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Insight

AllbuddhaBoundAllbuddhaBound Veteran
edited January 2010 in Buddhism Basics
What is the Buddhist belief regarding insight? When a person meditates for insight, just how far does it go? Is insight wisdom and maturity, or is it more? Do Buddhists believe in spiritual insight? Is insight mystical in nature at all? Like knowing more than what other people know? Many people have talked about having flashes of what will happen in the future, is that insight? Others talk about reincarnation and memories from past lives. Is that insight?

Is Deja Vu a form of insight? I truly have experienced that so if it is not a part of Buddhist teaching, then what is it? Many Buddhists advise a person to ignore that type of knowledge because it will not take you to enlightenment. The thing is, where does it come from? Why does it appear if it is truly only a missed step in meditation?

So many questions but it seems to be rarely addressed in the Buddhist literature I have read. Perhaps I am not as well read as a Buddhist as I should be.

Comments

  • AllbuddhaBoundAllbuddhaBound Veteran
    edited January 2010
    I found a podcast by Ajahn Brahm where he talks about clairvoyance and Ajahn Chah.

    http://www.podnova.com/channel/27758/episode/172/
  • DeshyDeshy Veteran
    edited January 2010
    As far as I understand insight is the realization of the three truth: impermanence, non-self and suffering. Until a worlding sees this truth he is in delusion. It's not just knowing it's seeing

    This is understood in day to day life but "experienced" in deep meditation when the mindfulness is free from the five sensory hindrances. I believe enlightenment cannot be achieved by mere rationalization during day to day life. I know this is non-self, suffering and impermanent but I am not enlightened. I still cling to things. I still get angry and annoyed with people. I know there is no "I" bit I still have the "myself" defilement. I think the ground breaking insight comes in deep meditation when a person "experiences" the tree truths. This is described quite well in Ahahn Brahms meditation handbook.

    Deep meditation is essential for the insight to come. But I might be wrong. I have been proved wrong before :D
  • BodiBodi
    edited January 2010
    That sounds pretty accurate to me Deshy, it's when we stop fooling ourseves... let go of delusions and conclude that you need not be hindered in your life.
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