Tommy

Yes, important factors to take into consideration. However, during my practice, my bodily sensations seem to fall away. And my attention is mainly on the narration in my head and the quiet that creeps in. But, thank you.

Thank you for the reply. I understand creeping vines as the continual narration of self even as the silence has begun. It never lets go. And trying to move it only brings it further to the forefront. Only allowing it to stop on its own does the attention focus. The physical effort to maintain a straight back aids in the efforts to keep attention on the quiet. When it slacks, the mind begins to take over. Sometimes sleep to come. This can not be forced. Practice it over and over again then it may take root. Follow the quiet and silence. Creeping vines and my mind holds onto a song I heard earlier. I can't stop it. Only thing to do is to let it go. Let it play until it loses it control. Return to the silence, .. to the stillness. Much like letting go of a ball on a hill. It goes because that is what it does. So, yes, I can relate but I still do not know this place to stop and rest.

I recently read about the experiment,, they had rats in a cage and gave them two water tubes. One was plain water and the second had cocaine in the water. The rats would constantly go to the second tube and drink themselves to death. Well, another scientist said that they only gave the rats a place to eat and drink. There was nothing else for them. So, he gave the rat other rats to live with and a place to explore and develop. Well, the rats stayed away from the second tube with cocaine. So, it turns out that the opposite of addiction isn't staying away from the drugs. Rather the opposite of addiction is a connection with others and a better environment. So yeah loneliness is terrible cause it isolates one from being in a community and feeling the connection that one needs. But, I truly do not know what can be done about it. Reaching others needs to be a two way effort. Anyway, my day is done.

In Zen, there are the ten ox herding pictures. Which might represent the stages towards enlightenment. Personally, I have found that wondering about where you are along the path is only going to reenforce the ideas that you are making any progress. It is self delusion. While I have seen changes in my sitting practice, I do not think of it as progress. Cause I am still where I started. One can not polish a roof tile into a mirror. One can not change into something one is not. Don't get me wrong. I have myself wondered if I made any progress and at what stage I am at. But, have learned that what is important is where you are now. If ever I can release this thinking mind then I hope to experience my true nature. Where would this nature be? I really do not know. The truth eludes me. I do wish you well and hope you find whatever it is you really want.

There are certain emotion that people need to progress in this world. Anger is usually not one of them. Of course, there are exceptions. However, I was taught that one needs to spend much time is self observation. Watch how and when the anger arises. Then watch to see how the mind will then defend and encourage the anger with thoughts that one identifies with. When one finally sees this and can release its hold then the anger doesn't take control. Yes, one still feels the anger but it is much easier to be released. It is like .... not identifying with the emotion or thoughts that give the anger strength. When I sit in practice, I do not have emotions. There is an observation of the self and mind. Anger comes when there is a strong identification with the situation. When someone cut me off in traffic, I feel violated by such actions. But when I let go of identifying with this thought or emotion. Everything returns to normal. I keep my self calm. So, in my daily routine, I try to keep my self here, now. Yeah, I know it doesn't always work. But, I am trying.

I do not know for sure. However, it should be no different than having events happen in different places at the same time. This .. the different places makes them separate in relative truth. And happening at the same time makes them parallel. It could be different as in parallel universes. I don't think it matters. But, it happens at the same time. Of course, the motion of time is relative to the position one occupies in space. If one is in the vastness of space travel between galaxies then how does one know what speed a one travels at? Since speed is in relative to some other position. So, how does time know how to flow? And space is only vast because of the time it takes to travel from point A to point B. But, if one's time moves slow then distance is shortened. If you read thru that then you are a better person than I. Cause my head goes thru trash and useless ideas very quickly. However to read, it is tedious. That is why TL:DR exist. Too Long: Didn't Read. Always thought as a child that I should have become a writer of novels because of all the twisted ideas i had. Just could never put the words together. Still reading??

The sound of music is a wonderful thing. It reaches the heart of people and sometimes even makes them dance with joy. What is the connection between sound and the nature of reality? Time. Everything is based in time. The beat of the music. The nature of reality is based in time. Time gives us the feeling of being real. Time gives lovers the feeling of something real. Time heals all wounds. Chanting is a wonderful way to take the focus of the mind and transform it conditions. A way to let it play in emptiness and fill every space. To bring the single moment to every moment. Sometimes a song catches fire and the mind holds onto it. Persistent in its beat and the words goes to the heart. I know not what the discussion is about. Does one argue about how wonderful the world is with sound? Or does one argue that sound is reality? There were no questions. No idea presented that needs to be discuss. So, does this end here? Maybe I just missed the intent?

