Sorting Your Self Out

[Tony]

Sorting Your Self Out

Have you ever wondered why you just cannot get on with somebody? Or even yourself? Sometimes we just connect.
Here is a possible answer...as usual, our essence is as simple but our psychological make-up is complicated (well, we have been creating it for a very long time!)
I have tried to keep this description simple, but as always, in order to arrive at simplicity, we have to see the whole picture. Buddhism has a method of joining all the dots up, each dot relating to the others in a profound way.one can start anywhere on the circle and arrive at simplicity.
To repeat from a previous post, a method is for everyone who has a sympathetic understanding of that method. There are many methods.

VIDEO

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Just some notes to finish off the video.

The fixed view we hold onto about ourselves and the world about us creates habitual patterning.
This in turn creates a personality. And this is what plonks us into one of these six realms!

These are the realms from which we respond...habitually.

When two people from different realms or mindsets are in the same situation, they will see this situation differently and respond differently: this is why sometimes we feel that we are talking at cross purposes. For example, a lama was once publicly reprimanding me, and as we left the room, a fellow retreatant turned to me and said, “Wasn't that a lovely talk?”! I think we were from different planetary systems...

I have noticed on retreats that some people are religious in their outlook (they love the rituals), whereas others are more philosophical (they love dictionaries) and some of us have a more touchy feely outlook (which often drives the others mad!). It is always difficult to communicate.

So sometimes, silence is golden!

When we are not caught up in one of these realms, we are either in a vacant or occupied state, or asleep (the state of not knowing).
These are distracted states – distracted from our pure being.
If one asks a person, “Are you awake?” they'd reply, “YES!” And they probably are...at that moment! They'd suddenly be aware.

We are aware at some moments, but we will revert to one of the realms straight afterwards.
These moments are temporary events: we assume that this awareness is constant, which it is not.
I'm only speaking personally...!

We oscillate in and out of awareness, some of us more than others.
This awareness is an awareness of awareness: that is knowing.
Even though one has been introduced to this absolute state (in the tradition in which I study, it is called rigpa) this is still a baby rigpa: one has to practise to be aware of constant continuity.

The first instance of empty pure awareness is quite dry because there is nothing happening – just pure perception.
But from that, expression - and other qualities - can manifest which are there to interact with and benefit other sentient beings.
And so a little ego is re-introduced, because we have to function on a physical level.

We have to be honest about which state we are talking from...and that is not easy.
It means looking, and feeling that we are slightly uncomfortable.
There are those who think they are already enlightened, and this, in absolute reality, is true. (this may be a difference in terminology: what one calls enlightenment may not seen that way to someone else – and either way, enlightenment is still a concept!)
But its manifestation is up to others to see whether that satisfies – or not.

Let's use knowledge as an example...although chocolate would word just as well!

Hell realms: It's never right
Hungry ghosts: Want it desperately but cannot digest it..
Animal realm: They acquire it and store it, but never look at it.
Human realm: They indulge in it, but get frustrated because it never quite satisfies.
Jealous gods: They collect it and use it as a weapon.
Gods: They have tapped knowledge and enjoy it.

This very act of enjoying the tapped knowledge is the seed for the travelling back through the realms back to the hell realm again (the vicious cycle of existence), because real knowledge comes from outside the mind – from wisdom itself. If one claims this knowledge as one's own, the tap is turned off.
The key to knowledge and wisdom is devotion...and that is a huge subject...but there is not much to say about it!

I am trying to keep this simple, but, as you can perhaps see, there is much depth in this because – and
I will only hint at this here – in the period after death (from a Buddhist point of view) one will experience the dull lights of the neurotic realms together with the bright lights and beings of the wisdom realms.
So it's important to recognise the different projected states while you are still alive so that you can recognise them after death.

This is back up knowledge, in case if one hasn't recognised one's true essence before death.

I can fully understand why someone would prefer a simpler method...!!...but this is, in essence, both extremely simple and extremely comprehensive. A method is so you can realise and feel joy in your own true nature, not in someone else's!

When we think about information and knowledge, we might associate it with an individual and say how wonderful that individual is. But really, the wonderful thing is the method, or system, of understanding that knowledge. So it is impersonal, and for everybody – the problem with glorifying any individual is that it detracts from one's own intelligent wisdom and inner beauty, which is naturally there.

I have a sneaking suspicion that the PTB live in the god realms, but find themselves lacking true devotion to a pure source, and will thus always find themselves back in hell. This is just my personal opinion.

Here is another way to translate the above:


13381

[markpierre]

Ah, that's what I've been waiting for. Brilliant Tony. That was really really helpful. Thank you.

