Buddhism

Not all women are created equal 🙂

Yeah, I want control. I want to be stronger than nature, stronger than biology itself. I refuse to be just another sheep being herded around by some mediocre idiot. Or am I supposed to be one of those mindless, empty souls 🤣

Nature is our biggest adversary—we need to overcome it.

Of course there’s a desire for control. Why would I just accept my own mortality? Is it because it's easier than actually changing things? If people have managed to change their fate before, we can too. Why settle for whatever hand we were dealt?

It's true—some people are born with certain bodies and others aren't. But whether you're an elite athlete or someone using a wheelchair, staying active is essential for a decent quality of life. Even a doctor, if they actually take their job seriously, will prescribe a specific diet when you're sick. They'll suggest exercise tailored to your situation, too. They won't just tell you, "Well, you lost a limb or you've got shingles, so just lie down and die."

Man, this whole vibe is just so incredibly mid, I can't even wrap my head around it... seriously...

I honestly don't get how someone calling themselves a "BHAJA" can be so oblivious to the fact that everything they’re bringing up is just filler—basically just secondary talking points at best. 😕 😢

🙂

Jason Johnson4 said:Man, this is getting way too intense for me. Seriously, I can't wrap my head around it...

I just don't get how someone claiming to be such a "guru" fails to see that everything he’s bringing up is basically just fluff—just secondary arguments used to pad his point. 😕 😢

🙂

You must have me confused with someone else.🤣

Jason Johnson4 said:Man, this whole thing feels way too much like some low-level political drama, and honestly, I can't wrap my head around it...
I just don't get how someone calling themselves a "true believer" can fail to see that everything he's bringing up—all those "supporting arguments"—is basically just fluff.

😲 😁 👍 🙏

Jason Johnson4 said:BHAJA

Are we talking about bhaja, like those seasoned sautéed veggies, or that Buddhist temple in the pool?🤔

Herpes said:😲 😁 👍 🙏

What are you even talking about, you scavenger? 😁

Balkanijan Pig said:Is it like some kind of sautéed veggie medley, or maybe one of those Buddhist temple retreats?🤔

Singing his little song about Bhaja,
"I" am just dragging my ego around.
In the ashram, he lost himself to the illusion,
With a guru who's nothing more than a joke.
😲 😁 😲

Balkanijan Pig said:Yeah, I want control. I want to be stronger than nature, stronger than Maya. I refuse to be one of those sheep that any mental lightweight can herd around wherever they please. Or maybe you're just one of those deluded, empty souls... 🤣

Nature is our ultimate adversary; we need to conquer it.

But here's the thing—you ARE nature. You ARE Maya. How can you possibly be anything else? 😕

Of course there's a desire for control. Why would I accept my own impermanence? Is it just because it's easier than actually changing it? If people have managed to change before, why can't we? Why should we just follow the path of resistance set by Maya?

But did they actually achieve it? And what did they actually accomplish?
Take "enlightened" people, for instance—they didn't turn into superheroes. They lived out their physical and mental lifespans just like everyone else, and eventually, they died. Maybe they had a different perspective or a clearer view of reality, but what does that fundamentally change? What exactly did they free themselves from?

Sure, some people are born with one body type and others with another. But whether you're an elite NFL athlete or someone in a wheelchair, exercise is essential to living a high-quality life. Even a doctor, if they take their job seriously, will recommend a specific diet and lifestyle adjustments when you're sick. They won't tell you, "Well, your leg was amputated or you've got shingles, so just lie down and die."

That's fair. But none of that changes the fact that you’re going to die sooner or later. 😛

Enchantress said:But you *are* nature. You *are* the illusion itself. How can you possibly be anything else? 😕

Nah, I'm not nature, I'm not the illusion, and I'm definitely not my mind or my body. 🙂 At least, that's what they say. 🤣

The truth—that eternal thing—doesn't own anything, has no end, and isn't subject to the shifts of the physical world. It’s completely detached from nature and the illusion.

