🧡 If you find benefit in my videos, consider supporting the channel by joining us on Patreon and get fun extras like exclusive videos, ad-free audio-only versions, and extensive show notes: www.patreon.com/dougsseculardharma 🙂 📙 You can find my new book here: books2read.com/buddhisthandbook
Great video as always Doug. One thing I've found in my practice is the simple wisdom of a zen saying: "Before Enlightenment chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment chop wood, carry water". That's it. By looking at enlightenment we become attached to that ideal, when, like you said the thing that matters is this breath, and the next breath.
Wise words, as always, Doug. Perhaps the words like 'enlightenment', 'nirvana' etc are part of the issue here - like shiny jewels that we crave or covet. It's a shame that words like 'being on the right path' don't immediately offer the same shiny appeal, although they sum things up rather well I think.
Suzuki summarises it well in his Dogen approach. If we become attached to the idea of enlightenment we see our zazen as instrumental. Instead, see it as an end in itself and find our own peace here and now with the current and next breath as you so wisely said. Thank you.
The destination IS important.....Make no mistake. And...Journey is also equally important. Both ends serve the total purpose. It is possible to try to Balance both. Easy to say...hard to do. To focus on only the one aspect...and lose sight of the other aspect...can certainly be frustrating. Balance is certainly helpful to try and implement both ends. A global perspective is helpful...and remembering the Journey is also the Journey. My mantra to prevent me from losing my focus and my mind...Breathe...Breathe Deeply...Breathe Often. And then...Off we go on our Way.
Hey Doug, I’ve been following you a while on a separate account. I felt like leaving a comment today because this video really resonates with me and my current situation. Mediation/Buddhism has categorically changed the way I view myself, others, and the world around me. However, Truth be told, I’ve noticed myself sort of drifting away from the practice recently (over the holidays). I skipped more mediation sessions than I would like to admit and have been engaging in less than advantageous behaviors (drinking, staying up late, instant gratification, desirous actions, etc). I’m really feeling down/guilty about it. This video is a reminder that it’s not always going to be sunshine and rainbows and I am going to stumble from time to time. The important thing to remember is that that’s okay, but we have to get back up on the horse when we fall. That can be hard to do but today I meditated again and plan on re-establishing a daily routine/ learning more about the dharma. Thank you, Doug.
Thanks Tim and you're spot on there. Perfectionism can be a very brittle road. What matters most is consistency over long periods of time, not getting every little thing perfect.
I used to be like that bud, and the book Be Here Now really helped me- one quote in particular- “a man is not his desires” or “you are not your desires” it really helped me hopefully it helps you too
This is what attracted me to Buddhism and it isn't even about enlightenment. It is about a philosophy of life. It goes along with something else I find very useful, The Serenity Prayer. This approach of just focusing on the next step is very helpful in dealing with life in general. When I run across a negative person that seems to always being saying I can't do this and I can't do that, my advice is simple. Start by making your bed.
That’s exactly why I like the Zen approach so much. There’s no goal in the Soto-Zen tradition. The very practice itself is already the „goal“. Sitting Zazen is all there is. Wether we see it or not. Not that I’ve seen anything. But leaving all goals, perceptions, gains and losses behind and eventually leaving myself or the perception I have about myself behind is Zazen. Just sitting.
This comes at the right time to me. I want to get enlightened in this life, but I struggle with meditation quite a bit. I had some really motivating experiences but I cannot repeat these states/phenomena.
I was glad to hear you mention having an "inkling" of what nibbana feels like. When I catch an unwholesome action arising and prevent it from coming about, I get that feeling which helps me to continue along the path. And if the unwholesome action has already started and I can catch it before it becomes full blown dukkha, I get that same feeling. For a short time, there is a sense of liberation, of peace.
Sesame Street Theme: "Sunny Day Sweepin' the clouds away On my way to where the air is sweet Can you tell me how to get? How to get to Sesame Street?" Doug's message here to not forget to notice the Sunny Dharma, sweeping the clouds away ON YOUR WAY TO enlightenment.... Same vibe. Sesame Street is never our destination. It is the lessons we learn along the way.
Another way of letting go of the search for enlightenment (and thus possibly achieveing it) is accepting that this life time probably won't be your last, and that's ok, maybe next time you'll get it because you'll have already gotten as far as you did in this one ☺️
I think this video is a nice balance to another video you made about whether enlightenment with remains is possible, and I still use something you said in that video as a motivator: "We may never reach enlightenment, but we can get close." (Roughly paraphrasing). Thanks for the video!
Hi Doug, I just want to compliment you on your videos. They are well-prepared, clear, and useful. I especially like how you avoid putting your own ego into the presentation. I hope you keep up the excellent work and know that it is worth the trouble.
Very good video.My practice started with high minded goals which i cannot achieve because of my conditioning.As a monk once said,if you cannot practice the five precepts,start with one or two.
