Best Of

Re: Radicalism

There have in the past been attempts to end the conflict with a so-called two state solution, if both sides had said, enough is enough, we will let go of the past, and live in peace, then it might have worked. But I see extremists on the Israeli side, and extremists on the Palestinian side, and neither side is satisfied with what they have.

Jeroen

1

Re: Buddha and the unconscious

Yes you can speculate about abstract concepts forever but where does it get you?

Tavs

1

Re: My Dharma practice today

@marcitko said:
I am taking my Buddhism more seriously as of late. It is clear to me I must make determined and right efforts. Apply various 'medicines' and remedies, take responsibily and quit complaining. Changing the inputs will change the outputs, as I know for sure from a previous determined phase.
Strictly 'Buddhist' I am:
Slowly and contemplatively reading 'In the Buddhas Words' by Bhikhu Boddhi. It is a Pali canon sutta structured compilation with contextual introductions to chapters. Very good.
Listening to Ajahn Sonna. I resonate a lot and find a lot of benefit.
Restarted meditating. Some samatha, some loving kindness, some contemplation.
Trying to uphold and practice sila in a practical way.

I'm also doing and trying to habitualise a few other 'supporting' practices and dehabitualise a few negative behaviors but will write above those another day to keep this shorter.
Already feeling better: calmer, more grounded, more optimistic... so far so very good.

its good to hear other peoples practice. my thinking practice makes ease. the more you practice, it becomes you...a way of life

todays practice for me, go to thera temple, donate (gift giving)and eat cambodian food..alms gathering.

the rest of the day, my daozen rest in action.

marcitko samatha is wonderful. so glad your practicing it.

paulysotoo

2

Re: What do you think of modern movies?

I've heard something about how streaming has changed the nature of movies. While there are still some being made that have a high quality, when people watch streaming movies at home often they do it while doing other things too, like laundry or cooking or something so movies that you don't have to follow so closely.

Also, regarding the new Superman, yeah I really like this Superman's sweetness. I guess in some of the comics Superman has a dog, but I didn't really care for it in the movie, it had a sort of Jar Jar from Phantom Menace vibe.

person

1

Re: My Dharma practice today

@marcitko said:
I'll start:

Yesterday, I practised the precept of not taking what is not given.

I am moving house and the rented flat came with some old pots and pans, cutlery, glasses, and the like.

Instead of doing it half-assed, with the attitude that ultimately it does not matter much if an old butter knife is mine or of the flat, as long as I leave some behind, I put in a lot of effort to determine what is mine, and what came with the flat, for each item.

To me, since I slept poorly and was extremely busy with packing, that extra wholesome effort, counts as a win

i will join dont take what is not given.

paulysotoo

1

Non Narrative Thinking

I came across was fed this idea. Its kind of in line with a growth mindset vs a fixed mindset and CBT. There is a short summary of the idea at the beginning if you're not in the mood for the full thing.

person

1

Re: My Dharma practice today

Did my last goodliness from yesterday
https://universeodon.com/invite/J8ZvPdef

I liked in particular @Jeffrey effort. But all good.

Today:

My new printer is definitely my Buddhist Master. I nearly threw it out with the impediments. Decided to persevere
Had a very simple almost Japenese style luncheon. That too was my Master.
My God! They Be everywhere... I knew IT.
Meditated on the meaning of Death. That was good for a laff.
Must be time for a void coffee. Void of milk that is. And Void of caffeine (decaff only for lobsters

lobster

2

Re: The way things seem and the way things are

@pegembara said:
Things appear to be beautiful and enjoyable or not. That is what the mind generally focussed on. These are 'signs' (nimitta) that the mind picks up.

The long blonde or dark hair looks good on the head but if they happen to fall on one's food or if left unkempt would evoke a different set of feelings.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

'...we see things as we are'.
I am repeatedly wowed by what I call the (public transport) 'tram test'.
Depending on my state of mind, I will think/see/believe the random people commuting with me in a totally different light.
Eg.
If I am depressed, I will see everyone as sad and find 'confirmation' of how difficult and sad life is.
If I am happy, I will see everyone as happy, and find 'confirmation' of how fun life is.
If I am in a work-mindset, I will see the people as traveling to work, commited to work.
Etc.

marcitko

2

Re: Buddha and the unconscious

I am 95% sure that in one of his podcasts, Ajahn Sonna, abott of a Canadian Theravada Forrest Monastery, answers this very question and says the Buddha does not consider there is any 'unseen' unconcious beyond the concious workings od the mind (thoughts) and heart (feelings).

Even so, as @Shoshin1 has so eloquently stated, the Buddha clearly does take into account our various difficult-to-see conditionings, which we might be unaware of.

So maybe the difference is that western psychology posits a can-never-unearth unconcious, while the Buddha posits a can-unearth but with difficulty, practice and training unconconcious.

But I very well might be wrong on both counts.

marcitko

3

Re: Buddha and the unconscious

@Tavs said:
Sounds like there is no official census on the matter

If useful, we are the 'official'/'unofficial' consensus and 'it makes sense to me'

For example Yogacara always seems like intellectual waffle to me. I am too stoopid to engage in or with... Suits some in formal indoctrination curriculum's...

lobster

1