Isn't the whole point to separate our true essence from this nonsensical habit of identifying with a shifting, temporary reality?

Enchantress said:Fair enough. But none of that changes the fact that you’re going to die sooner or later. 😛

The body will die eventually, so what's your point? While I've still got it, I might as well take care of it—it'll make life a lot easier.

Enchantress said:Wait, did they actually pull that off? And what does it even mean?
Take enlightened people, for instance—they didn't suddenly transform into some kind of biological superhumans. They lived out their natural lifespans, physically and mentally, just like everyone else, and eventually passed away. Sure, maybe they gained a different perspective or a deeper insight into reality, but how much does that fundamentally change the core of things? What exactly did they "break free" from?

I don't claim to know who they truly are, but this whole idea feels like we're interpreting things through our own conditioned lens.

If we look at what experience can teach us... take dreams, for example. Even when you realize you're dreaming, you're still dreaming. If you imagine those other people in the dream are distinct individuals, then from their point of view, we’re just the same as we were before, just with a little more insight. But from our perspective, we aren't quite the same as we are in the dream; we're basically our waking selves just playing a part in a game. For these "sleepers," we wake up (meaning we die to the dream world) just like they do, but the underlying consciousness remains the same—it just sheds a specific form.

Like I said, I have no clue about the specifics; I'm just trying to draw some parallels here.

It's like that saying about reincarnation: the body isn't a soul entering a vessel, it's more like reading a book. The pages turn in front of us, but who we actually are (the reader in this analogy) stays constant and untouched by the plot.

A shift in perspective is everything. If a kid has his bike taken away, it's the end of the world to him. If it happens to you, you probably won't even blink.

Or maybe it's all just a blur. 😁

[Username] says:
No, I am none of those things—not nature, not illusion, not even my own mind or body. 🙂 That’s what they say, anyway. 🤣

People are talking about everything under the sun. 😁

Truth is eternal. It doesn't have a beginning or an end, and it’s completely untouched by the shifting whims of the physical world. It exists entirely outside the realm of nature and has nothing to do with the illusions of Maya.

Let it be that way.

Isn't the whole point to strip away that superficial, ever-shifting version of reality we're all forced to deal with, just so we can finally reconnect with who we actually are at our core?

But seriously, what do you actually KNOW about "true nature" if you strip away everything you’ve read, everything you’ve been taught, and everything you've heard from others? What if you set aside your own emotional baggage and psychological conditioning too? All I've managed to figure out so far is that I am—or at least, that's how it feels to me. 😛I’m always conscious. That part doesn't change, even if the way it feels shifts around. As for that whole "dreamless sleep" thing? I can't tell you anything about it. For me, that state only exists because I look at a clock and realize hours have passed, or I notice the sun has gone down and come back up. I can vividly recall the exact second before I drifted off and the moment I snapped awake. I’ve never actually been unconscious, but I assume it’s something like that. When you aren't conscious, you basically don't exist; when you are, that's when "you" are. But for us, there is always that spark of awareness, and it's always right now. Everything else—our bodies, our thoughts, memories, feelings, the people we meet, the things we own—it's all just flux. It's unstable, constantly shifting, and honestly, it rarely follows any kind of logical cause-and-effect rulebook.
I can't think of anything more authentic than this. Honestly, what other "true nature" is there supposed to be?

Look, the body is eventually going to die anyway, so why stress over it? As long as I keep it in decent shape for now, it’ll cause me fewer headaches down the road.

Sure thing. 🙂

What can we actually take away from this experience? Take dreaming, for example. Once you hit that moment of lucidity and realize you’re actually dreaming, the dream doesn't just stop—it keeps going. If you think about the other people in that dream world, from their perspective, nothing has changed; they see us exactly as we were before, just with a bit more insight. But from our side of things, we aren't just some random character in a dream anymore. We’re essentially our waking selves, just playing a different kind of game. For those who are still "asleep" in the dream, we wake up—meaning we basically exit their reality—just like they exit ours. But for us, that core consciousness remains constant; we just step out of one specific form and move on.

