Where my life has been spiritually

[Buddha Dharma]

In my hiatus from RF, I've been contemplating, studying, and trying to put things into perspective. Some of you will recall that I found myself hung in Buddhism, which prompted me to expound my horizons.

In the time I've been away I've gradually come into Vedantic practice. Because Anatta had come to be a hard concept for me in Buddhism- I knew I'd have to try something differerent to advance any further in Dharma practice.

I started reading the works of Sri Ramanuja. I've spent time in reflection and meditation. Then finally, I reached a new level of insight after lots of self-examination. What I reached seems to put the Buddha into better context as well.

I came to realize that realization as Brahman, or the Unconstructed as the Buddha called it- is really the only refuge one has left. Once one comes to see identifying with Samsara/temporal things as dissatisfactory and even painful.

This took me beyond practice for it's own sake, and I realized I actually need to be practicing so I can come into the realization of being Brahman at the core of being. I need this because having seen that the constructed passes away, as the Buddha also understood- I find that my only refuge and relief from seeing this is Brahman.

That's what I meant by I think I now understand the Buddha better than I did before too. The Buddha reached the conclusion that identifying oneself with temporary things is dissatisfactory. To know that they are temporal is suffering, and one finds the Unconstructed the only refuge left.

I find this presently in my journey to be the fundamental truth of both the Buddha's teachings and the Upanishads.

I am now practicing so that I might realize Brahman, and detach from seeing Samsara as anything to ground self in. I am taking the approach of Sri Ramanuja and Bhedabheda- since opening myself to that practice got me past my hurdle.

Since I don't find that the Buddha's teachings ultimately have a different aim than Vedanta- I am content to maintain the Buddha as guru. I think I understand him better now. He first brought me to the Dharma and setting down this path, so in a sense- he must always be my guru.

I just wanted to share what I've been doing to further my spiritual life and practice, and that I have returned with deepened insight I believe about the Dharma.

I look forward to talking with all of you again

 

[Dawnofhope]

In my hiatus from RF, I've been contemplating, studying, and trying to put things into perspective. Some of you will recall that I found myself hung in Buddhism, which prompted me to expound my horizons.

In the time I've been away I've gradually come into Vedantic practice. Because Anatta had come to be a hard concept for me in Buddhism- I knew I'd have to try something differerent to advance any further in Dharma practice.

I started reading the works of Sri Ramanuja. I've spent time in reflection and meditation. Then finally, I reached a new level of insight after lots of self-examination. What I reached seems to put the Buddha into better context as well.

I came to realize that realization as Brahman, or the Unconstructed as the Buddha called it- is really the only refuge one has left. Once one comes to see identifying with Samsara/temporal things as dissatisfactory and even painful.

This took me beyond practice for it's own sake, and I realized I actually need to be practicing so I can come into the realization of being Brahman at the core of being. I need this because having seen that the constructed passes away, as the Buddha also understood- I find that my only refuge and relief from seeing this is Brahman.

That's what I meant by I think I now understand the Buddha better than I did before too. The Buddha reached the conclusion that identifying oneself with temporary things is dissatisfactory. To know that they are temporal is suffering, and one finds the Unconstructed the only refuge left.

I find this presently in my journey to be the fundamental truth of both the Buddha's teachings and the Upanishads.

I am now practicing so that I might realize Brahman, and detach from seeing Samsara as anything to ground self in. I am taking the approach of Sri Ramanuja and Bhedabheda- since opening myself to that practice got me past my hurdle.

Since I don't find that the Buddha's teachings ultimately have a different aim than Vedanta- I am content to maintain the Buddha as guru. I think I understand him better now. He first brought me to the Dharma and setting down this path, so in a sense- he must always be my guru.

I just wanted to share what I've been doing to further my spiritual life and practice, and that I have returned with deepened insight I believe about the Dharma.

I look forward to talking with all of you again

Welcome back.

Sounds like you have a much closer connection with Buddha who for me is a Manifestation of an unknowable essence some refer to as God. Sounds like a positive step along the right path for you.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

In my hiatus from RF, I've been contemplating, studying, and trying to put things into perspective. Some of you will recall that I found myself hung in Buddhism, which prompted me to expound my horizons.

In the time I've been away I've gradually come into Vedantic practice. Because Anatta had come to be a hard concept for me in Buddhism- I knew I'd have to try something differerent to advance any further in Dharma practice.

I started reading the works of Sri Ramanuja. I've spent time in reflection and meditation. Then finally, I reached a new level of insight after lots of self-examination. What I reached seems to put the Buddha into better context as well.

I came to realize that realization as Brahman, or the Unconstructed as the Buddha called it- is really the only refuge one has left. Once one comes to see identifying with Samsara/temporal things as dissatisfactory and even painful.

This took me beyond practice for it's own sake, and I realized I actually need to be practicing so I can come into the realization of being Brahman at the core of being. I need this because having seen that the constructed passes away, as the Buddha also understood- I find that my only refuge and relief from seeing this is Brahman.

That's what I meant by I think I now understand the Buddha better than I did before too. The Buddha reached the conclusion that identifying oneself with temporary things is dissatisfactory. To know that they are temporal is suffering, and one finds the Unconstructed the only refuge left.

I find this presently in my journey to be the fundamental truth of both the Buddha's teachings and the Upanishads.

I am now practicing so that I might realize Brahman, and detach from seeing Samsara as anything to ground self in. I am taking the approach of Sri Ramanuja and Bhedabheda- since opening myself to that practice got me past my hurdle.

Since I don't find that the Buddha's teachings ultimately have a different aim than Vedanta- I am content to maintain the Buddha as guru. I think I understand him better now. He first brought me to the Dharma and setting down this path, so in a sense- he must always be my guru.

I just wanted to share what I've been doing to further my spiritual life and practice, and that I have returned with deepened insight I believe about the Dharma.

I look forward to talking with all of you again

Welcome back. It's always good to do self reflecting especially without RF being in the background. I would find it kinda confusing following the Dharma of both Buddhism and Hinduism but if you can figure it out, sounds like your nitch.

 

[danieldemol]

Welcome back to RF