Ziran

OK, ok how about this? "An open mind is the difference between a voice in the woods and a calling."

Axioms are true, both, in general and in particular, at the same time. In this thread, please share optimistic axioms. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Example: "Every leap is weightless, at the top, regardless of its size. "

"Even a broken clock is right twice a day" "The willow submits to the wind and propers"

"Slow is smooth, smooth is fast"

From my Grandmother, of blessed memory... "... brake the bud, to make more blossoms."

I can relate, to a degree. Thank you for taking the time and participating.

Let's discuss the facets of awakening. A list of facets are detailed here: LINK. I endeavor to go through each of these, one at time. Any and all are invited to share their own observations, experiences, understanding, aspirations, etc. Thank you for reading and to those who choose to contribute, ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The first facet in the video is: "Samahdi". I'm weak on this one. I could be very wrong, but, the closest analogue that I've found is "Nirvikalpa Samadhi". See here and here. I'll appreciate feedback on this.

Heard. ? Is its lacking positively known ?

Then how is it recalled?

If I recall that one is referred to as its own facet, "no-self", but, they're all interwoven. Each one is described as connected and included in the others. Ego loss is necessarily intertwined with Samahdi and vice versa.

It's been over a month since I began researching this concept. Prior to that, I didn't have a word for it. I'm very grateful for this word. I was taught about it, "Samahdi", using a very very different approach, a riddle, word-play. I suppose it's like a mantra? Idk. It goes like this: all of it is "vessels of light". ... vessels of light and vessels of light. The idea here is that the words "vessels of light" means 2 things simultaneously: the vessels possess light ( like a lamp ), and the vessels themselves are made of light. It's a sort of "nested-chain" Leo spoke of. Thinking back to my first direct experience with Samahdi, the gateless gate, as a refuge, it would be wandering around suburban mid-west America, feeling drawn to solitude, away from the cars, into little creek beds, with stubby little trees. These weren't nice places. Just, away, and dark, where I could reach out with my mind's eye, and follow traces of story lines never written, never-never-land, where everything's connected, and empty-space is an illusion. I would lose myself and sense of time. My parents and the neighbors calling my name meant I was going to be punished because "everyone was worried sick". That was a long time ago. I don't refuge that way anymore. I'm almost always charting a course. There's very little opportunity, for daylight wanders, but I'm fixing that. ‐------------------ Please continue sharing direct experiences and/or understanding of Samahdi? Or any other facets. Blessings,

And integrated ... how? I'm asking because it's reasonable to conclude there are many different ways to integrate it/them, some better than others? I'm wondering about it. Thank you for the thought provoking question. I prefer an inclusive broad definition, rather than narrow. For example, I include olfactory sensory feedback within the category of "spiritual". The best definition I've heard comes from the Quran. "This book is for those who believe the unseen." The action of "believing" the "unseen", is Spirituality... to me.

Thank you

me too, best wishes

For focusing on here-and-now, a simple trick, I say to myself: " ... meanwhile in { where ever I am } ... ". It's good for breaking out of daydreaming. Or if I'm puzzled with something, and I need to set it aside, I tell myself, "maybe so, maybe not", and it helps me hand-wave it away for another more opportune time... or not. Hope this helps,

the best analogy I've heard is: "learning to dance with two different partners", simultaneously.

... beautiful. like climbing a ladder into the clouds, or, sometimes like the tick-tick-tick, creak-creak-creak, of the roller coaster climbing up the hill.

humor

@trenton, thank you

Have you come across any research regarding the manner in which the fixation takes root? Specifically, please correct me, criminal minds follow "signs" which trigger them?

Failure. My kids, whom I raised almost entirely solo, are spoiled, ungrateful, and indifferent. I do. "How am I going about it?" If the pattern holds, with nearly reckless abandon. Except for the music; I developed stage-fright late in life. I do. I would say it differently, but, yes. On careful consideration, I agree.

... I find bookworms particularly captivating ... Beyond that, I love love. And music and food. I love the feeling of releasing-and-returning. It's like flying, I suppose. I have a dear friend who credits me for helping them out of their darkness. When we meet she hangs on my every word. Lately, in my own darkness, she's been wonderful to me. The satisfaction coming from witnessing this, needing care and receiving care, from her. I gave another friend, deeply wounded from childhood neglect. I bring her peace and hope, ( her words, not mine ). I feel privileged to have these precious opportunities. Naturally, I desire more of this, Supporting others, for the purpose of witnessing their success, then watching it happen is, literally, splendid.

of course not, don't be ridiculous

Well. I'm not in the habit of seeking deception, delusion, and lies. Unless I'm watching a movie...

Gentle reminder, a great deal of communication is beyond spelling and articulation. Gesture, timing, and inflection are much less arbitrary.