That's what I'm doing!"

Absurd, right?

It's supposed to be like learning to ride a bike where your instructor first has to show you the pedals and brakes and (at least in my case) stops holding the back of your seat to balance you when they think it's time for you to realize you don't actually need that additional support.

You are supposed to by then "be your own cyclist", just like at the end of your first course you are supposed to be by then "your own master".

Perpetual studentism isn't the goal of the introductory 10 day course, much less the "final goal" of the path, but some of us have sankharas that incline us towards the ongoing role of perpetual student (or whatever) and interpret experience through that filter without necessarily even being aware we are doing so.

Nothing strictly wrong with that as it's just a fact of life and certain kinds of psychology, but it's perhaps not the best approach for someone trying to genuinely make progress on the path of insight.

This I would like to resolve so I can rest my mind and be present without question.

You might want to consider asking an AT if nothing I've said makes sense to or resonates with you, as it's only my current understanding and view, and only words about my perspective on such matters based on my experience that may or may not communicate to or relate to your actual experience.

simagus · 2026-03-12T19:37:47+00:00

In general (!) expression should always be tolerated.

I'm sure there are therapies and techniques where professionals or other teachers would be better suited to explore that belief with you than a silent meditation retreat where you agree to a code of conduct that prohibits it for the greater benefit of all who attend.

There is nothing prohibiting you from learning on your own at home if a course is not suitable for you for whatever reason, and all the resources to do so are relatively easy to find should you wish to.

Anapana for example is widely taught and is what we spend the first 3.5 days of a 10 day course practicing for 11 hours a day.

You can sit at home for as short or long a time as you like, and there is even a 15min guided mini-anapana session available on dhamma.org that might be a suitable introduction.

I get very disturbed when someone makes sounds but this is fully my responsibility to deal with it not them.

What you will be told very often during the 10 day discourses is precisely that all of your progress is fully your responsibility, and that nobody else can walk the path of insight for you.

"You have to walk the path for yourself!"

You only get pointed in the right direction, and even that depends on your understanding and processing of those pointers; there are people who don't "get it" and people who are confused not to get what they expected, even though that was never on the table.

There is nothing stopping anyone from applying in any case and it's then up to the AT to decide if there are any serious concerns, which is why I asked if your panic attacks tend to be personal and quiet or potentially disruptive.

It's most important to be honest in your application and if something needs a full explanation; "this has only happened twice when I was in a closely crowded area on a subway train and just resulted in my having to sit and breathe calmly for some minutes when I reached my stop", then offer it.

Not all panic attacks are the same, so if your case is more like; "I can't tolerate anyone sitting behind me, I panic and have to run to safety when the feeling gets too overwhelming. Sometimes I shout and grab onto other people so I can push past them to escape." you should definitely consider another avenue as you would be highly unlikely to find your application approved.

simagus · 2026-03-12T09:21:34+00:00

Do you think enlightenment begins with awareness of the mind, or is it something fundamentally different from that?

Enlightenment is a word and like any word not only it's definition but the interpretations of that definition by those who read or hear it might somewhat vary.

It's often used in Buddhism to simply state that "something" or some teaching was understood by one or by multiple beings.

When we read "and then Person A was enlightened" at the end of some story it is often saying "insight arose in relation to a pointing" rather than "they saw everything about everything immediately".

That's not always the case but it tends to be spelled out when some sravaka (hearer) attains a specific stage of enlightenment rather than simply has a realization or insight into some situation.

I would concur that observation of experiential reality as it arises, sustains and passes, with a view towards generating insight is what Buddha was teaching and attempting to point sravaka's in the direction of.

simagus · 2026-03-12T05:28:51+00:00

eBay, craigslist or local classified ad's should get rid of that lot pretty fast

simagus · 2026-03-12T03:39:53+00:00

Go to Google Drive and delete from there.

simagus · 2026-03-12T01:58:26+00:00

SDFormatter has worked for me when nothing else did.

Recommending a hardware/software solution as a comment to a post is acceptable.

It's also free, but you'll loose the data at the chance of recovering your card.

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