(Prof. Jiang Xueqin) Civilization: The forbidden story of the Gnostic Jesus
Showing posts with label awakening. Show all posts
Showing posts with label awakening. Show all posts
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
All is burning: 'The Fire Sermon' (sutra)
The Buddha's FIRE SERMON: the speech that converted 1,000 wanderers
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| What is the "all" that is burning? |
In this guided breakdown of the Buddha’s Fire Sermon (Adittapariyaya Sutta), see exactly what’s burning, why “ALL is burning” became one of Buddhism’s most powerful teachings, and a 5-step method to stop being consumed by it, today.
DISCOVER
- How the Buddha converted 1,000 fire-worshippers with a single 20-minute speech
- The three psychological fires burning in our chest right now (and why they always find new fuel and never stop)
- The hidden follow-up teaching that challenges even clinging to the pursuit of “enlightenment”
- The 5-step method that extinguished suffering for 1,000 people simultaneously
- What the Buddha taught AFTER the Fire Sermon that made even enlightened beings question everything
- Master Buddhist meditation and mindfulness with the Buddha's original Fire Sermon teaching
- (Dhamma Talks at Dhammagiri) The greatest miracle of the Buddha (instruction): "The Fire Sermon" | Adittapariyaha Sutta
My house burned (commentary)
TIMESTAMPS
- 00:00 Scan the Fire
- 01:19 Find Our Fires — Craving • Rejection • Confusion
- 02:50 1,000 meditators, same burn — The Kassapa Setup (near Bodh Gaya)
- 04:11 All is burning — the Buddha’s Fire Sermon (SN 35.28)
- 07:27 Silence: 1,000 awaken — What liberation felt like
- 09:20 How to stop burning — the 5-Step Practice
- 11:01 Beyond the Fire
#Buddhism #FireSermon #Buddha #Mindfulness #Meditation #Enlightenment #Adittapariyaya #ThreePoisons #Craving #LettingGo #InnerPeace #Theravada
SOURCE
- Ādittapariyāya Sutta (SN 35.28) - original "Fire Sermon" text
Comment below: What Buddhist fire burns strongest: craving, hatred, or delusion? Practice Buddhist mindfulness together.
- Matt, Buddha's Wisdom, "The Fire Sermon," 9/2/25; Doug's Dharma; Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation) (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Me and My Shadow: looking young (Jung)
(Mindova) Why spiritually awakened people look younger than their age: Carl Jung
- Here "awakened" should not be conflated with Buddhist "enlightenment" (bodhi) since every spiritual tradition will have its own definition of what it is calling the peak realization, moksha, liberation. And even if they use the same words for it (like "nirvana"), it is not the same. For example, Hinduism and Buddhism are VERY different in all the subtle details, but in the West think they're just about identical with some name changes. There would be no need for Buddhism if it were saying what Hindus want to believe and hear. Another example is Jainism. Jains are much closer to Buddhists than Hindus, but they are still worlds apart. Both are wandering ascetic traditions, but Mahavira's insights and explanations did not hold up to the Buddha's scrutiny. Mahavira understood much, attained much, but did not become an arahant (enlightened one in the Buddhist sense of the word). That should show anyone that details matter, differences matter. We can all agree and hold hands and talk about our commonalities on our spiritual quest, but for goodness sakes we have to talk about the contrasts and differences to really benefit one another.
Saturday, June 6, 2026
We live in a CAVE? (Plato's allegory)
(Bluntgard) "Standup Philosopher" or "Bullsh*t Artist" (Mel Brooks' History of the World, Pt. 1
The allegory of the cave is presented by the Greek philosopher Plato in his work Republic (514a–520a, Book VII) to compare "the effect of education (παιδεία) and the lack of it on our nature."
They observe the shadows [images] projected onto the outer wall by objects carried behind the inner wall by people who are invisible to the chained "prisoners" and who walk along the inner wall with a fire behind them, creating the shadows on the outer wall in front of the shackled prisoners.
The only reality for the prisoners of the cave are those shadows and sounds, which are of course only inaccurate representations of the real world. The shadows represent distorted and blurred copies of reality we perceive through our senses, while the objects under the Sun represent the true forms of objects that we can only perceive through reason [or directly through refined intuition].
