8:28 it’s that question people used to ask Ramana Maharishi, “how to do it”? It has to be seen that the need for a method IS the very thing which solidifies essence into mind, and mind asks how to get there. How can one melt their mind? Maybe just see it, but not with the mind. Not a thought leading to another thought. What is it that sees thought? And who are you, the thinker or the one who knows the thought. I think self inquiry is the RESULT of the mind being seen through initially. But to have that first parting of the clouds, for the mind to initially melt into essence, and for one to KNOW that, that is necessary for any real inquiry, any real penetration. I think suffering is a necessity, to seek for answers within.
you don't necessarily have to find answers to it all, You can have faith in the bible and trust in the lord. Finding answers seems a waste of time to me because you're working with the unknown so surely it's impossible to find absolute truth under those conditions
I have real sympathy for the gentleman you are talking to, and for all seekers in general, in relation to finding the real and seeing through what is unreal, to have glimpsed what is real and seen through what is unreal yet to be thrown back into the unreal and looking for its unreality, I am confronted with that self doubt of having known that truth, in its blazing glory yet being left with its impression or negative image in my memory. Awakening truly is a test of faith. Yet the initial realisation was that it had been present all along but was hidden or veiled. Like an ocular blind spot or a magic eye, one knows not where to look to find it, yet finds it was hidden in plain sight. One must face the fact that ignorance truly is all encompassing and powerful. To break through that is a combination of luck, fate, and one’s following a trail or pulling of a loose thread of life only for the whole garment to be undone. We can only do so much, and the more we want it the harder it becomes to get it. I feel it was the giving up of identity itself for me which was the key, or the seeing of the changing and impermanent nature of personal identity. One must analyse who they think they are, and I believe something, maybe the one thing you are clinging onto the hardest, must be given up or let go for that identity to be given up or seen through.
@roman98944 It was difficult but the student didn't retreat from the teachers' strike, a good sign. I'm confident he's better for it. I did find myself thinking about awakening in the course of time, that it happens at its own rate for each student. And yet if someone were to hold up a mirror so that awakening could happen in the now, it seems a worthy pursuit!
David, Would you recommend first reading and studying Cleary's "Essential Tao" prior to studying the Flower Ornament Scripture or vice versa? I haven't read either yet, which is why I'm asking. I was planning to study "Essential Tao" first (with your videos) and then try to enter the Flower Ornament Scripture.
8:28 it’s that question people used to ask Ramana Maharishi, “how to do it”?
It has to be seen that the need for a method IS the very thing which solidifies essence into mind, and mind asks how to get there.
How can one melt their mind? Maybe just see it, but not with the mind. Not a thought leading to another thought.
What is it that sees thought?
And who are you, the thinker or the one who knows the thought.
I think self inquiry is the RESULT of the mind being seen through initially. But to have that first parting of the clouds, for the mind to initially melt into essence, and for one to KNOW that, that is necessary for any real inquiry, any real penetration.
I think suffering is a necessity, to seek for answers within.
you don't necessarily have to find answers to it all,
You can have faith in the bible and trust in the lord.
Finding answers seems a waste of time to me because you're working with the unknown so surely it's impossible to find absolute truth under those conditions
I have real sympathy for the gentleman you are talking to, and for all seekers in general, in relation to finding the real and seeing through what is unreal, to have glimpsed what is real and seen through what is unreal yet to be thrown back into the unreal and looking for its unreality, I am confronted with that self doubt of having known that truth, in its blazing glory yet being left with its impression or negative image in my memory.
Awakening truly is a test of faith.
Yet the initial realisation was that it had been present all along but was hidden or veiled.
Like an ocular blind spot or a magic eye, one knows not where to look to find it, yet finds it was hidden in plain sight.
One must face the fact that ignorance truly is all encompassing and powerful. To break through that is a combination of luck, fate, and one’s following a trail or pulling of a loose thread of life only for the whole garment to be undone.
We can only do so much, and the more we want it the harder it becomes to get it.
I feel it was the giving up of identity itself for me which was the key, or the seeing of the changing and impermanent nature of personal identity.
One must analyse who they think they are, and I believe something, maybe the one thing you are clinging onto the hardest, must be given up or let go for that identity to be given up or seen through.
Great comment! I myself found this to be a painful one to listen to but necessary along the path.
@roman98944 It was difficult but the student didn't retreat from the teachers' strike, a good sign. I'm confident he's better for it. I did find myself thinking about awakening in the course of time, that it happens at its own rate for each student. And yet if someone were to hold up a mirror so that awakening could happen in the now, it seems a worthy pursuit!
Dr. David:
Did you know Dr. Cleary personally? I’m asking this for an important reason. Thank you.
David,
Would you recommend first reading and studying Cleary's "Essential Tao" prior to studying the Flower Ornament Scripture or vice versa? I haven't read either yet, which is why I'm asking. I was planning to study "Essential Tao" first (with your videos) and then try to enter the Flower Ornament Scripture.
Yes. The first half of The essential Tao. Cleary’s introduction and notes are essential.
With the Flower Ornament Scripture it’s not so much study as just reading (aloud if possible). It’s a psychoactive text with instrumental functions.