I appreciate the heretical formulation of Buddhism's Annata doctrine, because the Atman in Hinduism had been confused with some jivatman concept - what I think you are referring to as "eternalism." The Atman seems to be synonymous with the Tibetan Buddhist Diamond Body or the Mahahanist Clear Light and with Christ. God as pure Identity, not some giant-Jehova-ego, but 'I' as Being, resonates well with me. Much Buddhist (Nirvana, as 'extinction') or even Hebrew thought points to 'Ain,' the Undefined, as "Luminous Darkness," essentially an eternal unconsciousness, which simply depresses me. I much prefer formulations like the Hindu Sat Chit Ananda [Being-Knowledge-Bliss] as the Ultimate Reality.
My own Experience of complete ego loss which yet retained awareness of non-personal Ecstatic Compassion, without any memory reference to 'me,' Markos, was along this line. The Experience of the centerless Infinite, contracting into a locus, of "Unbearable Compassion" in my Heart Cave, occurred while meditating (beneath a statue of Buddha, in my room) during my first exposure to Buddhism in the 70s. To this day I wear an OM MANI PADMA HUM bracelet in commemoration of the event. Compassion, Sat Chit Ananda, Christ-Love seemed to be 'self-effulgent,' or 'radiant' without being 'blinding,' and the 'paleness' subjectively Experienced is, to my recollection, almost a blue-greyness, but perhaps best called "Clear Light."
Have a little faith in my non-naivete in this matter. The 'I' that is the Transcendental 'I' is not-I, it does not refer to a subject, it refers to Infinite Being[-Knowledge-Bliss], to Objective Reality.
-------------------- γνῶθι σαὐτόν - Gnothi Seauton - Know Thyself
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Quote:
psyka said: There are no answers outside of your own mind.
In asking for a guide, one must first realize he is asking for varying aspects of himself. Looking for something outside of your own mind is akin to surrendering your reality to another's.
A true teachers job is to show you how to look within yourself. Its like trying to look at your own eyes. You cant possibly do it without a mirror, but does the mirror change anything? No, it simply reflects what is already there. It gives you a different perspective to help you see things more clearly. Everything you experience is a reflection of your mind. And I agree, looking for something outside of your own mind is absurd. It creates a need that will never be fulfilled. I find myself using this quote a lot lately, but the Buddha said, "if you see a Buddha on the side of the road, strike him down." This essentially means that the truth can only be found within youself, and by chasing anothers interpretation is wasting your time. Which is why the main teaching of Buddhism is not "worship this," "prey to that," "do this or go to hell." It is simply to be mindful. Be aware with your entire being and the truth will be revealed to you. Dogen zenji said "let the tiniest separation appear, and heaven and earth will be torn apart in a thunderous roar."
Peace
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