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Is there such thing as a seeker?

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
The novice would be humble if he put his pride aside
This is an interesting one. Below I give you my thoughts about it:
Putting pride aside means pride is still there (it's parked somewhere aside, right?).
So, I would say "the novice ACTS humble", but I don't say "the novice IS humble". In reality there is still some pride parked somewhere

To illustrate this, I take the example of an Atheist:
Atheism can be defined as "lack of belief in God". IF there is belief in God, but he puts his belief in God aside, would you call that an Atheist?
Humbleness can be define as "lack of pride". IF there is pride, but he puts pride aside, would you call that humbleness?

BUT I do agree that this is an honorable act, which takes a lot of effort (to park one's pride aside)

he may see his teacher on the same level (not made a phrophet) while respecting the wisdom he receives.
2 questions:
IF you see yourself on the same level as Einstein (as a Mathematical Teacher), does that sound right to you?
IF not, why is it any different with a Prophet (a spiritual Teacher)?

IF yes, then you are a darn smart girl
 

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
“The true purpose [of Zen] is to see things as they are, to observe things as they are, and to let everything go as it goes
Is there such thing as a seeker?
This depends from our POV.

From Advaita POV only consciousness is real. Practise being the Witness/observer, like in Zen, gives this realization

From Dwaita (duality) POV there is a world full of maya with which we identify one way or another, including "a seeker"
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
There are a few well-known quotes I've read awhile back from the book Zen Mind Beginner's Mind about spirituality (in this case Dharmic practice) and being in the state of a beginner's mind:

“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few”

“The true purpose [of Zen] is to see things as they are, to observe things as they are, and to let everything go as it goes... Zen practice is to open up our small mind.”

“The goal of practice is always to keep our beginner’s mind.”

and so forth.

To all those who have a faith and grounded in it, do you believe you are still a seeker just as someone who is trying to find their religion or spiritual practice or do you not agree that to have a "Zen" mind one needs to have a beginner's mind also?

Can one be an expert and a novice at the same time?

Seeking a path? No.
Seeking God? Yes.
 

Salty Booger

Royal Crown Cola (RC)
Can one be an expert and a novice at the same time?
You are what you seek. It is that realization that concludes your search.

pexels-victor-miyata-1827215.jpg

Photo by Victor Miyata from Pexels
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
Don't you love word games?

How so?

Some religions value prophets and wiseman. They put them up high in comparison to novice. But a novice is considered a seeker and an expert is not. If the latter is wise, why not both be seekers?

There's a lot of books and religion on the nature of this topic.
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
Is there such thing as a seeker?
This depends from our POV.

From Advaita POV only consciousness is real. Practise being the Witness/observer, like in Zen, gives this realization

From Dwaita (duality) POV there is a world full of maya with which we identify one way or another, including "a seeker"

I don't understand. (Clarification) how does consciousness relate to the rest of the OP?
 

WalterTrull

Godfella
How so?

Some religions value prophets and wiseman. They put them up high in comparison to novice. But a novice is considered a seeker and an expert is not. If the latter is wise, why not both be seekers?

There's a lot of books and religion on the nature of this topic.
Like I said.:shrug:
 

WalterTrull

Godfella
You're talking vaguely. I can only get your tone and that causes miscommunication unless you're really trying to be sarcastic and That's your point?
Sorry if this came off sarcastic. Now that I re-read, I guess it does seem that way. So often in this forum we have our own meanings for words and belabor other's definitions. I guess I was commenting on that.
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
I don't understand. (Clarification) Do you mean one can be a novice and expert at the same time of seeking God, but not if they are seeking a path?

Can you explain the difference between the two?
I think the ability to seek God is on a continuum, from novice, to expert.
 

Brickjectivity

Turned to Stone. Now I stretch daily.
Staff member
Premium Member
To all those who have a faith and grounded in it, do you believe you are still a seeker just as someone who is trying to find their religion or spiritual practice or do you not agree that to have a "Zen" mind one needs to have a beginner's mind also?

Can one be an expert and a novice at the same time?
If you are continually lost in a maze, yes. You can get to know your maze very well without knowing how to get out of it.

It reminds me of the Labyrinth symbol, but I don't actually know the Labyrinth origins. I'm just saying it looks like it could be related to the concept. Here's what I know about it which is just that its obscure:

It is best to avoid internet comments about the Labyrinth and to pursue information only from scholarly resources such as journals. The internet is rife with ignorance about it and tosses out answers in order to get your clicks. It is an ancient symbol which is called 'The labyrinth' the meaning of which is obscured by Greek myth. I think it first appears in art from the Minoan civilization (an island wiped out by a huge wave of water). The Minoan civilization is an early competitor to the Greek one both in art, culture and probably politics. The Minoans are a foil in Greek myths, and its hard to know what Minoans think of their symbol. We have clues like the Greek fable of the Minotaur which seems to symbolize the Minoans who are generally portrayed as evil, silly or aggressive in Greek legend. Other cultures have other meanings for the Labyrinth but draw it approximately the same way. The symbol finds its way into many religious cultures either borrowed or recreated.
 

Clara Tea

Well-Known Member
do you believe you are still a seeker just as someone who is trying to find their religion or spiritual practice or do you not agree that to have a "Zen" mind one needs to have a beginner's mind also?

Can one be an expert and a novice at the same time?

A novice knows little, so must accept much in order to improve. An expert became an expert by accepting much, and almost certainly must continue to accept much.

Some believe that they know all, and that if they don't know something it is because it doesn't exist.

The mayor of Athens called Socrates an idiot. Socrates replied that he knows more than the mayor because he knows that he (Socrates) is an idiot, while the mayor does not know that he (mayor) is an idiot. Socrates believed that wisdom could be obtained by discussion. Apparently even Socrates continued to learn.
 
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