Im done. Competely done.

Mintyfresh0

A person sits in a movie theater watching a movie that's been playing for years.

The movie has been playing for so long that the person mistakes himself for a character in the film.

Something happens in the film. Something dramatic.

The person realizes he's the one watching the movie once again.

Then he realizes that hes not even that.

He is not the movie, he is not the one watching the movie, he is not the projectionist booth, and he is not the theater.

But how can this be? How can he not be any of these things he wonders.

Then it dawns on him.

The movie has no reality without the viewer, the viewer has no reality without an awareness of a viewer, the projectionist booth has no reality without somebody in the audience to witness it.

All of these things are dependent on each other.

All of these things are one.

Instantly, he realizes that he is nowhere to be found, yet at the same time, paradoxically, he is all of the things creating the movie.

Mintyfresh0

Stop meditating. Stop asking questions about reincarnation, or karma, or Buddhism. Stop dancing around the subject of enlightenment. Stop reading spiritual books. Stop acting like you're some god damn realized being. There is no enlightenment, you've been sold a lie.

Sit down with a piece of paper and figure out where the "I" is. This is not a trick question. Use normal logic, and deductive reasoning. Where is this "self" you speak of?

There is no freedom before this.

Good-luck.

Mountains

Curious why you felt the need to make a big dramatic announcement about this?

taiyaki

awesome! enjoy your life.

i ate pizza today. ny style. it was excellent.

genkaku

awesome! enjoy your life.

i ate pizza today. ny style. it was excellent.

At the risk of starting a war, John's Pizzaria in Greenwich Village is the bar-none BEST.

taiyaki

do you like chicago style? i've never been there, i'll check it out when i get the chance to!

Dakini

Stop meditating. Stop asking questions about reincarnation, or karma, or Buddhism. Stop dancing around the subject of enlightenment. Stop reading spiritual books. Stop acting like you're some god damn realized being. There is no enlightenment, you've been sold a lie.

Yes, SIR! :salute:
But you forgot one: stop posting on forums.

taiyaki

so now that you're free what now?

Dakini

Like Jack Kornfield said: "After Enlightenment, the laundry".

Mintyfresh0

Curious why you felt the need to make a big dramatic announcement about this?

There is no me, there was only the genuine desire to make a big dramatic announcement. So it happened. Very excited, there was no holding back.

so now that you're free what now?

Hell if I know, I suppose I'll just go with the flow.

Like Jack Kornfield said: "After Enlightenment, the laundry".

Damn, oh well. Here I was hoping to shoot laser beams out of my eyes, and grow a pair of wings, but you're right there's still only the normal stuff!

aMatt

Whoohoo! We were due for another I R enlightened.

Good luck friend, you're at the root of something liberating.

shays860

You mean no wings come with enlightenment.... crap, i guess i'm done too.

Gui

Mintyfresh0

Indeed. I chased around that damn flashlight for years.

In all honestly, now that there is no more flashlight to chase, I'm not sure what to do with "myself"!! How ironic.

frequency86

awesome! enjoy your life.

i ate pizza today. ny style. it was excellent.

At the risk of starting a war, John's Pizzaria in Greenwich Village is the bar-none BEST.

I have to say, I prefer a Greek pizza with lots of avacado and black olives! Yum.

zen_world

A person sits in a movie theater watching a movie that's been playing for years.

The movie has been playing for so long that the person mistakes himself for a character in the film.

Something happens in the film. Something dramatic.

The person realizes he's the one watching the movie once again.

Then he realizes that hes not even that.

He is not the movie, he is not the one watching the movie, he is not the projectionist booth, and he is not the theater.

But how can this be? How can he not be any of these things he wonders.

Then it dawns on him.

The movie has no reality without the viewer, the viewer has no reality without an awareness of a viewer, the projectionist booth has no reality without somebody in the audience to witness it.

All of these things are dependent on each other.

All of these things are one.

Instantly, he realizes that he is nowhere to be found, yet at the same time, paradoxically, he is all of the things creating the movie.

Actually you are just starting...

zen_world

Indeed. I chased around that damn flashlight for years.

In all honestly, now that there is no more flashlight to chase, I'm not sure what to do with "myself"!! How ironic.

And thats why you are just starting:) good luck

Gui

Indeed. I chased around that damn flashlight for years.

</blockquote

You and me both, my friend. Perhaps it's time to leave the theater.

robot

You were "newly enlightened" back in December. Are you more enlightened now? Are you sure you won't be more enlightened still in 6 months time?

riverflow

Instead of Plato's allegory of the cave, its the allegory of the movie theatre!

pain

i think you're just starting to see things... i would say just keep with the inquiries but don't jump to conclusions.

MindGate

I wonder if the Buddha would have liked pizza.

frequency86

I wonder if the Buddha would have liked pizza.

Liking it would imply attachment I think.
The Buddha would probably simply recognize the pizza as having life sustaining qualities, and therefore see it as good.

seeker242

Indeed. I chased around that damn flashlight for years.

In all honestly, now that there is no more flashlight to chase, I'm not sure what to do with "myself"!! How ironic.