Great video, and timely given what I was just reading. As a person who is dedicated to cultivating the path while also coming from a thoroughly secular worldview, I've often wondered what nibbana really is and if it is even attainable. I think you're right, that in focusing on this too much I've noticed that I've also neglected other aspects of the path: like cultivating wisdom, and compassion. Are you familiar with the writings of Amod Lele? He's the author of the LoveofAllWisdom blog and has a lot of thought-provoking commentaries on various buddhist (and non-buddhist) subjects. Your points here remind me of his writings about a more "kammatic" (his words) approach to Buddhism, in which he argues that nirvana isn't the only valuable goal in life, and that there are meaningful goals in worldly life even if they are characterized by dukkha. I think investigating this distinction is especially important in our time when there are growing movements of "Engaged Buddhism" that place less emphasis on nibbana and internal sources of dukkha in favor of addressing the external (such as societal and political) ones. I think that there's great value in approaching buddhism in a way that places a bit more focus on the path itself, rather than the end goal - especially for beginners. Wouldn't want to miss the trees for the forest.
Hi Doug! The only time I feel like I am making meaningful spiritual progress as when I am helping others. I feel like my training has taught me that all of my practices support this purpose. Thanks again for all your wonderful insight!
@@DougsDharma for those only interested in enlightenment, I would suggest giving them the instructions from Zen Buddhism. Do you know what a Koan is? Let them try to answer that question.
Thanks so much Doug, really. This video came at the right time whilst I was doing stretches. I have thoughts and feelings everydya about what if I'm doing is right or not, what is better or worse, what choices to make. Especially when enlightenment and the path is involved. I don't fully believe in enlightenment, yet I can't help but feel pressure to try to achieve it regardless. It becomes this confusing mess, especially with my interests in other forms of mysticism, spirituality, religion, albeit I am far more into the Buddha's teachings than the rest. I have heard and experienced that its probably better not to jumble them up but, I'm afraid of missing out on any sort of truth that just might be in them. Sorry for the blog post, but I just felt like sharing. Thanks as always! 💛
Hi Doug! The only time I feel like I am making meaningful spiritual progress as when I am helping others. I feel like my training has taught me that all of my practices support this purpose. Thanks again for all your wonderful insight! My Spiritual Teacher is Tenzin Palmo.
There is a reason you make these specific kind of videos and there is something that attracts us to dharma in the first place. I believe there is something in us that knows liberation is real. I also believe there are many parts of us that see liberation as a cold and foreboding possibility. Or, an impossibility. Although I think skepticism is important, doubt is a real obstacle and well worth discussing.
True! It can be very helpful to discuss our doubts. It can also be helpful at times to put them aside and practice on the here and now, with the confidence that whatever doubts we will have in the future will be overcome in due course.
Never give up your intention to attain full enlightenment for the sake of all living beings. At all times guard your Bodhicitta with your very life! Abandon immediately all your ideas, notions and preconceptions about full enlightenment, intent, attainment, what’s yours, living beings, guarding, life and Bodhicitta.
@@DougsDharma do not waver! Hold the lotus flower and the deep Sutras in your left hand while slashing away all misconceptions and idle musings of the mind with with the sword of wisdom in your right hand like Manjushri. Be steadfast and fearless in your resolve my good friend!
Doug-this video strikes home, as I don't really have any clue as to what the felt experience of Enlightenment could be, so it's not really meaningful to me as a goal. As humans we often need goals as motivators to change our behavior, and perhaps in the context of the Buddha's time believing one could escape from Samsara was needed to provide the impetus to embark on the path. However, as with the development of any serious human skill, focus on the goal alone will not usually provide long-lasting motivation. Pursuit of mastery requires joy, or at least belief of the benefits, of practice of a craft in and of itself. I've found a secular Buddhist practice has changed me, so I view pursuit of the path a goal enough in an of itself. Thanks for keeping me thinking!
Great to hear David. Yes I agree. And for some, it may well be that Enlightenment seems an achievable goal within this very lifetime. I imagine Anālayo may feel that way. If so, go for it.
Whenever the thought of a goal, a result, or something like that gets in my way I think of Kodo Sawaki: _What’s zazen good for? Absolutely nothing! This 'good for nothing' has got to sink into your flesh and bones until you actually practice what is truly good for nothing. Until then, your zazen is just good for nothing._ That's a nice 'counterattack'! 🤭 Wonderful video, Doug, thanks! Happy new year everyone! 😊🙏
Joseph Goldstein makes a very important point about this. Full, permanent enlightenment may be a far off goal, but you can experience enlightenment on a moment to moment basis every day.
I love this video. I'm fairly new to Buddhism and this channel, and I appreciate how you make it so easy to get a better understanding of things, keeping it simple. I also love the quality of your videos - have you ever listed your equipment (mic/camera/lenses etc)?
@@DougsDharma your video setup and quality is really good. It lends a sense of calm and wisdom to your channel that helps convey the emotion of the message you are sharing.
