Ep91: Dark Side of the Dharma - Anna Lutkajtis 

Sorry to be obnoxious, and post a second comment, but this discussion really clarifies something for me. Political development as a branch of ethical development is something that definitely gets addressed in engaged Buddhism circles, but those circles seem too often to remain somewhat socially separate from circles of materially comfortable-yet often profoundly anxious-people who are sold meditation and yoga as a means to bypass the discomfort of the cognitive dissonance between their view of themselves as good, virtuous, decent people, and the realities of their participation in and submission to systems of power and domination, racial class stratification, economic inequality, ecocide, et al.

What are these challenging qualities of meditation? Something that you might want to ask yourself, do you believe yourself that psychedelics can allow someone to more effectively and safely pursue more rigorous meditation? Can we even live a everyday life effectively and safely on psychedelics? How can one be mindful when high on psychedelic's?

@@jmetta1104 Some of the challenging qualities of meditation are the arising of repressed trauma, fears of certain types of pain or death, life taking on a quality of meaninglessness or nihilism, the simple challenge of facing physical pain from sitting, etc. Do I believe psychedelics can help someone pursue more rigorous meditation? *Depending on the individual* yes; for some psychedelics can provide motivation, insight, or facilitate a deepening of understanding for sober practice. For others, not at all and in fact it may do the opposite. "Can we even live a everyday life effectively and safely on psychedelics?" Not sure. Trying to be high on a psychedelic everyday would be a pretty major misunderstanding of the utility of these substances as far as I'm concerned. "How can one be mindful when high on psychedelic's?" By having a solid mindfulness practice in place and understanding the principles behind mindfulness. It would take a pretty trained mind to remain completely mindful while being in a psychedelic state though.