You sit down and just breath in and out and that's it. What else is there to do?

Mintyfresh0

You were "newly enlightened" back in December. Are you more enlightened now? Are you sure you won't be more enlightened still in 6 months time?

There is no enlightenment, and nobody home to claim it, least of all me.

i think you're just starting to see things... i would say just keep with the inquiries but don't jump to conclusions.

Yes. Process not destination.

Indeed. I chased around that damn flashlight for years.

In all honestly, now that there is no more flashlight to chase, I'm not sure what to do with "myself"!! How ironic.

And thats why you are just starting:) good luck

Eh, maybe. Either way I prefer to watch and see what happens. Why struggle for control when there is none?

Today has been a monumental day in this dream character's life. He has just been born! I love life.

Mintyfresh0

Indeed. I chased around that damn flashlight for years.

In all honestly, now that there is no more flashlight to chase, I'm not sure what to do with "myself"!! How ironic.

You sit down and just breath in and out and that's it. What else is there to do?

Haha, oh man. There is no doing huh. Just flow with the river and see where it leads.

Mintyfresh0

Indeed. I chased around that damn flashlight for years.

We were ever in the theater to begin with?

There is too much excitement and awe to be contained right now!!! I think I'm a bit drunk on the emptiness.

seeker242

Indeed. I chased around that damn flashlight for years.

In all honestly, now that there is no more flashlight to chase, I'm not sure what to do with "myself"!! How ironic.

You sit down and just breath in and out and that's it. What else is there to do?

Haha, oh man. There is no doing huh. Just flow with the river and see where it leads.

Only a dead body has no doing. You still walk around, breath, sleep and eat right? I hope so!

Mintyfresh0

Only a dead body has no doing. You still walk around, breath, sleep and eat right? I hope so!



I don't know even that. I only know that I am nothing. How wonderful it feels.

zen_world

Eh, maybe. Either way I prefer to watch and see what happens. Why struggle for control when there is none?

Today has been a monumental day in this dream character's life. He has just been born! I love life.

Realizing non-self is one thing, getting rid of the idea of self is another.
Open your third eye and look inside...See the samsara as it is. See your self in it.
Then you truly realize that your self is your own prison, there is no escape. And thats one f.cked up phenomena.
"Loving life" is the prison. I 100% guarantee you that you will loose this 'loving life' feeling very soon. And your ups and downs will start again. Search will start again!
Because soul is the prison.
You are happy because you progressed today, you achieved something. So your happiness is conditioned right now.
There is no escape from self. You may even become God but you still stuck with the self even though you have a damn strong realization that the self is not there...but yet you still stuck with it. Right now, you are still the self realizing the non-self. Still in prison. Continue to claim your salvation.

It starts when you really see that self=prison...

Today has been a monumental day in this dream character's life. He has just been born! I love life.

See, you don't see self=prison...yet....

Spaceless

A movie is "motivated" by the movement of film negative. The negatives rolling at the speed of 24 times per sec. In this slow speed, both the viewer and the characters are deluded in it. According to the laughing buddha, the speed of rolling is millions times per sec, and in face, each negative is motionless known as absolute reality or the buddhaness of everyone. :wow:
Thusforth, it is so important to be mindful of Namo Amitabha Buddha as every negative is developing your buddhaness :thumbsup:

Mintyfresh0

"
See, you don't see self=prison...yet.... "

Thank-you, I will investigate this.

I cannot find a self to get rid of. There is clear seeing that there is no self.

However, if you say it is indeed possible to go further than this, then I will. I'll chew my god damn leg off, or rip out my eyeball if it helps me be free. What's more inquiring compared to that?

zenff

Stop meditating. Stop asking questions about reincarnation, or karma, or Buddhism. Stop dancing around the subject of enlightenment. Stop reading spiritual books. Stop acting like you're some god damn realized being. There is no enlightenment, you've been sold a lie.

You probably know the simile of the burning house. The father, outside, is calling his children, inside, and promises them toys and candy; just to make them come out.
A lie, sure. But we wouldn’t be here without it.

Someone said you had some kind of insight half a year ago?
I think that’s quite possible. I think we can have more than one breakthrough.
Maybe the words and the image (about some cinema) and the feelings of liberation will fade.
But something probably changed for you, permanently. I hope so!
And some other time something may hit you just like this one.

Isn’t this practice? Isn’t it great?

zen_world

"
See, you don't see self=prison...yet.... "

Thank-you, I will investigate this.

I cannot find a self to get rid of. There is clear seeing that there is no self.

However, if you say it is indeed possible to go further than this, then I will. I'll chew my god damn leg off, or rip out my eyeball if it helps me be free. What's more inquiring compared to that?

There is no self but you are still afflicted with self.
Do not fall into the trap by cheerishing yourself assuming you are all done. If you quit your path you will fall right into the samsara. Stay on your path of compassion and wisdom until you are purified. Wish you all the best!

GeminiVI

Your model of volition will have to change if it hasn't already. Remember all phenomena are the product of causality.

MindGate

I wonder if the Buddha would have liked pizza.