Hi Doug, Ajahn Sumedho talks about nibbana being right now, awareness knowing consciousness right now. Seeing things “like this”. As being right here in the present moment, nibbana is not even far away. Its right here in everyones present moment. Although I m not enlightened, I find the “its like this” gives both a lot of encouragement that anyone is perfectly capable to experience nibbana, even a as a layman and without having to think about it too much because we all have it here in the present moment, in this knowing. It is this in awareness we all have, all the rest are just ideas, right. Is it far away? Is it possible? One can know oneself ask these questions and can know oneself being confused, being confused is like this, thinking its not possible is like this, thinking it is, is like this. Who knows one of us experiences deep insight in his very next meditation 😉 or while chopping wood or carrying water. We just dont know, but we can know we dont know. Not knowing is like this.
Would you agree that although practice *can* be how you describe: slow, gradual, incremental, not that dramatic, it can also be the opposite? Fast, compounding, intense and wild?
I would really like to believe that I can completely eliminate the problem of suffering. Otherwise it feels like I’m just in a slightly less leaky boat until I go underwater eventually.
It's a pleasure to hear your voice and absorb your ideas, master. Life is very difficult for me, without a job, with a beautiful son to raise, I'm full of information in my head that Brazil doesn't know how to value, I'm broke, my family doesn't respect my philosophical skills... but still I'm firm and strong in the search for wisdom and love. Thank you very much, Doug. You help me maybe more than you imagine, although you can help me more than I imagine.
As a true agnostic, I believe the ultimate truth is unknowable, so the idea, of nirvana as becoming awakened to the ultimate truth, is a human construct. It is being absolutely present in the current moment, that is nirvana to me. For me enlightenment and Nirvana aren’t necessarily the same. Enlightenment for me would be the ability to string those instances of Nirvana I achieve into an unbroken stream of moments. So for me not being ever vigilant isn’t discouraging because I think enlightenment might happen as an epiphany, much like progress has come to me in sporting or musical pursuits
Yes, please eliminate the word "enlightenment". Such an imprecise way of stating the goal of training ( yes,training) surely is a hindrance to achieving it. Realization, or something in that vein, is a better word. As in " after searching for my keys for a long time I realized they were right in front of me". From the start we begin to realize different aspects of " this being human". The speed at which these realizations come are proportional to the commitment we have to detaching from our firmly held beliefs and ways of doing things. Some realizations are ground breaking, unimaginable, awe inspiring. We always have to go back to our daily life. But it will be of greater quality.
If not Enlightenment, what about stream entry? More than a few laypeople in the Buddha's time achieved this goal and I've heard other monks of the Theravada Thai Forest Tradition who mention it to laypeople in their dhamma talks and books in our time?
@@DougsDharma In Vajrayana the aim to achieve enlightenment is seen slightly different than in the Hinayana or Bodhisattva paths. What is seen as needed of countless eons is said to be achieved in just one lifetime. So, should Vajrayana's practitioners leave enlightenment aside as you explain in the video?
Well first of all I'd avoid the term "hinayana", which is derogatory. In early Buddhism as well the process for attaining enlightenment was seen as something achievable in a single lifetime, at least by dedicated monastics. The idea that it took countless aeons is a later development. That said, I think which approach one takes (either to focus on the end goal, or on our next breath) depends on the practitioner. I put this out there because for many of us focusing overmuch on enlightenment can be a detriment.
Is it that Nirvana can only be experienced, not explained because any explanation will be wrong, because the question can not even be properly formulated? Too me, I know I don't know but can see present calmness awareness I now have is there at least. I can see how people want answers always and that is good too, but our senses are limited for sure.
it seems to me that..., there is a difference between transforming and transcending. The transformation takes place through the lens of materialism: one thing ceases to be what it is to be something else. Transcendence is changing what it is, being something new, but keeping what it was before. Of course these are logically different things. The first happens because of objective Separation. The second because of the subjective Absolute. Even though we are enlightened by the path of Brahma, we will still be part of the Absolute, and we will not be separate. Illumination and light are the same thing: principle and attribute of the Absolute that makes itself exist in the Infinite for those who are still materialistic or have matter in form of being. Being enlightened is the Wisdom of feeling the pain to the point of not letting it become suffering due to ignorance, and not thinking that you will never feel pain again because you became enlightened. You are not separate, you are still absolute, only now for the release that takes place in understanding the Denial itself (of the egoistics objects in itself on subjective) and not of the Self.
Well in an early Buddhist context enlightenment means the complete eradication of greed, hatred, and delusion. One way that can be achieved is by seeing through our ordinary notions of the self.
Well, if one is going to devote a considerable portion of his time meditating, then he better know that the ground on which his practice stands on is firm (philosophically/logically/metaphysically/scientifically speaking). Would you agree with that? While one may stop thinking about Nirvana when he is meditating, and simply try to focus on the present (instead of a goal), he at least knows that his practice is supported by logic and science.
