joe..are you free of self? merle
Merle, quoting: "when we discard 'self' and stand naked as 'non self' are we liberated? are we free?" Yes. We are free. When there is no self, Wisdom and Compassion arise spontaneously, in EXACT accord with real circumstances and events. We are also then FREE to take on the "self" or face that is most helpful to others. This is called "Compassion". And use of Skilful Means. Not having the habitual self (the self forced by residue of accumulated Karma), allows freedom to act in accord with what is REAL. But Merle, it happens not quite as you say: One does not "discard" a self. That is impossible. A self dissolves only by effective Practice. It is not dropped or discarded. It simply falls. It dissolves. Gone! This is the meaning of the Buddhist phrase: "Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate; Bodhi, Svaha! "Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone completely beyond! Buddha-Wisdom, Hail!" For this to happen, one needs to PRACTICE with a teacher and a sangha, and have regular contact with them over a long period of time. --Joe > Merle Lester <merlewiitpom@...> wrote: > > why do must i disagree?... > > " self"...is it such an ugly concept?.. > > after all are we not the self of all selves including the greater self which > some of us see as "god"..? > when we discard "self" and stand naked as "non self" > are we liberated? > are we free?