I’ve had a pretty much identical experience to what was described above. For me, consciousness stays exactly the same—whether I'm wide awake or deep in a dream. Even when I hit that lucid dreaming stage where I actually realize I'm dreaming, my sense of self doesn't shift at all; the only thing that changes is the perspective from which I’m viewing the dream.
I honestly can’t tell if enlightenment feels like a lucid dream. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. It might just be some profound, gut-level realization.

It's like what they say about reincarnation—it isn't about a soul jumping into a new body, but more like reading a book. The pages keep turning, but who we truly are stays the same (kind of like the reader in this analogy), untouched by the plot.

That might be true, but there's no way for us to know for sure.
We can make up all kinds of theories. For instance, I feel like death might be similar to falling into a deep sleep or a new dream—the same consciousness, just a different form. But hey, that's just me speculating.

A shift in perspective changes everything. If you take away a teenager's car, it's the end of the world to them; if it happens to you, you barely blink.

Exactly. 🙂 Ever since I wrapped my head around what I mentioned earlier—that constant state of awareness and living in the "now"—everything has shifted for me. I don't stress about finding "purpose" or searching for deeper meaning anymore. 🙂 (well, occasionally 😁 ). I think that's really the most we can do for ourselves. If something greater reveals itself, great. If not, oh well. 😛

Enchantress said:But honestly, what do you actually KNOW about this supposed "true nature" if you strip away everything you’ve ever read, learned, or heard from others, and if you ignore your own psychological and emotional experiences? All I’ve figured out so far is that I am (or at least it feels like 😛) constantly CONSCIOUS, and while that doesn't change, the forms themselves certainly do. As for deep, dreamless sleep—I have no clue. To me, that "state" only exists because I notice time passing on a clock or see the sun come up and go down. I remember the moment right before I drifted off and the second I woke up. I’ve never been unconscious, but I guess it’s probably similar. When you AREN'T conscious, you don't exist—but when you ARE, then you DO. For us, there is always that moment of awareness, and it is always the present. Everything else—the body, thoughts, memories, feelings, events, people, stuff—it's all fluid, unstable, in constant motion, and it doesn't always follow logical cause-and-effect rules.
I don't know anything more real than that, and I have no idea what other "true nature" is supposed to be?

I barely know anything myself, and even my little bit of insight comes from following the guidance of people who mastered this long ago.

And really, what would you know about anything if you tossed out books, mentors, TV, the internet, schools... if you had been raised among wild animals? In cases where people actually are raised that way, they live like animals, and their peak understanding is basically just figuring out how to find cover or hunt for food that day.

All our knowledge and experience are sparked by something. Why would you throw away the experiences of those who actually know what they're talking about? And why would you ignore your own lived experiences? It's like saying, "Oh, I won't bother learning how to use a grill," and then sitting down at a BBQ like an idiot without any clue how the world works.

The wisdom of those further along the path and our own personal experiences are the only things that can actually guide us.

Long live the texts, death to the platitudes! 🙂

I’m feeling pretty called out here... almost targeted... 🤔 🤣

Enchantress said:I can still remember that split second right before I drifted off, and then that moment when I finally woke up. I’ve never actually been unconscious before, but I guess it feels about the same...

Same here.
Like falling into this deep, dreamless void... 😉

Jack Harris3 said:I'm feeling personally attacked here... 🤔 🤣

The local cops are actually showing up for work. 🤣 😍

Jack Harris3 said:Same here.
I feel just as aimless and lost. 😉

That’s pretty much what I figured. 🙂

Balkanijan Pig said:What would you even know about anything if you tossed out books, mentors, TV, the internet, or school? If you were raised among wild animals, you’d just be another animal. Your peak intellectual achievement would be figuring out how to hunt or scavenge for food that day.