Hey, did you notice the halo and the god coming out of the top of your head?

[Tony]

Funny you should mention this halo business...have you noticed that, behind all the paintings of bodies/heads of deities, there is are circles.
I once spoke to a lama about this and he said the circle around the body represents infinite possibilities.
I replied, "Aha! Stargate!"
He stared. I laughed.
I could read his mind...."One of us is mad..."

Tony

[ktlight]

Brilliant video and explanation. Great teacher!

[crosby]

Brilliant video and explanation. Great teacher!


i agree ktlight. i have learned much from Pie'n'eal. if it weren't for him, i would've given up on meditation. but i'm still on my pillow and still trying. i think i'm actually getting somewhere now. thanks Pie
regards, corson

[markpierre]

Funny you should mention this halo business...have you noticed that, behind all the paintings of bodies/heads of deities, there is are circles.
I once spoke to a lama about this and he said the circle around the body represents infinite possibilities.
I replied, "Aha! Stargate!"
He stared. I laughed.
I could read his mind...."One of us is mad..."

Tony

Well I don't know about those guys and their stargates. In your case I think it's your crown blasting the ceiling and reflecting down to reflect off your head again.

I really am impressed!

[seantimberwolf]

Thanks Tony, was really intresting!
I have always felt a pull towards Buddhism but honestly,
I do not know where to start?
SeanTW

[Tony]

Here is a in depth look at the animal realm by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

In Tibetan Buddhism there are six psychological realms (I know in other traditions this is described differently). These are the god realm, the jealous god realm, the human realm, the animal realm, the hungry ghosts and the hell realms.

I just happened to come across Chogyam Trungpa's description of the animal realm in his book, The Myth of Freedom, which I found interesting...

Stupidity.

The descriptions of the different realms are related to subtle but distinct differences in the way individuals handle themselves in daily life - how they walk, talk, write letter, the way they read, eat, sleep and so on.

Everyone tends to develop a style which is peculiar to them. If we hear a tape recording of our voices or see a video of ourselves, we are often shocked to see our style as someone else sees it. It feels extremely alien. Usually we find other people's point of view irritating or embarrassing.

Blindness to our style, to how others see us, is most acute in the animal realm. I am not speaking literally being born as an animal but of the quality of mind, a mentality which stubbornly pushes forward towards predetermined goals.

The animal mentality is very serious. It even makes humour into a serious occupation. Self-consciously trying to create a friendly environment, a person will crack jokes or try to be funny, intimate or clever. However, animals do not really smile or laugh; they just behave.

They may play, but it is unusual for animals to actually laugh. They might make friendly noises or gestures, but the subtleties of a sense of humour are absent.
The animal mentality looks directly ahead, as if wearing blinkers. It never looks to the left or right but very sincerely goes straight ahead, trying to reach the next available situation, continually trying to adjust situations to make them conform to its expectations.

The animal realm is associated wit stupidity: that is preferring to play deaf and dumb, preferring to follow the rules of available games rather than re-define them. Of course, you might try to manipulate your perception of any given game, but you are really just following along, just following instinct.

You have some hidden or secret wish that you would like to put into effect, so when you come to obstacles, to irritations, you just push forward regardless of whether or not you may hurt someone or destroy something of value.

You just go out and pursue whatever is available and if something else comes up, you take advantage of that as well ans pursue it.

The ignorance or stupidity of the animal realm comes from a deadly honest and serious mentality which is quite different from the bewilderment of the basic ignorance of the first skandha. In animal ignorance you have a certain style of relating to yourself and refuse to see that style from other points of view.

You completely ignore such possibilities. If somebody attacks you or challenges your clumsiness, your unskilled way of handling a situation, you find a way of justifying yourself, find rational to keep your self-respect. You are not concerned with being truthful as long as your deception can be maintained in front of others. You are proud that you are clever enough to lie successfully. If you are attacked, challenged, criticised, you automatically find an answer. Such stupidity can be very clever. It is ignorance or stupidity in the sense that you do not see the environment around you, but you see only your goal and only the means to achieve that goal, and you invent all kinds of excuses to prove that you are doing the right thing.

The animal mentality is extremely stubborn, but this stubbornness can be sophisticated as well, and quite skilful and ingenious, but without a sense of humour. The ultimate sense of humour is a free way of relating with life situations in their full absurdity. IT is seeing things clearly, including self deception, without blinkers, without barriers, without excuses.

