Comments on: Self Illumination - Nick Smith, Life2.0

By: Transforming Poison into Happiness

Transforming Poison into Happiness — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 01:10:07 +0000

[...] happiness? The Self is the common root, and when we begin to see our mind, as it really is, the Self is illuminated. It’s this illumination that without effort, transforms the three poisons into the three [...]

By: Deb Call

Deb Call — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 16:13:07 +0000

Beautifully written and articulated article! I find it so synchronistic – I’m reading the fictional account, Buddha, by Deepak Chopra. In the book, Buddha shares what he’s learned:
“Once I admitted to myself that I would never become completely good or free from sin, something changed inside . . .my attention could go somewhere else. It went beyond my body, and I saw who I really am.”

There’s relief in giving up the pursuit of perfection.

By: Self Illumination - Nick Smith, Life2.0 « Awakening

Self Illumination - Nick Smith, Life2.0 « Awakening — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 20:32:57 +0000

[...] Self Illumination – Nick Smith, Life2.0 [...]

By: Gary

Gary — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 13:59:38 +0000

“But in seeking freedom thereâ€™s something thatâ€™s always overlooked: the fact that the experience of freedom arose out of a complete lack of strivingâ€¦ in a moment when, per chance, the mind has let slip itâ€™s incessant control over our life.”

Very insightful observation from Nick Smith here. To let go of striving (or craving) is enlightenment, of course, as described by the Buddha. Full enlightenment is the complete letting go of desire and striving – which is how we can tell if the Buddhist Way is completed. (I’ve met maybe a handful of monks and nuns who might have achieved this utter surrender of striving. The rest of us seem to flit between striving and letting go, at best!)

“Our Self shines bright and fully formed within.”

Now, a question arises, however. What, exactly, is this ‘Self’ to which Nick Smith refers? Paying attention to this body and mind, no self (or Self) can be found, only sights, sounds, tastes, smells, tactile sensations, thoughts, emotions, memories, etc. But no self or ‘Self’ can be seen anywhere in these various phenomena other than the delusory one constructed through attachment to elements of the body-mind. Let go of this attachment (or striving to be a self or ‘Self’), and here is the peace of the mind empty of craving.

Gary at Forest Wisdom
http://forestwisdom.thaipulse.com/