Comments on: The dream of the self http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/the-dream-of-the-self random thoughts of a western buddhist Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:43:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: bodhipaksa http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/the-dream-of-the-self/comment-page-1#comment-75628 bodhipaksa Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:55:26 +0000 http://www.bodhipaksa.com/?p=2129#comment-75628 Hi Michael, I keep checking in and keep finding I have no sense of having a self. At most I have a sense of a succession of selves, each lasting just a few seconds. I'm sure that all the reflection on the six element practice played a large part in the breaking of the fetter of self-view, although other factors were important too -- especially the challenges of family life and of work. I can't discount all the years of practice before this as well -- it's really impossible to point to any one thing and say that it was responsible. All the best, Bodhipaksa Hi Michael,

I keep checking in and keep finding I have no sense of having a self. At most I have a sense of a succession of selves, each lasting just a few seconds. I’m sure that all the reflection on the six element practice played a large part in the breaking of the fetter of self-view, although other factors were important too — especially the challenges of family life and of work. I can’t discount all the years of practice before this as well — it’s really impossible to point to any one thing and say that it was responsible.

All the best,
Bodhipaksa

]]> By: Michael http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/the-dream-of-the-self/comment-page-1#comment-75610 Michael Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:27:57 +0000 http://www.bodhipaksa.com/?p=2129#comment-75610 Thanks for sharing this wonderful insight and the explanation of no-self (my interpretation is that there is no constant mind that produces or experiences thoughts, etc. There is only the stream of thoughts etc themselves). It would appear that your six-element practice was of some assistance in this deep realisation? Will look to start practising this myself. Look forward to reading the book also (with its references to loop quantum gravity!) Thanks for sharing this wonderful insight and the explanation of no-self (my interpretation is that there is no constant mind that produces or experiences thoughts, etc. There is only the stream of thoughts etc themselves). It would appear that your six-element practice was of some assistance in this deep realisation? Will look to start practising this myself.

Look forward to reading the book also (with its references to loop quantum gravity!)

]]> By: bodhipaksa http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/the-dream-of-the-self/comment-page-1#comment-75531 bodhipaksa Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:20:55 +0000 http://www.bodhipaksa.com/?p=2129#comment-75531 I find it more like watching water flow in a stream. I find it more like watching water flow in a stream.

]]> By: Roger Hyam http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/the-dream-of-the-self/comment-page-1#comment-75529 Roger Hyam Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:00:19 +0000 http://www.bodhipaksa.com/?p=2129#comment-75529 No self is like breaking open a crusty bread roll. No self is like breaking open a crusty bread roll.

]]> By: Mark Ordung http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/the-dream-of-the-self/comment-page-1#comment-75508 Mark Ordung Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:01:30 +0000 http://www.bodhipaksa.com/?p=2129#comment-75508 I find the notion of non-self the most interesting aspect of Buddhism. Look forward to your future thoughts on the subject. Enjoy following you on Twitter. Mark I find the notion of non-self the most interesting aspect of Buddhism. Look forward to your future thoughts on the subject.

Enjoy following you on Twitter.

Mark

]]> By: bodhipaksa http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/the-dream-of-the-self/comment-page-1#comment-75482 bodhipaksa Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:50:29 +0000 http://www.bodhipaksa.com/?p=2129#comment-75482 Hi John, It's funny to think I've been practicing for longer than you've been alive! I don't think I'm a particularly swift mover, so I hope you surpass my slender achievements long before you're my age. It's great that you've started exploring the Dharma so young -- all I can suggest is that you keep on practicing, even when it seems like you're not getting anywhere. All the best, Bodhipaksa Hi John,

It’s funny to think I’ve been practicing for longer than you’ve been alive! I don’t think I’m a particularly swift mover, so I hope you surpass my slender achievements long before you’re my age. It’s great that you’ve started exploring the Dharma so young — all I can suggest is that you keep on practicing, even when it seems like you’re not getting anywhere.

All the best,
Bodhipaksa

]]> By: John Greenwood http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/the-dream-of-the-self/comment-page-1#comment-75475 John Greenwood Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:57:46 +0000 http://www.bodhipaksa.com/?p=2129#comment-75475 Wow. Im a 17 year old attempting to understand and practise Buddhism as best i can, and for me, at the moment, the best way i've found to help me grasp certain concepts and points has been through reading. I came across this article through a website by the name of 'Wildmind Meditation', and i can honestly say it has been a massive eye opener. I am a musician, and like any musician, i enjoy performing, however, should anything go wrong during a performance I would automatically relate the entire performance, and how i thought people would judge it. Now having read your the part about the interview you did for the podcast has been a serious eye opener, and i feel a new sense of release. Also, you've got me contemplating the self, which is something i haven't spent too much time on, until now. So thanks very much for this much appreciated insight and revelation. Namaste, and peace be with you, John Wow. Im a 17 year old attempting to understand and practise Buddhism as best i can, and for me, at the moment, the best way i’ve found to help me grasp certain concepts and points has been through reading.
I came across this article through a website by the name of ‘Wildmind Meditation’, and i can honestly say it has been a massive eye opener.
I am a musician, and like any musician, i enjoy performing, however, should anything go wrong during a performance I would automatically relate the entire performance, and how i thought people would judge it. Now having read your the part about the interview you did for the podcast has been a serious eye opener, and i feel a new sense of release.
Also, you’ve got me contemplating the self, which is something i haven’t spent too much time on, until now.
So thanks very much for this much appreciated insight and revelation.
Namaste, and peace be with you,

John

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