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What Does The Dharma Offer ?
Shoshin
No one in particularNowhere Special Veteran
According to Alan Wallace the Dharma offer's "This"
Is he right ?
Are you finding this to be true ?
For me it offer's a way out a way of letting go ...on a path that is full of obstacles, it provides the means to overcome them...
I guess the important thing about this offer, is that it's free and there's no expiry date...One can take up the offer anytime.....
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What does the teaching of the Buddha, the true nature of things, and the way to the deathless offer?
Everything and more.
Broadly speaking that is true and from experience we can validate as many have done.
However, Alan Wallace is an up market Depak Chopra, selling discredited 'great swami' dualism, quantum mysticism and the superstitious Tibetan Uber-Consciousness/Reincarnating Soul mythology that he is unable to let go of. In other words we have to look beyond the superficial attractiveness of marrying pseudo science and book selling delusional ideas founded on seductive 'teachings' ...
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._Alan_Wallace
Suttra like the Bible contains limitations, it is not perfect because it was created and recorded by a diversity of understandings.
So again. Yes I find mind training does broadly speaking, have the aim of:
That is a good thing as far as I know ...
I think Alan speaks to a more long term goal and outcome of Buddhist practice. For most people entering meditation and Buddhism the goals should be a little more achievable and short term.
I think what he says is true, and also that it holds up in smaller steps - as you work on yourself you will find the causes of suffering dropping away a little bit at a time. Nirvana or bliss is another matter, that presumably comes later.
And that's just it. I think far too many people start out with bliss as the goal and then when their demons are facing them, they don't want to be there.
I find what he says to be pretty true. It seems to me he was saying exactly that all the things the Dharma offers can eventually lead to a more well rounded happiness,and bliss.
To me, Dharma is truth. The basis of Buddhism has been proven in my investigation to be true, and therefore that is all I need to know. "The truth shall set you free" as they say. that doesn't mean it'll be easy or bliss in the mean time though.
To me the Dharma is a path to discovering a loving heart and a concentrated mind.
One hell of a combination! Should I call it rather, a 'heavenly' match? Exactly so @JaySon
The jewel in the lotus, dorje and bell symbolically used by Tantrists etc.
Do we work predominately from a focussed adamantine/diamond mind or expanding lotus heart? Ideally both. Clarifying and focussing the monkey mind. Having compassion for our dukkha and eventually others.
The vehicle for this combination is the precious human body. Look after it [lobster top tip]
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_and_the_body
There is a strong ascetic trait in dharma. Middle Way, being aware and sensitive to the body is more conducive to non-Shaolin based lay practice. Neither indulgence or avoidance. Integration I guess ...
"A path to bliss"
Sounds like a car salesman!
Makes me wonder if he's trying to sell me Dhamma or if he's got some other product of his in the pipeline.
This approach seems very problematic, and an attempt to arouse desire for this path and his promise of bliss.
I'll pass.
In my humble experience @wojciech, (thus have I heard) the 8FP does lead to bliss...he is just stating the truth/Dharma...
And in his car salesman pitch, he is just selling a used [Greater] vehicle which has been tried and tested ...(thus have I heard)
Would you buy a use vehicle from this person ?
Tried and tested, yes.
However, it seems odd to me that continuing practice with a desire for bliss will promise anything but continued suffering.
A path to liberation. This would include liberation from desire for concepts such as bliss.
That's the 8FP to me. In my mind I don't need a path "to" this concept of bliss. In the words of Hakuin Zenji, this very place is lotus land. This very body the Buddha.
That's My 2 cents.
@wojciech I don't think it is advocating that one must "desire" bliss in order to practice the Dharma ....But it would seem that we do 'desire' to end suffering...be it ones own or others....
However...when it comes to "Desire"
Mr A Watts has something to say on this....
I see you @Shoshin !
Perhaps I'm simply struggling with his use of the word bliss! The dharma is also a path to service, serving life and sentient beings wholeheartedly....something I feel like is being missed with the term bliss.
This could be a wrong view on "my" part however!
The dharma is:
Nuffink like a bit of bliss if you arsk me. Wiv a nice cup of Rosy Lee.
Interesting. You sound like you know about 100x more than me about Buddhism
The reason I say "To me the Dharma is a path to discovering a loving heart and a concentrated mind" is because those are the two things I've experienced by practicing breath meditation and metta meditation.
In breath meditation my mind becomes still. I can clearly see the hindrances. I can identify attachments and craving that I seem to penetrate through, keeping my focus only on my breath. The clutter eventually clears and my mind feels concentrated and solid.
In metta meditation my heart opens. I have better relationships with people I meet and with animals. I also have a great relationship with myself. This coming from a guy who hated himself for most of his life. Generating metta for myself and others has given me a reason to live. It has been that powerful.
I try to practice both forms of meditation equally. Metta strengthens my virtue. Breath meditation strengthens my concentration. Those two plus studying the Dharma strengthen my wisdom.