It is being open and seeing with panoramic vision rather than trying to relieve tension. As long as humour is used as a way to relieve tension or self-consciousness or pressure, then it is humour of the animal realm, which is actually extremely serious. It is a way of looking for a crutch. So the essence of the animal style is to try to fulfil your desire with extreme honesty, sincerity and seriousness.

Traditionally, this direct and mean way of relating with the world is symbolised by the pig. The pig does not look to the left or right but just sniffs along, consuming whatever comes in front of their nose; it goes on and on and on, without an sense of discrimination – a very sincere pig.

Whether we are dealing with simple domestic tasks or highly sophisticated intellectual projects, we can have an animal style. It does not matter whether the pig eats expensive sweets or garbage. What is important is how he eats. The extreme animal mentality is trapped in the continual, self-contained, self-justifying ground of activity.

You are not able to relate with the messages given to you by your environment. You do not see yourself mirrored by others. You may be dealing with very intellectual matters, but the style is animal since there is no sense of humour, no way of surrendering or opening. There is a constant demand to move on from one thing to the next, regardless of failure or obstacles.

It is like being a tank that rolls along, crushing everything in its path. It does not matter if you run over people or crash through buildings – you just roll along.

[Tony]

What is interesting about Buddhism, is that the teachings are important, not the teacher.
But one respects the teacher, because of the teachings. The teachings are called the Dharma.
The upholders of the teachings are called the Sangha. Therefore practitioners are called Dharma practitioners.

The Buddha(s) realised the ultimate truth, their realisation is the Dharma, the knowledge holders are the Sangha.

So every day we recite this prayer:
In the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha I go for refuge,
until enlightenment.
May the merit of practising the paramitas,
May I attain Buddhahood for the benefit,
of all sentient beings.

However, there is a stage in practice called Guru Yoga,
this is to do with devotion, and supplicating enlightened beings.
I'll leave that for another day,
but from experience its where real knowledge and wisdom comes from.

[seantimberwolf]

What is interesting about Buddhism, is that the teachings are important, not the teacher.
But one respects the teacher, because of the teachings. The teachings are called the Dharma.
The upholders of the teachings are called the Sangha. Therefore practitioners are called Dharma practitioners.

The Buddha(s) realised the ultimate truth, their realisation is the Dharma, the knowledge holders are the Sangha.

So every day we recite this prayer:
In the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha I go for refuge,
until enlightenment.
May the merit of practising the paramitas,
May I attain Buddhahood for the benefit,
of all sentient beings.

However, there is a stage in practice called Guru Yoga,
this is to do with devotion, and supplicating enlightened beings.
I'll leave that for another day,
but from experience its where real knowledge and wisdom comes from.

I have a book by the dalai lama called "how to practice: Buddhism".
But sometimes when i come onto Avalon or other sites many may even say the dalai lama is evil, personally i cannot see it.
Its not in his eyes and evil is in the eyes.
The book has basic principles of the religion and how to let it enlighten your life.

[Tony]

Thanks Tony, was really intresting!
I have always felt a pull towards Buddhism but honestly,
I do not know where to start?
SeanTW

The word Buddha. Bud....means awake, dha.....means puritfied.
We are all Buddhas, but do not know it.
All Buddhas have been sentient.
There have been lots of Buddhas.

As you say "The sleeper Must Awaken."

To be honest, you are already Buddhist!
It just a matter of finding a teaching that shows you what you already know.
The 'path' is our own confused state, which is not real!
We have a certain temperament and dissatisfaction so we can used that as a guide.

Pop down to the meditation group in GROUPS, there might be something there to tickle
your fancy! Pure meditation, logic, devotion, compassion or the whole lot!

In Buddhism there are many sects, with slightly different approaches.
Look up Gelugpa, Kagyu, Nyingma, Sakya these are Tibetan Buddhist sects.... there are lots of others!!!

A name, or face or word may attract you.

[markpierre]

I have a book by the dalai lama called "how to practice: Buddhism".
But sometimes when i come onto Avalon or other sites many may even say the dalai lama is evil, personally i cannot see it.
Its not in his eyes and evil is in the eyes.
The book has basic principles of the religion and how to let it enlighten your life.

I met the Dalai Lama twice, both times accidentally. He didn't remember me so I had to shake his hand again. You can learn something from helping a guy find the restroom
that you can't necessarily learn sitting at his feet.

Trust me, he's a really good guy.

[Tony]

What is interesting about Buddhism, is that the teachings are important, not the teacher.
But one respects the teacher, because of the teachings. The teachings are called the Dharma.
The upholders of the teachings are called the Sangha. Therefore practitioners are called Dharma practitioners.

