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[ED] So, the Hindus had understood over 2,800 years ago that for some personality types, Jnana Yoga is a feasible path (of knowledge and intellect), for attaining the experience of oneness of Atman and Brahman, of which the Zen equivalent is the realization of Buddha Nature. Buddha Nature does not lie in the realm of the intellect so it'd be a real feat to realise it this way. However, the gates of the dharma are countless, so don't give up hope... [ED] I do not at all discount metta states, although their ultimate benefit to self or other is not clear. [MIKE] Practicing metta opens our heart to compassion for ourselves and every other sentient being. I think the benefit of that would be obvious. [ED] I know that metta states make the experiencer feel good. Is there any other benefit to anyone? Yes, it does make the experiencer "feel good", but it's not just limited to that. The benefits to others are very real. Think of all the shitty things you've done to people in the past month (and vice versa). Imagine if those same things would've been done if you, or the others, were basking in the state of selfless compassion.. [ED] And after all, will not metta states also be transcended? [MIKE] If you say that metta states will be transcended, then you'll be joining Bill! for another 500 rebirths as a fox! [ED] Mike, I asserted nothing; I asked a question. How do you know for certain that metta states will never be trancended? What other states will never be transcended? Well, a 'state' implies something temporary (at least in human terms), so that should answer that particular question. However, remember that working from the absoluteonly was what 'caused' the monk (and Bill!) to be reborn as the fox 500 times... Mike
