Soh

Welcome to Awakening to Reality

Hello! Welcome to the Awakening to Reality site.

For anyone new to the blog, I highly recommend reading the Must Read articles on the right panel, such as:

You are welcomed to join our discussion group on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/groups/AwakeningToReality/ (Update: Facebook group is now closed, however you can join to access the old discussions. It is a treasure trove of information.)

If you are interested in realizing and actualizing these insights, do read the following (free) e-books:

1) The Awakening to Reality Practice Guide by Nafis Rahman

  • Update: Portuguese translation now available here

2) The Awakening to Reality Guide – Web Abridged Version by Pablo Pintabona and Nafis Rahman

Special thanks to these individuals for their efforts in making these compilations. I trust they will greatly benefit spiritual aspirants.

3) The Awakening to Reality Guide – Original Version compiled by Soh

  • Feedback: "I also want to say, actually the main ATR document >1200 pages helped me the most with insight... ...I did [read] it twice 😂 it was so helpful and these Mahamudra books supported ATR insights. Just thought to share." – Yin Ling

    "To be honest, the document is ok [in length], because it’s by insight level. Each insight is like 100 plus pages except anatta [was] exceptionally long [if] I remember lol. If someone read and contemplate at the same time it’s good because the same point will repeat again and again like in the nikayas [traditional Buddhist scriptures in the Pali canon] and insight should arise by the end of it imo.", 
    "A 1000 plus pages ebook written by a serious practitioner Soh Wei Yu that took me a month to read each time and I am so grateful for it. It’s a huge undertaking and I have benefitted from it more that I can ever imagine. Please read patiently." – Yin Ling
ATR Guide

Listening to PDFs on Various Devices

This guide walks you through downloading and listening to PDF files on different devices using text-to-speech (TTS) features.

iPhone

  1. Download the PDF Files:
    • Open Safari on your iPhone.
    • Visit the provided Box.com link containing the ZIP file with PDFs.
    • Tap the ZIP file to download it, then tap again to extract it in the Files app.
  2. Add PDFs to Books:
    • Open the Files app and locate the folder with the extracted PDFs.
    • Select the PDFs, tap Share, and choose Copy to Books to add them to your Books library.
  3. Listen with Spoken Content:
    • Go to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content.
    • Enable Speak Screen and Speech Controller.
    • Open a PDF in the Books app and tap the speech controller icon, then the Play button to begin reading aloud.

Android

  1. Download the PDF Files:
    • Open Chrome and visit the Box.com link.
    • Tap the ZIP file to download it, then extract its contents using a file manager.
  2. Open PDFs in a PDF Reader:
    • Use your file manager to locate a PDF and open it with your preferred PDF reader app.
  3. Use Text-to-Speech:
    • Option A: Download a TTS app (e.g., Voice Aloud Reader) from the Google Play Store, then open the app, grant permissions, and choose a PDF to listen to.
    • Option B: Use Android’s built-in TTS by going to Settings > Accessibility > Text-to-Speech Output to configure and enable TTS for PDF reading.

Windows

Primary Option: Microsoft Edge Read Aloud

  1. Open Your PDF File:
    • Open the PDF using Microsoft Edge.
  2. Activate Read Aloud:
    • Click the book-with-speaker icon in the toolbar to start Read Aloud.
  3. Control Playback:
    • Use the playback controls to pause, resume, or stop reading.
    • Adjust the reading speed and voice under Voice options.

Secondary Option: Adobe Acrobat Reader Read Out Loud

  1. Open Your PDF File:
    • Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  2. Activate Read Out Loud:
    • Go to View > Read Out Loud and choose either Read This Page Only or Read to End of Document.
  3. Control Playback:
    • Use Acrobat’s playback controls to pause, resume, or stop the reading.
    • Adjust reading speed and voice in Acrobat’s Preferences under the Reading category.

