Best Of
Re: How is dependent origination different than determinism?
I like the Tao’s approach to enlightenment, that one should be in harmony with what is. This is the ultimate in letting go, because one’s will disappears in the natural pattern of the world.
Jeroen
Re: Styles of Zen
It seems to me that one should do what feels right. If you are presented with five styles of zen and your intuition guides you to one, just try it and see how it feels.
For me, meditation was like this. I tried vipassana, I tried shamatha, but in the end something simple like shikantaza, ‘just sitting’ felt better to me, or even Mooji’s instruction to just Be.
Jeroen
Re: The limits of the mind’s understanding
@Shoshin1 said:
I think exploration of consciousness involves mind over matter....and the primary instrument of inquiry is a well trained mind....
Hmm I don’t think the mind can be used to reach beyond the mind. Then you are likely to be carried away by imagination. The mind functions by dividing the world, first into subject and object, and then into other things. Which means that to reach unity one wants the mind to be quiet, to not engage with it.
Jeroen
Re: The limits of the mind’s understanding
@Jeroen said:
Consciousness is the mirror that reflects all. You are aware of what it shows, but the mirror must exist nevertheless.
In the ultimate sense, there is no mirror even. For without the reflections, there is no mirror. Dependent arising. You might say the mirror merely describes a function. It exists only by virtue of its reflections.
Ultimately empty of self nature.
"To see that there is really no mirror other than the on-going reflection due to our emptiness nature. Neither is there a mirror to cling to as the background reality nor a maya to escape from. Beyond these two extreme lies the middle path."
Re: The limits of the mind’s understanding
@Jeroen said:
Although @Shoshin1 I do think that is a beautiful vision, it presents a different view on the mind than I have gathered…I often read that the mind obscures our experience of the real world. That the imaginings and delusions and desires that it generates keep us entrapped in samsara. That a key goal of meditation is to let the mind become quiet.
I totally agree, the untamed monkey mind gets into all kind of mischief, it can be a real pain in the posterior at times... it's the reason why we suffer over and over again....
I like Bodhidharma’s quote, and I agree with him that beholding the mind is key. But I do not see the mind as a wholly positive influence. Much of what the mind does is not beneficial.
You don’t want to make the mind into an enemy, but you want to be aware of not getting caught up in it. The mind is a good servant but a poor master, it has been said.
From what I gather, in Buddhism, Dharma practice is about taming and training the mind (Lojong in Tibetan) and without this taming and training of the mind, one remains the mind's servant, always at its beck and call...
The taming and training of the mind, unlocks its full potential, giving it the ability to explore beyond the confinements of the clinging aggregates, (the psychophysical phenomenon we call the self) whose soul purpose is one of self preservation and protection at all cost and by whatever means at its disposal...eg trickery, lies, deceit...
I could be wrong but personally I don't think that one can dismiss or underestimate the importance of the mind's involvement in such a venture when it comes to the exploration of consciousness...
The exploration of consciousness you speak of "I spend most of my time focussed on consciousness" could have only have come about through some level of mind training, that is, mind's involvement....
Consciousness's exploration is a subjective journey and a very personal one, words may help to point out the way for some, but not all will be able to see which direction the words are pointing at....this is due to the nature of the words one chooses to use to describe...
So in this sense yes the conventional mind the one we use in this conventional world (which monkey mind plays havoc with at times ) can be quite limited when it comes finding suitable words to describe an indescribable experience...
I guess one could kind of describe the experience as consciousness exploring itself through the six sense door lenses of my being...which was (for want of a better term ) just mind blowing... 
Things are never quite what they seem
When one finally awakes from the illusive dream
I think exploration of consciousness involves mind over matter....and the primary instrument of inquiry is a well trained mind....
Shoshin1
Re: Losing or Lost Hope can be Freedom
Reminds me of Janis Joplin--"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose".>
More like rebirth, actually - a fresh start, a whole new set of mistakes waiting to be made.
Fosdick
Re: The Other Elephant In The Room
Why people deny reality or refuse to accept facts:
Selective Ignorance: They might choose to ignore certain facts or evidence while focusing only on information that supports their beliefs or opinions.
Confirmation Bias: This refers to the tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs. People in denial often seek out only information that supports their views.
Rationalization: They may come up with seemingly logical explanations or justifications for their beliefs, even if these explanations don't align with reality.
Avoidance: They might avoid discussions, situations, or people that challenge their beliefs or present contradictory evidence.
Emotional Responses: Denial often comes with strong emotional reactions. People might become defensive, angry, or agitated when confronted with facts that contradict their beliefs.
Isolation: They may isolate themselves from sources of information or communities that present different perspectives or facts.
Repetition of False Information: People in denial might repeat false or misleading information as if it were true, hoping that by doing so, it will become accepted or believed.
Dismissal of Experts: They might dismiss or discredit experts, scientists, or credible sources if their views contradict the individual's beliefs.
Overconfidence: Despite lacking credible evidence, they may express unwarranted confidence in their beliefs or opinions.
Lack of Open-mindedness: A refusal to consider alternative viewpoints or evidence is a clear sign of denial.
There's a lot of this happening, especially when it comes to Western and Israeli politicians and the media....
Shoshin1
Styles of Zen
What I've learnt from not meditating and breaking precepts is that my life because muddy and the noise my mind generates indoors usually meets its counterpart outdoors.
Reacting, responding, demanding. How unfortunate. I have discovered a secret probably known to all of you, but I find worth sharing nevertheless...
True practice begins when you sit everyday, especially when you do not want to. Following precepts and some guidance is essential too of course. It helps a lot to avoid just sitting and thinking, feeding delusions. ¿"Gendo zen"?
" Gedo zen is an intoxication. It is like alcohol or drugs, transporting you out of your own experience and life into a temporary state of ease."
I really liked this excerpt from the book "Begin Here: Five Styles of Zen" by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi Zazen-ji (1989) where these styles are described.
I feel like most Western audiences would probably engage in Zen or Buddhism from the perspective of therapy or even taking it as a science of the mind (Bompu zen). Then perhaps it could advance to a deeper practice. By the way, bompu zen basically is to practice for your the sake of your well-being.
Maybe a taste of bompu zen is the way to go?
Kotishka
Re: The limits of the mind’s understanding
If a beginner stays for too long in rigpa, it can become blank and vacant. That is why it is best to train in rigpa for short moments repeated many times.
Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulku_Urgyen_Rinpoche
I knew it!
Too much mindfulness requires breaks not brokenness ... 
lobster
Losing or Lost Hope can be Freedom
Hope has a dark side in the way that it impacts the mind.
It’s an intense yearning for something to happen: You hope to conquer anxiety or depression. You hope to get into your favorite college. You hope to find love one day. You hope to overcome the pesky problem that’s weighing you down. You hope the Detroit Lions will (please) just win one Super Bowl.
Hope can become an ironic mental prison by its mere intensity and dominance of your thoughts.
Letting go of whatever dominates your mind (including hope) instantly frees it to think of other things such as warm breezes, the beauty of friendship, and the simplicity of enjoying a meal. We lose out on these small joys of life when our big problems take more than their deserved mindshare.
But there’s still the issue of hope. Why would letting go of hope—something seen as positive—bring freedom and not darkness?
This a good read…..
https://tinybuddha.com/blog/how-losing-all-hope-can-be-freedom/
I’ve accepted some things can’t be beaten….only let go of….or otherwise dealt with.
Vastmind