Socrates explains how a "philosopher" is like a prisoner now freed from the cave who comes to understand that the shadows on the wall are not the direct source of the images seen.
(After Skool) The profound meaning of Plato's allegory of the cave
The Allegory of the Cave
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| The unexamined life is not worth living. |
It is written as a dialogue between Plato's brother Glaucon and his mentor Socrates. It is narrated by Socrates. The allegory is presented after the analogy of the Sun (508b–509c) and the analogy of the divided line (509d–511e).
In the allegory, Plato describes people who have spent their whole lives chained by their necks and ankles in front of an inner wall [a screen] with a view of the empty outer wall of the cave.
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| Allegory of Fortune |
The "sign bearers" pronounce the names of the objects, the sounds of which are reflected near the shadows and are understood by the prisoners as if they were coming from the shadows themselves.
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| Allegory of Queen Elizabeth |
Three higher levels exist: (1) natural science; (2) deductive mathematics, geometry, and logic; and (3) the theory of forms.
(T&H) Shut up, Caveman Beatle George Harrison, or we will erase you.
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| Allegory of the Recognition |
A philosopher aims to understand and perceive the higher levels of reality. However, the other inmates of the cave do not even want to escape their chains or leave their prison, for they know no better life [1].
Socrates remarks that this allegory can be paired with previous writings, namely the analogy of the Sun and the analogy of the divided line. More
Is being awake hard, Jimbo?
- After Skool; Jim Carrey, George Harrison (T&H Inspiration and Motivation); Philosopher Mel Brooks; CC Liu, Pfc. Sandoval, Seth Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Troublesome Jim Carrey cloned, replaced?
Monday, February 23, 2026
Savior of Christianity: biblical Marcion
Marcion of Sinope (Ancient Greek Μαρκίων [2 Note 1] Σινώπης) lived circa 85–circ 160 [3]. He compiled the first New Testament Bible and was a theologian [4] in early Christianity [4, 5].
Marcion preached that God had sent Jesus, the Nazarene and Christ ("Anointed One"), who was distinct from the "vengeful" God Yahweh (the Demiurge) who had created the world [4, 5, 6] as a trap to enslave other beings.
Marcion considered himself a follower of Paul (Saul) the Apostle, whom he believed to have been the only true apostle of Jesus Christ.
His teaching or doctrine is now called Marcionism [4, 5, 7]. Marcion published the earliest record of a canon of New Testament books [4, 8] or what the Christian world regards as the Bible, exclusive of Jewish Old Testament Hebrew "Bible" (Tanakh), five books of which form the Torah, and Talmud (official interpretation). More
- VIDEO: The Antichrist explained: The prophecy of the false savior (Could it be a bumwipe like our favorite dictator, deceiver, pedophile, and all-around swell guy Trump?)
Monday, January 19, 2026
Eckhart Tolle: Why we suffer: Life is here to...
The real purpose of life | Eckhart Tolle
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| The Power of Now (Wiki) |
🌟 Find new meaning and purpose after personal crisis
🌟 Currently navigating a period of intense difficulty?
🌟 Unsure of what to do or which way to turn?
Never be irritated again!
Through six hours of carefully curated teachings and practices [that seem very Buddhist even though Tolle does not claim they are] with Eckhart, discover the unique potential for spiritual growth that presents itself during the dark night [of the soul].
Life tests us, does not make us happy
- Learn more: bit.ly/awakening-through-the-...
- Enjoy a FREE 10-day trial to Eckhart Tolle’s private membership community: members.eckharttolle.com/10-d...
- Eckhart Tolle, YouTube, Jan. 14, 2026; Kaliyani, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Friday, December 26, 2025
A Magic Mushroom Christmas: Tripping
Why we got it wrong: Fly Agaric 101: The Magical Mushroom (Amanita muscaria)
CONTENTS
- 0:00 - Intro
- 1:03 - The legend of Santa Claus and Amanita urine
- 2:21 - Mushroom hunt
- 2:52 - Mushroom time-lapses
- 2:42 - When are changes updated?
- 3:06 - Amanita and mycorrhizal associations
- 3:52 - Identification of Amanita muscaria.
