In some phrasings this is made explicit by making them a subtler and subtler concept until in the end it's something like: "Buddha" means reality "Dharma" means reality "Sangha" means reality
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Replying to @Buddh_ish @made_in_cosmos and
I once offered a version to a very straight-edged secular friend: To take refuge in.... "Buddha" = Awake - ness "Dharma" = Aligned - ness "Sangha" = Relating
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Replying to @Timber_22 @Buddh_ish and
So for that person, they were taking refuge in their human potential for Awake - ness; in being Aligned with how things are for humans; and in Relating to others from that basis, which gives rise to compassion and to kindness.
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Replying to @Timber_22 @Buddh_ish and
Okay but I still wonder: if the goal is to take a deep plunge into reality unguarded by any ideas or concepts, why put these concepts there in the first place? Why not just focus on dismantling what’s untrue until only truth remains?
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Replying to @made_in_cosmos @Timber_22 and
Two reasons come to mind for me: motivation and blind-spots. First, doing it "all on your own" is hard to maintain when it gets rough; helps to have a sign pointing the way. Second, it's possible to have huge gaps, and having an inclusive structure can help you stay inclusive.
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Replying to @Buddh_ish @Timber_22 and
1. Ask yourself what is true 2. Write it down 3. Repeat until you know Can’t think of any more inclusive structure that that. No concepts whatsoever necessary.
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Replying to @made_in_cosmos @Buddh_ish and
That's a genuinely great structure. That sounds like a practice I would like to work with.
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Replying to @Timber_22 @Buddh_ish and
It’s incredibly powerful and the only requirement is that you’re honest with yourself. Even better when you have friends further down that path who can shine light on what you’re actively trying not to see.
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Replying to @made_in_cosmos @Timber_22 and
Those friends on the path are the sangha that Buddhists take refuge in, fwiw!
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Replying to @Buddh_ish @made_in_cosmos and
One of the things that I'd like to emphasize is how *social* Buddhism is and always been. Odd for a tradition that is all about sitting quietly in the forest or a room or a cave until something profound happens
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Sitting quietly in the forest or a cave have been some of the most deeply meaningful social experiences I've had. No words necessary. Even when others are absent and I'm physically alone, an intricately interwoven intimacy is present, so I share it to the best of my ability. 
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