The Middle Way
19. *The Middle Way
Dictionary Definition: The Middle Way or Middle Path is the term that Siddhartha Gautama used to describe the character of the path he discovered that leads to liberation. In Mahayana Buddhism, the Middle Way refers to the insight into emptiness that transcends opposite statements about existence. (Wikipedia)
My Definition: The Middle Way is a moderate position between fate and no no causation. There are many conditions that bring a moment to happen and there is no way for us to know every condition that comes to be.
Journal Entry February 12th: The Buddha takes the middle road between nominalism and determinism. There is self-causation. There are external and internal conditions that cause moments of experience to happen. I would like to dive deeper in the Middle Way idea.
19. *The Middle Way
Dictionary Definition: The Middle Way or Middle Path is the term that Siddhartha Gautama used to describe the character of the path he discovered that leads to liberation. In Mahayana Buddhism, the Middle Way refers to the insight into emptiness that transcends opposite statements about existence. (Wikipedia)
My Definition: The Middle Way is a moderate position between fate and no no causation. There are many conditions that bring a moment to happen and there is no way for us to know every condition that comes to be.
Journal Entry February 12th: The Buddha takes the middle road between nominalism and determinism. There is self-causation. There are external and internal conditions that cause moments of experience to happen. I would like to dive deeper in the Middle Way idea.
Mindfulness
20. *Mindfully, Mindfulness
Dictionary Definition: Inclined to be aware, bringing one’s complete attention to the present experience on a moment-to-moment basis, paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally, or a kind of nonelaborative, nonjudgmental, present-centered awareness in which each thought, feeling, or sensation that arises in the attentional field is acknowledged and accepted as it is. (Wikipedia)
My Definition: Taking the mind to this moment. To be aware and pay attention is to have a clear mind. Being aware, you see dukkha and anguish for what it is. You get angry about things because they are different from what you were expecting because you were holding onto your drama (grasping.)
Journal Entry January 31st: Today in class we talking about how many times we trip or fall while walking because we were not paying attention to what we were doing. This made me think about everytime I walk to or from class. I put my headphones in and listen to music that fits my mood. I cut myself out of the world instead of being aware. I cut off any chance for communication with people I run into on the way and I cut out any chance or experiencing something new. I am going to change this and be more aware while walking to class.
20. *Mindfully, Mindfulness
Dictionary Definition: Inclined to be aware, bringing one’s complete attention to the present experience on a moment-to-moment basis, paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally, or a kind of nonelaborative, nonjudgmental, present-centered awareness in which each thought, feeling, or sensation that arises in the attentional field is acknowledged and accepted as it is. (Wikipedia)
My Definition: Taking the mind to this moment. To be aware and pay attention is to have a clear mind. Being aware, you see dukkha and anguish for what it is. You get angry about things because they are different from what you were expecting because you were holding onto your drama (grasping.)
Journal Entry January 31st: Today in class we talking about how many times we trip or fall while walking because we were not paying attention to what we were doing. This made me think about everytime I walk to or from class. I put my headphones in and listen to music that fits my mood. I cut myself out of the world instead of being aware. I cut off any chance for communication with people I run into on the way and I cut out any chance or experiencing something new. I am going to change this and be more aware while walking to class.
Nirvana
<<Get it? :)
21. *Nirvana
Dictionary Definition: In general terms nirvana is a state of transcendence involving the subjective experience of release from a prior state of bondage. This is the result of a natural re-ordering of the mind and body. According to the particular tradition, with the experience of nirvana the mind ended its identity with material phenomena and experiences a sense of great peace and a unique form of awareness or intelligence that is called bodhi. (Wikipedia)
My Definition: Nirvana is the ending of ignorance, but also it is the letting go of the habituated stories that both create experience, one tells about experience, in favor of having the experience arise free from constraints, allowing insight into every moment of experience, the Dharma.
Journal Entry March 6th: This is my most recent journal entry because I am having troubles understanding nirvana after our last class period. We talked originally about how nirvana was the ultimate goal. I am now having a hard time understanding the differences between nirvana, awakening, and enlightenment. Hopefully we will touch more on this after spring break.
<<Get it? :)
21. *Nirvana
Dictionary Definition: In general terms nirvana is a state of transcendence involving the subjective experience of release from a prior state of bondage. This is the result of a natural re-ordering of the mind and body. According to the particular tradition, with the experience of nirvana the mind ended its identity with material phenomena and experiences a sense of great peace and a unique form of awareness or intelligence that is called bodhi. (Wikipedia)
My Definition: Nirvana is the ending of ignorance, but also it is the letting go of the habituated stories that both create experience, one tells about experience, in favor of having the experience arise free from constraints, allowing insight into every moment of experience, the Dharma.
Journal Entry March 6th: This is my most recent journal entry because I am having troubles understanding nirvana after our last class period. We talked originally about how nirvana was the ultimate goal. I am now having a hard time understanding the differences between nirvana, awakening, and enlightenment. Hopefully we will touch more on this after spring break.