0030 Self-development v Spirituality: Yoga Vasistha Interlude

Self-effort, liberation and spirituality. Does self-effort move us towards Enlightenment? If so, then it presupposes a path, a path of more and more refined states of consciousness until we enter a state of liberated bliss.

Hui Neng in China is the sixth patriarch of Ch'an Buddhism (which evolved in Japan into Zen. Hui Neng is sometimes regarded as the first patriarch of Zen). He was an illiterate cook. He didn't do any practices. He heard a monk reciting from a Buddhist scripture in the market place and got enlightened.




See The Sutra of Hui Neng.

Where did self-effort come into it? The argument would be that he did the self-effort in a previous life. Right.... Well, if this is the case then it indicates that self-effort in this life is not always necessary which undermines Vasistha's point somewhat.

The notion of a path to Enlightenment is actually a hindrance to Enlightenment. It means you have a belief in Enlightenment. Talk of Enlightenment and spirituality can by its very nature bring an anti-spiritual result.

Notions of mental/emotional training, or self-improvement, are often confused with spirituality.

Look at Buddhism for example. It has aspects of mental/emotional training (Hinayana). These in themselves have nothing to do with spirituality. Mahayana Buddhism is characterised by insight and the wisdom of direct experiencing.

The guru/disciple relationship. It is important to be careful about transplanting this into a western context. It is best to avoid it if possible.

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[dbca999]

Well, it is not the duration of focus on God but the quality of focus on God that brings enlightenment. King Parikshit(descendant of Pandavas in Mahabharat) got salvation in mere 7 days whereas sages have to meditate for years and years often spanning across multiple births to get salvation.

In today's times, genuine gurus are hard to find, so just read books and think and follow it. That's the safest bet. Fake gurus are plenty.

[Gurugillies]

I suspect that if the focus is of sufficient quality then duration will naturally follow.

[kareemdemon]

direct action - awareness-stop the bullshit