Enlightenment

I read the three practices

1. Silah
defined as "Good Conduct"
Reciprocating good for good.
I read on the "religeoustolerance.org" website, quote, "This is the Golden Rule" in Chritianity ...to do onto others as you would wish them do onto you. It is found in all major religeons." In Christianity it is found in the bible, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Matthew 22:39 and "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets." Matthew 7:12

Buddhism also has the principle of equality, "that all living entities are equal." I found similar doctrine in a book, Doctrines and Covenants, published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. "Let every man esteem his brother as himself" and in the bible, "for mean not that other men be eased and ye burdened. But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for your want, that there may be equality." 2 Corinthians 8:14

Another Buddhists principle is cultivating good. I love this!

2. Samadhi
Meditation that "helps maintain good conduct"
Siddhartha meditated upon how to relieve suffering. {Buddha before he was enlightened, was named Siddhartha} He meditated with a purpose, a question, that if answered, might relieve some suffering.

I believe the process of gaining enlightenment involves meditation.
It begins with wanting to know.
' I applied mine heart to know and to search and to seek out wisdom and the reason of things ..." {in bible Ecclesiastes 7:25}

Believers in Jesus Christ have a similar principle. They are admonished to meditate {ponder}
with a thought/question in mind.
When pondering upon a principle, the Spirit can unfold it's reasoning to our understanding. We can leaen the purpose of the principle, it's benefits.
"I have more understanding than all my teachers for thy testimonies are my meditation."
{ in bible Psalms 119:99 }
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth but thou shalt meditate therein day and night , that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein, for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success."
"And while we meditated upon these things, the Lord touched the eyes of our understanding and they were opened..." {Doctrines and Covenants 76:19}
"My meditation of Him shall be sweet, I will be glad in the Lord." {in bible Psalms 104:34
"Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation."

"Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." {in bible 2 Timothy 3:7} That is because they are unbelievers in the truth or ignorant as to where to find it.


"I say unto you that you must study it out in your mind, then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom {heart} shall burn {feel warm} within you, therefore you shall feel that it is right." {Doctrine and Covenants 9:8}

3. Prajna
It is defined as Discernment, insight, ENLIGHTENMENT
"Wisdom will emerge if your mind is pure and clean"

After meditating {pondering}, believers in Christ are admonished to pray for enlightenment.

"Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see and his ears opened that he may hear." {Doctrines and Covenants 136:32}
"I will impart unto you of my Spirit which shall ENLIGHTEN your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy." {Doctrines and Covenants 11:13}
"...That body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things." {Doctrine and Covenants 88:67}

"He that asketh in Spirit shall receive in Spirit." {Doctrine and Covenants 46:28}
Enlightenment is received from the Holy Spirit to our spirit, Spirit to spirit. It is Spirit to spirit communication for revelation.

""And by the power of the Holy Ghost you may know the truth of all things." {Another Testement of Jesus Christ, Moroni 10:5}
"Behold, I say unto you they, {the doctrines} are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God, Behold I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself and now I do know of myself they {the doctrines} are true for the Lord God hath made them {the doctrines} manifest unto me by His Holy Spirit and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me." { Another Testement of Jesus Christ, Alma 5:46
"If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things, that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal." {Doctrine and Covenants 42:61

You can DISCERN the truthfulness of a doctrine or principle with the Holy Spirit.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally..."
{bible, James 1:5}
"Come unto me... and I will show unto you the greater things, the knowledge which is hid up because of unbelief." { Another Testement of Jesus Christ, Ether 4:13 }
"O how great the holiness of our God, for He knoweth all things and there is not anything save He knows it."
{in Another Testament of Jesus Christ, 2 Nephi 9:20} and "Great is our Lord,... His understanding is infinite" {in bible Psalms 147.5}

It's good to ponder after you pray because sometimes enlightenment may receive a busy signal if you are busy, distracted doing things or thinking of other things. It's like a phone call. Enlightenment is calling but you are not receiving because you aren't meditating.

I agree that calmness is helpfull to pondering also a calm spirit and a pure mind and heart.

The history of Siddhartha tells the story of Siddhartha leaving a life of luxury, seeing people suffering and being tempted by "the evil one". Siddhartha experienced 3 temptations:

1. Fear
the "evil one" tempted him with armies of demons and storms to fear

2. Lust
tempted him with three women to lust

3. Pride
tempting his ego

This reminded me of Jesus' resisting "the evil one's " 3 temptations in the desert.

"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wildreness to be tempted of the devil. When He had fasted forty days and nights, He was afterward hungered.

1. Hunger
When the tempter came to Him, he said "If thou be the son of God, command that these stones be made bread." But He {Jesus} answered and said, "It is written, man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

2. Pride
Then the devil {evil one} taketh Him up into the city and setteth Him on a pinnacle of the temple and saith unto Him "If thou be the son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written he shall give His angels charge concerning thee and in their hands they shall bear thee up lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone." Jesus said unto him, "It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

3. Greed
Again the devil taketh Him up into a exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them and saith unto Him, "All these things will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me." Then Jesus saith unto him "Get thee hence, Satan, for it is written Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve." { bible Matthew 4:1}

Then the devil leaveth Him and behold angels came and ministered unto Him."

