Search found 44 matches

by dhamma_learner
Mon Jun 29, 2015 4:52 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Constant Jhana?
Replies: 190
Views: 30629

Re: Constant Jhana?

Of course it is untenable, because that is not what I am implying. And that is the consequence of your mis-ascribing to me the concept of "focused", which I did not appeal to. Fine, let's turn our attention to the concept of "contact (at the senses)" alone then. Contact is descr...
by dhamma_learner
Fri Jun 26, 2015 2:37 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Constant Jhana?
Replies: 190
Views: 30629

Re: Constant Jhana?

Two things come through in this simile - 1. consciousness is discontinuous. This is the Buddha's critique of the ever-present consciousness that is Self, as posited in the Upanisads; and 2. in order for consciousness of something to arise, the previous consciousness must have ceased. 1. This I don'...
by dhamma_learner
Fri Jun 26, 2015 3:43 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Constant Jhana?
Replies: 190
Views: 30629

Re: Constant Jhana?

Hi Sylvester, Are you going to reply to the post I made here http://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=23920&start=85 ? You seem to have given up defending your argument that an arahant only makes contact with one object at a time (which would be necessary to satisfy the singleness of preo...
by dhamma_learner
Tue Jun 23, 2015 7:15 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Constant Jhana?
Replies: 190
Views: 30629

Re: Constant Jhana?

Hi dhamma_learner So, it is your position that even if that sutta discusses the six-fold consciousnesses, the monkey simile is nevertheless restricted only to mind-consciousness? How odd... Is the Arahant's consciousness dependently arisen ( paṭiccasamuppanna ) or not-dependently arisen? Is it saṅk...
by dhamma_learner
Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:55 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Constant Jhana?
Replies: 190
Views: 30629

Re: Constant Jhana?

In your mind, does SN 12.61 allow more than one contact at a time? What I discern from the Thanissaro translation of it is that all it says about contact is that it arises due to the six-sense media as a requisite condition and ceases with the cessation of the six-sense media. There is also this bi...
by dhamma_learner
Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:11 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Constant Jhana?
Replies: 190
Views: 30629

Re: Constant Jhana?

Which does not quite tally with SN 12.61's presentation of contact. Every contact is with a single object at one one time. Can the arahant have anything other than skillful intentions at any contact at any time? :anjali: Can you define what it means to be "with a single object"? It's not ...
by dhamma_learner
Tue Jun 23, 2015 4:06 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Constant Jhana?
Replies: 190
Views: 30629

Re: Constant Jhana?

And if we're strictly going with Ven. Thanissaro's interpretation, he also explicitly states that the jhanas do not come about simply when you've added all the factors together (see With Each and Every Breath). He also doesn't equate directed thought and evaluation to skillful intention. Surely they...
by dhamma_learner
Sat Jun 20, 2015 8:32 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Thought substitution vs. Observing feeling
Replies: 208
Views: 41343

Re: Thought substitution vs. Observing feeling

The jhana after-glow is nice, and jhana experience does for a period of time repress the hindrances, but they come back. As for dealing with lust, using the ickiness of the body, that might work to tamp it down, though I am not sure how that would work when one is talking face to face with one's ob...
by dhamma_learner
Sat Jun 20, 2015 8:07 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Constant Jhana?
Replies: 190
Views: 30629

Re: Constant Jhana?

He's saying sound is a thorn in jhana because (conceivably) there could be certain types of sounds capable of bringing you out of it. The sound of someone screaming for help for example? If you're in a formless jhana with no sensory input then theoretically no sound could ever distract you away from...
by dhamma_learner
Fri Jun 19, 2015 7:39 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Thought substitution vs. Observing feeling
Replies: 208
Views: 41343

Re: Thought substitution vs. Observing feeling

Of course, but it's not an option to be in jhana 24/7... :anjali: Mike Perhaps not, but the pleasure and calm that results from jhana can last for many hours after coming out of it. In addition, I would think the time spent out of jhana is an even better opportunity for thought-substitution. Consid...
by dhamma_learner
Thu Jun 18, 2015 8:14 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Thought substitution vs. Observing feeling
Replies: 208
Views: 41343

Re: Thought substitution vs. Observing feeling

I'm not sure that anyone is jumping. If one takes the factors in order the first one is mindfulness and the second investigation. An important, early, part of the gradual training is sense restraint. "'Come you monk, be guarded as to the doors of the sense-organs; having seen a material shape ...
by dhamma_learner
Thu Jun 18, 2015 7:30 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Thought substitution vs. Observing feeling
Replies: 208
Views: 41343

Re: Thought substitution vs. Observing feeling

I think there is a reason why equanimity is the last of the Seven Factors for Awakening. Why such a rush to jump over all the rest? Fear of developing attachment to the pleasure and calm of concentration? This is why all seven factors must be developed. With the first factors we can observe that des...
by dhamma_learner
Tue Jun 02, 2015 10:48 pm
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Marek Sullivan on Sam Harris
Replies: 42
Views: 8602

Re: Marek Sullivan on Sam Harris

Sam's views are no different from things that were said in this forum many, many times. When you put forward the "Would you kill Hitler?" dilemma, of the trolley moral dilemma (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolley_problem" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" oncl...
by dhamma_learner
Tue Jun 02, 2015 5:31 pm
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Marek Sullivan on Sam Harris
Replies: 42
Views: 8602

Re: Marek Sullivan on Sam Harris

Hi Modus, I'm glad you don't advocate killing. I must admit that it was hard for me to tell whether you were defending Sam Harris' views or simply clarifying them. Sam Harris does make it very clear that he will advocate killing (even massive amounts of killing) under certain circumstances, and my w...
by dhamma_learner
Mon Jun 01, 2015 4:11 am
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Marek Sullivan on Sam Harris
Replies: 42
Views: 8602

Re: Marek Sullivan on Sam Harris

Dhamma_Learner, Weather or not you realise it, I think you are making every effort to put the blame on the West, and in doing this you are overlooking important and basic things. Emotions influence views. But views also influence emotions. Ideas, thoughts and emotions are interdependent and influen...