- 5:17 - Amanita chemistry
- 6:20 - Decarboxylation
- 7:07 - What the mushroom does
- 8:11 - Conclusions
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| Amanita, Fliegenpilz (wiki) |
What is a safe dosage for first-time users? Are there risks or side effects associated with this mysterious entheogen. Guidance on preparing for an experience that is responsible use that understands the potential legal implications is also covered.
What is it, where does it come from?
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| Dude, it's totally grove if you prep set 'n setting |
This fascinating fungus has a rich history tied to nature and culture because it is known for its psychoactive properties.
How does it affect brain and body?
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| Aware Project: rethinking psychedelics |
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Where do thoughts come from?
Where do our thoughts come from? Buddhist Wisdom
This post explores Buddhism's unique perspective on the mind (stream of cittas, consciousness), revealing that our thoughts do not spring from a fixed "self" but rather from an intricate dance of interconnected supporting conditions. These are spelled out in the 12 causal links of Dependent Origination.
Discover the profound teachings of Dependent Origination and anatta ("not-self," that all things, while real, are impersonal, impermanent, and utterly incapable of fulfilling us, and are therefore quite illusory, maya) to unlock a surprising sense of freedom and a deeper understanding of who or what we truly are. This is an invitation to see our mind in a whole new light.
- 00:00 - The question behind the question (infinite regress)
- 01:28 - Who owns the thoughts?
- 06:59 - Thoughts arise from conditions
- 13:59 - THE ROOT - ignorance as the fuel
- 17:56 - When understanding brings freedom
Sunday, October 5, 2025
Friday, October 3, 2025
World Smile Day: A Path to Happiness
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| Buddhism's Seinfeld: funny Ajahn Brahm |
History of World Smile Day
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| Has this symbol always existed? |
Popularity for this symbol exploded into the world of popular culture. It’s every artists’ dream for their work to be respected and recreated and few symbols have had quite the legacy that Harvey’s creation has had. More: nationaltoday.com
Smiling animals brighten our day
If looking for something to brighten an otherwise dreary winter day, look no further than these adorable animals. Looking at their cheery grins will no doubt put a smile on the face that watches them, too. These smiling animals will brighten the day
Buddhism: There is no way to happiness. Why? Happiness is the way
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| I let go, surrendered, and blissed out on the mat. |
When at a Buddhist monastery or on a Buddhist retreat, it's not uncommon to ask, "How do I attain meditative absorption (jhana)?" Another word for it is "zen" or dhyana and dharana on a yoga retreat. But there's no answer. One is taught a technique but no way to achieve the thing one strives for. Why?
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| I have a theory. - What is it? - Do the GOOD. |
I went to the room of the greatest jhana teacher in the world, and I pressed him, "What's the secret?"
He didn't know what I meant, he said. He didn't even know what I was talking about, he claimed. Then I thought, he's given me an opening. Here's my chance. I better ask very carefully:
"How does one meditate...successfully? What I mean is, how does one attain absorption? How does one get to..." He looked at me like I was kidding and when he saw that I was not, as if by rote, he gave me the basic instructions:
- Sit up straight, but not too straight, relax, bring your attention under your nose to the breath, remain aware of each and every in-breath and out-breath that is happening. Don't do anything but give your undivided attention to that breath (composed of an in-portion and out-portion). Just that. [Then what? - Then nothing, just that. - No, but there has to be something more; it can't be just that. - Just do that (in addition to keeping silent, following the Eight Precepts, and always keeping the breath in mind except when asleep) and then report to me what happens during the daily interview sessions. Try it. It's very simple, but there's nothing easy about it. So keep at it.]
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| Bare awareness (mindfulness/sati) is a start. |
"Oh, that," he said. "I don't know that." I thought he was joking, a real effort to make an American-style joke, and I didn't know why he wasn't telling me. He knew I was sincere. He knew I had been striving all month long. Then I applied more pressure than probably anyone would ever dare to apply.
I wasn't leaving without an answer: "What do you mean you don't know? Who better than you? If you don't know, who could possibly know?"
Then he stunned me, as he often did with the directness of his insight and his willingness to share his knowledge with me? "I don't know because I do not read minds. People come to me. I give them the instructions. And some of them come tell me what is happening, and I guide them from there."
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| You asked him what?! Did he throw you out? |
"That I do not know. I just know they do. And when they do, I can help them, guide them to go deeper. But how they get to it in the first place, that I do not know." [These aren't exact quotes, just the gist of the conversation, which only lasted a few desperate minutes as I pushed and pushed.]
