2 Questions for Matthieu Ricard, Tibetan monk

Originally Posted by LIFE

Right, and you've shot down what I've answered, because it doesn't pertain to or conform with the "level" you want it to be.

See, there's always the other side.

At least we are making progress, you now know that there are 2 sides to every story. Now you only need to figure what the 2 sides are.

Originally Posted by pre-dawn

Now you only need to figure what the 2 sides are.

Opinion and opinion.

I must admit, I didn't read all the posts that came before mine, so I may just be reiterating, but this concept recently clicked into place for me. At least the first question you posed! Let me know if you find an answer to the second ;)

A book I'm currently reading is "In search of the miraculous" by P.D. Ouspensky, and it's an organization and reflection on/of the teachings of G.I. Gurdjieff. His ideology is certainly not exclusively tibetan, but it certainly borrows and re-examines many eastern philosophies. From what I've found thusfar, he simplifies this brilliantly.

"I", as he uses it, refers to the construct of the "machine" called man. Opinions, perceptions, experiences, trauma, personal identification (with race, gender, country etc) these are the things that make up "I". This person is an illusion. But a SELF is entirely different. He says the biggest spiritual practice that is lacking is that man forgets to "remember himself". To look inward and feel your essence as it were, simply being aware of yourself.

This is a HIGHLY simplified rendition of his teachings, and if it interests you, I would certainly suggest seeking out this book! I am a highly skeptical person, and I can only embrace things that make sense. The aforementioned book has some very interesting and ironically new (ironic because this man was teaching these things before world war II) ways of describing spirituality, and he takes a very real crack at explaining the entire universe.

I'm not sure if this is the sort of material that would interest you, but it's a book that quieted down the skeptic in me, so I hope it may give you at the very least something new to ponder :)

Much luck on your journey!

Namaste

[Samana]

Originally Posted by LIFE

This is an interesting statement because it is seemingly revealing of an underlying anxiety about death

Nope, not at all, thats just speculation on your part !

Originally Posted by Samana

Nope, not at all, thats just speculation on your part !

This is an interesting statement because it is seemingly revealing of an underlying anxiety about death

Originally Posted by Samana

...rather than waste precious time with endless speculation...

Why is time precious?

And how is it that "precious time" can time be wasted?

[Samana]

Originally Posted by LIFE

Why is time precious?

And how is it that "precious time" can time be wasted?

I have to earn a living - so therefore my spare time is limited and can possibly be spent unwisely in pointless pursuits, instead of being used in a more beneficial way....and that's my personal viewpoint, OK?

Since you must have been interested in Mahayana Buddhism to read Matthieu Ricards books, I suggest you take your arguments to a wider selection of posters here:


http://www.dharmawheel.net/


All the best

S.

hello everyone,

I'm new. I just wanted to say that I have been overwhelmed by this forum and wish to express gratitude for sharing your knowledge. I hope I'll be able to contribute more soon.

-spongebob-

[Samana]

Welcome spongebob !


with kind wishes,

Samana