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the key

TheJourneyTheJourney
edited September 2010 in Buddhism Basics
in my opinion, of course :)

the key is neither in 'think' or 'don't think', but rather being able to discern when it's appropriate to think, and when it's appropriate to not think, and knowing the degree which you should do it.

Also never saying that any percieved knowledge is fact. You can reason out apparent truths, but claiming that you know beyond a doubt that anything is true is a mistake.

Comments

  • PietroPumokinPietroPumokin
    edited September 2010
    hm yeah maybe divining how to merge thinking and nonthinking into one, going beyond both of them and stepping in between them at the same time LOL
  • 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 September 2010
    Very 'Zen'........:)
  • bodhiactivitybodhiactivity
    edited September 2010
    trying to not think is in itself a conceptual effort , which is thought already. Trying is conceptual. You can't go into non-conceptual awareness by pushing or by concepts... you have to allow yourself to be, or as Dzongsar Khyentse says, do nothing. Awareness is already there. It is the highest level of simplicity but yet something difficult for us to do because we are conditioned to react and grasp... so that's where practice of meditation is important, we need to execute, not just postulate.
  • sukhitasukhita
    edited September 2010
    I sadly remain somewhat perplexed about the concepts of "thinker" and "thoughts". I read often that "thoughts" arise by themselves, they endure by themselves, and fade away by themselves and that there is no "thinker" (or self, for the matter) behind the "thoughts". It's almost like beings are pre-programmed with thoughts! Very confusing for me......

    But perhaps, as bodhiactivity might have implied, these things can only be "realized" through meditation and not through conceptual reasoning and logic.
  • ChrysalidChrysalid Veteran
    edited September 2010
    TheJourney wrote: »
    in my opinion, of course :)

    the key is neither in 'think' or 'don't think', but rather being able to discern when it's appropriate to think, and when it's appropriate to not think, and knowing the degree which you should do it.

    Also never saying that any percieved knowledge is fact. You can reason out apparent truths, but claiming that you know beyond a doubt that anything is true is a mistake.
    I think "the key" lies in recognising thought for what it is.
  • ThailandTomThailandTom Veteran
    edited September 2010
    just do whatever, roll with it and don't try too hard :P Personally I believe the key to be compassion, but that is of course personally speaking :)
  • bodhiactivitybodhiactivity
    edited September 2010
    sukhita wrote: »
    I sadly remain somewhat perplexed about the concepts of "thinker" and "thoughts". I read often that "thoughts" arise by themselves, they endure by themselves, and fade away by themselves and that there is no "thinker" (or self, for the matter) behind the "thoughts". It's almost like beings are pre-programmed with thoughts! Very confusing for me......

    But perhaps, as bodhiactivity might have implied, these things can only be "realized" through meditation and not through conceptual reasoning and logic.

    yes, i think there is rapid flashing back and forth between being aware of thoughts and the content of thought itself.. which creates the effect of there seemingly being a 'thinker' or a person who is 'aware' of thought.

    There is preprogramming in the sense that our thoughts are somewhat based on our previous habits and seeds planted in the 8th consciousness/alaya/ all ground consciousness... as Buddhists, we should understand that we are not really free, we are programmed by our karma and our habitual tendencies and our emotions, social conditioning, expectations etc we are totally under their control. For eg, how many times have you knowingly indulged in an addiction that you know very well is bad but just seemingly can't break the pattern. Another eg, you may be in a really happy mood, but someone says a word and turns your whole day upside-down. We think we are independent and free beings... but i'm afraid it is not really so, our minds are totally under-control by our delusions.

    When realisation occurs, the dichotomy between thinker and thought and all dualism is dissolved and then one realises non-self and emptiness, then perspective will change, there is the ability to deal with our kleshas or mental afflictions... then one will realise that this lack of freedom need not be the case anymore... if you have the opportunity, you can see the more realised people are very at ease in any situation, even difficult situations and even at death... i think realisation brings a kind of fearlessness and total ease, because one sees through the illusion/dream of everything... as the Diamond sutra says, "As a star, mirage, lamp, illusion, dewdrop, bubble, dream, lightning and cloud, view all the compounded (phenomenon) like that."
  • sukhitasukhita
    edited September 2010
    Thank you... it's beginning to make some sense now... :)
  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    edited September 2010
    I don't think that we are totally bound by past karma. We build karma presently as well. So, past karma helps shape our reality, but we are able to change it to a certain degree.
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