Buddhism

Balkanian Pig said:The stuff that naturally grabs your attention and pulls your mind into focus—that’s just how our biology works. The whole point of these exercises is to learn how to actually steer those mental processes ourselves, rather than just being a leaf in the wind, getting blown around wherever our thoughts decide to take us.

Whether you achieve concentration using specific tools or just by sheer willpower (and I definitely believe some people can drop into that state effortlessly just by wanting it), it doesn't lead to anything special on its own. Do you honestly think just hitting that state is enough to give you actual control over things—like your thoughts, your body, or your life?

Karen Sanchez19 said:Does your sense of being tied to your body actually define your consciousness?

When I'm conscious, I am. But honestly, I only ever experience awareness through the connection between my mind and my body—it doesn't feel any other way.

Deep sleep and meditative states are essentially cut from the same cloth.

So, if that's the case, how on earth are you supposed to reach the truth through mere willpower or sheer effort?

And more importantly, who exactly is this "someone" that is meant to arrive when all that's left is silence?

Balkanian Pig said:Even when you're in a deep sleep, your mind is essentially blank. In a way, deep sleep and samadhi are actually quite similar—it's just that the first one happens without any conscious awareness.

Besides, you can experience a thoughtless state during normal waking hours if things get intense enough. Think about being in a major car accident (or narrowly dodging one), or even just being totally overwhelmed by a high-stakes situation where the sensory input is so loud it completely shuts down your internal monologue. Samadhi goes way beyond that, though, so it’s not really surprising at all.

Okay, let's say you finally grind through the struggle and actually learn how to exist without thoughts. So what? What's the point then?

When I’m aware, I am. But let’s be clear—I only experience consciousness through the marriage of mind and body. It doesn't function any other way.

Regarding the body??

Consciousness isn't some ghost drifting away from the physical self. It isn't separate.🙄

Enchantress said:Whether you use tools to focus or just try to force it through sheer willpower—and honestly, I think some people can slip into that state effortlessly just by wanting to—it doesn't actually lead to anything significant. Do you really think that’s how you gain actual control over anything? Your thoughts, your body, your life? It's not that simple.

I think 😳 😛

The thing is, it's not just about "wanting" something to happen. I spent a few years totally neglecting my physical health—just being lazy and not taking care of myself—and eventually, you hit a wall where you realize you have to get your act together because everything starts breaking down. You can't ignore your body; it either improves or declines based on how you treat it. It's the exact same deal with your mind. I hate letting my brain just wander aimlessly without any direction.

Enchantress said:Alright, let's say you finally grind through the struggle and actually learn how to just *be* without all the mental noise. So what? What's the point?

I guess I won't feel the need to go deep on philosophy in internet forums anymore 🤣

It isn’t about mere desire. I spent years—quite a few, actually—neglecting my physical health. I treated my body like an afterthought, ignored it, let it stagnate. Eventually, you hit a wall where you simply have to fix things because your entire system starts failing. You can't just ignore the biological reality; you either climb or you sink. It’s identical with the mind. I find I can't stand the way it operates when I allow it to just drift aimlessly through life.

Do you honestly believe YOU are the one in control???

The mind is essentially an autonomous, self-starting machine 😉

What on earth wakes you up in the morning, anyway?

Karen Sanchez19 said:Are we talking about the physical body here??

Because honestly, consciousness isn't something separate from the body.

You're pulling me back into those abstract theories again.
I can't wrap my head around what causes what, and frankly, I don't want to waste my energy overthinking it. It feels like I'm just chasing my own tail at this point. 😁 I know I am when I'm being mindful, but right now, I just feel like 😁 a single, cohesive being—both mind and body.

Karen Sanchez19 said:So how exactly are you supposed to reach the truth through sheer willpower and hard work??

And who is this mysterious figure that’s supposed to show up if we stop trying??

🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙄

The thing is, you can't force your way to enlightenment; you can only clear the mental clutter. Think of it like clearing away storm clouds—once they move, the sun just naturally appears. You don't "turn on" the sun.

It's like what those old masters used to teach about calming the mind to find its source. You can put in the effort to settle things down, but once you've done your part, the rest isn't really up to us.

I’m heading to bed. My head is absolutely splitting. I only managed three hours of sleep tonight because I had to pull an all-nighter for a midterm at State University...

Goodnight.

👋 🙂 🙂

You’re dragging me back into those abstract rabbit holes again.
I have no clue what leads to what, and frankly, I don't have the energy to waste on it.

If this makes things any clearer for you:
Consciousness is simply...

regardless of the circumstances

You can't force yourself to be peaceful; you can only quiet the mental noise. It’s like clearing away storm clouds—the sun doesn't need you to "turn it on," it just reveals itself once the sky clears.

How exactly do you expect to settle the mind through sheer willpower and specific goals?

I'll say it again: the mind isn't actually *you*...
(And who am I to judge?)

Karen Sanchez19 said:Who exactly is waking up your mind in the morning, huh?

Who is the entity present while we sleep, while we dream, and even during our deepest REM cycles? That internal witness—the one observing both our mental landscape and the physical world—is what allows us to bridge the gap between who we were ten years ago and who we are now at fifty. It’s the constant thread through dreams and reality, the singular force that ties all these versions of ourselves together, and ultimately, it's the part of us that holds the power to take control.

Balkanijan Pig said:It’s the same deal with the mind. I really hate it when you just let him mumble away aimlessly.

Look, if this is YOUR drive and YOUR calling—if you feel like you just have to be there—then go for it. It’s totally valid because it's coming from your own internal programming. What works for one person might not work for someone else.

Karen Sanchez19 said:I'm heading to bed, my head is absolutely pounding. I only got about three hours of sleep because I had a midterm today...

Goodnight

👋 🙂 🙂

Wait, you're actually in college too?

How does that work? Don't you need a job for that? 🙂

Who even goes to university anymore, and who's actually sitting for exams? It’s like people are exhausting both their bodies and their minds just to chase a paycheck. 🙂

Porky Pig said:honestly, stop trying to get all philosophical on these forums🤣

But seriously, does what you actually end up doing even matter when you look at the big picture?

Karen Sanchez19 said:How exactly do you think you can just wish your way into changing your brain through sheer willpower and goals?

I’m telling you again, your mind operates independently of what you want out of it...
(Not that my opinion matters much)

Wait, are you actually suggesting someone can build biceps just by setting a goal and wishing for it? You might as well just go sit on the couch and wait for a miracle to happen. 🙂

Who is this entity? This observer that persists through waking hours, through dreams, even during those stretches of deep, unconscious slumber? It is the silent witness to everything happening within the mind and the physical realm. It’s the thread that connects the ten-year-old version of ourselves to the fifty-year-old person standing here today. It bridges the gap between our dreams and our reality, maintaining the illusion of a single, continuous identity. And more importantly—it is the only thing capable of exerting control.

_________

Have you ever heard of THE SINGULARITY?