Liking it would imply attachment I think.
The Buddha would probably simply recognize the pizza as having life sustaining qualities, and therefore see it as good.

From my knowledge, just because you are enlightened does not mean that your personality/ego is no longer part of you. You retain your personality, but are not a slave to it. So, technically, the Buddha could have "liked" pizza if it had a pleasing taste to him.

Floating_Abu

Use normal logic, and deductive reasoning.

If it were that easy, it wouldn't work either.

Sorry, Minty !!

Floating_Abu

awesome! enjoy your life.

i ate pizza today. ny style. it was excellent.

At the risk of starting a war, John's Pizzaria in Greenwich Village is the bar-none BEST.

I have to say, I prefer a Greek pizza with lots of avacado and black olives! Yum.

Avocado, yum yum !

Had fish last night me'self ..

tbunton

I wonder if the Buddha would have liked pizza.

Liking it would imply attachment I think.
The Buddha would probably simply recognize the pizza as having life sustaining qualities, and therefore see it as good.

From my knowledge, just because you are enlightened does not mean that your personality/ego is no longer part of you. You retain your personality, but are not a slave to it. So, technically, the Buddha could have "liked" pizza if it had a pleasing taste to him.

I agree. Ive read somewhere that this is true. You keep your personality and you still have likes and dislikes, your just not attached to them.

vixthenomad

I had Pizza Hut delivery pizza last night. With a stuffed crust. Yum yum. However, thanks to having discovered Buddhism I was able to leave some of it because I was not 'attached' to it and therefore didn't have to eat the whole damn thing like I am used to doing with delivery pizza. Therefore I still have some in the fridge and will probably go and heat it up in a minute and have it for elevenses.

And with regards to the other direction this thread's gone in...

@Mintyfresh0 - you are either an enlightened being or you need to be committed. The problem is, what with still being mundane, plugged into the Matrix etc, I can't tell which.

caz

"
See, you don't see self=prison...yet.... "

Thank-you, I will investigate this.

I cannot find a self to get rid of. There is clear seeing that there is no self.

However, if you say it is indeed possible to go further than this, then I will. I'll chew my god damn leg off, or rip out my eyeball if it helps me be free. What's more inquiring compared to that?

Self is deeply inbedded in the mind since begingless time, Once such a delusion is gotten rid of there are still its imprints to be removed as well.

Bodha8

By George he's got it!

person

I think I'll just wait for it on Redbox.

Mintyfresh0

@Mintyfresh0 - you are either an enlightened being or you need to be committed. The problem is, what with still being mundane, plugged into the Matrix etc, I can't tell which.

Hahah right on! In my experience, when the "normal" people tell you that you need to be committed for mental health issues .... you are doing very well on this path. It's another aspect of life trying to coax you back into the amusement park!

"

Self is deeply inbedded in the mind since begingless time, Once such a delusion is gotten rid of there are still its imprints to be removed as well.

What a drag haha. Is this the part where I wait and see where delusion arises, and then spend hours with a notebook and pen trying to figure out why so it can be undone? I've heard about this, and always assumed it wouldn't be required for me. Boy, how arrogant.

By George he's got it!

Just another step towards freedom! What a ridiculous, and perfect journey it's been thus far.

Mintyfresh0

I think I'll just wait for it on Redbox.

Don't wait too long! Redbox is going to be one of the shorted lived businesses ever. Netflix will ultimately destroy it.

I agree. Ive read somewhere that this is true. You keep your personality and you still have likes and dislikes, your just not attached to them

Of course. Your pet cat or dog has a personality, preferences, likes and dislikes.
Personality is an aspect of life!

Chiisai_Pholcidae68

...cheerishing yourself assuming you are all done.

Isn't this the definition of the God Realm being?

Chiisai_Pholcidae68

In regards to W.W.G.B.S. (What Would Gautama Buddha Say?)...

...He would probably tell you to stop over-thinking things.

@Mintyfresh0, your reaction to realizing no-self leads me to believe that you are clinging to the concept of no-self.

shanyin

This is what I came up with

I am writing
what is I
I is something with power (effects other people)
I is body

shanyin

ill keep at it..

Jeffrey

"Stop meditating. Stop asking questions about reincarnation, or karma, or Buddhism. Stop dancing around the subject of enlightenment. Stop reading spiritual books. Stop acting like you're some god damn realized being. There is no enlightenment, you've been sold a lie."

Who is acting like a realized being in this thread? You have to ask yourself that.

Your second idea that dependent origination means we should stop meditation is also suspect. Ok and you say to stop asking questions???

Mintyfresh0

In regards to W.W.G.B.S. (What Would Gautama Buddha Say?)...

...He would probably tell you to stop over-thinking things.

@Mintyfresh0, your reaction to realizing no-self leads me to believe that you are clinging to the concept of no-self.

Over-thinking and over-analyzing is what got me here! It is just being done, it cannot stop until it does so on its own!

Hell I could cling to the idea that I'm a cherry tomato if thats what arose, it no longer matters. Clinging, thoughts, and concepts are in the dream!!