Thanks for the explanation. Yes, there is motivation. Just like suffering is a motivation. Only death feels more immediate as one ages especially after seeing loved ones pass. Yes, for very short moments, I become aware of just observing. There are times when there is nothing but narration. And times when, I can feel the present. Sometimes the awareness travels to the ears and I listen. Other times it is behind the eyes and I see the darkness. A few times the sun rose and the transition to the light was something to observe. But, I get your point. Thanks.

When Bodhidharma went to China, he was invited to speak with Emperor Wu of the Liang dynasty where the emperor asked him if there was merit in his actions to promote Buddhism and build Buddhist temples. The Emperor got very angry when Bodhidharma said there was no merit. So, if one thinks they are doing good and looks for credit then there is none? Was there good Karma or not? IDK. Yes, thoughts about death do preoccupy the mind as I get older. Having seen relatives and my parents passed before me. Age has changed my body. There are more aches and pains. But, that is life. Death soon comes later. Thoughts about Karma. So, what is the difference from this present moment and death? The only thing I see is the end to this constant talking in my head. The lack of sensations. Is there a spirit? Or something that goes from this life to the next? Or is it just Karmic energy that migrates across? Does it matter, now? I believe the best thing to do is to live the best we can for as long as we can. And while we have the chance, to seek the stillness. Also, humor is a nice touch if one can see the humor.

I have found that the actions one does is preceded by thoughts about the action. Such as I think I will sit and let the mind quiet down. Then go to sit and let the mind go quiet. And at first, I saw no issue with that. Then my mind would continue with this is what I am doing. I am trying not to follow the thoughts but they seem to dictate the actions I do. I do this catch and release of my thoughts. But, the mind is truly restless. Progress is stunted. And only very short moments of quiet observation come and go. So, to seek stillness and do it a lot is really such an understatement. Sitting or seeking those moments of stillness .. has become a preoccupation. i look for it in each available moment. Sitting waiting for the bus or sitting in the doctor's office, I am trying to release the hold and seek the quiet. Oh, sorry for the tangent. Back to topic. Yes, and no. Zen is Zen Buddhism and no it isn't Buddhism. The journey may be different but the destination is the same. All the principles are the same but the methods are different. One point concentration. Koans. Is one better than the other? And do they point to different things? If one is to put a microscope on each item then they are different. However, if we back up and take in the whole picture then there is no difference. Like looking at the earth from the ground, one can see the great oceans and high mountains. But, if one looks from space, at a distance, then earth almost looks uniform. Like a big blue marble.

True, one may not be able to absolutely control thoughts or even predict the kind of thoughts that do arise. However, it is possible to influence them with the things we wish for. For example, if one is in fresh love and the thought will be about her, more or less. Simply that not a thing arises from nothing. It is all connected in someway? I do believe that what we surround ourselves with .. it does influence what thoughts arise. Spend lots of time watching vampire videos and thoughts about vampires may arise? Listen to lots of love songs .. and then, one pines about your lost loves?? If one has interest in auto mechanics then thought may be about cars? What does control of thoughts means to me?? The choice of following those thoughts that do arise or to not follow those thoughts. If there is emotions that take over ... then thoughts can move so fast to cover those emotions. Effectively backing those emotions. To reinforce them beyond reason, before reason has a chance to think before actions taken . If we can have the choice, to be able to see the moments before and after the emotion then we might be able to direct the thoughts and/or actions to a wiser choices.

If one looks for it then one will find it. Seek and you will find. Look for evil and there will be evil. Look for the good and you will find the good. One's world is colored by the thoughts in one's head.

So, what is your opinion on this device? I looked at it. Read some of the literature. The organization behind it seems to be okay. Don't know for sure. Got side tracked with Albert the spiritual AI. Asked Albert questions about spirituality and emptiness and meditation. It seems to have answers to all the questions and knows more than I do. I mean I know nothing. But, the difference between me and the AI is that I have consciousness or awareness. Not sure about the AI. Guess only the future will tell??

For me, it was feeling first then acting upon such feelings without thought. Now, it has changed over the years. I let things happen and look at myself reacting. Wondering if this is the right thing to do. Of course, it is subjective to who is looking and what direction. I have not had the feeling of wires being implanted. But, I have had a moment where thought seemed to shut down. I did not particularly enjoy that moment and have not had such things happen again. So, to me, even though I wish for enlightenment, I have no wish to change my present condition. I only wish to better my understanding. More of the journey rather than the destination. Non thinking condition? One still needs to think to plan and do things. Decide a course of action and then act upon such notions. Life doesn't go away.