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It seems the difference between the two ideas is the extinction of conciousness in Buddhism because wherever there is consciousness (it teaches) there is suffering. Tagore, and the Hindus appear to teach that "Nirvana", if they use the term at all, is a continued consciousness, without any suffering. It's not ubnlike the way the Christian heaven is gradually morphing from a place where true believers can praise God at the tops of their voices to drown out the sounds of the atheists roasting in hell, into a place where the true believer's incorporeal mind can bob about in a state of perpetual bliss.
I'll opt for oblivion, myself. At least you know what you're getting.
The closest concept to this is wu wei or mindfulness, which rather than a permanent state of liberation from reincarnation, is usually a temporary state unless we learn to cultivate it.
Personally, I find this state preferable to trying to end one's immortal existence. Probably why I never became Buddhist, even though I liked many of the concepts.
I can't speak for Geofra but that not what I meant by flow. The kind of flow you linked is where you are so focused on a creative project that you become immersed in it. The kind of flow I was talking about is a complete lack of focus where things come at you with great intensity. It's probably some mild dissociative state.
Maybe we need a little perspective here. I have a pretty good relationship with 3 Theravadan Buddhist monks, and one day I asked them to talk with me about nibbana and enlightenment. They laughed and said that enlightenment was several lives down the road…and that was for the monks.
Maybe we need a little perspective here. I have a pretty good relationship with 3 Theravadan Buddhist monks, and one day I asked them to talk with me about nibbana and enlightenment. They laughed and said that enlightenment was several lives down the road…and that was for the monks.
That's the concensus doctrine today. In Buddha's time people became enlightened if Buddha farted. These days it is several rebirths of progress away.
Not unlike (it has to be noted) the Scientology "Clear". Originally guaranteed after a course of treatment, it became more and more a remote attainment as it increasingly failed to deliver. One is reminded of "The amazing disappearing God".
That's the concensus doctrine today. In Buddha's time people became enlightened if Buddha farted. These days it is several rebirths of progress away.
Not unlike (it has to be noted) the Scientology "Clear". Originally guaranteed after a course of treatment, it became more and more a remote attainment as it increasingly failed to deliver. One is reminded of "The amazing disappearing God".
I thought the one of the big things about Buddhism was that you shouldn't take anyone else's word/path/logic for things but figure it out on your own. How would you even know how many lifetimes you are on anyway? This could be the last. Although if your seeking to become enlightened it's doubtful you are close.
I thought the one of the big things about Buddhism was that you shouldn't take anyone else's word/path/logic for things but figure it out on your own. How would you even know how many lifetimes you are on anyway? This could be the last. Although if your seeking to become enlightened it's doubtful you are close.
Well, I would restate it. The point is to be aware of Buddha's "advice", then test it out, and if it is valid make it a part of your life.
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