Yes, I think many of us prefer to have a good cognitive understanding of what we're doing and where we're going in order to gain the confidence to proceed. If it doesn't make sense, we won't be motivated. Others though may proceed more or less out of faith, without much interest in understanding the nuances.
You are aware that the heroic aspect of the search for enlightment are put aside with taking this stance... the legends about the Buddha and many other important buddhist practitioners runs in the other direction... Of course you could take the morose and confortable approach... My experience run in the other direction... You achieve the most in the practice as much as you put into it, if you put the whole of yourself in a supreme act of Dana, you are Just as close to the essential experience of buddhism, of the Buddha... Everyone has a choice... here is simply it...
Sure, there are different approaches for different folks. I think it's important though to keep in mind that for some practitioners, setting aside the idea of enlightenment is a wonderful "skillful means" for achieving better practice.
Consider the possibility that Realization is always right here. Sure, it may be covered with layers of "ignorance", but it is not somewhere else, out there, to be found after a long time and I think it is a mistake to look at it that way. It is our true nature. As the saying goes, why do you search for the footprints of the elephant in the forest when it is already inside your house? That is much more encouraging and "factual" than enlightenment as a long-term goal. In a way, you are putting it off if anything. The basis, path and fruition are, in that case, one. It is far easier to find and have faith in your Buddha nature with that perspective. It is always with you and your heritage. Of course,you still practice, but with that in mind.
When Buddhists start craving for enlightenment the middle path is lost and the entire point of becoming a Buddhist is in vain ... There are people who neglect the family and donate their time and money to rich temples to attain material benefits in the near term and nirvana in the long term ... Most people are fooled by impressive structures and want to get attached ... Organized religious institutions can muddy the waters and lead followers into a blind path ... Wisdom must be the paramount interest of humans ... Making just one person happy can be a kind of enlightenment .... Rather than meditation for nirvana.
If a person is not committed to Awakening he will be running to and fro on our side of the river. he is not able to cross over.. Dhamma is only for crossing over not for holding on..If a person doesn't Awaken then Desires and Relishing will keep growing inside him again and again leading to suffering.. Because he hasn't cut the the palm stump such that it is unable to grow back in future...I think Lord Buddha as a person would strongly oppose a Meditation in which trainees are not intent on Awakening..I think a person should not doubt his ability to cross over..He should have faith and belief.. Lord Buddha used to stay in different Meditations because He knew the escape.. Unfettered. But Trainees and Medicants are unawakened so they should beware Thats my opinion.. That's what my opinion is..
Dear Doug, you are too deep in logic, trying to understand it all with logic, you need to add heart to it to step further, find the warmth in your heart, good luck ! use logic, but don't let it block you
🧡 If you find benefit in my videos, consider supporting the channel by joining us on Patreon and get fun extras like exclusive videos, ad-free audio-only versions, and extensive show notes: www.patreon.com/dougsseculardharma 🙂
📙 You can find my new book here: books2read.com/buddhisthandbook
Doug has such a down to earth approach to Buddhism. He's a real treasure. Thanks for all you do
Very kind of you to say, Michael. 🙏
Great video as always Doug. One thing I've found in my practice is the simple wisdom of a zen saying: "Before Enlightenment chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment chop wood, carry water". That's it. By looking at enlightenment we become attached to that ideal, when, like you said the thing that matters is this breath, and the next breath.
Yes exactly. I love that saying as well.
Wise words, as always, Doug. Perhaps the words like 'enlightenment', 'nirvana' etc are part of the issue here - like shiny jewels that we crave or covet. It's a shame that words like 'being on the right path' don't immediately offer the same shiny appeal, although they sum things up rather well I think.
Yes indeed, they may be concepts we tend to get attached to, like you say.
Suzuki summarises it well in his Dogen approach. If we become attached to the idea of enlightenment we see our zazen as instrumental. Instead, see it as an end in itself and find our own peace here and now with the current and next breath as you so wisely said. Thank you.
Yes exactly! 🙏
The destination IS important.....Make no mistake. And...Journey is also equally important. Both ends serve the total purpose. It is possible to try to Balance both. Easy to say...hard to do. To focus on only the one aspect...and lose sight of the other aspect...can certainly be frustrating. Balance is certainly helpful to try and implement both ends. A global perspective is helpful...and remembering the Journey is also the Journey. My mantra to prevent me from losing my focus and my mind...Breathe...Breathe Deeply...Breathe Often. And then...Off we go on our Way.
Well said Uli, thanks!
Hey Doug,
I’ve been following you a while on a separate account. I felt like leaving a comment today because this video really resonates with me and my current situation. Mediation/Buddhism has categorically changed the way I view myself, others, and the world around me. However, Truth be told, I’ve noticed myself sort of drifting away from the practice recently (over the holidays). I skipped more mediation sessions than I would like to admit and have been engaging in less than advantageous behaviors (drinking, staying up late, instant gratification, desirous actions, etc). I’m really feeling down/guilty about it. This video is a reminder that it’s not always going to be sunshine and rainbows and I am going to stumble from time to time. The important thing to remember is that that’s okay, but we have to get back up on the horse when we fall. That can be hard to do but today I meditated again and plan on re-establishing a daily routine/ learning more about the dharma. Thank you, Doug.
