[Buddha-l] Non-Arising

[Lidewij Niezink]

Dear Joanna,

Why should it be left to neuroscientists to determine the definitions
of mind?! Considering the crude machinery they work with and the crude
understanding of the mathematical models they have to interpret i find
personally very disturbing to have them telling us what mind is and is
not. I do not see any reason to take those findings and
interpretations more seriously than everyday yada-yada or any other
perception/conception/observation of mind. Which does not mean that I
do not take them seriously, on the contrary, but definitely not
exclusive.

All the best,
Lidewij


On 25 February 2010 22:13, Ralf Steckel <ralf.steckel at online.ms> wrote:
> Dear Dee,
> Dear Joanna,
>
> from my buddhist practice for the last nine years and my encounter of buddhist teaching, i think that it has altered my mind (in the common sense - without giving a precise definition of "mind").
>
> I'm much calmer, more compassionate and more distant to my emotions about things happening to me. Oc course i'm far away from "enlightenment" or even "liberation", but i think, that it was mainly my buddhist training and not just getting older, that made this change.
>
> That may be far away from "transcending the everyday mind", but i think, it's the first step into the right direction.
>
> With all the discussion about theroy and tradition of buddhist experience, we shouldn't forget our personal experience. (That's just my opinion ;) ).
>
> Kind Regards,
>
> Ralf Steckel
>
> <begin snip>
> So Zen mind is not everyday mind in the sense of our usual
> everyday discursive thoughts and emotional conflicts, the term
> 'everyday mind' means something quite different to that. I may be
> wrong, but I think it means a mind that is not characterized by
> conceptual proliferations and projected fantasies. From that
> perspective, it is only the yadda, yadda, yadda of our mental
> events that stands between us and enlightenment. A mind that sees
> things as they are could therefore be said to transcend all that
> crap.
>
> What that kind of mind is like has been argued by people with far
> greater intelligence than I, but I would be interested in hearing
> your point of view on the matter.
>
> Dee
> ______________________________________
>
> I'm with you on your idea of the everyday. However, for non-
> neuroscientists to create definitions of mind, what "it" is like,
> simply leads to more prapanca. More views. A mind metaphysics,
> to be avoided.
> Joanna K
> <end snip>
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-- 
Milton said: "They also serve who only stand and wait."

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