gdp's Comments

Buddhist Geeks : Discover the Emerging Face of Buddhism : BG 246: What Science Can Teach Us About Practice

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:02:13 +0000

Well, there might be support for enlightenment. Proof is used in the language of logic, not empirical research. Not to pooh-pooh your point, but I think this is an important distinction to make.

Buddhist Geeks : Discover the Emerging Face of Buddhism : BG 225: The End of Self-Referencing

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:40:07 +0000

I have nothing to say other than I really, really enjoyed this two-part interview. I, too, am really looking forward to reading the research when it is published. Any chance Buddhist Geeks could notify us readers when the research finds its way to publication?

Buddhist Geeks : Discover the Emerging Face of Buddhism : Bonus Audio: Upgrading to Post-Traditional Buddhism

Thu, 5 May 2011 20:12:16 +0000

Outstanding, Hokai!

Buddhist Geeks : Discover the Emerging Face of Buddhism : The Mirage of Self

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 22:49:25 +0000

Joel and Kenneth, I appreciate your having brought up the truth of "no escape." Sometimes meditation will lead us into some really dark, uncomfortable conditions. When this happens, I'm sure most of us think, "If I stop this, the anguish will stop." So we try that, and it doesn't work. As you said, surrender to the experience is the only way through it. Rumi's "Guest House" poem was really helpful for me the first time I went through this territory, because it encouraged me to invite the good, the bad, and the ugly into my awareness without hesitation. It's a tough lesson to learn, and we learn it over and over and over again (well, if you're stubborn like me!).

Buddhist Geeks : Discover the Emerging Face of Buddhism : BG 195: Rebel Buddha

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:17:11 +0000

"It's been 40 years of serious dharma practice now in the West. *Are* Westerners waking up? If so, why aren't we talking about it? If not, why not?" Some people are talking about it, though I'm sure it doesn't happen as much as it could (or dare I say, should). It seems like very few modern Westerners, or even modern Easterners, will make outright claims to awakening. And yet, we have very skillful teachers from both East and West teaching very high level dharma, speaking from what appears to be direct personal experience. Some more transparency would be nice, perhaps ideal. For now, I'm afraid we will mostly have to read between the lines. And frankly, it can be difficult to decipher whether any claim to enlightenment/awakening is the real thing or just plain B.S. The B.S. claims hurt more than they help, which makes the practice of making claims all that much less appealing. For better or for worse, it seems as though many teachers just choose to opt out of claiming in favor of letting the Dharma speak for itself.

http://www.paul.house.gov/ : Saudi Arms Deal is About Iran

Mon, 1 Nov 2010 18:15:03 +0000

While the mainstream media continues to distract us from issues that matter, you, Dr. Paul, are getting the word out about the inherent corruption of the State. I can't thank you enough.

Buddhist Geeks : Discover the Emerging Face of Buddhism : Three Flavors for Continuing in Practice

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:24:55 +0000

"The means of realization and the realized mind are not separate." Thank you for the reminder.

Buddhist Geeks : Discover the Emerging Face of Buddhism : BG 178: Growing Up Versus Waking Up

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:57:18 +0000

What a great interview! I look forward to witnessing the ways in which the Eastern and Western paths converge as a uniquely Western dharma continues to emerge.

Buddhist Geeks : Discover the Emerging Face of Buddhism : BG 175: The Buddhist Atheist

Wed, 9 Jun 2010 14:21:54 +0000

I appreciate Bachelor's attention to detail in regards to the facets of the Buddha's teaching (at least that of the Pali canon) that appear to be totally unique from the going spiritual traditions in India during the Buddha's life. This is an important thing to do in any type of in-depth scholarship. What I don't like about his approach is that he seems to be attempting to shed all of the Buddha's cultural influences, as if the Buddha could have fully escaped them in his day. This is the same kind of scholarship that figures like John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg apply to the teachings of Jesus in the Christian New Testament. They more or less deny that Jesus would have said anything that anyone else would have said before, and thus only consider a small handful of sayings and teachings in the NT as possibly coming from him. In essence, a severe consequence (however unintended) of this brand of exegetical scholarship reduces the historical figure into a sort of talking head. Rather than stripping the teachings of the Buddha, or even Jesus for that matter, from any teachings that resemble other teachings that were around in their time, we should at least take into account the fact that many of these redundancies may have been important to their overall message. However, once we feel that we have a good handle on the teachings of any important figure from any given text (as the message may change from text to text, as we see in both the Buddhist and Christian literature), we can freely choose to accept or reject those teachings based on whichever information we find to be more valid. We need not shave off the unsightly aspects of a tradition as if they were never there in order to value certain aspects of the tradition. We can acknowledge the whole catastrophe and allow wisdom to shine light on any aspects that need revision in today's evolving world.