Thanks Tim and you're spot on there. Perfectionism can be a very brittle road. What matters most is consistency over long periods of time, not getting every little thing perfect.
I used to be like that bud, and the book Be Here Now really helped me- one quote in particular- “a man is not his desires” or “you are not your desires” it really helped me hopefully it helps you too
This is what attracted me to Buddhism and it isn't even about enlightenment. It is about a philosophy of life. It goes along with something else I find very useful, The Serenity Prayer. This approach of just focusing on the next step is very helpful in dealing with life in general.
When I run across a negative person that seems to always being saying I can't do this and I can't do that, my advice is simple. Start by making your bed.
Great advice Steve. There's almost always a way forward, even if it's just a few centimeters.
That’s exactly why I like the Zen approach so much. There’s no goal in the Soto-Zen tradition. The very practice itself is already the „goal“. Sitting Zazen is all there is. Wether we see it or not. Not that I’ve seen anything. But leaving all goals, perceptions, gains and losses behind and eventually leaving myself or the perception I have about myself behind is Zazen. Just sitting.
Right, this is part of the clear simplicity of Zen.
This comes at the right time to me. I want to get enlightened in this life, but I struggle with meditation quite a bit. I had some really motivating experiences but I cannot repeat these states/phenomena.
Yes, often it's wanting to repeat them that gets in the way ... !
I was glad to hear you mention having an "inkling" of what nibbana feels like. When I catch an unwholesome action arising and prevent it from coming about, I get that feeling which helps me to continue along the path. And if the unwholesome action has already started and I can catch it before it becomes full blown dukkha, I get that same feeling. For a short time, there is a sense of liberation, of peace.
Yes exactly Aron. It's a good feeling.
Sesame Street Theme:
"Sunny Day
Sweepin' the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet
Can you tell me how to get?
How to get to Sesame Street?"
Doug's message here to not forget to notice the Sunny Dharma, sweeping the clouds away ON YOUR WAY TO enlightenment.... Same vibe.
Sesame Street is never our destination.
It is the lessons we learn along the way.
😄Yes it's been awhile since I've thought of that song, it's a great one! Sesame Street FTW.
Another way of letting go of the search for enlightenment (and thus possibly achieveing it) is accepting that this life time probably won't be your last, and that's ok, maybe next time you'll get it because you'll have already gotten as far as you did in this one ☺️
Could be, Smiley! 😄
I think this video is a nice balance to another video you made about whether enlightenment with remains is possible, and I still use something you said in that video as a motivator: "We may never reach enlightenment, but we can get close." (Roughly paraphrasing). Thanks for the video!
My pleasure, Juni! 🙏
This was a very good and honest reminder, thank you, Doug!
My pleasure, Dina. 🙏
Lovely video, rooted in kindness.
🙏😊
Thanks🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
🙏😊
Hi Doug, I just want to compliment you on your videos. They are well-prepared, clear, and useful. I especially like how you avoid putting your own ego into the presentation. I hope you keep up the excellent work and know that it is worth the trouble.
Very kind of you to say, Robert. 🙏😊
Very good video.My practice started with high minded goals which i cannot achieve because of my conditioning.As a monk once said,if you cannot practice the five precepts,start with one or two.
Yes, we all have to start somewhere! 🙏
Great video, and timely given what I was just reading. As a person who is dedicated to cultivating the path while also coming from a thoroughly secular worldview, I've often wondered what nibbana really is and if it is even attainable. I think you're right, that in focusing on this too much I've noticed that I've also neglected other aspects of the path: like cultivating wisdom, and compassion.
Are you familiar with the writings of Amod Lele? He's the author of the LoveofAllWisdom blog and has a lot of thought-provoking commentaries on various buddhist (and non-buddhist) subjects. Your points here remind me of his writings about a more "kammatic" (his words) approach to Buddhism, in which he argues that nirvana isn't the only valuable goal in life, and that there are meaningful goals in worldly life even if they are characterized by dukkha. I think investigating this distinction is especially important in our time when there are growing movements of "Engaged Buddhism" that place less emphasis on nibbana and internal sources of dukkha in favor of addressing the external (such as societal and political) ones.
I think that there's great value in approaching buddhism in a way that places a bit more focus on the path itself, rather than the end goal - especially for beginners. Wouldn't want to miss the trees for the forest.
Sure, and yes I'm familiar with Amod Lele. 🙏
This is really helpful. Thanks Doug!
Great, glad to hear it, Jackson!
Hi Doug! The only time I feel like I am making meaningful spiritual progress as when I am helping others. I feel like my training has taught me that all of my practices support this purpose. Thanks again for all your wonderful insight!
