Ananta

You have misunderstood. My post was regarding Advaita Vedanta, not Buddhism. So, I was objecting to what you had said regarding Advaita, which I'm assuming you actually meant "Advaita Vedanta", since Advaita only means "not two". Perhaps, give my post a second read?

Hi there, A few things, first it's not Adwaita (as David has been saying), it's Advaita. I've been cringing each time it's been written. Also, I think he and you have been meaning to say Advaita "Vedanta", because Advaita alone is a Sanskrit word that translates only as.. “not two” (So, not Self/Brahman/Absolute and a world). Vedanta in Sanskrit means the “end of the Vedas”. Veda means "knowledge " and "anta" means " end". It applies to the ancient text the Upanishads, which were elaborations of the Vedas, being the end knowledge needed for liberation. You are also confused when you talk about what is taught in the Vedanta tradition (NOT religion!). In Advaita Vedanta the absolute is also called Brahman/awareness or Self (capital "S") that has no reference to the small "s" self (in Buddhism) or the ego. As far as the mental process/ego/self (small "s") Advaita Vedanta teaches that it IS illusory and not real, although it "apparently" exists, as it is experienced in the moment. I would suggest not making sweeping judgements about traditions you don't have any extensive knowledge of, as it's misinformation. Ps. In Advaita Vedanta the term "awareness" is synonymous with the absolute/Self/Brahman.

I've never heard anyone call listening to music an addiction. Maybe Id say its a preferance instead. I think music can be relaxing and enjoyable, it also doesn't hurt anyone in my opinion. If 1-2 hours is too much for you to consider that "in moderation" for your lifestyle, then simply cut the time down. Anything else you're calling a minor addiction. I would ask the same question- is it being done in moderation? And is it hurting you or others? Ps, I quit a long term nicotine addiction out a few years ago...now THAT is an addiction. It was being done from morning to night and definitely hurting the body.

Most things done in moderation are fine and not a problem, unless one is in some way hurting yourself or others. There's no need to cut out music, if you're listening to it in excess, then reduce the time spent to moderate use. Problem solved.

(*David Hammond said the above quote) This is about the silliest thing I've ever heard.? What about the thought, "has it been 48 minutes?" Hehe ....Damnit, it was 46 minutes, have to start over again! Anyways, you are misspelling Buddha. It's Buddha, not Buddah.

You must not have read the thread? I think we pretty much figured that out. Lol

It would take some serious talent to keep his head balanced, so that big ass weave bun doesn't fall off his head. Also, that's the largest Indian dot between his eyes that I've ever seen! ?

???

@Shin Google- "Although it may feel like it, a headache is not actually a pain in your brain. The brain tells you when other parts of your body hurt, but it can't feel pain itself. Most headaches happen in the nerves, blood vessels, and muscles that cover a person's head and neck." My step mom had brain cancer, a glioblastoma to be specific (actually had 2 surgeries) in the late 1990's. Her surgeries were done while awake, but somewhat sedated. It is true that that brain doesn't feel.

@FoxFoxFox yes! ...and once one has assimilated Self-knowledge, then waking Sahaja Samadhi is ones everyday experience.

Ok, I'm not going to argue with you, lets agree to disagree.

@Highest Which type, if any, Samadhi's have you had? Personal experience means quite a lot when discussing these things I think. If you are Self-realized, then you know that that experience came and went, yet it was very much a glimpse of your true nature, awareness. In bold above, I noted that you used the word "become" when stating one should "become" conscious of what doesn't come and go. That infers that one is not already aware of that which doesn't come and go (so, basically, it comes and goes) and would therefore, per your definition, be not the real. See the pickle this puts us in? I think the reins should be loosened just a tad, to see that this is a bit of a grey area and each persons experience is unique. Ramana Maharshi was in sahaja samadhi during his "death" experience of the body, extrapolated Self-knowledge from the experience and became enlightened. One person may have a 5 sec awakening/Self-realization experience, another a 5 hour waking sahaja samadhi. They both came and went, but all indicate an intellect that is steeped in non-dual awareness, or is characterized by non-dual vision, as my teacher would say. Just my 2 cents.