Jesus also didn't live in luxury. He said "sell whatsoever thou hast and give to the poor."

Eventually Siddhartha meditated upon human suffering.

Jesus also wanted to relieve human suffering. A part of His mission was to heal the broken hearted {bible Luke 4:18}

Having a pure mind can protect us when tempted as well as help us to receive enlightenment. Sanctifying {cleansing, washing away "bad conduct"} can help purify the mind. Having good thoughts by desiring good and doing good.

Ponder was not the term I should have used. I should have looked up the word in the dictionary first to see if it had the same definition.
Dictionary.com definition "To weigh in the mind with thoroughness and care, to reflect and consider with thoroughness and care."

My understanding of Siddhartha's experience was that he thought about suffering while in a meditative state. Therefore he was thinking of it, reflecting upon it.

I read the story on a website entitled "An introduction to Buddhism"
www.ship.edu/`cgboeree/buddhaintro.html
while looking at the titles of websites that I found through Google. I saw that this site offered a history and I like knowing the history or origins of things so I went to that.

My apologies if I misunderstood Siddhartha's experience that caused enlightenment.
Perhapps that version of his history was wasn't detailed enough because it was just an introduction.
Please accept my apology. It is sincere.

No apology necessary.

Shakyamuni (Siddhartha) doesn't explain his specific thought processes while meditating. Beyond that, in meditation, we are taught not to continue thinking, but to work to still the monkey mind and find what is beyond that. This takes a while, as it isn't something you can do, but something you must be. This is a tough concept for people raised in western modes of thought.

If the subject interests you, I would recommend that you continue your research. There are fascinating insights available, even if you have no intention of practicing Buddhism directly.

Another point regarding meditation; the Catholic Church uses the words meditation and contemplation, but their usage i generally the reverse of the Buddhist community's use. For the Catholic Church, meditation means to think deeply on a subject, and contemplation to still the mind. This may also confuse folks coming to Buddhism from some of the Christian traditions.

I want to correct a typo that was in a quote. The typo gives the opposite impression of what the true quote is saying.

I will repeat the paragraph with the sentence in it that was in the post "enlightenment" with the appropriate correction.

"Buddhism also has the principle of equality, "That all living entities are equal". I found a similar doctrine in a book, Doctrines and Covenants, published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. "Let evry man esteem his brother as himself" and in the bible, {the following sentence has been coorrected}, "For I mean not that other men be eased and ye burdened, but by an EQUALITY, that now at this time YOUR ABUNDANCE MAY BE A SUPPLY FOR THEIR WANT, that THEIR ABUNDANCE ALSO MAY BE A SUPPLY FOR YOUR WANT, that there may be an EQUALITY."
2 Corinthians 8:13-14

I wish that I could remove the word ponder in the post but I do not know how to do it. If a moderator knows how to just remove that word, that would be good. I don't want to attempt it because I do not want to accidently remove the whole post. I wouldn't want that to happen.

I appreciate the tolerance that I has been exhibited by some people in this room.

God is love said:

I wish that I could remove the word ponder in the post but I do not know how to do it. If a moderator knows how to just remove that word, that would be good. I don't want to attempt it because I do not want to accidently remove the whole post. I wouldn't want that to happen.

I appreciate the tolerance that I has been exhibited by some people in this room.

Click to expand...

There is "ponder" in the last paragraph, and "pondering" in the last sentence. If I remove just one of those words, then either sentence doesn't parse. Do you have something you would rather have in place of "ponder"?

I see the benefit of removing the clutter of the mind, the disturbing or negative thoughts. It's sort of like Spring cleaning the mind. Conquering the bad thoughts gives us more contol over our mind and promoting the good thoughts gives us more peace of mind or calmness.

If yoga or the practce of meditation which has been defined as "nonthinking or focusing on nothing for awhile" clears the mind of negative, {self defeating thoughts} then it has that benefit. It would help to produce calmness.

After clearing the mind of that which is disturbing, which yoga or meditation may help to do, I would want to put a good thought in. That may help to keep the peace of mind after the meditation exercise is over. Since we can't constantly be in a state of meditation because of what we have to do in this life, thinking upon a positive thought may prevent a negative one coming in that disturbs the peace again.

I would think about something I want to understand to be receptive to wisdom comming in. After the mind is clear, the mind is able to process better, think better.

Thank you for letting me share this with you.

I forgot to mention that

I read these are the factors of enlightenment

1. Concentration defined as undivided attention

2. Tranquility

3. Equanimity defined as steadiness of mind, composure, calmness

4. Investigation

5. Mindfulness defined as awareness

6. Energy

7. Rapture

If meditaion releases stress and that produces tranquility then
tranquility produces equanimity, calmness.

I am curious as to what the ivestigative part is and the mindfulness or awareness part is as well as energy and rapture because what I read does not explain how that relates to enlightenment.

