From Limited Mind and Body to Our True (No) Self

Abstract: This article explores the evolution of universal consciousness through two distinct human forms across different historical periods. We know that, from time to time, the universe manifests in various human embodiments to fulfill specific tasks for the benefit of humanity.  For example, Lord Krishna's timeline dates back to around 5000 BC, followed by the appearance of Jesus Christ approximately 5000 years later. In between, we have another great master, Gautama the Buddha. Krishna's mission involved upholding justice, re-establishing the political order, and looking after the poor, the oppressed, and uprooting the corruption in the Indian subcontinent. His teachings ultimately aimed to lead people to enlightenment and divine incarnation, with his closest disciple being Arjuna.  Subsequently, a more powerful divine being, Gautama Buddha, emerged and revealed the path to Nirvana . Then even more potent divine presence, Jesus Christ, appeared. His teachings reached a va...

Abstract: Our previous article sheds some light on to the nature of our human consciousness, the subtle meditative states one can attain and the final termination layer of our human mind. All these states, are witnessed through meditation as deep mental absorptions/samadhis. The nature of this termination layer really depends on the spiritual trajectory of the individual and their level of realization. Most of the time, the advanced practitioners from the Buddhist path go through this matrix/mirror-like state where our mind or awareness finally arrives to its own projection, that creates its own narratives, or rather illusions. Practitioners from other trajectories may have similar stories to share. However, at this mirror-like state, one starts to question everything he/she had witnessed so far; all the meditative experiences, signs, symbols and even the so-called past-life information. Whether they are based on our accumulated data supporting our belief system or whether is it absolu...

Abstract: Concepts such as heaven and hell exist in almost all religious traditions. Abrahamic traditions believe that, once you're liberated on this planet earth, you can go to heaven. Buddhist traditions mostly deny this claim and believe that we must reincarnate into this human world again from these celestial realms. Some believe that, these are merely mind-made concepts and in reality do not exist. Abrahamic traditions rely on the attainments such as ego-death, resurrection at their enlightenment while Buddhist traditions state, "Nirvana" is the highest goal leading to the final liberation. So there is a conceptual and a practical difference between the two. However a meditator who followed the bodhisattva path may have been exposed to both of these spiritual traditions and might have a different perspective, entirely based on his meditative experience. This post is about that. Fig. 1: Depiction of heaven in an old painting (left), heaven as a meditative vision and a...

Abstract: Vipassana practice is unique to Buddhism. It is said that Gautham Buddha had found this practice 2500 years ago, which lead him to his final liberation under the Bodhi tree. However we find different forms of Vipassana practices in other religions too. This could be true as Vipassana essentially means, "Insight Meditation" which can be practiced by anybody despite their religious or ethnic background. There are many programs nowadays offering seasonal Vipassana retreats (during Monsoons). We believe that Vipassana practice is the sure remedy to end our suffering and to be free from mind projections. But how so? And what is the true from of Vipassana? This article covers only the practicality of Vipassana and relate them to Buddha's enlightenment.    Fig. 1: Vipassana : From meditation to a quality of mind. When it comes to the practice of meditation, there are thousand different forms to it. Similarly in Vipassana meditation. The aim of this article is to bring ...