The Buddha(s) realised the ultimate truth, their realisation is the Dharma, the knowledge holders are the Sangha.

So every day we recite this prayer:
In the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha I go for refuge,
until enlightenment.
May the merit of practising the paramitas,
May I attain Buddhahood for the benefit,
of all sentient beings.

However, there is a stage in practice called Guru Yoga,
this is to do with devotion, and supplicating enlightened beings.
I'll leave that for another day,
but from experience its where real knowledge and wisdom comes from.

I have a book by the dalai lama called "how to practice: Buddhism".
But sometimes when i come onto Avalon or other sites many may even say the dalai lama is evil, personally i cannot see it.
Its not in his eyes and evil is in the eyes.
The book has basic principles of the religion and how to let it enlighten your life.

Hmm, conspiracy site can be a problem!:behindsofa:

[jaybee]

.


Thought you might like this on your thread.....

while camping with friends...one who is very into Buddhism....he would do a daily meditation and play this in his car. Sometimes we would listen to it anyway together and join in with the ommmms. (in the open air)

Then often it was if the ommms took over lol...and all the sounds around would become ommms and the echoes of the omms on the chant would reverberate for quite a while after.


PO1CIeYlYmU


.

[seantimberwolf]

Thanks Tony, was really intresting!
I have always felt a pull towards Buddhism but honestly,
I do not know where to start?
SeanTW

The word Buddha. Bud....means awake, dha.....means puritfied.
We are all Buddhas, but do not know it.
All Buddhas have been sentient.
There have been lots of Buddhas.

As you say "The sleeper Must Awaken."

To be honest, you are already Buddhist!
It just a matter of finding a teaching that shows you what you already know.
The 'path' is our own confused state, which is not real!
We have a certain temperament and dissatisfaction so we can used that as a guide.

Pop down to the meditation group in GROUPS, there might be something there to tickle
your fancy! Pure meditation, logic, devotion, compassion or the whole lot!

In Buddhism there are many sects, with slightly different approaches.
Look up Gelugpa, Kagyu, Nyingma, Sakya these are Tibetan Buddhist sects.... there are lots of others!!!

A name, or face or word may attract you.

I will thank you Tony, you are once again proved as a wise man but a modest one at that i salute you.
I like the idea of Tibetan sects, something about Tibet always attracted me i saw seven years in Tibet as a child and it gave me a warm feeling inside.
i will check out these different teachings and the group.
Sean

[Hermite]

I just watched your video, pie'n'eal, and logged back on here to say thank you. That was wonderful. When you said, "Stop it!" I started to cry. You really got to me with that.

:wub:

[Lisab]

A big thankyou from me too Tony. That video is wonderful! Made me feel all happy! Will watch again later.

[toothpick]

Great video Tony, loved it.
I concur with with all the above posts, thanks Tony, you obviously have a talent for helping people who are struggling a little bit.
It is much appreciated by many, and, for the likes of myself sorely needed.
Haven,t made much headway with meditating, but, I do not give up easily. What i do get from meditating is the 1/2 hr or so of good posture, good breathing and the absolute devine quietness and peacefullness that loveingly seem to smother this half hour and protect it for your thoughts. Biggest problem has got to be monkey brain, but, I do notice it getting better. The only other problem is my purr box Shadow who thinks she is a human, I swear, and so she has to be in the middle of everything. I honestly think she is advancincng ahead of me.

[Tarka the Duck]

Haven,t made much headway with meditating, but, I do not give up easily. What i do get from meditating is the 1/2 hr or so of good posture, good breathing and the absolute devine quietness and peacefullness that loveingly seem to smother this half hour

Well, that sounds pretty damn nifty to me!!

[Tony]

Well, if it's good enough for the cat....it must be right!
Cats are very discerning, and very attracted to meditators.

[Franny]

Well, if it's good enough for the cat....it must be right!
Cats are very discerning, and very attracted to meditators.

I have noticed that too. For years I have cats settle down in my lap as I sat to meditate.

[Tony]

When you get to the stage of boredom......you know you are on the right track!

E-QTWo7e9Hs

[Tony]

Short description in a prayer to show the six realms........ it wasn't just made up!

soH6v-iOr5o

[Ineffable Hitchhiker]

^This video is "private" .
You need to go into the cellar again Tony, re last video posted. :becky:

But thanks so much for the other one. :)





Funny you should mention this halo business...have you noticed that, behind all the paintings of bodies/heads of deities, there is are circles.
I once spoke to a lama about this and he said the circle around the body represents infinite possibilities.
I replied, "Aha! Stargate!"
He stared. I laughed.
I could read his mind...."One of us is mad..."

