Also see: Transcript of Lankavatara Sutra with Thusness 2007
Transcript with Thusness - Heart of Mahakashyapa, +A and -A Emptiness
Transcript with Thusness - 2012 Self-Releasing
Transcript with Thusness 2012 - Group GatheringTranscript with Thusness - Heart of Mahakashyapa, +A and -A Emptiness
Transcript with Thusness - 2012 Self-Releasing
Finally, with the help of AI's automated transcription of videos, I have finished my transcription of this 3.5 hours long meeting! You can read it here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16QGwYIP_EPwDX4ZUMUQRA30lpFx40ICpVr7u9n0klkY/edit
ChatGPT's Synopsis and Timeline of ATR Meeting on 28 October 2020
INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT (00:00 - 17:00)
- Discussion about the pandemic's impact on businesses and related moral dilemmas in investments.
SPIRITUAL AWAKENING DISCUSSION (17:00 - 30:00)
- Kenneth Bok asks about the start of John Tan's spiritual journey.
- John Tan shares his journey began at age 15 with the "I Am" experience, describing it as a direct experience of self-awareness, linking it to Buddhism and Hinduism.
THE NATURE OF EXPERIENCE AND NON-DUALITY (30:00 - 1:00:00)
- John Tan elaborates on the difference between experience and insight, emphasizing non-duality and the phases of realizing no-self.
- Discussion on how the concept of self is a mental construct and the phases of realizing no-self, including insights on reification and Madhyamaka.
ANATTA AND TOTAL EXERTION (1:00:00 - 1:20:00)
- Detailed discussion on the experience of anatta (no-self) and total exertion.
- John Tan explains anatta involves experiencing things directly without the conceptual overlay of self, and how total exertion involves seamless integration with all experiences.
- Practical methods mentioned include Vipashyana (insight meditation), mindfulness, and the importance of direct, non-dual experiences.
INTEGRATING INSIGHTS AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION (1:20:00 - 1:40:00)
- Conversation shifts to practical applications of spiritual insights in daily life, including the continuous process of deconstructing concepts and the importance of sincerity in self-inquiry.
SOMATIC PRACTICES AND YOGA (1:40:00 - 2:00:00)
- John Tan and William Lam discuss various somatic practices and yoga.
- Mention of Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Yoga, and other somatic exercises as methods to facilitate spiritual insights and bodily awareness.
- Discussion on how these practices help in managing stress, fear, and enhancing bodily awareness through exercises like deep breathing and rhythmic movements.
TAOISM AND OTHER SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS (2:00:00 - 2:20:00)
- John Tan discusses his experiences and insights from Taoism, comparing it to Buddhism.
- Explanation of key Taoist concepts like Wu Wei (Actionless Action) and the interconnectedness emphasized in the I Ching.
- Discussion on Taoist practices focusing on the transformation of Qi (vital energy) and the cultivation of Shen (spirit).
ADVANCED SOMATIC AND MEDITATIVE PRACTICES (2:20:00 - 2:40:00)
- Discussion on advanced practices such as the microcosmic orbit in Taoist alchemy, involving the circulation of energy through the body.
- Mention of Kundalini practices and their parallels in Taoism and Yoga.
- John Tan explains how these practices aim to balance and enhance energy flow, contributing to spiritual development.
CONCLUDING REMARKS AND FINAL THOUGHTS (2:40:00 - END)
- Reflections on the journey of spiritual practice, the importance of understanding and deconstructing concepts, and maintaining a connection with teachings and experiences across different spiritual traditions.
- Emphasis on the continuous nature of spiritual practice and the integration of insights into daily life.
TOA PAYOH MEETING ENDING
OVERCOMING ATTACHMENT AND CONCEPTUAL DECONSTRUCTION
- John Tan elaborates on overcoming attachment and the nature of attributes and objects.
- He discusses how attributes like color are not inherent in objects but are dependent on consciousness and the whole exertion of consciousness.
- Emphasizes the gradual process of deconstructing concepts such as cause and effect and attributes over years, leading to a deeper understanding of dependent origination.
This synopsis captures the flow of the conversation and key points discussed during the meetings, providing a structured timeline for easy reference. It includes mentions of various somatic practices and yoga, emphasizing their role in spiritual development, and incorporates the discussion from the Toa Payoh Meeting Ending.
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For those who prefer to listen in Audio, I recommend PC/phone read to text:
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Listen to PDFs using Microsoft Edge or Adobe Acrobat Reader:
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Note: The "Read Aloud" feature is optimized for text-based PDFs and might not work as expected with PDFs composed of scanned images.
Labels:
Advaita,
Anatta,
Dependent Origination,
Emptiness,
I AMness,
John Tan,
Madhyamaka,
Taoism,
Yoga