How can one be "enlightened", even though experience is a transitory dream. How can one be enlightened when actually there is no one. The whole idea of being enlightened seems to have no place in the reality of existence

Perhaps "enlightenment" is not something to achieve but an object of focus to guide the path of discovery and wisdom, an idea that directs our spiritual evolution. We walk the path of enlightenment, but to say that one "becomes enlightened" only feeds the ego.

All questions are based on attachments, delusions and assumptions. Your question assumes a reality of existence. The question might be better put: Given enlightenment is there no place for the reality of existence. MU

Beyond Enlightenment Zap Out Of Mine & You

"Seek no state of enlightenment" and "does not remain where no enlightenment exists" beyond concepts "no-thing".

With Metta

Quote: "Hey, don't worry, 'stephen' is only just a euphemism. Grasp the nettle. "
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Reach-out Understand this Simple Truth In having Compassion

This world is just full of friends and strangers yet to befriended.

With Metta- Loving Kindness

Quote: "Stephen, I would respond to that but I'm too afraid. "
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Be Earnest Zero-in Observed how Open Minded You are, the more the light of Truth falls into your life.

May U Be Well & Happy

Quote: "ok"
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Excerpt from Huineng:

He who treads the Path in earnest

Sees not the mistakes of the world;

If we find faults with others

We ourselves are also in the wrong.

When other people are in the wrong, we should ignore it,

For it is wrong for us to find fault,

By getting rid of the habit of fault-finding

We cut off a source of defilement.

When neither hatred nor love disturb our mind

Serenely we sleep.

Thank U for Being A Friend

With Metta- Loving Kindness

Quote: "This topic is of great interest to all seekers and cultivators!

From my own experience I offer an understanding based from the teachings given by my master.

I feel the idea that there is "no one" is actually not precise because in fact, there IS someone here.. right now.
Perhaps at the Buddha's level, there is "no one" home but until the observer holds experiential understanding of that level, "no one" is just a mere theory yet to be proven.

And so for the true practical purpose of cultivation, the concept of "no one" is false and will serve to be an obstacle.


However, lets not get it twisted... I'm totally with Bezoomy when he points out that yes, in fact thinking of Enlightenment as a goal will only serve to re-inforce our ego self!


If "enlightenment" is true, then it should be hold true at all levels of experience. 
For this reason that is why it can be both the path and the goal at the same time.

I would prefer to approach enlightenment from my current level of observation and experience since I'm not at the Ultimate level of observation.

Otherwise how can i bridge this gap?

enlightenment is simply knowing one's true nature.

Really seeing and observing one's true nature probably leads to the experiential understanding that we are in fact no one.
Also that we are all one.

but enlightenment is very much possible right now in this life time.
No doubt about it!

Seeing one's true nature clearly and without judgement is the means to "achieve" this "state"!


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Thank U for Sharing. This one is for you.

Causation in dependent origination is why we are all here to suffer and learn

Yet many are thickly veiled by erroneous views and deep-rooted defilements

Pricked by the thorns of desire we bring suffering and retribution in its wake

Heart of Wisdom -Prajna is Wisdom, which has neither form nor characteristic.

Enlightenment itself has no abode, as it is pure and void, so is mind, void and calm

Recipient of Dharma once obtained, the recipient must realize it by his own efforts.

Yet for one who is attached to Nirvana, Nirvana is basically unborn and uncreated

If there is acceptance or rejection, all kinds of thoughts would be created there and then

Not to abide in form, matter, sound, delusion, enlightenment, quintessence and attribute.

Guide sentient beings to abandon mind and ego, for they are basically void in nature

All in One and One In All

With Metta

no Kiss can tElL iVy leafIng seashell sigNaTuring sAaNd   

Love Embraces Hope In Searching Heart

Take Care

With Metta

In the mind of an enlightened one, the mountains, the rivers and the earth are also enlightened. In the eyes of a Bodhisattva, the flowers, the grass and the trees are nothing but Bodhi itself. This state is referred to as "Totally Is".

