Jhanon's Blog

[Jhanon]

Why doesn't everyone crave nothingness? Am I really an isolated case?

[Jhanon]

There's no way out. Even the way out isn't a way out. Even the way out of the way out isn't the way out. Trapped.

[Jhanon]

We're trapped. There is no way out. It's just a trick, like the rest of it all. There is no way out. We are trapped.

[Jhanon]

There's no "free" anything. It all costs something. Even paying not to play costs everything.

[Jhanon]

Any move is the wrong move.

[Jhanon]

We live in a world where one isn't allowed to do nothing. It's slavery.

[Jhanon]

Why do they idolize those who do the most? What will they get for their efforts? The same as everyone else.

[Jhanananda]

It sounds like you are having a hard day today, Jhanon.  I often contemplate how hard it has been for me to be a dedicated contemplative, and how I depend heavily upon my technical skills, which most contemplatives do not have.  And, I wonder, like you, how can anyone lead a rigorous, disciplined, self-aware, contemplative life?  This is why I have emphasized community, because I believe with shared resources, and skills, a community of contemplatives could create an environment for the community as a whole to succeed at leading a fruitful contemplative life.

[Jhanon]

More like bad week, Jhananda. But, each day is getting a little better. I think I am going through some kind of dark night of drugs. In other words; it feels like I'm bombarded, internally, with all the downfalls of daily medicating. And of course I am aware of them. But they are tied into the mess of a civilization we call the earth. So many people. So much noise. So much pollution. So much rushing. It's the last one that has always brought me back to medicating. I am not fast enough at anything while I am absorbed to a satisfactory medicinal level in daily life.

I note your mention of creating a community. I have no wisdom to add at present. All I can say, is that I am trying to bring us all out of the closet and together. But it's not like we could throw a mystic pride parade. Lol! Can you imagine? Hahahaha

[Cal]

I hope our conversation was helpful, jhanon. I personally look to take benefit from them, even if it's hidden between the lines. Hope your day goes better today, buddy.

[Jhanon]

I'm feeling much better, thanks. Also thanks to "the Power of Now."

We've told pretty much ever "newbie" to read it since I began interacting on this thread. I want to find some way of making it even more accessible. We have links for free versions all over, but maybe they are not easy enough to find.

Jhananda, you don't think we should have all stream-enterers/once-returners read or re-read "The Power of Now"? I cannot count how many times it's helped me make progress on the path. Sure, it's popular, and incomplete as a whole teaching; but the Buddha's discourses aren't very specific, and I've found Eckhart's book to basically be a "practicing" guide for daily life.

[Jhanon]

There is useful teaching in there that I've not found anywhere else.

[Michel]

I'm feeling much better, thanks. Also thanks to "the Power of Now."

We've told pretty much ever "newbie" to read it since I began interacting on this thread. I want to find some way of making it even more accessible. We have links for free versions all over, but maybe they are not easy enough to find.

Jhananda, you don't think we should have all stream-enterers/once-returners read or re-read "The Power of Now"? I cannot count how many times it's helped me make progress on the path. Sure, it's popular, and incomplete as a whole teaching; but the Buddha's discourses aren't very specific, and I've found Eckhart's book to basically be a "practicing" guide for daily life.

A complete PDF version of Eckhart Tolle's book "The Power of Now" is available free here: http://www.mindwell.be/ebooks/thepowerofnow.pdf

I have all of his books, and I like to read odd passages from them from time to time.   A good companion to "The Power of Now" is his other book "Practicing The Power of Now." It's a good summary of his teachings as presented in "The Power of Now."

Available for free here: http://portalspiritual.com/ebook/Engleza/Eckhart%20Tolle%20-%20Practicing%20the%20Power%20of%20Now.pdf

The experience of reading these books has had a deep therapeutic effect on me. It keeps me sane in this mad world of ours. So it's good to reread them from time to time.

In reading his books one should bear in mind that Tolle's teachings have mostly to do with a partial treatment of 'Right Mindfulness' of the Noble Eightfold Path. He also has a unique approach to meditation. So his teachings are limited. Of course this is only my humble and imperfect opinion.

PS - Glad to see that you're out of the doldrums, Jhanon, thanks in part to Tolle's book.

[Jhanananda]

We could start a reading list.  I like to inspire people to read the Discourses of the Buddha, Teresa of Avila, and John of the Cross.  I recommend not to speed-read any of such material, but to read a page or 2 just prior to one's daily meditation sessions.

[Jhanon]

Well, I too, have and have read all of Eckhart's books. I've also tried to read numerous versions of St. Teresa, John, and am still working on the Buddha's discourses.

In terms of the book's ability to help facilitate Energetical openings and insight, I've found most to last to be;

Power of Now
Discourses of the Buddha
St. John
St. Teresa

Additionally, we don't often talk about strategies and ways to live the householder life while remaining saturated and absorbed. Eckhart's books go into great detail in this regard, especially considering it is modernized for our over-busy societies.