Is the choice to enter nirvana and leave samsara selfish, due to no longer being able to help the beings still stuck in samsara? If so, wouldn't it be impossible to enter nirvana at all, as the choice to do so would be putting yourself before others?
I love you anons.
You found a contradiction in a religion that everyone pretends is much better than others for some reason. Congrats.
Nirvana is not a choice. It's a realisation and achievement. But as you have said, Buddhas have this realisation and may achieve nirvana yet choose to remain in samsara to help others.
I'm honestly just genuinely curious as to what peoples thoughts are about this.
Nirvana wasn't all that great to begin with, people only care because Kurt died.
So Nirvana is not a kind of "place" as well as a realization?
Is exiting samsara impossible, due to the fact the action of doing so is selfish?
Nirvana was massive before kurt died.
It’s a belief system user
BELIEF
and
SYSTEM
a SYSTEM that has the ability to alter your BELIEFS about yourself and the world surrounding it
Most people see the world in shades of black and don’t see the 1001 shades of grey in between and yet, miss the millions of color nuances hidden in the grey area
A system won’t work unless you use it and sometimes it’s not the mere fact of using the system but how you use it
Tl;dr: take the good, leave the bad and keep growing
Nobody should pretend to know what lies beyond the physical chasm of reality so while you’re here, you should focus on being happy
>t. user who had a spiritual/occult phase years ago
Ever thought I might be asking just because I'm interested in what other people believe, not because I need reassurance of life after death?
I agree with you, however, It is still good to question things, as long as it is without attachment.
From my basic understanding to think of it as a "place" is too restrictive. It goes beyond physical places or even beyond self.
It's not necessarily selfish to leave samsara because ultimately that is the end-state.
Thank you, I appreciate it.
It's not selfish, we're all on the journey together. Part of entering nirvana is giving up not only your ambition and negative emotions, but all thoughts of self. If you stay behind because you feel guilty, you haven't let go.
This is a great topic you've brought up Yea Forumsro, a welcome change from all the race-hate and porn that's covering the board these days. (while I still appreciate the porn, so I'm a few lifetimes off nirvana yet).
Very well put.
"They say a dream is real as long as you're in it, couldn't you say the same about life" - Waking life
It's not really about guilt though, its about compassion. If you have the power/choice to lessen someones suffering, you should do it. Leaving samsara is forfeiting that choice.
Thanks user, sometimes a good, wholesome discussion is needed.
I'm now going to watch Waking Life after reading that quote.
It's a brilliant movie. The themes and topics could inspire conversations that last for days, and the cinematography/artwork is incredible.
Hands down my favorite film.
Great recommendation thanks user, I'm really hungover today and need something like that.
Gosh, I wish I was a peace filled dude. I'm too fucked up for all this.
You see you have to realise that we all have the buddha potential within us, we just choose whether or not to work to achieve it. It's all within your own power.
No problem. All of linklaters films are worth checking out. Especially waking life, a scanner darkly, and boyhood.
I hope you feel better soon. Drink lots of water.
What is preventing you from making a peaceful decision next time you have the opportunity?
It seems so far away. I know, working is worth it, its doesn't come easy, yada yada. But I dont know. I'm in constant phases of anxiety, depression sludge for years now. It all started at one exact moment years ago. I could practically split my life into 2 parts, before and after. I just want to live normally again. Have searched help, pills, etc. I would just love to live in this peace filled life you guys seem to achieve. Sorry for sub posting, hey.
Self guilt, self punishment, not allowing myself to be at peace because I don't feel I deserve it. Problem is my mink is too wonked out, and I'm just not the best version of me, who I'd like to be
Sorry for late reply but my point was to just let go of whatever made you start this thread
Your answers will come in form of self revelation
Nirvana is literally made up to confuse aspies into being obedient servants.
Deal with it™
We all have our struggles, my friend. I went through serious depression myself. Its painful, and I am sorry you are experiencing that. I hope your depression leaves you soon. However, If you can have the strength to live in the moment (not focus on what is past, and not fear the future), and make good choices in the moment (for yourself and others), things will begin to look up. Focus on your breathing when life gets too hard, and remember, the more you recoil from an emotion the more painful it is.
Acid and meditation (simultaneously) helped me conclude my 10 years of depression. Maybe try that.
Thank you.
"Do not have blind faith"
You can't "make up" a state of mind.
I agree. I try to just let the moment be, and not fight it off or question it. Kind of like a storm cloud, just observe it and let it come and float past as it inevitably will. I'd be way too scared to try acid. I feel my mind is already too bonkers. I used to smoke the weeds heavily daily until even a little pinch of it would send me to panic. I feel smoking may have been what opened my mind to something I can't close. That's what worries me with acid, or shrooms. If it goes south, I'm in a very bad place for many hours.
Exactly. So you do have the ability and motivation to be peaceful and happy. Its not a commitment to do so, it is just making the best choice you can in this moment.
I actually had a terrible trip, when I did that acid. I thought I was dying, and I could swear I felt my heart stop. So then, I just sat in meditation, waiting for what i believed to be the inevitable. That meditation, on love, forgivness, and non-attachment, somehow cured my depression. You can only learn through suffering.