"Totally Is" is one's penetrating capability of seeing the Buddha Nature in everything and everywhere. It is the realization that right or wrong, likes or dislikes, life, death or Nirvana, are just reflections of our true nature.

"Totally Is" is experiencing everything now and here, following the flow and at ease.

"Totally Is" is strength, the diamond that cuts through illusion.

"Totally Is" is a vast mind that is beyond boundary and limitation.

Unless the mind is vast, the enlightenment cannot be great.

Unless the totality of mind is apparent, the attainment of enlightenment cannot be ultimate.

The mind of ordinary people is always changing. In alternate states, we have various minds: minds of anger/compassion, greed/generosity, ignorance/wisdom, wiliness/kindness, good merit/ guilt, and right/wrong. These minds either contradict each other or are totally irrelevant to each other. They eclipse the light emanating from our true nature and consume our life energy. The constant changing of the minds turned the grandest true nature into weak characters.

These minds can be categorized into three groups by their characters: greed, anger, and ignorance. If classified by the concept of time, they are the minds of the past, the present and the future. Of these three minds, the present mind always floating up in the air, we don't take time to pay attention to the mind of the present. We either look back to the past or daydream about the future; we don't bother to take care of the present. We live in illusion instead of reality. Although we have three minds, we consume most of our energy on the minds of the past and the future. This is called vacillation. Vacillation means not living in mindfulness. Not living in mindfulness means not in a state of 'Totally Is'. Without being in the state of 'Totally Is', you cannot even accomplish much on the mundane affairs, not to mention attaining enlightenment and gaining insight of our Buddha nature.

That is why Buddha asks us to live in mindfulness, to transform all minds into one concentrated mind. Only when we have one mind in now place, gradually we gain insight of what 'Totally Is' means.

'The effort itself to rid of suffering only makes the disease worse. The endeavor to attain nirvana is also wrong', said one master. Why, because it lacks in totality, absoluteness, comprehensiveness and pureness.

Complete trust will engender complete gratitude. Complete trust will bring about incredible blessings. Complete gratitude makes it possible for one to become enlightened now and here.

'Totally Is' is a state that is beyond comprehension.

As your awareness increases, you will ultimately realize that everyone is you, and you are everyone.

That distinction of separateness has disappeared. All phenomena has become one. The mountains in the distance are the sleeping Buddhas. The hills nearby are the sitting Buddhas. Each mountain boulder looks like a magnificently standing Buddha. The clouds are dancing. The winds are singing. The prairie, the sand, the forest, even the tiny grass are singing and paying their homage to their master Shakyamuni Buddha.

You might not have a taste of it yet. But all it takes is for you to whisper softly: 'We are all one." Can you imagine how wonderful this experience will be? Try it! If you feel the inspiration, then embrace it -- this oneness and totality of things! It will become an indispensable factor for you to attain enlightenment in this life.

Quote: "What is left is what im concerned with."
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ok :)

Quote: "Quote: " You might not have a taste of it yet. But all it takes is for you to whisper softly: 'We are all one." Can you imagine how wonderful this experience will be? Try it! If you feel the inspiration, then embrace it -- this oneness and totality of things! It will become an indispensable factor for you to attain enlightenment in this life.
"
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Yao had wisely governed
All China.
He had brought the entire world
To a state of rest.
After that, he went to visit
The four Perfect Ones
In the distant mountains
Of Ku Shih.
When he came back
Across the border
Into his own city
His lost gaze
Saw no throne.

Quote: "Tweak my ears (not "playing around with 'Buddha concepts' we have no experience of" - food for thought - 'Buddha concepts' um ha ha).

"Resolving of the paradox" that's a good 'un with "quantum leaps"...hee by come by whoa and stop...and boing!!!




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"concepts"?

"paradox"?

Quote: "But  dr. shaynee is right, you know.

"
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read it in a book?

how long have I been gone?

white light, blue light

first stars I've seen tonight

wish you may and wish you might

get the wish you wish tonight

thank you

breathing........   :) same for you

sometimes it feels as though I'm cared for so deeply from inside and out....like a wonderful hug that drops down into the belly............ :) like warm soup