In that case, I'd still be living fully in the moment. 😁 That’s why I mentioned earlier that the present moment is the only constant we really have in this existence—even if it's just a vague sense of something steady. Though, honestly, I probably wouldn't even stop to think about it.

All our knowledge and experience comes from somewhere. Why would you reject the insights of people who actually know things?

How do you know they actually know?

Why would you ignore your own experiences?

Nobody is forcing you to do that. It's just that we aren't objective when judging our own lives, and those experiences often lose their weight over time anyway. What you "learned" ten years ago gets replaced by what you learn today, and so on.

Then why not ignore the experience that tells you not to touch a hot stove? You'll end up sitting there like an idiot, getting burned because you ignored common sense at the BBQ.

Do you really think I could? How? This just goes to show how much control we actually have over our own thoughts! You can't just erase memories, no matter how hard you try for a lifetime. 😉 The nature of the human mind is what it is; you can't change it just by wishing. The only way to truly alter it is through physical force—like drugs or a blow to the head.😁

The wisdom and knowledge of those more advanced than us, combined with our own lived experience, are the only things that can actually guide us.

That works fine in the material world. But is human reason enough for anything deeper than that?

Long live the texts, death to the dice rolls!🙂

Texts, books, authorities... everyone interprets them however they want. They were written by people whose actual lives we know nothing about, let alone whether they were lying to us or how filtered their stories became by the time they reached us. It's all incredibly unreliable.😉

Good morning, everyone.👋

Just woke up.🙂

It’s 2:40 AM. I hit the sack at 6 PM, thinking I could actually catch some decent rest.😂
After clocking ten hours of sleep, my brain is wide awake. It's useless.
And strangely enough, I actually remember a dream—it's been ages since one stuck with me. I'll post the details in the dreams thread later.😁 😁

I’ve been scanning through all these various spiritual philosophies floating around this forum, and frankly, it all feels like a thinly veiled grab for control. It seems humans find it utterly impossible to stomach their own volatility—that constant state of flux and impermanence. So, they hunt for some sort of anchor. A rock to cling to. But while they’re busy grasping at shadows, they find nothing. It’s only when they finally stop searching that they realize they were fine all along.

👍

Yeah, I want control. I want to be stronger than nature, stronger than maya.

How can "you" possibly be stronger than maya when "you" are nothing but maya itself?🙂 🙂

Why would I accept my impermanence? Why? Is it just because it's easier than trying to change it?

You want to change Sammy May😂 , yet you don't even have a clue 🙂who "you" actually are.🙂

Singing the song of Bhaj,
The "I" drags its heavy "ego."
At the ashram, maya takes hold,
And the May guru is just a duck like Paj.

😂 👍

But look—you ARE that nature. You ARE that maya. How can you possibly be anything else?

Well, aren't we just a little genius here. Such a smart guy.🙂 👍

No, I am neither nature nor Maya, nor mind, nor body—or so they claim.

So what exactly are you destroying? You’re trying to control a Maya that has nothing to do with who you actually are.🙂 🙂 🙂

Isn't the whole point to detach our true essence from this senseless identification with a shifting, shaped reality?

But by attempting to destroy or manipulate Maya—which isn't even part of your core self—you're just biting your own tail and spinning in circles.

The body is going to die eventually; why should I lose sleep over it? It’s simply more practical to maintain it now to avoid unnecessary complications later.

Look, if you want to hit the gym, go for it. No one is stopping you. But let's be real—that physical shell isn't actually "you." You weren't "you" when you were stuck in a wheelchair, and you aren't "you" just because you're lifting weights.🙂 🙂

It's just like reincarnation works. A body isn't some vessel where a soul enters and exits; think of it like reading a book. The pages turn before our eyes, but who we truly are remains constant—like the reader in this analogy—completely untouched by the plot.

No need to repeat yourself; you've already made your point clear.🙂

Stop trying to hunt yourself down in an endless loop of ego-driven nonsense.🙂