Search found 365 matches

by Pinetree
Sun Apr 10, 2016 5:55 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: How should one react to the joy's of others resulting from akusala?
Replies: 12
Views: 2424

Re: How should one react to the joy's of others resulting from akusala?

Been thinking about something: why are we fixated on the issue where the joy results from ? The joy and the suffering result from emptiness, not from akusala. Compassion for people suffering and rejoicing for people experiencing joy is a sense of appreciation for that person. No need to play detecti...
by Pinetree
Sat Apr 09, 2016 6:18 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: How should one react to the joy's of others resulting from akusala?
Replies: 12
Views: 2424

Re: How should one react to the joy's of others resulting from akusala?

With equanimity. Feelings arise and cease, wholesome and unwholesome actions arise and cease. And it doesn't sound useful to ask questions like "What should I feel now ?" Your feelings will naturally evolve through your practice, as you gain understanding and wisdom. But something I've bee...
by Pinetree
Sat Apr 09, 2016 3:53 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: REALITY ROUND THE CORNER
Replies: 6
Views: 1452

Re: REALITY ROUND THE CORNER

It's normal that practicing meditation, our view of reality changes. Of course, feelings are difficult to describe in words, but I'm wondering, is that feeling stronger at the beginning of the meditation, during the meditation or at the end ? Next time when you meditate, check to see which of these ...
by Pinetree
Sat Apr 09, 2016 3:32 pm
Forum: Wellness, Diet & Fitness
Topic: stretching for sitting on floor
Replies: 5
Views: 2690

Re: stretching for sitting on floor

any suggestions?
Don't stretch and don't sit on the floor.

Do get professional help, which may include physical therapy and supervised exercise.
by Pinetree
Sat Apr 09, 2016 3:24 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: Is Hinduism a religion?
Replies: 12
Views: 2811

Re: Is Hinduism a religion?

Some people will say that Hinduism is just a geographical delimitation. It doesn't describe a religion, a group of people, a language or anything else. Just a designation for whatever is happening around India. Probably a short answer to your question is that Hinduism is more religions. Maybe this w...
by Pinetree
Sat Apr 09, 2016 11:11 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Is lying more serious than other unwholesome actions?
Replies: 20
Views: 3396

Re: Is lying more serious than other unwholesome actions?

I think a problem with lying is that it creates commitment, we can't avoid starting to believe the lies ourselves.
by Pinetree
Sat Apr 09, 2016 11:01 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: A theory of pleasure and pain.
Replies: 26
Views: 3106

Re: A theory of pleasure and pain.

From my experience we ONLY find pleasure in things because we crave them. Yes, for the purpose of this thread, I think we can simplify and say that there is: - pleasure, working with craving and with the impulse of moving towards the object of desire - pain, working with aversion and the impulse of...
by Pinetree
Fri Apr 08, 2016 5:53 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: can anyone recommend a retreat for a complete beginner?
Replies: 17
Views: 2589

Re: can anyone recommend a retreat for a complete beginner?

For a beginner ... I kind of like Ajahn Brahm's and BuddhistSocietyWA. They seem soft, nice and friendly, but I don't have any personal experience, just from their online materials. Plus that I'm biased, I like Australia.
by Pinetree
Fri Apr 08, 2016 5:24 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: A theory of pleasure and pain.
Replies: 26
Views: 3106

Re: A theory of pleasure and pain.

My understanding is quite the opposite. It's not that we avoid pain because we love the self, but it's that the self is a product of whatever we find painful and whatever we find pleasurable. This statement: Needless to say the self is the dearest thing to all beings assumes that the self is a thing...
by Pinetree
Thu Apr 07, 2016 7:03 pm
Forum: Samatha Bhāvana
Topic: Can we keep "God" (Abrahamic religion) as the meditation object?
Replies: 60
Views: 13776

Re: Can we keep "God" (Abrahamic religion) as the meditation object?

Apophatic Meditation Methods I don't see at that link that God is being objectified ... Quite the contrary. Apophatic theology—also known as negative theology—is a theology that attempts to describe God by negation, to speak of God only in absolutely certain terms and to avoid what may not be said....
by Pinetree
Wed Apr 06, 2016 6:00 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Most efficient way to practice for a householder?
Replies: 50
Views: 10687

Re: Most efficient way to practice for a householder?

A useful mindfulness exercise that you can practice from time to time is to

look and see how your thoughts come to life.
by Pinetree
Mon Apr 04, 2016 3:36 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: BDSM - where does it come from ?
Replies: 28
Views: 6038

Re: BDSM - where does it come from ?

According to Buddhism, craving and desire is dukkha, pleasure is dukkha. So you will often find a craving, for example sexual craving which is driven by pain-dukkha. And the same thing happens for "normal" people, it's just less obvious. Another example, something I've read long time ago a...
by Pinetree
Mon Apr 04, 2016 3:04 pm
Forum: Samatha Bhāvana
Topic: What is the difference between Nirodha Samapatti and a person under anesthesia?
Replies: 7
Views: 2157

Re: What is the difference between Nirodha Samapatti and a person under anesthesia?

Consciousness is suspended (unconscious) for a person in Nirodha Samapatti as well. Not sure ... his faculties are bright & clear I remember an experience being described, about a mediator who seemed dead for all intents and purposes, also had no contact/perception of the outside world, but aft...
by Pinetree
Sat Apr 02, 2016 7:07 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Purpose of brahmaviharas as a raft?
Replies: 9
Views: 1791

Re: Purpose of brahmaviharas as a raft?

According to your own reports, your relationship with the Brahmaviharas is described by: "awkward", "tricky", "shelfishness". Those reasons alone are in my view enough reason to give some attention to the Brahmaviharas, give them a fair try and see what they do. I'm far...