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consciousness and not-self
Here's something i'm confused about. Personally, I tend to believe the universe is made up of a universal consciousness that causes it to be what it is. But then I read that consciousness was not self. But then I read a thing by the dalai lama where he said that one of the common buddhist ideas is that we're a consciousness. So when the buddha says we're not consciousness does he mean that i'm not a consciousness that is separate from other consciousness'?
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Others may have another take on this but there is usually agreement that grasping at an ultimate thing, essence, principle, etc. no matter how profoundly subtle, is off the mark, even if this concept is a negative one defined only as "not this" and "not that". A subtle negative concept of an absolute is more easily clung to because it is not recognized as such.
I believe, and may be wrong on this, that many Buddhists mistake dwelling on a subtle negative concept of the absolute for realization of "The unconditioned", that was the point of the 'Emptiness sickness thread"
I know that consciousness is a trippy thing, and that it's pretty trippy how my whole life I was living with some trippy and ridiculous concepts of self. But I still cannot understand it, so I just try my best to act wisely.
how about
learn (read or listen again) what are the six elements (apo, thejo, vayo, patavi, avakasa-akasa, vinnana)
think over them
and try to grasp them within
six elements are changing always (anicca)
learn (read or listen again) what are the sense bases (internal and external)
think over them
and try to grasp them within
sense bases are made with six elements
sense bases bring suffering (dukka)
learn (read or listen again) what are the five aggregates
think over them
and try to grasp them within
five aggregates are the results of the act of sense bases
in five aggregates there is no person/I/you (anatta)
The sincere practitioner Avalokitesvara
while intently practicing the Perfection of Wisdom Meditation
perceived that all of the five phenomenal aggregates are empty of inherent existence
and was thereby saved from all suffering and distress.
He told Shariputra:
Form does not differ from emptiness,
emptiness does not differ from form.
That which is form is emptiness,
that which is emptiness is form.
The same is true of feelings,
perceptions, impulses, and consciousness.
Shariputra,
all perceived phenomena are marked with emptiness.
They do not appear or disappear,
they are neither tainted nor pure,
nor do they increase or decrease.
Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, no feeling,
no perception, no impulse, and no consciousness.
There is no eye, no ear, no nose, no tongue, no body, no mind;
no color, no sound, no smell, no taste, no touch,
no object of mind,
no mind to perceive,
and so forth
until it is clear that there is no realm of mental consciousness.
There is no ignorance nor extinction of ignorance,
and so forth until no old age and death
and also no extinction of these phenomena.
There is no suffering, no origination,
no stopping, no path, no cognition,
nor is there attainment, because there is nothing to attain.
If the sincere practitioner depends on the Perfection of Wisdom Meditation,
and the mind is not a hindrance,
without any hindrance no fears exist.
Far apart from every incorrect view one dwells in the final state of seeing clearly.
In the innumerable worlds and dimensions
all sincere practitioners depend on the Perfection of Wisdom Meditation
and thereby attain the final state of seeing clearly.
Therefore know that the Mantra of the Perfection of Wisdom
is the great transcendent mantra,
the great clarifying mantra,
the ultimate mantra,
the supreme mantra
which is able to relieve all suffering,
is perfectly clear,
and is beyond any mistaken perception.
So proclaim the Mantra of the Perfection of Wisdom.
Proclaim the mantra which says:
gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha.
“Gone Beyond, gone beyond, gone completely beyond, gone to the other shore.
Clarity.
So it is.”
Word.
..... So I guess what I'm saying here is practice, practice, practice. there is no way around it.
Maybe you should accept that there is indeed no self?
If you think you are consciousness, you limit youself to being that consciousness and also seperated youself from all other parts of you such as the mind, body, world.
I am nothing and i become everything. That's the wisdom that i received.
That is my own experience and truth so it can be right or wrong but my words are coming straight from my own experience rather than words coming from others' mouths.
I've thought this before. I was almost convinced of it the other day, but I had a thought that made me unable to accept it. But now I can't remember what it was and it's making sense again. lol
*edit* now I remember. When you get enlightenment you are able to remember your past lives. You do not remember all past lives, but YOUR past lives. This means there has to be separation between different...whatevers. I think. lol
Stream of consciousness. Which is different to the concept of a solid, permanent consciousness/soul which people in the West have inherited from the Abrahamic religions.
No. He means that there is no *you* that can be distilled from consciousness, as consciousness is in flux, subject to constant degradation, annihilation and renewal.
Just as there is no *you* that can be distilled from the body, or the memory. This concept of self, of you and I, isn't illusory because we're all really one mushy, homogeneous, pantheistic non-self. It's illusory because the aspects that we define as self are all impermanent, subject to change and decay and thus inherently unable to sustain any form of selfdom.
At least that's my opinion.
Well for one thing, you can really pick up on stuff from other people if you pay attention. Also you can learn from the universe what you should do. Plus the whole thing where they say that when you're meditating and thoughts arise think of them as thoughts entering into your consciousness, as opposed to your thoughts.
I tend to think we're all one and all divisions are illusory. That being said, it is said that when you are awoken you see your past lives. How can that be if there's no distinctions, as my life would be your life would be everyone's life.
If you're thinking about thoughts entering your mind from outside, does that mean the thoughts about thoughts entering from outside also come from outside? Or are they inside out?
People say a lot of things. In my experience, not all of them are intended literally.
No, but it's because(according to me...well i'm not necessarily making this claim. it's possible.) we all stem from the same consciousness. which is not necessarily supernatural, but is a little more than just being able to read people.
Once again this is all speculation. I don't claim to "know" anything, and i'm still trying to figure out what I don't know(besides everything
I agree that not all things are meant to be taken literally, but in my opinion rebirth and past lives is literal.