Buddhist Geeks : Discover the Emerging Face of Buddhism : BG 174: The Mindful Therapist

Fri, 4 Jun 2010 18:31:25 +0000

As someone who is about to start an M.A. in counseling psychology program this Fall, I found this interview to be truly inspiring. Thank you, Trudy and Vince.

Buddhist Geeks : Discover the Emerging Face of Buddhism : Suffering: The Cliff Notes

Sat, 29 May 2010 18:34:02 +0000

Emily, your writing is clear and easy to relate to. This piece is no exception. Well done!

Buddhist Geeks : Discover the Emerging Face of Buddhism : Just Stop: When Awareness Surrenders to Itself

Wed, 19 May 2010 18:20:51 +0000

Excellent piece, Kenneth and Joel. You did a great job outlining what is - for me, at least - one of most profound aspects of Ramana Maharshi's teaching. There is an "either/or" debate amidst the various awakening traditions: either practice to develop insight, or do nothing because you are already That. Ramana transcends this "either/or" scenario by teaching when to inquire and when to rest. Without practice, one may not really get in touch with their true nature, but think that they have. On the other hand, if one does not know when to relax their efforts they may end up disregarding a genuine nondual awakening, denying it as "not this, not this." Knowing that there's a time for inquiry and a time for rest is crucial on the path of awakening, and I'm happy to know that you're getting this message out there.

Buddhist Geeks : Discover the Emerging Face of Buddhism : The Practical Dharma of Mahasi Sayadaw

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:30:46 +0000

I am VERY excited for this work to be published. I have received so much benefit from reading Mahasi Sayadaw's published works. I can only imagine how much my meditation practice will benefit from this two-volume work of practical, no-nonsense dharma! I would love to be able to receive notification about when the book is scheduled to be published. Would it be possible to be placed on an email list of some kind?

Buddhist Geeks : Discover the Emerging Face of Buddhism : The Feedback Loop: Staying on Track

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:37:35 +0000

There is no shortage of wonder when you start looking at the “cognizant emptiness,” as the Tibetans would say. When you ask, “What is the awake space in which the subject and object are arising?”—that is wonderful. That is all the religion you need. You don’t need any new ideas. You just need to directly apprehend the remarkable reality of this life, this existence.

This is beautifully stated, Kenneth, and it's something that has been coming up in my practice lately. Really clarifying innate natural wakefulness, and just resting there, just letting go; there is no longer any desire to seek. It's all right there - or rather, it's all right here. Spirit's greatest gift to humanity is Itself.

Buddhist Geeks : Discover the Emerging Face of Buddhism : The Yogi Toolbox: “Power tools” for investigating reality

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:00:12 +0000

What I like about this exercise is that it helps the beginner to establish good practice habits right from the start. So often I hear of yogis who have been practicing for years with little practical guidance, only to learn some basic techniques sometime down the road and almost suddenly start to make some progress. I know there are a lot of meditators out there who would benefit from this exercise, and I hope they find their way to this article :-D

Buddhist Geeks : Discover the Emerging Face of Buddhism : Balanced Effort and the ‘Chronic Yogi’

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 16:28:52 +0000

I find these transcribed conversations immensely valuable. I know Kenneth may be working on a book, and I hope it includes some of his teacher-student dialogues. *hint hint* Being a Westerner, I can relate to the statement, "Americans don’t need more effort, generally speaking." I am noticeably conditioned by my culture to work hard and to get results through my own effort. What I've had to learn - rather, what I am still learning - is when to ease the foot off the gas, so to speak. This may happen when shifting up from form-based practice to more of a formless practice (as higher gears require lower RPMs at high speeds), or when the momentum of practice pushes me over a hill, which allows me to let go and allow the gravity of the practice to be the force that propels me down the path. In either case, learning when to push and when to relax has made (and continues to make) a significant impact on my meditation practice. Anyways, great article!

Buddhist Geeks : Discover the Emerging Face of Buddhism : Taming the Mind: Four Perspectives on Enlightenment

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:04:41 +0000

Being both Kenneth's student and friend, I am happy to see a thorough yet accessible summary of his contribution to Western dharma posted on this site :-D