“The Buddha observed that as long there are people practicing correctly in line with the noble eightfold path, there will continue to be enlightened beings in the world. Even better evidence of the reality of enlightenment lies in the "gradual" nature of the Buddha's teachings. In the suttas, the Buddha speaks again and again of the many rewards awaiting those who follow the Path, long before they reach nibbana: the happiness that comes from developing generosity; the happiness that comes from living according to principles of virtue; the happiness that comes from developing loving-kindness (metta); the happiness that comes from practicing meditation and discovering the exquisite bliss of a quiet mind; the happiness that comes from abandoning painful states of mind; and so on. These can be tasted for yourself, to varying degrees, through Dhamma practice. Once you've personally verified a few of the Buddha's teachings, it becomes ever-easier to accept the possibility that the rest of his teachings are plausible — including his extraordinary claim that enlightenment is accessible to us.” MU

: )

love,boopoom

Whether one points at the Moon in the sky,

or at a reflection of the Moon in a mud puddle,

its the same thing.  Pointing at the Moon.

What difference does it make ?

Yeah, thats what I meant.  It makes no difference.

Quote: "Enlightened beings are not those who knows. They are who don't know.

The Emperor asked Bodhidarma: Who are you? He said: I don't know.
"
.........

Yes, as soon as you know that there is nothing to know, nothing to learn, nothing to teach,

it is as if a great weight has been lifted from you, and you are lightened.

Quote: "Quote: "8 Awakenings of Great Beings

- To have few desires
- To know how much is enough
- To enjoy serenity in seclusion
- Diligent effort
- To maintain right mindfulness
- Stability in meditation
- To cultivate wisdom
- Not to be engaged in hollow discussions
"
.........

I think if you cultivate all those virtues you become rigid. You are not spontaneous in your actions. You are just like a programmed robot.

only the opposite, but again the western mind misinterprets and the eastern mind is comfortable with concepts that are not itemised

few desires is the title of a huge concept, and they haven't included in the dot point that desire is imperative, it's a matter of what is desired, it is a matter of your action on the desire etc,  refinement is the key, enlightenment is impossible without desire

if you want to be spontaneous you can not be more spontaneous then following the eightfold path because you have to be very' fluid'

rigidness accompanies, unrefined desires and empty pursuits

being free to behave in any manner you please, regardless of conscience or harm done, is not freedom, its a swiftly enclosing cage that breeds terror

of course, luckily we are free, on the surface of it, to make our own choices and pursue our interests, be diligent in your surveyance of your actions and motivations, regret hardly encompasses the repercussions otherwise

.........

and...creation

and some other stuff

Quote: "ahhh leo....im intuitive at times.....

buddha said....ah nevermind.

he didnt say one damned thing about not thinking.


"
.........

We are all intuitive, having some use of *sixth sense*.

Sitting and meditation strengthen our use of *sixth sense*, Yogic power.

Thats just a nice by product.  Mostly it just feels good to relax, to let go of everything....

And if that also helps you to be more in tune with things around you, all the better.

One day I was taking a nap after work.

I awoke suddenly with the realization that the phone was about to ring, and that it was a co-worker named Oliver who would be calling.  I did not know why.

As I stood by the phone, waiting for it to ring, I contemplated picking it up and saying "Hi Oliver, whats going on", before it rang, to freak him out.  But I decided against it, because it would freak him out, and I didnt feel like explaining it to him, or anyone else he might tell.

A moment later the phone rang, and it was Oliver calling to wish me well as I was due to have eye surgery the next day.  I thanked him, and went back to bed.

Thats an example of the intuition that meditation builds up in you, but it is usually much more subtle than that.  You just know.