Search found 79 matches

by Alex123
Sat Jun 30, 2018 5:55 pm
Forum: Meditation
Topic: Can't meditate anymore.
Replies: 19
Views: 5083

Re: Can't meditate anymore.

I have meditated for over 10 years, watching breath while sitting. ... Many similarities to what I am experiencing or experienced. For me, an interesting thing was that my deepest meditations (including seeing nimittas) were in the beginning (even before coming to Buddhism) and then gradually over ...
by Alex123
Sat Jun 30, 2018 5:49 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: The origin of "life" on earth
Replies: 50
Views: 10499

Re: The origin of "life" on earth

if everything is leading to heat death and dissolution, what part does life have to play? as a silent witness? ... if everything is Sunyata, and the universe is heading toward heat death and 100 percent entropy, if the Arrow of Time invariably goes toward death, what part does life play at all in t...
by Alex123
Sat Jun 30, 2018 5:47 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: The origin of "life" on earth
Replies: 50
Views: 10499

Re: The origin of "life" on earth

option (2) is that there is and has only ever been ONE life form on earth, and that is the simply reason why it cannot be created in a lab. Maybe our technology is not yet that good ( and might never be ) to create life in a lab. Or that when scientist create abiogenesis, it may require millions or...
by Alex123
Thu Sep 29, 2016 1:35 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: "transmission outside the scriptures"
Replies: 125
Views: 30919

Re: "transmission outside the scriptures"

Hello Seeker242, It's more like "You can only learn the truth of zen from seeing your own true nature" and to look for it outside yourself, AKA in books, etc, is a mistake. Can the books help you by pointing out where/how to look? My teacher says this about the transmission that you speak ...
by Alex123
Sun Jun 12, 2016 5:21 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: Essence of Chan
Replies: 22
Views: 6440

Re: Essence of Chan

What is the exact difference between abiding in a certain state, vs not abiding in that state? The difference between holding onto a pencil, and letting it go. In order to let go of a pencil, you need to grab it first. Secondly, how does one "release" a thought, or even better, prevent th...
by Alex123
Wed Jun 08, 2016 7:08 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: Essence of Chan
Replies: 22
Views: 6440

Re: Essence of Chan

Hello Astus, all,
Astus wrote: Chan mind is no mind. Whatever state it is, it is conditioned and impermanent. Therefore, the instruction has always been not to abide in any state.
What is the exact difference between abiding in a certain state, vs not abiding in that state?



Thanks,

Alex
by Alex123
Mon Apr 04, 2016 3:04 pm
Forum: Zen
Topic: Soto-zen, Dogen and reincarnation
Replies: 128
Views: 37679

Re: Soto-zen, Dogen and reincarnation

Hello BrianG, I'm a bit late to this party, but as someone who started off not-beliveing in rebirth, then became agnostic about it, then firmly believed in the doctrine of rebirth, perhaps my comments could be of some value. 1. Even from a purely materialistic point of view, matter does not warp int...
by Alex123
Sat Mar 12, 2016 3:33 am
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: fasting
Replies: 9
Views: 2670

Re: fasting

Years ago I fasted on a regular basis, 24 and 48 hour fasts a few times a month and now I would like to return to that practice. Any tips and recommendations? How does fasting affect meditation? For the first few days, fast when you are at home. Just in case. Then, when you know how you react, it c...
by Alex123
Sun Dec 06, 2015 7:39 pm
Forum: Ethical Conduct
Topic: Irritation&frustration
Replies: 6
Views: 3312

Re: Irritation&frustration

I get often irritated, when people don't understand me or say me things which upsets me and bothers me long time. If someone says nasty things and don't feel sorry, what to do? It puts we down and gives me feeling of wortlessness. Which antidote helps? I don't think it's compassion and love, becaus...
by Alex123
Fri Sep 04, 2015 11:09 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: Doubt
Replies: 8
Views: 2395