Investigation sounds like what Sidhartha did. He investigated a particuular subject, thought or focused upon it. Through a process that is unknown {I was told} but I thought similar to what I described at the beginning of this thread, my first post.

Curious

G.I.L. -

The object of meditation is not to clear the decks as it were for more thought, but to clear them so as to be able to awaken to that which is beyond thought. I can't explain it much better than that; it almost has to be experienced. I have touched this once or twice; I work to make this happen more often and more consistently through my different meditations.

Mindfulness or awareness is the opposite of forgetfulness and apathy. Nothing is overlooked, ignored, or forgotten. Investigation, to me, is almost a part of this; without it, I would be unmindful of many things (not that I am totally mindful at this point, by any stretch of the imagination). Energy, I believe, is a side effect of correct meditation and practice. Rapture would not be theChristian sense of the word, but a deep and abiding joy and happiness at life in toto.

Engyo said:

G.I.L. -
The object of meditation is not to clear the decks as it were for more thought, but to clear them so as to be able to awaken to that which is beyond thought. I can't explain it much better than that; it almost has to be experienced. I have touched this once or twice; I work to make this happen more often and more consistently through my different meditations.

Click to expand...

In Chinese, Korean and Japanese languages it is referred to as Heart-Mind. Both at once. One concept. I believe This to be the core of the being and refers to what most westerners would consider the intuitive mind. It could be called the soul.

I think of it as the intuitive core/Heart-Mind. As Engyo has stated it is too difficult to put into words. Following it is to follow the direction that flows from your core.

Having been a meditator for over thirty years, I agree with Engyo (and Snalespace) here. The object of meditation is to touch the source of your Self. You start this process with meditations that begin when thought gets turned off. Only by standing back from the incessant chatterbox, does the view become clear. Engyo is spot on on this, as I would expect. Eventually one perceives reality in a very different, unalterable way.

I have never considered "contemplation" to be "meditation". Not the same thing at all, and never will be. The simple fact is that thinking of these things only takes one so far. The proof of the pudding, is in the eating. There is no lost or hidden technique that allows the adept to "think" their way to enlightenment.

God is love said:

1. Concentration defined as undivided attention
2. Tranquility
3. Equanimity defined as steadiness of mind, composure, calmness
4. Investigation
5. Mindfulness defined as awareness
6. Energy
7. Rapture

If meditaion releases stress and that produces tranquility then
tranquility produces equanimity, calmness.

Click to expand...

How can I put this without coming off like a space case? Knowing those words and understanding what compels one to use those descriptions are two radically different things. If you are serious in uncovering the mystery, I have a bit of advice. My advice is that you suspend your ideas about enlightenment. Having preconceived notions about what it is like will simply hold you back. Enlightenment will never be what you "think" it is. The conscious mind has no idea, but it is a prize that is worth the effort.

Have faith in your own inner nature and let the "Real Dream" come on its own. You cannot do anything to hasten the process. It is a matter of perception, NOT what one "thinks". Meditation is more like focusing a lens, than abstracted thinking.

God is love said:

It's good to ponder after you pray because sometimes enlightenment may receive a busy signal if you are busy, distracted doing things or thinking of other things. It's like a phone call. Enlightenment is calling but you are not receiving because you aren't meditating.

Click to expand...

Maybe it is just me, but I do not feel a need for prayer. I already think quite enough, so sitting in reverie is what I reserve for my artistic nature and I let my imagination take me where it pleases. Rewarding, yes, very much so, but it is not authentic meditation.

It may sound like I am splitting hairs, but to me, there is an important difference. I am willing to concede I could be wrong, although I very much doubt it.

YmirGF said:

Having been a meditator for over thirty years, I agree with Engyo (and Snalespace) here. The object of meditation is to touch the source of your Self. You start this process with meditations that begin when thought gets turned off. Only by standing back from the incessant chatterbox, does the view become clear. Engyo is spot on on this, as I would expect. Eventually one perceives reality in a very different, unalterable way.

Click to expand...

This is the key to any revelation. Turn off your self (please note seperation of the words) .

I have never considered "contemplation" to be "meditation". Not the same thing at all, and never will be. The simple fact is that thinking of these things only takes one so far. The proof of the pudding, is in the eating. There is no lost or hidden technique that allows the adept to "think" their way to enlightenment.

Click to expand...

Again, spot on. Thinking is the path away from enlightenment. Reasoning is the perception of reality. Perceiving is relative and therefore completely subjective to the individual.

How can I put this without coming off like a space case?

Click to expand...

It's impossible. I've tried many times. I don't bother hiding it anymore and just include the adjective in my name

Have faith in your own inner nature and let the "Real Dream" come on its own. You cannot do anything to hasten the process. It is a matter of perception, NOT what one "thinks". Meditation is more like focusing a lens, than abstracted thinking.

Maybe it is just me, but I do not feel a need for prayer. I already think quite enough, so sitting in reverie is what I reserve for my artistic nature and I let my imagination take me where it pleases. Rewarding, yes, very much so, but it is not authentic meditation.

Click to expand...

It is important to resolve imagination with intuition, but I feel all around, you are very correct.