Ananta

@Jed Vassallo

@metwinn ty ♡

@metwinn Cool, as a side note, I will be catching a plane in the AM, for vacation in Florida. So, my replies in the next week may be sporadic.

I posted this in another thread, not too long ago, but it definitely belong here also! I've attached the teaching of Ramana Maharshi's "Who am I" pdf. (Bottom of page) It tells you how the inquiry should be done, according to Ramana. Such as: 10. How will the mind become quiescent? By the inquiry ‘Who am I?’. The thought ‘who am I?’ will destroy all other thoughts, and like the stick used for stirring the burning pyre, it will itself in the end get destroyed. Then, there will arise Self-realization. 11. What is the means for constantly holding on to the thought ‘Who am I?’ When other thoughts arise, one should not pursue them, but should inquire: ‘To whom do they arise?’ It does not matter how many thoughts arise. As each thought arises, one should inquire with diligence, “To whom has this thought arisen?”. The answer that would emerge would be “To me”. Thereupon if one inquires “Who am I?”, the mind will go back to its source; and the thought that arose will become quiescent. With repeated practice in this manner, the mind will develop the skill to stay in its source. Link: who_am_I (5).pdf

I think he's saying you are speaking from being "identified" with ego/thoughts and that they are speaking from "observing" ego/thoughts in action, as a continues movement, when seeking psychological security. Or I could be totally wrong and I'm sure someone will set me straight, sooner than later!

Uh, that's bullshit, whatever, screw you!!!! Just kiddin' ♡♡♡♡

Whaaattt? 2+2=4 The earth is round These are facts. There is no seeking psychological security gained. No fear. ..and maybe he didn't want to eat your purple banana, because bananas aren't purple and it wasn't appetizing.

♡ ty Now, off to go grocery store I go!

@Joseph Maynor It means lets not forget that the "apparent" person is not perfect. It is what it is and we remain associated with it, we have to remember it's an ever changing object in an ever changing field of objects and staying vigilant is a way to stay humble and free from it.

Ok Yep, sure does! Yep, yep, yep! This is true, BUT it's "determined" if one will be "free of thought". You can not control the degree in which you are free of will-desire (even if it "feels" like you can). Therefore, freedom from determined action, is determined. Lol Yes, it makes perfect sense. Once one is free (I'd say liberated), one will still have their quirks, preferences and what not, but any binding desires/fears are neutralized. Meaning, you can do them, not do them or do something different. They also know they are not the doer/enjoyer...hence, there is freedom, as you said. But, even all.. THAT.. is determined..lol. ..and the price of freedom, is constant vigilance, for the "apparent" person.

Hell, went to bed at 11pm and got up for work and this thread blew up...lol. @Faceless I'll post when I can in response to your "reply" post.

I'll take your word for it. Lol

Heck, no alien's for me! I have enough trouble figuring humans out.

♡♡♡ Yes, it's true we sometimes forget and don't feel so free, but it's ALL part of the dream story. All of it, even the forgetting and waking back up. Remember though, we don't know what's determined and since it will still feel like free-will, always try your best.

Have you ever stopped to think that even "this", is determined.

So, once this is truly understood, the importance of this topic just falls away or it did for me. ♡

This is a hard topic to understand, but if you feel you have free will, you best exercise that will. My take is that free-will betrays your causal programming. Therefore, ultimately, free-will equals determinism. However, it will continue to "feel" like free will to the apparent person you appear to be. So, to know what is determined, you must exercise your "apparent" free-will. You have to "hold" both perspectives, which makes it a difficult topic to grasp.

Someone's answer depends on what "perspective" they are answering from, in the moment they give their answer. From the perspective of awareness, all this is illusion/dream, but from the "apparent" persons perspective, it's all very "real", even if "ultimately" illusion. You can say all day long that there is no brain, but if you're kid is diagnosed with brain cancer and needs brain surgery and radiation, it may become more real for you, as you have to toggle back and forth between "both" perspectives.

Nice ♡

@Joseph Maynor Gotcha

Ps, you must not be married ...or she IS the "green" person.

@Joseph Maynor Lololol ..oh god, that was funny.

Sorry if I mis-understood.

@Viking Said- "do you think young people got a shot at enlightenment?" Ramana Maharshi was only 16 when he became liberated. Welp, the problem with this is that you won't become the best human being. You'll find you really arent a human being after all. or should I say, it's only "apparently" real. If you recognize/realize your true nature and feel "special", then you have enlightenment sickness. The ego has claimed "it" is enlightened.