As this is a Buddhism thread, some reference ought to be made to abhidharma, which is Buddhist philosophical psychology. It is the ‘third’ of the ‘three baskets’ the other two being vinaya (monastic regulations) and sutta (sayings and teachings). It’s a methodical analysis of the whole process of perception and ideation which leads to rebirth in saṃsāra. As such it’s a deep and difficult study, but suffice to say in this context that it is based on the same principles that (I think) you’re trying to get at. — Wayfarer
And what happens if you have a shitty manager (or a shitty Pope)? — praxis
Ok, that makes sense. I experience peace in the woods, and then start chasing that, and when I don't get it I'm frustrated, annoyed, suffering etc. So long as I don't understand what's happening I'm stuck on the treadmill of chasing. Like that, more or less? — Hippyhead
The academic literature on Nagarjuna is best avoided in my opinion. It usually just massively complicates the issues. It generally treats Nagarjuna's logic as if it is unusual or idiosyncratic in some way, when in fact it is just ordinary logic. The most straightforward and easiest introduction I've found is The Sun of Wisdom: Teachings on the Noble Nagarjuna's Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way/ by Khenpo Tsutrim Gyamptso. This deals with what Nagarjuna proves and the form of his argument. It does not explain the logical issues. . . . — FrancisRay
Earlier you said that thought leads beyod thought, and that the purpose of philosophical analysis is to reveal the limits of analysis. This is exactly the value of it. You could equally say that analysis takes us beyond ideology. — FrancisRay
His position It is often said to be not a view but a non-view — FrancisRay
Thus it sweeps away all our conjectures and beliefs and replaces them with the idea that we are unable to formulate the truth in our mind — FrancisRay
N uses analysis to prove the limits of analysis, thus proving that Reality conforms to a very particular descriptive metaphysical theory. This is a neutral metaphysical theory, which is the formal theory required for non-dualism and the Perennial philosophy. — FrancisRay
What worries me about your view is that it might undervalue analysis — FrancisRay
A sceptical intellectual would want to know all this before risking going on a wild goose chase and taking up the practice. — FrancisRay
If we do not do the analysis we will miss this fact and be unable to understand metaphysics — FrancisRay
I've often considered writing a collaborative book in the form of an edited) internet discussion with all sorts of views represented as a commercial philosophical adventure — FrancisRay
Buddhism would be a way to re-unify life and death by revealing the underlying state common to both. — FrancisRay
Yes, that's one way out of many; a common way for impatient or enthusiastic people to make themselves suffer. — TLCD1996
Therefore suffering arises from something a little more subtle than thinking — TLCD1996
Once one goes beyond thinking, there's still some suffering — TLCD1996
Therefore a stream-enterer may be free in a big way, but not totally — TLCD1996
Suffering is something to be understood, its cause abandoned, its cessation realized, and the way leading to cessation developed. — TLCD1996
The resentment of my neighbor's dog is made of thought. What else could it be made of? — Hippyhead
There needs to be a balance between acceptance and non-acceptance. — TLCD1996
The thing is, assuming that death is the end or nobody has realized cessation are both things we don't know for sure — TLCD1996
And of course, it's totally a matter of faith — TLCD1996
But in my opinion, the skepticism grows weaker when one meets good models — TLCD1996
So faith in the practice, and also a willingness to see one's death as something other than a reason to just sit back and relax — TLCD1996
I was curious how this thread might go over on a Buddhist forum. — Hippyhead
The unconventional views expressed in this topic, with the exception of Wayfarer and TLCD1996, may not be well tolerated. — praxis
I’ve noticed an apparent avoidance of discussing rebirth/karma here — praxis
Yes he is. But a reliable teacher. I see it isn't only trees and armadillos from whom you learn. — FrancisRay
Abandoning thought to prevent suffering would be like cutting off your legs to avoid having to trim your toenails. — FrancisRay
The trouble it causes would probably be in direct proportion of the number of Theravadans present. — FrancisRay
It is not necessary to stop thinking, only to become detached, desireless, egoless etc. — FrancisRay
If you examine the Buddha, Lao Tsu, Sri Ramana Maharshi, Mooji, Spira and other well-known teachers you'll see they do a lot of thinking and are quite good at it — FrancisRay
I wonder if your view on this issue is result of listening to Krishnamurti, since he is an unusual teacher who many people find too analytical and wordy, or too steeped in thought — FrancisRay
but a partial cessation is commonplace and one of most accessible of the benefits of the practice. — FrancisRay
You asked about the substrate that is the continuum underlying life and death and is our immortality. This would be the ‘spirit that rolls through all things’ Wordsworth feels in his heart as he walks around Tintern Abbey in the Wye valley, the very same spirit you feel as you walk the woods paying attention to life and the Great Spirit of the native Americans, the One that is All known as Wakantanka. — FrancisRay
It would be everywhere at all times — FrancisRay
This would be how God is able to watch every sparrow that falls. He would be unable not to watch. — FrancisRay
may, I suspect, lose their ability to tune in to the Great Spirit, — FrancisRay
Exactly! If Buddhist doctrine is not universal then it is nonsense — FrancisRay
Therevada is an ideology. Mahayana is search for truth; — FrancisRay
One just has to shut up and calculate, and there is no arguing with the results. — FrancisRay
This is why I don;t like your laissez faire approach — FrancisRay
Why do you assume spatial and temporal extension is real? This is a denial of Buddhist doctrine. In Buddhism space is defined as 'non-obstruction'. No suggestion that it is a thing. The phrase 'advaita' implies there are not two places or two times — FrancisRay
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