And after all of that, you still get to go chop wood and carry water.
The cosmic joke continues!
Conversation
I would like to conclude this by saying that this is not "the blueprint", or the only way to have an awakening. It's just one of the ways.
There are lots of other ways it can be done.
1
1
Having a long standing, formal spiritual practice like meditation does make you more prepared and more likely to have an awakening.
But I also know people who've had various awakenings through:
- psychedelics
- tantric practices
- reading a profound book
- help of a guru
Etc.
1
3
Having a framework does seem to be helpful for doing the work, otherwise the "I am insane" period post-awakening can last longer and be more damaging.
It also seems that dissolving the framework is a good idea after the work is done, so it doesn't turn into dogma.
4
1
6
Replying to
Don't forget the "I am insane" period *before* awakening. Without a map, it's really easy to get stuck there. Potentially for the rest of your life.
1
1
3
How's your experience of dissolving the framework been?
I can't even bring myself to respect any framework to begin with, so I wouldn't even know where to start... I'm sure it's easy to slip into when the results come, though - judging by every enlightened person I know.
2
Replying to
Really good point about the "I am insane" period before awakening. The potential to get lost there if going without a map is maybe even greater than post-awakening, because there is less clarity and one is more prone to delusion.
2
1
And the potential for delusion doesn't stop post awakening! Someone with a sense of authority can easily get stuck in their own bullshit, as is evident by the plethora of ego trips / abuse stories among gurus.
2
1
Replying to
If anything, if you were an abusive prick before you got enlightened you'll probably be a *worse* abusive prick after, as your last sense of attachment to propriety fades away...
1
3
Replying to
Yeah, that seems to be exactly the case. Personality defects (and also harmless quirks and eccentricities) seem to become more pronounced post awakening.
2
Replying to
Yup. Turns out I have a big, unresolved anger problem, for example. I used to be good at suppressing it, which was its own kind of bad, but now I can't really do it anymore - and I'm not even finished yet!
Replying to
Have you tried finding healthier outlets for it? Videogames, for example. Letting the angry monkey be an angry monkey and tire itself out.
1
Replying to
Your conception of my anger is a few degrees too soft, I think.
I play a lot of games. Competitive ones. It's a thrill to compete, but it is nowhere close to depleting my anger on bad days.
1
Show replies