As he said this, I realized I had asked him this before, after sitting with him in Asia at his massive monastery, where it seemed everyone was succeeding and attaining. I asked him and pushed him a little on the matter with someone sitting by me to catch what I might be missing, two Americans sincerely wanting to experience what Buddhist texts write about, what the Buddha taught, what sutras say happens.
At that time he looked at us and perceiving our sincerity said one strange word, his guess as to what it was distilled down to ONE thing as if it could ever be just one thing distinguishing success from just sitting. That word was parami. She smiled next to me, but I grimaced, perplexed. "'Parami?' The Sanskrit word paramita?"
"Yes," he answered, but he was actually talking about the Pali (and therefore Theravada Buddhist) form of the word parami. In either case, it means "perfection," but the Sanskrit is a diluted Mahayana term of six factors, whereas the historical Buddha always taught TEN intentional actions (deeds, karma).
My teacher clarified. What he imagined (from what he heard from many of his successful students reporting to him) was that they remembered doing skillful deeds in the past, and he concluded that those past skillful deeds were coming to fruition as they sat. And that's why some succeeded and not others.
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| What kinds of questions are these? You are silly. |
(What I was really getting at was, WHAT ACTIONS CAN SOMEONE DO NOW OR WHILE ONE IS SITTING IN MEDITATION, ANXIOUS FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN, TO MAKE IT HAPPEN?)
That he didn't know, so I had to undertake a lifelong journey of trying to figure it out. Of course, it will have something to do with the Factors of Absorption (jhananga, "limbs of jhana"). Leigh Brasington figured this much out, having had the insight that happiness is the way:
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| Right Concentration: Practical Guide to the Jhanas |
Now it makes sense that what I had always been looking for was a carrot or apple in front of the horse (mule, donkey, jackass). I could only neigh in realizing it: THE GOAL is not this happiness because THIS HAPPINESS is the way to relaxing, letting go, unstriving, surrendering, unclutching, dropping hangups, persisting without grasping or clinging, shikantaza ("just sitting"), not setting up a goal and striving for it. Why? It's because those blissful states of meditation and their attendant stillness, mindfulness, and progress towards insight are NATURAL. They arise. We don't "do" them. We can't do them. We don't know how and do not have that power.
But if we relax and just watch with vigilance, stillness, steadiness, persistence, we are cultivating the Factors of Absorption and other factors of the 37 Requisites of Enlightenment, which are categorized into seven groupings.
- One is reminded of a very important thing the Buddha once explained to someone. When talking about the Bodhisatta, himself at the stage of still being a seeker of enlightenment, he once realized that he could neither strive too hard or be negligent. Doing either, he sank as if in a great ocean (samsara), but not striving and not being negligent, he made progress. What could this mean either than the Middle Way of avoiding extremes, of persisting but not pushing, of cultivating but not disturbing the peace or giving in to apathy, listlessness, or despair?
- Thai Forest Tradition arahant Ajahn Maha Boowa seems to be suggesting the same thing here (translated by the American intellect Ven. Thanissaro): "The tactics [techniques] given by each of the Buddhas to the world are called the Dhamma [Truth] of the doctrine. These aren't the genuine Dhamma. They're tactics [methods] — different offshoots — actions and modes displayed by the genuine Dhamma, means for letting go and striving, teaching us to let go, teaching us to strive using various methods, saying that the results will be like this or that. As for the genuine Dhamma of results in the principles of nature, that's something to be known exclusively in the heart of the person who practices. This Dhamma can't really be described correctly in line with its truth. We can only talk around it. And particularly with release [nirvana, liberation, freedom]: This can't be correctly described at all, because it's beyond all conventions and speculations. It can't be described. Even though we may know it with our full heart, we can't describe it. Like describing the flavor [of a soup using only words to someone who has yet to simply taste it]." From Things As They Are.
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| Smile, be happy. Don't overdo it; just let it be. |
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| Like that, Lisa, just like that. Hold it. |
What is the way to bodhi? The Seven Factors of Enlightenment. What is the way to those factors? The preceding factors of the 37 Requisites of Enlightenment. How does one do any factor? It's probably a good idea to be happy. How does one even begin to dream to do that? Smile.
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