E.g. (paraphrase from memory):
Poster 1: So have you had this non-dual experience since you seem to know so much about it?
Poster 2: Are you stupid or what?
hmmm....
(to the hijacked topic)Just came across this:
Hmmm.....The Mirror of Zen by Master So Sahn wrote:Lacking faith in one's capacity for enlightenment [orig: "own nature"] is the sickness of those attached to scriptural authority, whereas pride is the disease of those who practice only meditation. People who are attached to sutras and scriptural teaching of words can lack faith in the living, mysterious experience of meditation that leads to a sudden insight. They are usually too caught up in the expedient means of words and speech, attached to the stubborn habit of distinguishing between "true" and "not true". Believing only what is written in holy texts they are conceptually mesmerized by the treasures of others, instead of digging inside to discover the priceless gems of their own, lying deep within. As a result, such people retrogress spiritually of their own accord.
Meditation students, on the other hand, often lack proper faith in the sutras, and so disregard the scriptural teachings on gradual cultivation and harmful mind-habits. They are not ashamed even when these defilements and karmic habits arise in their mind. Foolishly proud of their so-called "dharma" long before their practice can be said to have truly matured, their speech can be seen as pure arrogance.
Therefore those who practice correctly must not lack confidence in their capacity for enlightenment, not should they give in to pride.
_/|\_
PS Hi Blackbird
I didn't mean that post as an attack on you, or your OP. It was just some attempt to explore the usefulness or otherwise of such an approach. When you say you follow Theravada and want to pick up useful things it sounds perfectly reasonable. And yet the few truly inspiring practitioner whom I've met took their wisdom where they found it without bothering about the labels and distinctions. This path is about liberation, isn't it? Not really about sects and concepts (though they are not entirely without use!). Anyway, see the quote above, maybe it'll make more sense... I type a lot of words and they just sit on the screen lazily and do nothing for noone...
