What is the difference between assuming the feeling of love to end the desire cycle vs assuming the love one would feel to manifest a specific thing? As the feeling is the same, working on ending the desire cycle would also manifest the desires one previously had, right?
Yes, it would manifest the desires one previously had. It's a matter of scope, mostly. It's like fishing with a net vs with a fishing pole. The end goal is the same, and even with a fishing pole, you can keep yourself fed. But, by using the net, you accomplish the same feat more efficiently. Not sure if that makes sense.
Imagining what a “transcendent” state would be like. It’s kind of like saying, “imagine the 5th dimension.” You can’t do that, even though higher dimensions very well might exist. But we aren’t able to conceptualize them. A lot of people try and conceptualize transcendence in this way, but that’s not really useful
good grief this posts hits me like a freight train. i was in the "desires bad, sledgehammer them all" mode for the better part of my 30s. so much time wasted on that. welp i guess we all have our own paths back home
Don't worry, I can relate. Lol. Much of my journey was spent neurotically trying to identify and eliminate even the slightest hint of a desire for anything. Again, some people would say this is the way to go.
For me, though, it ended up being more productive to make peace with my desires and to work on "purifying" them through this process so that they no longer caused suffering despite continuing to exist.
In my case it ended up being repression instead of truly eliminating the desires. And as you well know, repressed desires come back with a vengeance hahhaha.
What happened in your case that made you realize you had to change course? Just curious you don’t have to andwer if it’s too personal.
I think it was just unfeasible. By trying to stamp out all desires I was causing myself more grief than if I just pursued my desires in the first place. Which led me to investigate it a little more deeply.
What is the difference between assuming the feeling of love to end the desire cycle vs assuming the love one would feel to manifest a specific thing? As the feeling is the same, working on ending the desire cycle would also manifest the desires one previously had, right?
Yes, it would manifest the desires one previously had. It's a matter of scope, mostly. It's like fishing with a net vs with a fishing pole. The end goal is the same, and even with a fishing pole, you can keep yourself fed. But, by using the net, you accomplish the same feat more efficiently. Not sure if that makes sense.
hi,
could you elaborate on number 3
what does conceptualizing and objectivity mean when discussing “transcendence”?
Imagining what a “transcendent” state would be like. It’s kind of like saying, “imagine the 5th dimension.” You can’t do that, even though higher dimensions very well might exist. But we aren’t able to conceptualize them. A lot of people try and conceptualize transcendence in this way, but that’s not really useful
thank you, i understand now.
out of curiosity, in what ways do people try to conceptualize it in that way and why isn't it useful?
good grief this posts hits me like a freight train. i was in the "desires bad, sledgehammer them all" mode for the better part of my 30s. so much time wasted on that. welp i guess we all have our own paths back home
Don't worry, I can relate. Lol. Much of my journey was spent neurotically trying to identify and eliminate even the slightest hint of a desire for anything. Again, some people would say this is the way to go.
For me, though, it ended up being more productive to make peace with my desires and to work on "purifying" them through this process so that they no longer caused suffering despite continuing to exist.
In my case it ended up being repression instead of truly eliminating the desires. And as you well know, repressed desires come back with a vengeance hahhaha.
What happened in your case that made you realize you had to change course? Just curious you don’t have to andwer if it’s too personal.
I think it was just unfeasible. By trying to stamp out all desires I was causing myself more grief than if I just pursued my desires in the first place. Which led me to investigate it a little more deeply.