@@ethanschaltegger Suwapath wewa Ethan, Thank you for your well thought out responds. Much appreciate it. Well this is pretty interesting . . . I never expected this to happen, I'm so glad that I have an opportunity to write to you. I clicked on your name and it brought me to your youtube channel. I’m able to only watch one of your youtube videos so far, “A message of unity”. From 3:44 - 4:04 of the video, I believe that’s why I’m here writing to you right now. In the emotional alchemy part of the video, a lot of the things that you mentioned are correct but there’s still a much deeper learning and understanding behind the things you talked about. I could be wrong about this, but based on my observation on what you talk about “emotion generation”. It seems to me that you believe by generating positive/happy emotions will lead us to happiness. Let’s say there’s more to it than you have realized so far. I believe the link that will be share after this paragraph will help to give you some new insights and possibility some answers to questions that you might be seeking. :) Especially about some of the things you mentioned in your "a message of unity" video. puredhamma.net/dhamma-and-science/origin-of-life/worldview-of-the-buddha/is-there-a-self/an-apparent-self-involved-in-kamma-generation/ From 12:50 - 14:09 of the video. Yes is possible when one gains the wisdom to see and understand the truth about this world, our existence and the nature’s of law. Dude . . . The emptiness of reality . . . Very well done on your realization, saddhu saddhu saddhu. To me, it seems like you’re close to realizing one of the 3 true characteristics of this world, Anatta. But the emptiness our experience of reality and nature is not entirely correct. Because let me ask you, how can reality/world be empty when there’s clearly matter and energy that is in a constant state of change? In addition to your own realization of the nature of all experiences and reality to be empty, l would like to share some other ways that you can view, perceive, think about the nature of all experiences and reality, just like you do with “emptiness”. Feel free to use these other ways if it makes sense to you. These other ways are the actual correct meaning of Anatta, which is popularly taught as “no-self” in Theravada Buddhism. But no-self is not the actual meaning of Anatta and is not the doctrine of Anatta. . . . I invite you to see the correct meanings of Anatta. After you see this, you can use the correct meanings of Anatta to see if it resonates and is true for you or not. Because how you perceive the nature of experience and reality to be empty is not too far from Anatta. puredhamma.net/key-dhamma-concepts/anicca-dukkha-anatta-2/anatta-systematic-analysis/ In the interconnected unity part of the video, some of the things you talked about is correct, but somethings aren’t completely right. One example of this is when you said “This I am-ness does not shift, does not change, this remains”. That is not correct because there’s nothing in this world that is arisen does not change/shift/remains, including this “I am-ness”. This “I am-ness” is self created and is arisen in this world. How can something that arises in this world does not change/shift? Ethan I’m just guessing about this, but I think what you possibility might be thinking is that why is there this “ego or the perception of I am-ness” that still remains after all this/these spiritual practice? It's like one cannot get rid of it. I believe this what you might mean when you say and feel "this I am-ness does not shift, change and remains", but I'm not sure. Based on a lot of things you talked about in your video, I sincerely believe that you have the wisdom and so much potential to see the truth about this world, our existence and the Buddha Dhamma. I sincerely hope that you'll be able to see the truth in the Buddha Dhamma and attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana, I wish the same for all living beings as well. But this spiritual awakening stuff is not for everyone and it’s not what you think it is as well. To share a little bit about myself, I have looked into many different spiritual teachings and practices in the last 17 years including new age teachings, channeled material, crystal's, Mahayana Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, etc . . . From my own experience/understanding/knowing. Theravada Buddhism is the pinnacle teaching in this universe, but unfortunately the Theravada Buddhism today that is popular taught contains some misinterpretations/distortions/misunderstandings on some core Dhamma teachings. This isn't really anyone's fault since it's not easy to translate Pali into English and a lot of monks doesn't know the history or what has happened to the Buddha teachings over the years. The website that I'm going to share with you, I believe it's the most pure, uncontaminated Buddha Dhamma that is taught in English out there. I’m so fortunate and blessed to have come across this website that I’m sharing with you. I believe the pure Buddha Dhamma is the greatest gift that I can ever receive and ever give to someone. There's no greater blessing out there than once your able to see and understand the truth about this world, our existence and the Buddha Dhamma. This might be what you have been looking for all your life, it was for me. I sincerely hope this will help you on your path. I invite you to take a look what I would like to share with all the living beings in this universe. puredhamma.net/ puredhamma.net/new-revised-posts/pure-dhamma-sitemap/ I also want you to know that you’re not alone, there’s an actual Sangha of the Buddha out there. You’ll be able to see and know them once you’re able to see the truth in the pure Buddha Dhamma. As well there is like-minded people like you out there, but once again Ethan, I can't stress enough that this spiritual awakening stuff is "probably" not what you think it is. . . I believe it's not a coincidence that I'm here writing to you. I hope we can be friends and stay in contact with each other. Feel free to contact me anytime at jmetta8@gmail.com May the blessing of the triple gem shine upon you and all the living beings.

@@ethanschaltegger May you and all living beings be healed and free of all trauma's, fears, dangers, pain and suffering. You said "life taking on a quality of meaninglessness" Your actually not to far off from the truth of one of the 3 true characteristics of this world. "or nihilism" I'm not sure what your own definition of nihilism is, but the two extreme wrong views Lord Buddha taught for us to avoid is annihilationism and eternalism. I'm not completely sure what you mean by "sitting", to me it could be just regular sitting or sitting meditation practice. But if it's in regards to sitting meditation practice and your experiencing physical pain. It's actually not a challenge and a very normal thing in this human realm, even Gautama Buddha experience physical pain. As well, it's not possible to be/remain in one position for too long before one feel's some sort of discomfort for us human beings. Even heavenly beings, what people believe to be gods can't stay or maintain a certain position for long periods of time before they would need to move or change positions. As for using psychedelic's for meditation or spiritual progression, it's not something that I would recommend. But people can do as they like since it's all a personal choice and I do my best to respect that. I came across a post on a FB group and would like to share it with you since it's relevant to this discussion about psychedelics. What is said/taught in this FB group, there are some really well written materials and can benefit people, but I don't completely agree with some of the things that is said/taught in the group since there are some distortions/misinterpretations/misunderstandings of the Buddha's teachings. Nevertheless, the post I'm sharing with you is well written and probably better than anything I can write about this topic as of this moment. I know for some, the word "Nibbana" might seem so esoteric or out of reach, but it's really not. One can view Nibbana as the ultimate bless/happiness, the ultimate healing, the ultimate friend, the end of all future suffering and whatever positive aspect's one is seeking in life, but it's much more deeper than that as well. facebook.com/photo?fbid=933791694106919&set=gm.867610147430057

