enlightenment revisited
- jhsaintonge
- Topic Author
15 years 3 weeks ago #54096
by jhsaintonge
Replied by jhsaintonge on topic RE: enlightenment revisited
Hi Nik--
Very wise, very reasonable. I really respect your integrity and appreciate what you just wrote. I feel very similarly myself. thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings.
-jake
Very wise, very reasonable. I really respect your integrity and appreciate what you just wrote. I feel very similarly myself. thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings.
-jake
- triplethink
- Topic Author
15 years 3 weeks ago #54097
by triplethink
Replied by triplethink on topic RE: enlightenment revisited
"Can anyone offer any evidence that enlightenment enhances the morality of the enlightened individual? (I'm looking for specific examples.)"
Meditative practices in the Pali sutta discourses are obviously based on the development of specific kinds of moral and ethical outlook and practice with it's own very particular standards, some may even say these are unrealistic standards. If this aspect of those 'core teachings' doesn't get much attention elsewhere it doesn't do anything to lessen the significance of the role of moral and ethical conduct and practice within that specific body of teaching.
Its interesting living in a pluralistic moral culture wherein the general moral and ethical environment is sufficiently ambivalent that its an open question what is the significance of the role of moral and ethical views and practices in serving as a support for beneficial, wholesome and skillful mental qualities and thereby as a foundation for other aspects of practice.
I've encountered an obvious sense of the immediacy of moral and ethical practice. To the extent that I am awake to the nature of kamma making and kamma results I expect that I am also accountable for thinking, speaking and acting in accord with the nature of that awareness. While I can observe the great relevance of morality and ethics for my own practice of the 8FP, I see nothing but danger in promoting the further development of the moral and ethical skillfulness of others. In my limited experience I think its best to leave it to individuals to determine the nature of and significance of morality and ethics for themselves. To stress the importance of this aspect of practice appears to be generally counterproductive these days; probably an artifact of living in an ethical sense in an age where those in positions of moral authority (and speech on morality is always taken as speaking authoritatively) are often found to be duplicitous and disillusioning.
Meditative practices in the Pali sutta discourses are obviously based on the development of specific kinds of moral and ethical outlook and practice with it's own very particular standards, some may even say these are unrealistic standards. If this aspect of those 'core teachings' doesn't get much attention elsewhere it doesn't do anything to lessen the significance of the role of moral and ethical conduct and practice within that specific body of teaching.
Its interesting living in a pluralistic moral culture wherein the general moral and ethical environment is sufficiently ambivalent that its an open question what is the significance of the role of moral and ethical views and practices in serving as a support for beneficial, wholesome and skillful mental qualities and thereby as a foundation for other aspects of practice.
I've encountered an obvious sense of the immediacy of moral and ethical practice. To the extent that I am awake to the nature of kamma making and kamma results I expect that I am also accountable for thinking, speaking and acting in accord with the nature of that awareness. While I can observe the great relevance of morality and ethics for my own practice of the 8FP, I see nothing but danger in promoting the further development of the moral and ethical skillfulness of others. In my limited experience I think its best to leave it to individuals to determine the nature of and significance of morality and ethics for themselves. To stress the importance of this aspect of practice appears to be generally counterproductive these days; probably an artifact of living in an ethical sense in an age where those in positions of moral authority (and speech on morality is always taken as speaking authoritatively) are often found to be duplicitous and disillusioning.
- cmarti
- Topic Author
15 years 3 weeks ago #54098
by cmarti
My practice has brought a far deeper connection to my heart. That has affected my actions/reactions. I don't know about enlightenment per se but this deeper heart connection manifests all the time, and it is profound.
Replied by cmarti on topic RE: enlightenment revisited
My practice has brought a far deeper connection to my heart. That has affected my actions/reactions. I don't know about enlightenment per se but this deeper heart connection manifests all the time, and it is profound.