Dear Nina

Nina: Thinking with metta of you, just as I think of Jeff’s inmates! All people are dear to me.

L: But Nina I am not inside, yet. Just to let you know. I also can easily feel metta towards you, Nina. And you are in my thoughts often. Thank you so much for your metta towards me. I think in Visudhimagga it's said somewhere it can be spread or emit. I had disagreed for years on that topic, but now I changed my view. I believe that metta can be, (maybe not transferred), but it's of big importance since all is Dhamma and maybe one who has metta toward another being, it really supports that other being, or both even. Just a few of my recollections. Thanks

Best wishes
Lukas

Dear Azita,

Hallo Phil, Nina,

ph: Yes, I remember your saying once in a discussion that you think we should be very specific or exact when discussing dhammas. And I agreed. It might have been in a context in which Ajahn was (as she sometimes does)  pushing back a little against a question asking for details. There is an idea on her part at such times that the  person who is asking for details is doing it for the self or something, but as far as I see it it is the opposite. If we know how remarkably in detail the Buddha and the Great Ones saw into realities, knowing about those details can help us better appreciate that there is no self in control, just dhammas performing functions. 

Az:  I suggest that Ajahn is reminding us again and again and again of the present moment - that which arises and then passes away.  We can ask, read, discuss with our Dhamma friends about the intricate details of Buddha's amazing teachings, of the Truth of now.  But do 'we' know now?

        I also think that there is probably no-one anywhere in this world who will continue to remind us of the realities of now.. we are all so tied up with our stories of this and that, mostly with lobha.   I too, am keen to be a better person but that's probably based on Mana etc.   The  "me' is just cittas, cetasikas and rupas,  all extremely impermanent and totally beyond control.  But do we really understand that with right understanding?   Generally not.   

       Currently I'm a train wreck, trying to sell my house and land and dealing with all that is stressful.  Try telling 'myself' it's all just a concept blah, blah,  so the sensible thing would be to just be aware of the presently arising reality - HA!   Who can do that just because it might take the unpleasant feelings away?  

        Good to see you continuing to write here Phil, despite you often saying its not for you - or similar - I don't want to misquote you :))

Live for understanding,  Azita

 

   S: Most precious of all is to be honest with understanding of what appears now.

 

 Ph: Can I ask you when you have a moment what "appears now" means according to your understanding of the ancient text?  Is "appears now" sati in its various levels? 

S: Here it is referring to the reality which is experienced, (or rather the nimitta of the reality experienced).

For example, sound is experienced, but is it the object of ignorance and attachment as usual or is there any understanding of it as just that dhamma, just that which is heard?

For "me" (cittas performing functions) there is just thinking (no matter how very instantaneous and fleeting it is thinking) about realities, concepts of concepts. Do they "appear now"  If not, does that mean nothing "appears now" or do things "appear now" without my knowing it, in a subconscious way. 

S: Realities are experienced, such as sound, but usually without any knowing as you say. The sound doesn't "appear", isn't known, as sound. 

Sometimes it depends on the context as to whether it is just referring to experienced or experienced with paññā and sati.

Sarah

Dear Phil,

Dear Phil,

Lukas

L: I appreciate so much this reminders of honesty. No point to be angry. I think it's really good, to be honest in life with others but foremost and most precious, to be honest with ourselves.

S: So true. Most precious of all is to be honest with understanding of what appears now.

Sarah

On Thu, Sep 24, 2020 at 04:03 AM, Phil Coristine wrote:

Hi Lukas

L:  I am sober from a couple of days.

 

ph: glad to hear it. I believe one day you will be free from this addiction. Understanding will liberate you I hope it is in this lifetime I think it will be

 

Phil

Lukas,
I agree with Phil on all points.  One day you will be free from this addiction.  Although I was never an 'addict', I was a regular imbiber of alcoholic beverages since my mid teens.  Once I took up the Buddhadhamma, within six months I was no longer drinking alcohol other then on rare social occasions.
-Jeff

Dear Dhamma friends,

Let me say some of my thoughts before I catch up with your posts from a few days.

I realised that I really appreciate Ajahn Sujin teachings. No matter if I am sometimes angry or whatever, but I really appreciate Ajahn Suji teachings and her continuous effort to explain to us and deliver, the sacca teachings, to be truthful or honest with others and also ourselves most of all. I appreciate so much this reminders of honesty. No point to be angry. I think it's really good, to be honest in life with others but foremost and most precious, to be honest with ourselves.

I am sober from a couple of days.

Thanks
Lukas

Dear Lukas,

Lukas

L: I am still don't know what I am doing/. I am on edge. Please pray for me, do metta or extend metta toward me/ That is what I can ask. It will be protection towards me. Thank you so much. Don't leave me alone, please.
Best wishes

S: Glad to hear from you. Whatever "edginess" or nervousness or disturbance there is, it'll pass. Nothing lasts at all. We all wish you well and send mettā.

The very best protection of all is a moment of right understanding now, no matter what the object is. It may be seeing now or edginess or annoyance or any other conditioned reality. All gone! Life just exist in a moment. All the past dramas have gone completely never to return. The understanding has to begin again and again.

Sarah

Hi Lukas, Jon

Hi Lukas