Why dont you send them an email brother?

>>> "He does not claim to have any special knowledge of how to live skillfully in the conventional world". Already this tells me if this guy is an Arahant or not and it's unfortunate that he claims to be an Arahant when he's truly not The 'perfected personality' model of enlightenment is one of many myths about practice and attainment that Daniel clarifies in his book Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha. It's available for free at www.integrateddaniel.info/book. What's this about not being allowed to formally meditate until Stream entry? Some kind of gatekeeping?

@@RichLee_laughingblade Thank you for the link, I quickly scanned through the book. Some of the things written are pretty decent, there's definitely some beneficial things people can learn from the book, but he's definitely not an Arahant. You said: "What's this about not being allowed to formally meditate until Stream entry? Some kind of gatekeeping?" Two things need to be clarified and emphasize. First, I mentioned that meditation needs to be seen from two perspective, one is formal and the other is non-formal. Meditation is something that we all should be doing in our every waking moment, but it's not possible to do formal meditation all the time in our everyday lives. So during the times we can't do formal meditation, we can do non-formal meditation. Formal meditation is when we sit/lay or whatever position in some quiet place, while non-formal meditation is something that we do when we go about our everyday life. We can even meditated while communicating with others or while we working at our mundane jobs. In the simplest terms, meditation is for insight and mindfulness. Now here's where things get's tacky with insight and mindfulness meditation. Some teachers/spiritual teachings teach that one should be mindful of the breath, the body, feelings, an object, how your arm lift's up, lifts down etc . . . People are free to teach and use whatever meditation techniques they like. All I'm going to say is the things I mentioned about what is popularly taught and practice as mindfulness meditation today are mundane and not what the Buddha taught. Such techniques/practices does not purify the mind or eliminate defilements. They might temporary suppress defilements, but does not eliminate them. That's why people who go on meditation retreats, after they come back into their ordinary lives, their back being stressed out, etc and then think themselves "I need another meditation retreat". Second, I never said not being allowed to formally meditate until stream entry. I said, "it's not really recommended for one to do formal meditation before attaining stream entry, because one doesn't really know what to meditate on". When people mention about side effects of meditation like in this interview done by Guru viking and Anna, that's one of the main reason's why formal meditation is not recommended until one attains stream entry on the Buddhist path or is taught by an Ariya (noble disciple of the Buddha). In fact, one doesn't need to do formal meditation to attain stream entry, it's when one wants to go beyond stream entry, then formal meditation is needed. It's widely taught and a belief that meditation is for relaxing the mind or to achieve this or get that. But the purpose of meditation is NOT for relaxing the mind or to achieve this or to get that. The relaxation, achievement, etc . . is the result and a measuring stick of meditation, not the only purpose. There's a difference between purpose and result. When the purpose is correct, then the result will follow. Of course if people want to do formal meditation, it's a personal choice and can be beneficial for some. But for some others, it can hurt them if it's not taught/practiced properly just like mentioned in this video. I said quite a few things, but I never really mentioned what's the purpose of meditation or how to go about it. It would require me to type quite a bit, I don't want to make these post too long. No matter what purpose or techniques people use for meditations, I just hope everyone be careful of practicing/learning what's being taught out there . From my own personal experience/learning/understanding, some spiritual teachings out there are completely distorted and will lead one to a bad destination. While the majority of the other teachings contains some truths, but doesn't have the complete "right view or truth" about our existence or the truth about this universe. So once again still contains contaminations/distortions/misinterpretations which can hinder one's spiritual practice progress or lead one down to the wrong path. May the blessing of the triple gem shine upon us all.