Mac

  1. Using Preview or Apple Books:
    • Preview: Open your PDF in Preview. From the menu, choose Edit > Speech > Start Speaking (or use the Speak Selection shortcut set in System Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content).
    • Apple Books: Double-click the PDF to open it in Books (or drag and drop it into the Books app), then use VoiceOver (press Command + F5) or the Speak Selection feature via System Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content.
  2. Using Adobe Acrobat Reader:
    • Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader for Mac.
    • From the menu bar, select View > Read Out Loud > Activate Read Out Loud.
    • Then choose Read This Page Only or Read to End of Document.
    • Adjust voice and speed in Acrobat’s Preferences > Reading.
  3. Using macOS Built-In TTS:
    • Open System Settings (or System Preferences) and go to Accessibility > Spoken Content (or Dictation & Speech on older versions).
    • Enable Speak Selection (or “Speak selected text when the key is pressed”) and customize the keyboard shortcut (default is Option+Esc).
    • Select text in any app and press the shortcut to have it read aloud.

Tip: Ensure your PDFs are text-based (i.e., not just images). If you’re working with scanned PDFs, you may need Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software first. Learn more here.

With these updated steps, you can easily listen to PDFs on your iPhone, Android device, Windows PC, or Mac. Whether you choose Microsoft Edge or Adobe Acrobat Reader on Windows—and a variety of native tools on macOS—you’ll have multiple options to suit your needs.

Soh


I've developed a software program that significantly improves the formatting of the Krodha Reddit compilations. Additionally, I've updated the links to provide access to these better-formatted DOCX outputs.

I'm gradually uploading the Audio Recordings of these Krodha (Kyle Dixon) Reddit compilations to SoundCloud!

Check out the link below, and be sure to keep an eye out—I'll be adding more in the coming days and weeks. Stay tuned!

SoundCloud link: https://soundcloud.com/soh-wei-yu/sets/reddit-writings-by-krodha-kyle-dixon


Update: I've used up my AI Text to Speech MP3 credits for this month. I will continue uploading next month. Stay tuned.


Krodha (Kyle)’s Reddit Link: https://www.reddit.com/user/krodha/

Please refer to these links for Krodha (Kyle Dixon)'s Reddit post compilations (DOCX) with improved formattings:

Links to the various documents:

Part 1: http://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2022/05/a-compilation-of-some-of-kyle-dixons.html (no Word/PDF document available for part 1)

Part 2: https://app.box.com/s/c7q2srps6h6lkhvp9cf6rjaqtv761j9w

Part 3: https://app.box.com/s/p9w4qrfflf8bkbnd7vkoolpkslnc1vhq

Part 4: https://app.box.com/s/qp0udir2ljtspmxsn8izlz3p8xk4rhpz

Part 5: https://app.box.com/s/haqjou2bzug260wdu1iufvzd5iq924m4

Part 6: https://app.box.com/s/tgzpv157a6rd0lkxqcmtlmh2l93bqsvc

Part 7: https://app.box.com/s/6q3mb4vwe7x52x6isfut8cdkdwb15d4d

Part 8: https://app.box.com/s/8qr3uhbw4oeazr3gmf6wwlsiw82fi4ki


The compilation of Kyle Dixon/Krodha's postings on Dharmawheel forum can be found here: Table of Contents for Malcolm Dharmawheel Posts + Astus, Krodha (Kyle Dixon), Geoff (Jnana), Meido Moore

If anyone hasn't read them yet, I highly recommend them. John Tan and I think his writings are very clear and come from deep insight. A decade ago, John Tan commented on the depth of Kyle's writings, noting they are as insightful as those of Buddhist masters—he advised taking Kyle's insights seriously and commended them even more recently.

Link to my code/software to improve doc file formatting: https://app.box.com/s/0g60kt0lwqliu4x64j0j5d19o3pxk2gn – scroll way down to see what the program does. But before that, here's a summary of the Krodha compilations by ChatGPT:

Subjects Discussed Includes:

