...isn't very useful or precise. Even among people with a wide range of unity-consciousness experiences there isn't any definition that everyone agrees on concerning what the word points to. Zen folks use the word "kensho" to mean "an experience of cosmic-consciousness," or "seeing into one's true nature," and they use the word "satori" to mean "realization of oneness," but I've seen the words used in other ways as well.
Does the word create more harm than good? Perhaps. How would one know?
Does the word create a fantasy in the minds of people? Sure, but so do tons of other words. If someone has never seen The Grand Canyon in person, they can only imagine what the direct experience is.
If someone has never seen the Grand Canyon, but wants to see it, they can either give up that goal or do whatever it takes to get there and see it.
Does knowing who we are before we are born or after we die matter? It only matters to certain people, and to them it matters a great deal. To others it doesn't matter at all. Different people have different interests. One of the main interests on this forum is existential understanding, so that's why a lot of people here would probably say it matters to them.
Does one have to realize that there is THIS, only? No. It seems to be the nature of reality that only a few people will seek existential understanding. Most people have no serious interest in it.
You're right, I'm not keen on cultivating the mind. I was a pretty clever cookie, and reasonably well educated, but twenty years of thinking didn't help me find out what I wanted to know.
Some people can call enlightenment, self-realization, and existential understanding a "pretense" and thereby dispense with it. Others cannot. I would say that more things of importance can be learned through silently attending than through any amount of thought because that's been my personal experience.
If self-development, self-improvement, cultivating life skills, or cultivating the mind is what someone wishes to do, that's fine with me. I send them my sincere best wishes for a happy life.
Does the word create more harm than good? Perhaps. How would one know?
Does the word create a fantasy in the minds of people? Sure, but so do tons of other words. If someone has never seen The Grand Canyon in person, they can only imagine what the direct experience is.
If someone has never seen the Grand Canyon, but wants to see it, they can either give up that goal or do whatever it takes to get there and see it.
Does knowing who we are before we are born or after we die matter? It only matters to certain people, and to them it matters a great deal. To others it doesn't matter at all. Different people have different interests. One of the main interests on this forum is existential understanding, so that's why a lot of people here would probably say it matters to them.
Does one have to realize that there is THIS, only? No. It seems to be the nature of reality that only a few people will seek existential understanding. Most people have no serious interest in it.
You're right, I'm not keen on cultivating the mind. I was a pretty clever cookie, and reasonably well educated, but twenty years of thinking didn't help me find out what I wanted to know.
Some people can call enlightenment, self-realization, and existential understanding a "pretense" and thereby dispense with it. Others cannot. I would say that more things of importance can be learned through silently attending than through any amount of thought because that's been my personal experience.
If self-development, self-improvement, cultivating life skills, or cultivating the mind is what someone wishes to do, that's fine with me. I send them my sincere best wishes for a happy life.