That's a great way forward. Helping others can be such an inspiration to ourselves as well. 🙏
@@DougsDharma for those only interested in enlightenment, I would suggest giving them the instructions from Zen Buddhism. Do you know what a Koan is? Let them try to answer that question.
Thanks so much Doug, really. This video came at the right time whilst I was doing stretches.
I have thoughts and feelings everydya about what if I'm doing is right or not, what is better or worse, what choices to make. Especially when enlightenment and the path is involved. I don't fully believe in enlightenment, yet I can't help but feel pressure to try to achieve it regardless. It becomes this confusing mess, especially with my interests in other forms of mysticism, spirituality, religion, albeit I am far more into the Buddha's teachings than the rest. I have heard and experienced that its probably better not to jumble them up but, I'm afraid of missing out on any sort of truth that just might be in them.
Sorry for the blog post, but I just felt like sharing.
Thanks as always! 💛
Hi Doug! The only time I feel like I am making meaningful spiritual progress as when I am helping others. I feel like my training has taught me that all of my practices support this purpose. Thanks again for all your wonderful insight! My Spiritual Teacher is Tenzin Palmo.
🙏😊
There is a reason you make these specific kind of videos and there is something that attracts us to dharma in the first place. I believe there is something in us that knows liberation is real. I also believe there are many parts of us that see liberation as a cold and foreboding possibility. Or, an impossibility. Although I think skepticism is important, doubt is a real obstacle and well worth discussing.
True! It can be very helpful to discuss our doubts. It can also be helpful at times to put them aside and practice on the here and now, with the confidence that whatever doubts we will have in the future will be overcome in due course.
One video on Buddhadharma and it's views on acquisition of wealth , or materialistic goals , please.
🙏❤️
Sure! I've done a number of related videos in the past, I'll plan to do more in the future. 🙏
This is tremendously helpful in Buddhist practice. Thank You, Doug!
You're very welcome, Marek. 🙏😊
Never give up your intention to attain full enlightenment for the sake of all living beings. At all times guard your Bodhicitta with your very life!
Abandon immediately all your ideas, notions and preconceptions about full enlightenment, intent, attainment, what’s yours, living beings, guarding, life and Bodhicitta.
Yes, and doing both at once is the tough thing! 😄
@@DougsDharma do not waver! Hold the lotus flower and the deep Sutras in your left hand while slashing away all misconceptions and idle musings of the mind with with the sword of wisdom in your right hand like Manjushri. Be steadfast and fearless in your resolve my good friend!
Doug-this video strikes home, as I don't really have any clue as to what the felt experience of Enlightenment could be, so it's not really meaningful to me as a goal. As humans we often need goals as motivators to change our behavior, and perhaps in the context of the Buddha's time believing one could escape from Samsara was needed to provide the impetus to embark on the path. However, as with the development of any serious human skill, focus on the goal alone will not usually provide long-lasting motivation. Pursuit of mastery requires joy, or at least belief of the benefits, of practice of a craft in and of itself. I've found a secular Buddhist practice has changed me, so I view pursuit of the path a goal enough in an of itself. Thanks for keeping me thinking!
Great to hear David. Yes I agree. And for some, it may well be that Enlightenment seems an achievable goal within this very lifetime. I imagine Anālayo may feel that way. If so, go for it.
Whenever the thought of a goal, a result, or something like that gets in my way I think of Kodo Sawaki:
_What’s zazen good for? Absolutely nothing! This 'good for nothing' has got to sink into your flesh and bones until you actually practice what is truly good for nothing. Until then, your zazen is just good for nothing._
That's a nice 'counterattack'! 🤭
Wonderful video, Doug, thanks! Happy new year everyone! 😊🙏
Happy new year xiao mao! 😄🙏
Wonderful presentation.
🙏😊
Can you make a video on Dzogchen?
I may do so, but my main focus at this point is on early Buddhism and Dzogchen is a much later practice.
Great content , thanks for posting & keep it coming !! 🙏🏼
Thank you! Will do! 🙏😊
Joseph Goldstein makes a very important point about this. Full, permanent enlightenment may be a far off goal, but you can experience enlightenment on a moment to moment basis every day.
Perhaps so. We can certainly experience moments of ease through calm meditation and awareness.
I love this video. I'm fairly new to Buddhism and this channel, and I appreciate how you make it so easy to get a better understanding of things, keeping it simple. I also love the quality of your videos - have you ever listed your equipment (mic/camera/lenses etc)?
Thanks Alan, I haven't done a list, but maybe that's something I could consider! 😄
@@DougsDharma your video setup and quality is really good. It lends a sense of calm and wisdom to your channel that helps convey the emotion of the message you are sharing.
Hi Doug, Ajahn Sumedho talks about nibbana being right now, awareness knowing consciousness right now. Seeing things “like this”. As being right here in the present moment, nibbana is not even far away. Its right here in everyones present moment.