@Serotoninluv wow, long post.

With Nirvikalpa samadhi the world/mind/body disappears, where with Sahaja that is not the experience. Waking sahaja samadhi is like a continuous Self realization/awakening experience where the mind gets very calm/quiet/peaceful, but you can still function. For me, as it deepens and the more quiet/still the mind gets there comes a soft high pitched background humming. Ommmm ?

Maybe this will make more sense to you ...or maybe not? Let's try... Although you, I, we are all awareness...you, I, we are all "associated" with different apparent body/mind's. So, Paul thinks/feels he is Paul, etc. when his intellect illumined by awareness "identifies" itself with the Paul ego. When you fully awaken "from" Paul you will still experience Paul with all his antics, quirks, etc, etc ..So, I'm saying, you can't really get away from Paul. You just see Paul for what Paul is... this integration/assimilation takes as long as it takes and there are growing pains along the way. You can't really unknow what you know, unless you don't really know it. If it's just a wimsical belief for you right now, then stop seeking, stop searching and go immerse yourself in life. If you know it and there's no turning back, then get your mental/mind state balanced and then continue on your path to full realization and assimilation at a later time. As always, just my 2 cents.

I get what you mean, especially in your current state of mind, but perhaps what your failing to grasp is that it's always been this way, always, but ignorance is bliss sometimes. Also, there is a bit of a correction that needs pointed out. The "something else" you are referring to is "you" (awareness), your true identity. It's not some "thing" (ie. object), other than you, thats seeing through "your" apparent eyes.

They are real in the sense that they and you are whole, complete, nondual, unchanging awareness/consciousness and you all are having a human experience with different body/minds. Your experience is different from their experience, so there is "apparent" separation in that sense. My human character exists, it's experienced, it's just not ultimately real. What's real is the fundamental aspect, which underlies all things and beings. With that said, each apparent being has thoughts/feelings/emotions that they feel and experience. To reinerate they/you are awareness having a human experience. I hope this was helpful.

Sorry about the hijacking. @Paul92 Hang in there. Sounds like you need to reconnect as best you can with life. Spend time with ppl, animals and nature. Try not to put nondual judgements upon your interactions. ...and definitely take a break from spirituality in all forms, until you're feeling better and grounded.

First, pure awareness, as such, doesn't have a mind to independently think and know. Any hint that it does is meant purely figuratively. It is awareness "plus" the mind that allows for thought/thinking/knowing of objects to take place. Awareness is already aware of itself, but not of objects, without the mind. To pure awareness, nothing is happening, because there is nothing but itself. The "mind" has several functions- memory, thinking, deciding, discrimination, emoting, etc. It is within the mind-intellect to be specific, thats "illuminated by" awareness that Self realization occurs (in a still/calm mind a "reflection" of awareness is apprehended) and thereafter discrimination within the intellect happens between, "you" as awareness and the apparent body/mind- including the "I" thought that you appear to be.

Ok, well, I disagree, because the "I" thought was never real to begin with, so why would it just vanish. It does serve a function for the body/mind"s survival, but the selfish/greedy aspect is no longer needed. Imo, it's just seen for what it is, which is unreal. But, the ego ("I" thought) is an "aspect" of the intellect, it's the intellect that discriminates the mind/body from awareness/consciousness. So, ultimately it's the intellect, hence the ego, that realizes "I AM awareness, not the body/mind". Therefore, there is a "shift" in identification. One knows they are awareness, having a human experience. Just my 2 cents.

You have it all wrong. What books have you been reading? Throw them away. If you've gotten these notions from videos, then stop watching them pronto. Basically, start all over or you will be endlessly confused, for a long time.

Really? ..

"You" (ie. the king00 character) are only an "aspect" of God (Isvara). You are actually awareness (ie. The Self, without attributes) Brahman/Self/awareness is WITHOUT attributes and the fundamental background (of even Isvara/God). Where Isvara/God is Brahman /Self/awareness WITH attributes.

Hello, My question is regarding the bolded sentence. I'm not a buddhist. I use the term awareness vs. using the term nothingness, but do you mind eleborating on what you mean by "getting rid of identification altogether"?