@@jmetta1104 thanks for your lengthy and thoughtful response. Why are you so sure that Daniel Ingram is not an Arahant? A few words and a skim of the book might seem superficial. What practices would you recommend for attaining stream entry, if not meditation? I think we can discount popular mindfulness as useful for anything more than relaxation, so I'm happy for you to step it up a little 😊

@@RichLee_laughingblade Suwapath wewa Rich, I mentioned anyone that’s a lay person and attained Arahanthood must ordain as a Bhikkhu within 7 days or else the person will die. A lay person or regular householder life cannot bear Arahanthood, so unless Daniel is a Bhikkhu, then it’s not possible that he’s an Arahant. Also Daniel does not claim to have any special knowledge of how to live skillfully in the conventional world. How can an Arahant not know how to teach or say how to live skillfully in the conventional world? To live skillfully in the conventional world, one learns and practices the Buddha Dhamma, follow the noble 8 fold path and live a moral life . . . Let's say there's so many things about him that PROVES he's not an Arahant. I don’t want to go into them here since I'm not here to bash or slander him. Too many things . . . . What practices would you recommend for attaining stream entry, if not meditation? I mentioned that we should be meditating all the time, but it’s not possible to practice formal meditation all the time in our everyday lives. I highly recommend you check out the link below for more information on Buddhist meditation. This is my teacher teaching material, he's able to explain things more clear and concise than I can. As well if you find the website to be of interest to you, you can learn at your own pace and have things explained more clear, concise and in details to you than I can do for you here. puredhamma.net/bhavana-meditation/introduction-to-buddhist-meditation/ Here's a link on what mindfulness (Sati) is. puredhamma.net/living-dhamma/essential-buddhism/sati-in-anapanasati-satipatthana/ Rich, you don't know how fortunate you are for coming across the website I just shared with you. Of course it's only fortunate if you have the Kamma/wisdom to be able to understand/comprehend and see the truth in the Buddha Dhamma. You'll understand this message when you come across certain teachings of the Buddha . . . I mentioned before that I have looked into many different spiritual teachings and practices in the last 17 years including new age teachings, channeled material, crystal's, Mahayana Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, etc . . . From my own experience/understanding/knowing. Theravada Buddhism is the pinnacle teaching in this universe, but unfortunately the Theravada Buddhism today that is popular taught contains some misinterpretations/distortions/misunderstandings on some core Dhamma teachings. This isn't really anyone's fault since it's not easy to translate Pali into English and a lot of monks doesn't know the history or what has happened to the Buddha teachings over the years. The website I share with you, I believe it's the most pure, uncontaminated Buddha Dhamma that is taught in English out there. The person who wrote the materials is an Ariya (noble disciple) that at the very least attained stream entry, he might even be an once returner and very close to non-returner. He was practicing the popular taught Theravada Buddhism before he met his teacher whom is a non-returner, and the teacher at the time of his death quite possibly attained Arahanthood. Rather you believe any of this is up to you, I don't need you to believe any of this, but I'll provide you with some evidence and you can make your own decision. puredhamma.net/new-revised-posts/parinibbana-of-waharaka-thero/ What I'm sharing with you is still Theravada Buddhism, but like I said, I believe it to be the most pure and uncontaminated version out there. If you have any questions or would like to discuss about anything, you can e-mail me at jmetta8@gmail.com As well feel free to look around the website that I shared with you and see what might interest you. Here's the sitemap. puredhamma.net/new-revised-posts/pure-dhamma-sitemap/ May the blessing of the triple gem shine upon us all living beings and may all living beings attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.

Very well said! Thank you ☸️☯️☸️

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