Obs of a Prnnl Lrnr Obsrvr who happens to be a dctr There is no cure for curiosity-D Parker
Friday, 15 November 2024
Leo Tolstoy
This man is not a beggar or homeless wanderer
This is Leo Tolstoy a Russian novelist and philosopher, best known for his novels "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina". He is considered one of the greatest authors of all time and a key figure in the realist movement in literature.
He sold all he has for homelessness to have home and beggers to have food.
Tolstoy was born on September 9, 1828, in Russia and died on November 20, 1910. His writing often explored themes of morality, ethics, and the human condition, and his works are still widely read and studied today.
Some of his notable quotes include:
“Don’t tell me about your religion, let me see your religion in your actions”
“If you feel pain. You are alive. But, if you feel the pain of others, you’re human”
Tolstoy's legacy extends beyond literature, too. He was also a philosopher and social reformer, and his ideas about nonviolent resistance and simple living have inspired leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.
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PFT -SAM WELATH
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‘Pathological Procrastinating’ may be a more
befitting name, or perhaps ‘Pathologically Free-Spirited’, or even
‘Pathological Curiosity’. After all, it is of utmost importance to know
‘why’. ‘Don’t play with fire!’ may seem like a reasonable injunction. If
someone were to give me such an order as a child, I’d ask ‘Why?’ And if
they gave me a valid and informative answer then that might’ve worked as
a deterrent. But if they were to say, ‘Because I said so,’ then it would
reinforce my curiosity and there’d be a chance I’d be rushed to A&E a few
minutes afterwards.
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Consciousness. Where does a tennis ball start. Guruji Ravishanker
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I face the end of my life with waxing and waning anticipation. This is nowhere near as severe as it was before medication.
I am within a decade and a half of the expiration dates of my parents. My own demise, and those of my seniors, occupy much of my thought. I find myself often composing eulogies, for myself and others.
I have reproduced. I have one apparently healthy child, and another who lives in obvious torment. Our relationships are fraught. Too many recollections of my many parental failures fuel the spectral apprehensions that flit across their faces. If there is a hell after this, it cannot scare me.
My life is largely meaningless. When compared to the apparent potential I once had, I have failed.
I am in a continuing unsuccessful marriage to a parter both ideally and horribly suited to me.
This planet is being bought out by sociopaths who feel that wealth beyond their ability to enjoy is a worthy goal. It is populated by idiots who feel they should endorse that which is most base. The planet’s environment and climate are under ceaseless attack, fomented by the wealthy and tolerated - nay, enabled - by idiots. Economics, a fundamental expression of culture, is exploited to ravage planetary resources at the expense of those who live here.
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Lyf is a q nobody can answer. Dth is an answer nobody can q
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SS#
profound quote from Ashtavakra Gita:
"Look closely at cloth,
you see only threads.
Look closely at creation,
you see only Self."
Simple yet powerful! What does it mean?
Awareness is the essence and substance of all experience.
Just like all sorts of garments are thread only.
Just like all the various types of gold jewelry is gold only.
All objects of sight, sound, taste, touch, smell, thought, feeling, are awareness only.
There is nothing else here.
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Experience appears to be many things, made of many substances, but this is an appearance only; an illusion.
In fact, there is no other substance anywhere.
All substances such as the 5 elements, which comprise what we call physical reality...
Along with thought and emotion, which we call mind...
They have no existence apart from the awareness in which they appear and out of which they are made.
Differences are only on the surface. The source is one.
Today I have a video for you which will explain this a bit more deeply.
This video will also help you realize how me and you and everyone else appear to be very different on the surface, yet at our core, we are all the same Self.
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You said:
BUDDHA-ADVAITAChatGPT said:
The connection between Buddha’s teachings and Advaita Vedanta (a non-dualistic philosophy of Hinduism) has been a subject of deep philosophical exploration, comparison, and debate. While both share some resonances, they also diverge significantly in their metaphysical foundations and goals. Here's an overview of the interplay between the two:
1. Key Philosophical Similarities
Non-Duality: Both traditions emphasize transcending dualistic thinking. Advaita asserts the ultimate reality (Brahman) is non-dual and that the self (Atman) is identical to it. Buddhism, particularly in Mahayana traditions like Zen or Madhyamaka, speaks of emptiness (Śūnyatā), emphasizing that all phenomena lack inherent existence or dualistic separation.
Illusory Nature of the World: Advaita refers to the world as Maya (illusion) that veils the ultimate truth. Similarly, Buddhism teaches that attachment to phenomena, perceived as inherently real, is the root of suffering.
Liberation as the Goal: Both philosophies aim at liberation (Moksha in Advaita; Nirvana in Buddhism) through transcending the ego, attachments, and ignorance.
2. Core Differences
Concept of Self:
- Advaita Vedanta: Posits that the ultimate reality is Brahman, and the individual self (Atman) is non-different from it. Self-realization reveals this unity.
- Buddhism: Rejects the notion of an eternal, unchanging self (Anatta). The idea of a permanent self is seen as a delusion that perpetuates suffering.
Metaphysical Grounding:
- Advaita affirms a singular, immutable reality (Brahman), which is the substratum of all existence.
- Buddhism avoids metaphysical absolutes and often adopts a more experiential, phenomenological approach, describing reality in terms of dependent origination (Pratītyasamutpāda).
Liberation Process:
- In Advaita, liberation involves realizing one's unity with Brahman through self-inquiry (Atma-vichara), as expounded by teachers like Adi Shankaracharya.
- In Buddhism, liberation arises from extinguishing craving and ignorance through practices like meditation, mindfulness, and ethical conduct.
3. Historical Interactions
During the classical period, Indian philosophers engaged in rich dialogues that shaped the development of both traditions:
- Shankaracharya (8th century CE), a key proponent of Advaita, critiqued Buddhist philosophies, particularly those of Madhyamaka and Yogachara schools, for denying the reality of the self while maintaining a dependence on subjective experience.
- Buddhist scholars like Nagarjuna emphasized the middle path, deconstructing views that veered too much towards eternalism (as seen in some Hindu schools) or annihilationism.
4. Synthesis in Modern Interpretations
Some contemporary spiritual teachers, like Ramana Maharshi, have noted parallels between Advaita and Buddhism, focusing on their shared goal of transcending egoic identification. Additionally, movements like Neo-Advaita often draw on Buddhist mindfulness practices to complement their teachings.
Ultimately, while Buddha’s teachings and Advaita Vedanta have distinct foundations, they both guide seekers toward profound self-transcendence and the realization of ultimate truth
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