UnbornTao

We keep looking for an answer. I don't know.

Hmm, how accurate is that? For example, you can't have 'positive' without 'negative.' Perhaps what you're referring to is the experience of equanimity, or a kind of peace. But this shouldn't be confused with the absence of emotion, whether positive or negative. If something is regarded, recognized, or distinguished as positive, then negative - and vice versa - is created when that initial assessment is made.

And your state never stays the same. The contrast is what allows you to recognize one state from another. You might ask what the substance of such open-mindedness is - what it's based on. You're essentially asking for a drug high to be permanent and then complaining that it wears off. It's best to see whether you could generate for yourself a state of radical openness, this will be different (perhaps more real and grounded) than a chemically-induced one. I'll agree that it is an experience - hopefully, you gained some insight from it.

Having been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and on his deathbed, Ramana was basically 'whatever.' He even refused treatment - for the cancer, not death. I get OCD-like symptoms if I don't mention the guy every three posts or so. Just an anecdote.

You likely think that you are a mind. Even in the title of this thread, notice the separation we often create between "me" and the body. We tend to look down on the body. Sure.

States come and go.

- asked Socrates.

Thank you, though it was meant as a meditation rather than a questionnaire.

So, who wants the retreats?

Do we really know what we're talking about? By definition, until it is "experienced," it remains only a notion for us. Even after a few enlightenments (or many), it still can't be what is thought about it. It is not a perception either. The mind will try to pin it down, to turn it into a knowable form - that's its job - but it's worth remembering that no matter what we think of it, it isn't it. Whatever possibility comes to mind right now is not the possibility of "enlightenment" itself. And you can throw the ideas in the trash, really. They'll only get in the way. It's best to stay completely and utterly open regarding the subject of your own nature. Just a rambling - maybe not directly related with your reflection, but anyway...

From my limited experience with some of these AI models (Claude, GPT, DeepSeek), I find that the technology is essentially a more evolved, smarter version of a "search engine." To me, the hype is disproportionate to what the technology actually delivers. I haven't tried Sora, though.

Why wouldn't it be? Still, I'd try to pin your strength down to an action or something more specific. As a term, beauty sounds more like a value, since it's a bit abstract and ill-defined. What do you mean by beauty, exactly? Drawing, decorating, rearranging patterns, photography, writing poetry, creating music, developing software? What are you skillful at or passionate about that makes you regard beauty as your main strength? Some questions to ask oneself.

But what even is the body? It shouldn't be taken for granted.

It's neither an insight nor an intellectual matter - just in case.

No, you!

Because I'm sure you guys aren't AI - for now. That's among the many other good reasons already mentioned.

Easy there, Socrates. You have a point.

They would have to clarify what exactly they "experienced" in each case but yeah, that's possible too.

Great to hear, keep kicking ass out there.

I meant that you being God is complete hearsay - not only for you, but for most of us, even for those who believe this point doesn't apply to them. You are you - what's that really about? That's the question to focus on.

What good does believing in hearsay do? You could be a pear, for all you know. Find out for yourself what you are, your nature. This involves enlightenment work.