Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In Register
Examples: Monday, today, last week, Mar 26, 3/26/04
Welcome home! Please contact lincoln@icrontic.com if you have any difficulty logging in or using the site. New registrations must be manually approved which may take several days. Can't log in? Try clearing your browser's cookies.

Dream state?

shanyinshanyin Novice YoginSault Ontario Veteran
edited April 2010 in Buddhism Basics
Hello all. I was watching a video by one of my favorite monks to listen to, Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi. He was trying to describe what Buddhism is and he said 'people are walking around in a dream state'.

I've heard this term before, I think it's taught about in Hinduism.

What's your interpretation of this? From meditation I noticed that I certainly felt more awake... less sloth for sure.

Comments

  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited April 2010
    I believe what he means is that people do not see things as they really are.... they believe they are in touch with reality, but in essence, they are in touch with more money, better housing, better relationships, good health, delicious food.... and that is their reality....whereas in fact, where there is more money there will be less money (they do not see this part of being awake), household maintenance, repairs and upkeep (they do not see this part of being awake), divorce, animosity, quarrel and break-ups (they do not see this part of being awake), poor health and deteriorating well-being (they do not see this part of being awake) and hunger, poor nourishment or restricted diet (they do not see this part of being awake).....
    Thinking all is well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well, because otherwise this isn't what life is meant to be like - is walking in a dream-like state.
  • DropDrop
    edited April 2010
    shanyin wrote: »
    'people are walking around in a dream state'.
    If there is any such thing as 200% accuracy, that statement would deserve it.

    But a part of that dreaming involves even what that statement really means. He is not talking so much about what is or isn't true or real, but more about how relevant or important things are. By our mis-assigment of value and importance, we create deception of what exists at all. We cause ourselves to believe what isn't there by assigning too much concern for the thought of what we perceive.

    The whole point of the path to enlightenment is to escape our own instilled fantasy of reality developed from desires/wants/passions.

    Perhaps it would be better said;

    "What you think is important isn't as important as you think. And what you think isn't important will soon take your life and all you love. Thus let go and awaken to that of which you are not aware."
  • EarthEarth
    edited April 2010
    federica wrote: »
    I believe what he means is that people do not see things as they really are.... they believe they are in touch with reality, but in essence, they are in touch with more money, better housing, better relationships, good health, delicious food.... and that is their reality....whereas in fact, where there is more money there will be less money (they do not see this part of being awake), household maintenance, repairs and upkeep (they do not see this part of being awake), divorce, animosity, quarrel and break-ups (they do not see this part of being awake), poor health and deteriorating well-being (they do not see this part of being awake) and hunger, poor nourishment or restricted diet (they do not see this part of being awake).....
    Thinking all is well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well, because otherwise this isn't what life is meant to be like - is walking in a dream-like state.
    Frigging Great thanks
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited April 2010
    Er...pleasure....I think.....:confused::)
  • EarthEarth
    edited April 2010
    Im sorry i may not be in the right forum
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited April 2010
    edit post changed to:

    And that would be..... why, exactly...?
  • shanyinshanyin Novice Yogin Sault Ontario Veteran
    edited April 2010
    I think if I just meditate and measure the success of my life in happiness I wont have to worry too much about being in a dream state.
  • GuyCGuyC Veteran
    edited April 2010
    shanyin wrote: »
    I think if I just meditate and measure the success of my life in happiness I wont have to worry too much about being in a dream state.

    Sounds smart to me. Also, remember that Nibbana is the highest happiness!
Sign In or Register to comment.