Although I m not enlightened, I find the “its like this” gives both a lot of encouragement that anyone is perfectly capable to experience nibbana, even a as a layman and without having to think about it too much because we all have it here in the present moment, in this knowing. It is this in awareness we all have, all the rest are just ideas, right. Is it far away? Is it possible? One can know oneself ask these questions and can know oneself being confused, being confused is like this, thinking its not possible is like this, thinking it is, is like this. Who knows one of us experiences deep insight in his very next meditation 😉 or while chopping wood or carrying water. We just dont know, but we can know we dont know. Not knowing is like this.
Sure! Though I imagine for one as calm and centered as Ajahn Sumedho "like this" might be quite different than "this" is for me! 😄
Well I think it is like it is for you 😉 you can know that. All the best. And thanks for all the great video’s.
Would you agree that although practice *can* be how you describe: slow, gradual, incremental, not that dramatic, it can also be the opposite? Fast, compounding, intense and wild?
Oh for sure, I think for many of us there will be such experiences as well.
I would really like to believe that I can completely eliminate the problem of suffering. Otherwise it feels like I’m just in a slightly less leaky boat until I go underwater eventually.
If it gives you energy and confidence, then by all means!
Very relevant. Thx.
Glad it was helpful Eino!
It's a pleasure to hear your voice and absorb your ideas, master. Life is very difficult for me, without a job, with a beautiful son to raise, I'm full of information in my head that Brazil doesn't know how to value, I'm broke, my family doesn't respect my philosophical skills... but still I'm firm and strong in the search for wisdom and love. Thank you very much, Doug. You help me maybe more than you imagine, although you can help me more than I imagine.
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As a true agnostic, I believe the ultimate truth is unknowable, so the idea, of nirvana as becoming awakened to the ultimate truth, is a human construct. It is being absolutely present in the current moment, that is nirvana to me. For me enlightenment and Nirvana aren’t necessarily the same. Enlightenment for me would be the ability to string those instances of Nirvana I achieve into an unbroken stream of moments. So for me not being ever vigilant isn’t discouraging because I think enlightenment might happen as an epiphany, much like progress has come to me in sporting or musical pursuits
Yes, it could be so Russell. Thanks!
@@DougsDharma awakened=conscious, so maybe that “stream of consciousness” folks refer to is more than a pretentious talking point 😉
Yes, please eliminate the word "enlightenment". Such an imprecise way of stating the goal of training ( yes,training) surely is a hindrance to achieving it. Realization, or something in that vein, is a better word. As in " after searching for my keys for a long time I realized they were right in front of me". From the start we begin to realize different aspects of " this being human". The speed at which these realizations come are proportional to the commitment we have to detaching from our firmly held beliefs and ways of doing things. Some realizations are ground breaking, unimaginable, awe inspiring. We always have to go back to our daily life. But it will be of greater quality.
Yes often words are inadequate. Thanks, Angel.
Happy new year
To you as well Jason! 🙏
Its pragmatic as it gets. Sadhu x3
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If not Enlightenment, what about stream entry? More than a few laypeople in the Buddha's time achieved this goal and I've heard other monks of the Theravada Thai Forest Tradition who mention it to laypeople in their dhamma talks and books in our time?
Sure. I think though that sometimes we can get overly involved in goals and miss our practice here and now.
@@DougsDharma I would agree. Perhaps a better word would be aim instead of goal.
Hello Doug, thank for sharing this.
What about Vajrayana?
How do you mean?
@@DougsDharma In Vajrayana the aim to achieve enlightenment is seen slightly different than in the Hinayana or Bodhisattva paths. What is seen as needed of countless eons is said to be achieved in just one lifetime.
So, should Vajrayana's practitioners leave enlightenment aside as you explain in the video?
Well first of all I'd avoid the term "hinayana", which is derogatory. In early Buddhism as well the process for attaining enlightenment was seen as something achievable in a single lifetime, at least by dedicated monastics. The idea that it took countless aeons is a later development. That said, I think which approach one takes (either to focus on the end goal, or on our next breath) depends on the practitioner. I put this out there because for many of us focusing overmuch on enlightenment can be a detriment.
Can an enlightened being be on Earth? Is death a requirement for enlightenment? When will Doug be enlightened?
😄I did an earlier video on the two forms of nirvana that might answer some of these questions! ua-cam.com/video/E-X2HLXL8ug/v-deo.html
Is it that Nirvana can only be experienced, not explained because any explanation will be wrong, because the question can not even be properly formulated? Too me, I know I don't know but can see present calmness awareness I now have is there at least. I can see how people want answers always and that is good too, but our senses are limited for sure.
Hard to say for sure Chris, but as you say the present benefits make it worthwhile.
Can you explain to us something about Shingon Buddhism?
Most of my focus is on the early material in Buddhism and Shingon is significantly later. That said, I may make a video on it eventually.