  1. Karma and Its Dynamics
    • How individual karma affects one’s attraction to Buddhist teachings and the concept of “group karma.”
  2. The Nature of Self and No-Self (Anatta)
    • Debates over whether a permanent self exists.
    • Various interpretations of selflessness and the experiential realization of “no-self.”
  3. Emptiness, Nonarising, and Illusion
    • Discussions on the emptiness (śūnyatā) of phenomena.
    • Comparisons between conceptual constructions and the nonarising (anutpāda) nature of reality.
  4. Meditation and Paths to Enlightenment
    • Differentiating between practices such as vipaśyanā (clear insight) and deliberate mindfulness.
    • The critical role of meditation (dhyāna and samādhi) for attaining awakening.
  5. Dzogchen, Vajrayāna, and the Role of the Teacher
    • The necessity of direct introduction and qualified guidance in Dzogchen practice.
    • The unique methods of Vajrayāna (e.g., “taking the result as the path,” empowerment, and transformation versus renunciation).
  6. Comparative Perspectives Among Buddhist Traditions
    • Differences among Tibetan Buddhism, Thai Forest, Zen, Theravada, and comparisons with Hindu and Advaita Vedanta views.
    • Debates on supernatural elements, reincarnation of rinpoches, and lineage transmission.
  7. Practical and Ethical Issues in a Buddhist Context
    • Real-life challenges such as dealing with alcoholism and considerations regarding organ donation.
    • Broader social topics including views on abortion, the ethics of practice, and conventional versus ultimate truth.
  8. Philosophical and Textual Exegesis
    • Analyses of classical texts and suttas (e.g., the Daśa­sāhasrikā­prajñā­pāramitā, Kāḷakārāmasutta) to elucidate doctrinal points.
    • Interpretations of direct perception, the transformation of consciousness, and the interplay between conceptual thought and nonconceptual experience.

Overall Summary:

The documents form a comprehensive compilation of Kyle Dixon’s (Krodha’s) Reddit postings, offering deep dives into various aspects of Buddhist philosophy and practice. The posts range from theoretical debates—such as the nature of self, emptiness, and the illusory quality of phenomena—to practical advice on meditation and ethical living. There is a strong focus on how different Buddhist traditions (from Theravada to Tibetan Vajrayāna and Dzogchen) address the transformation of mind, the importance of direct experiential insight, and the necessity of teacher guidance. In addition, Krodha touches on how contemporary issues (like personal challenges or social ethics) intersect with traditional Buddhist teachings, providing a bridge between ancient doctrines and modern life challenges. Overall, the collection reflects a thoughtful and in‐depth exploration of Buddhist thought, inviting readers to consider both doctrinal subtleties and practical applications of the buddhadharma.


What the program does

  1. Identifies conversation blocks
    • The code scans through the DOCX file’s paragraphs.
    • Whenever it encounters a green‐colored paragraph, it treats it as a “Topic Title” and starts a new conversation block.
  2. Determines speaker roles based on font size
    • Large‐font text at the start of a block is labeled “Someone wrote:” (the user or an external voice).
    • Small‐font text at the start is labeled “[Krodha replied:]” (or any custom name specified).
    • Subsequent paragraphs within the same conversation block are classified as either additional “Reply” paragraphs (if small font) or as “Quote” paragraphs (if large font).
  3. Merges consecutive paragraphs
    • If multiple consecutive paragraphs belong to the same role (e.g., repeated “Krodha replied:” or “Quote:”), they are merged into a single block of text.
    • This avoids repetitive labels and keeps the conversation flow continuous.
  4. Outputs a streamlined conversation
    • The program reconstructs each conversation block into clean text with consistent headings, speaker labels, and quotes.
    • Finally, it saves the result as a new DOCX file with neatly segmented paragraphs.

Why the output is superior

  • Consistent, well‐defined structure
    Instead of free‐floating text, you get clear “Topic Title” and well-labeled sections such as “Someone wrote: …,” “Krodha replied: …,” and “Quote: ….”
  • Reduced clutter
    Merging consecutive quotes and replies creates a simpler, more readable output without repeated labels.
  • Enhanced readability
    Removing formatting quirks (varying font sizes, random breaks) results in a natural, easy-to-follow conversation flow.
  • Better referencing and organization
    Each topic remains distinct and clearly labeled, making the document easier to navigate and reference.

Benefits for text-to-speech and AI/MP3 recordings

  1. Clear separation of voices
    Explicit speaker labels help text-to-speech engines naturally switch between different voices or intonation cues.
  2. Easier editing and voice assignment
    Standardized tags simplify the process if you use an AI voice-over tool to assign different voices.
  3. Improved user experience
    Listeners enjoy a natural flow when content is chunked into clearly labeled sections.
  4. Streamlined script for further processing
    Downstream tools (for summarization or sentiment analysis) work better with well-structured text.
Compilation Image