Gautama Siddhartha

if one wanted to say it in a new way, it would be discerning what to include in the now, in this present moment.

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

Probably one reason why getting stuck in the 2nd and 3rd Jhanas is because of Siddhi[s].

I don't see the connection between "getting stuck in the 2nd and 3rd jhanas" and the Siddhis. It seems (at least to me) that "getting stuck" is related to getting smug and contented with limited progress regarding a breakthrough and reveling in it. That can prevent one from moving on.

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

Some people have a problem with Siddhis because they do not believe in it. It is hard to experience in something a person does not believe in.

It is well said that "miracles (including siddhis) are rarely performed without a trace of ego". In the east, it is not considered appropriate to ostentatiously display siddhis/powers. Hence, it is understandable why many people don't believe in them because they haven't seen them.

However, for those who meet the extraordinary beings and do see such things, one realizes that virtually anything is possible.

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by sky123

Jhana, Dhyāna in Sanskrit is derived from the verb Jhayati ' To think or meditate,' while the verb Jhapeti, ' to burn up ' explicates its function, the burning up of the opposing states, destroying ' the mental defilements ' preventing the development of serenity and insight.
So the burning/destroying opens the way to naturally progress.

Burning/destroying the inner pressures that disturb the stillness most assuredly open the way to naturally progress.

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by AbodhiSky

if one wanted to say it in a new way, it would be discerning what to include in the now, in this present moment.

Excellent point. That is precisely why Buddha included brooding (on the past) and restlessness (about the future) in the Five Hindrances to Enlightenment as described in the Satipattana Sutra. Both brooding and restlessness take one out of the NOW, "this present moment", as you wisely pointed out.

[sky]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

It is well said that "miracles (including siddhis) are rarely performed without a trace of ego". In the east, it is not considered appropriate to ostentatiously display siddhis/powers. Hence, it is understandable why many people don't believe in them because they haven't seen them.

However, for those who meet the extraordinary beings and do see such things, one realizes that virtually anything is possible.

The disciple who with evil intent and from covetousness boasts of a superhuman perfection, be it celestial visions or miracles, is no longer a disciple of the Shakymuni.

The Buddha.
Miracles Forbidden......

[Still_Waters]

QUOTE EXCERPT:

Originally Posted by sky123

The disciple who with evil intent and from covetousness boasts of a superhuman perfection, be it celestial visions or miracles, is no longer a disciple of the Shakymuni.

Amen ! Amen ! Amen !

[sentient]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

I don't see the connection between "getting stuck in the 2nd and 3rd jhanas" and the Siddhis. It seems (at least to me) that "getting stuck" is related to getting smug and contented with limited progress regarding a breakthrough and reveling in it. That can prevent one from moving on.

I assume this is because in the 2nd and the 3rd Jhana – the body awareness is still there. Be it a whole-body experience where every cell in the body is blissed out off their trees and levitating. & who wouldn’t want that to continue, to make it permanent. So, I guess one could call the 2nd and the 3rd the “opium den” of the Jhana world.
Feels a lot better anyways than getting smug about exercising one’s will - sitting in pain and agony on the meditation cushion for hours “stuck” on holding onto the mindfulness of breath ….
(The 4th moving beyond pleasure and pain …)

*

Whole body scan …. and triangle nostril breathing: From left nostril up to the third eye and out from the right … In from the right nostril up to the third eye and out from the left … alternating … Then making the triangle larger – the whole left side of body breathing into the third eye and out to the right side …

So, the different nostril breathings also create different effects.

And true, nobody really gets permanently “stuck” anywhere, it is just that we aren’t willing to let go of things at times.

*

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by sky123

The disciple who with evil intent and from covetousness boasts of a superhuman perfection, be it celestial visions or miracles, is no longer a disciple of the Shakymuni.

The Buddha.
Miracles Forbidden......

Are you saying if a person has 'celestial visions', they are not a disciple of Buddha Shakyamuni?

But did not Buddha Shakyamuni perform many miracles?
Did not the Buddhas before Buddha Shakyamuni also perform miracles?

[BigJohn]

You claim miracles are forbidden but is that not an acknowledgement that miracles do exist?