BigSkyDiamond Posted June 7 (edited) On 6/2/2025 at 1:05 PM, stirling said: Beautiful. In Zen such experiences are called "makyo". Having crazy experiences is part of the path, and a fascinating one. Having them means that you have begun, and are moving forward toward understanding, but not much else generally. On 6/2/2025 at 12:45 PM, doc benway said: Similarly, they only have the meaning and significance we impute on them, however they can be reliable indicators of our progress on the path so they are useful to student and teacher alike. Nevertheless, we must treat them the same as any meditative experience, in dzogchen practice that means to leave it as it is, don't engage or analyze, simply abide. These insightful meditative experiences can become even more formidable obstacles as we can be very attached to experiences that indicate spiritual growth. Yes to both of the above. It was bluntly pointed out to me that they are distractions. That helps keep me from chasing after them and meandering off into all manner of tantalizing detours which ultimately yes are barriers and obstacles. engaging in "magic" of any variety (black or white) also falls in the category of distraction, barrier, obstacle. I remember early on hanging out with a few buddies and we were excited about a variety of things like channelling and seeing auras and talking to various beings. One of these buddies constantly saw colors and auras and conversed with all sorts of beings that accompanied her. We would go out to dinner and she would be talking to me and she would also be relaying whatever the non-physical being at the table was telling her. It was wild. Part of me was a bit miffed that I could not "see things" like this. I remember asking about this in a reading. I asked it a few times and always got the same reply, which I am now (a) grateful for, and (b) can see the wisdom in it. The simple blunt reply was "For you it would be far too much of a distraction. It would pull you completely away." so not everything has to be experienced along the way. It is not an indicator that we are "not there yet." It does not mean we are "lacking" or "unskilled" or "behind." And if something is not in my best interest to experience then that is OK. thank you doc benway and stirling for the contributions above. Nowadays for myself the best advice to me is observe and let it go. don't go chasing after it. in Zen parlance, just another cloud passing through the sky. Edited June 7 by BigSkyDiamond 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stirling Posted June 7 11 minutes ago, BigSkyDiamond said: engaging in "magic" of any variety (black or white) also falls in the category of distraction, barrier, obstacle. I remember early on hanging out with a few buddies and we were excited about a variety of things like channelling and seeing auras and talking to various beings. One of these buddies constantly saw colors and auras and conversed with all sorts of beings that accompanied her. We would go out to dinner and she would be talking to me and she would also be relaying whatever the non-physical being at the table was telling her. It was wild. Part of me was a bit miffed that I could not "see things" like this. I remember asking about this in a reading. I asked it a few times and always got the same reply, which I am now (a) grateful for, and (b) can see the wisdom in it. The simple blunt reply was "For you it would be far too much of a distraction. It would pull you completely away." so not everything has to be experienced along the way. It is not an indicator that we are "not there yet." It does not mean we are "lacking" or "unskilled" or "behind." And if something is not in my best interest to experience then that is OK. thank you doc benway and stirling for the contributions above. Gods, ghosts, demons, mind-reading, generating sparks, visions, etc. etc. are all RELATIVE events, happening in the Relative world. There is nothing wrong with them, any more than there is something wrong with death, or a flower opening its petals. Events like this are doubtless fascinating, but they AREN'T liberation, and don't lead to liberation. The deeper point of Buddhism or traditional Daoism is to achieve insight and alignment. Insight is an Absolute realization about the the nature of reality. With insight comes a whole new understanding of these wonders that is much deeper and more whole. For more on the Relative and Absolute: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_truths_doctrine 11 minutes ago, BigSkyDiamond said: Now for me the best advice to myself is observe and let it go. don't go chasing after it. Non-grasping to such phenomena actual makes them more likely to happen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