Tony

http://i56.tinypic.com/euil43.gif


Another possibility could be that those "rings" are auras.
I was at a talk once and distinctly saw a yellow "field" around the person.

[Tony]

^This video is "private" .
You need to go into the cellar again Tony, re last video posted. :becky:

But thanks so much for the other one. :)

I've 'ad a word with the moron who is responsible, and I have sorted it out...:o
It should run now!

[Curt]

I just watched your video, pie'n'eal, and logged back on here to say thank you. That was wonderful. When you said, "Stop it!" I started to cry. You really got to me with that.

:wub:

I agree. It got me, too.

Tony, keep up the good work, my friend. Thanks for everything.

[Tony]

Q. Why bother with all this logic, reasoning and practice?

A. At the moment of so-called death, it counteracts wishful thinking.

Death is a psychological event, meaning one of the mind. What we think happens after death will determine how we spend our lives. We are free to choose. So what are our choices?

1. We just die.
2. We go to heaven.
3. We remain ghosts.
4. We go to other dimensions.
5. We reincarnate.
6. Anything you wish.

All we have to do is choose one, and see how it feels. Does it help our purpose in life?

From a buddhist point of view, at death we are tossed around by the storm of karma, and have little control. So being able to recognise the different mental states is useful in recognising the mental projections. It's like being able to work within a dream state.

Using the repetition of logic, reasoning and practice helps to focus the mind, at times of great disturbance.

Q. How reliable is wishful thinking?

Wishful thinking is hoping to change the situation that we are in now = hope
Wanting to get away from what we are experiencing now = fear.
So we are being dominated by hope and fear.
These are two of the three poisons represented in the Wheel of Life by a cockerel and a pig..The third poison is ignorance (ignorance of our true nature), represented by a snake.

The only people I have heard of who can choose their incarnation, and leave letters detailing where they can be found are Tibetan tulkus = but there may well be others in other traditions.

[Tony]

The video starts after 9 minutes.
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[Tony]

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[nf857]

How about Pineal

' I am, all i ever was, all i ever am, all i ever could be' for simplicity. That which seeks to change this, is either a way of bringing us back to the past, making us aware of our now, or making us aware of our future that has been set out for us. I beleive in Destiny. I beleive thats what us humans dont realise, we are 'control' its how we choose to use 'ourselves' x

[Tony]

How about Pineal

' I am, all i ever was, all i ever am, all i ever could be' for simplicity. That which seeks to change this, is either a way of bringing us back to the past, making us aware of our now, or making us aware of our future that has been set out for us. I beleive in Destiny. I beleive thats what us humans dont realise, we are 'control' its how we choose to use 'ourselves' x

Dear nf,
You are right, we are the control, and it's how we choose to use 'ourselves'. Once we get a glimpse of reality, things seem to take care of themselves and us. Then all we do is see if the other chap or chapess needs a hands. Everyone need encouragement....."just keep swimming!...you'll get stronger!...it gets easier!"

Tony

[nf857]

Yes i agree, usually when we dont like a situation, we either try and run away, ignore it hoping it will got away, however there is a third option of tackling it head on, fight/flight adrenal gland, i have a faulty adrenal gland that either acts in fight/or flight, never a happy medium. Most of us choose the happy medium, ive learnt to take stock of a situation & realise i don't have to fight the situation or run-away from it, i just have to see it.


....."just keep swimming!...you'll get stronger!...it gets easier!"



Hi Tony, thanks for the reply, you make me laugh with above comment, you probably didn't intend to, but this caption reminded me of 'Dorey' the blue fish from 'Finding Nemo'- have you seen it? I must have seen the animation twenty times, one of my all time favoutite disney films, & still managed to make me chuckle if feeling a bit down lol

P.S 2nd vid very nice way of looking at death, natural death, is not painful, i don't think, its a very slow process, i think we stop realising its happening, whilst others around us think we are still there, we are gone in reality. I like to think so anyway. My grandad died a year and a half ago, i still grieve for him, however my mother took it the worse, she's says she feels guilty, as just before he went he looked at her as if to say, please help' Ive tried to explain to her that he would of not seen her anymore & the last thing he would have wanted is for her to feel guilty, he wanted to go, i knew he did from what he said to me, when i said to him you've always been strong, & fought your cancer, he said this time im not so sure, i knew it from that moment, it was my way of asking him if he wanted to leave, i just clasped his hand and squeezed it as if to give him permission to do so, that he had my blessing, he was suffering too much x