Re: Doubt

They are 'hindrances' because they hinder you from making any effort. 'Why should I meditate, what is the point, it isn't going to do anything for me.' That kind of negativity is what is being described as 'doubt'. But the Buddhist view is also not 'just believe' - it takes application, persistence...
by Alex123
Tue Dec 30, 2014 6:15 pm
Forum: Wellness, Diet and Fitness
Topic: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
Replies: 487
Views: 112931

Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn

Hello Uan, 菩提本無樹, Bodhi is fundamentally without any tree; 明鏡亦非臺。 The bright mirror is also not a stand. 本來無一物, Fundamentally there is not a single thing — 何處惹塵埃。 Where could any dust be attracted? I do totally support your, and anyone else's, efforts at diligently polishing away all the dust that h...
by Alex123
Mon Dec 29, 2014 5:41 pm
Forum: Wellness, Diet and Fitness
Topic: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
Replies: 487
Views: 112931

Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn

Your statement sounds good on the surface, but as an ordinary person, not enlightened, what is "bad" and "harmful"? What is "temporary"? What are "skillful means"? And can those of us who are deluded human beings know? Antidote to lust is reflection on repuls...
by Alex123
Sun Dec 28, 2014 10:49 pm
Forum: Wellness, Diet and Fitness
Topic: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
Replies: 487
Views: 112931

Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn

Too often when Buddhists (not all, maybe only a few, who knows) talk of the negative aspects of sex and giving up things around it (e.g., porn and masturbation) and the need for celibacy, etc., there's usually an element of aversion to it, which is just another trap, no different than the desire/lu...
by Alex123
Wed Dec 10, 2014 10:50 pm
Forum: Wellness, Diet and Fitness
Topic: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
Replies: 487
Views: 112931

Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn

Try to work out much harder so that you will not have energy or desire to be aggressive. Apparently hard physical labor was one of the methods that Christian monks used to combat lust. There's a difference between "hard physical labor" and "working out." The former is done with ...
by Alex123
Wed Dec 10, 2014 9:08 pm
Forum: Wellness, Diet and Fitness
Topic: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
Replies: 487
Views: 112931

Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn

I have a lot of energy that can only go into two areas. Sex or hate. Period. Have you tried to a) Reduce food intake, b) restraint faculties, c) try various meditation techniques? Perhaps metta, elements, contemplation of death, asubha, kayagatasati? Working out just makes me more and more agressiv...
by Alex123
Tue Dec 09, 2014 10:09 pm
Forum: Wellness, Diet and Fitness
Topic: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
Replies: 487
Views: 112931

Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn

Porn can set unrealistic expectations that can make some people depressed. What if your GF isn't as hot as a model in the movies or what if she doesn't want to do all that stuff? Apparently when a person watches lots of porn, he gets desensitized so much that he needs harder and more perverted stuff...
by Alex123
Tue Dec 09, 2014 12:48 am
Forum: Wellness, Diet and Fitness
Topic: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
Replies: 487
Views: 112931

Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn

Hello Lazy_Eye

You are right.
by Alex123
Sun Dec 07, 2014 1:44 pm
Forum: Wellness, Diet and Fitness
Topic: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
Replies: 487
Views: 112931

Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn

As I see it,

sex is for procreation and masturbation cheats nature. Of course people found a way to experience carnal "pleasure" and cheat nature. Is this a behavior of Bodhisattva?
by Alex123
Wed Dec 03, 2014 1:56 am
Forum: Wellness, Diet and Fitness
Topic: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
Replies: 487
Views: 112931

Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn

Also, I've noticed that masturbation feels terrible when compared to peace in meditation. It is such a misfortune to have desires that strong in order to make oneself feel so unpleasant to masturbate.
by Alex123
Tue Dec 02, 2014 3:54 am
Forum: Wellness, Diet and Fitness
Topic: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
Replies: 487
Views: 112931

Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn

odysseus wrote:They´re ordained monks... For others, you have to figure out on your own when to give up anything sexual. That´s what I believe.

And they are an example for us to follow.

Did you read Śāntideva's Bodhisattvacharyāvatāra on body contemplation?

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