@@DougsDharma thank you
it seems to me that..., there is a difference between transforming and transcending. The transformation takes place through the lens of materialism: one thing ceases to be what it is to be something else. Transcendence is changing what it is, being something new, but keeping what it was before. Of course these are logically different things. The first happens because of objective Separation. The second because of the subjective Absolute. Even though we are enlightened by the path of Brahma, we will still be part of the Absolute, and we will not be separate. Illumination and light are the same thing: principle and attribute of the Absolute that makes itself exist in the Infinite for those who are still materialistic or have matter in form of being. Being enlightened is the Wisdom of feeling the pain to the point of not letting it become suffering due to ignorance, and not thinking that you will never feel pain again because you became enlightened. You are not separate, you are still absolute, only now for the release that takes place in understanding the Denial itself (of the egoistics objects in itself on subjective) and not of the Self.
Is enlightenment simply finding through meditation that the awareness that knows thoughts, feelings sensations memories and projection is not you?
Well in an early Buddhist context enlightenment means the complete eradication of greed, hatred, and delusion. One way that can be achieved is by seeing through our ordinary notions of the self.
Well, if one is going to devote a considerable portion of his time meditating, then he better know that the ground on which his practice stands on is firm (philosophically/logically/metaphysically/scientifically speaking). Would you agree with that? While one may stop thinking about Nirvana when he is meditating, and simply try to focus on the present (instead of a goal), he at least knows that his practice is supported by logic and science.
Yes, I think many of us prefer to have a good cognitive understanding of what we're doing and where we're going in order to gain the confidence to proceed. If it doesn't make sense, we won't be motivated. Others though may proceed more or less out of faith, without much interest in understanding the nuances.
@@DougsDharma Right! I think we agree, then! :)
ตัณหา หวังผลจากการกระทำ
ฉันทะ มีความสุขในการกระทำ ไม่ว่าผลจะเป็นยังไง
🙏😊
ไม่ใช่ ตัณหาคือความยาก ฉันทะคือความพอใจ
Dr. I would like to ask you question about osho ,did he really Enlightened?
You are aware that the heroic aspect of the search for enlightment are put aside with taking this stance... the legends about the Buddha and many other important buddhist practitioners runs in the other direction... Of course you could take the morose and confortable approach... My experience run in the other direction... You achieve the most in the practice as much as you put into it, if you put the whole of yourself in a supreme act of Dana, you are Just as close to the essential experience of buddhism, of the Buddha... Everyone has a choice... here is simply it...
Sure, there are different approaches for different folks. I think it's important though to keep in mind that for some practitioners, setting aside the idea of enlightenment is a wonderful "skillful means" for achieving better practice.
Consider the possibility that Realization is always right here. Sure, it may be covered with layers of "ignorance", but it is not somewhere else, out there, to be found after a long time and I think it is a mistake to look at it that way. It is our true nature. As the saying goes, why do you search for the footprints of the elephant in the forest when it is already inside your house? That is much more encouraging and "factual" than enlightenment as a long-term goal. In a way, you are putting it off if anything.
The basis, path and fruition are, in that case, one. It is far easier to find and have faith in your Buddha nature with that perspective. It is always with you and your heritage. Of course,you still practice, but with that in mind.
Yes, that can be a skillful way to frame it for many people.
Do you know something about Humanistic Buddhism? Do they practice meditation? Are they a kind of sect like Soka Gakai?
I don't know much about them, though they seem a somewhat secular alternative to traditional Buddhism in Asia.
Hi, Dough, do you think NKT is a cult or a sect?
I don't really know enough about them.
@@DougsDharma I quit going there because the num there was mean to me, and I think it's a cult
When Buddhists start craving for enlightenment the middle path is lost and the entire point of becoming a Buddhist is in vain ... There are people who neglect the family and donate their time and money to rich temples to attain material benefits in the near term and nirvana in the long term ... Most people are fooled by impressive structures and want to get attached ... Organized religious institutions can muddy the waters and lead followers into a blind path ... Wisdom must be the paramount interest of humans ... Making just one person happy can be a kind of enlightenment .... Rather than meditation for nirvana.
Yes, focusing on helping others and being content with what's here now.
🤭 ... when we beat up ourselves, who wins? 🤔
Great question! 😄
If a person is not committed to Awakening he will be running to and fro on our side of the river.
he is not able to cross over.. Dhamma is only for crossing over not for holding on..If a person doesn't Awaken then Desires and Relishing will keep growing inside him again and again leading to suffering.. Because he hasn't cut the the palm stump such that it is unable to grow back in future...I think Lord Buddha as a person would strongly oppose a Meditation in which trainees are not intent on Awakening..I think a person should not doubt his ability to cross over..He should have faith and belief..
Lord Buddha used to stay in different Meditations because He knew the escape.. Unfettered.
But Trainees and Medicants are unawakened so they should beware
Thats my opinion..
That's what my opinion is..
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Dear Doug, you are too deep in logic, trying to understand it all with logic, you need to add heart to it to step further, find the warmth in your heart, good luck ! use logic, but don't let it block you
Agreed! 😄