Posts
Welcome to the Awakening to Reality Facebook Group!
(You can join the Awakening to Reality Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AwakeningToReality/ )
Update:
Subject: Important Announcement: Closing the Awakening to Reality Facebook Group Hi @everyone, I have an important announcement to make. On October 13th, not long after I arrived in Australia but before I traveled to Namgyalgar (Australia) for the Dzogchen retreat led by Acarya Malcolm Smith, I informed John Tan about my thoughts to close the Awakening to Reality group. I have decided to proceed with closing the group but wanted to consult John Tan for his perspective. I asked John Tan, "I'm thinking maybe I should step aside from the ATR FB group or close it.. what do you think?" He replied, “Yes. Practice diligently but step aside. Don't get involved in these activities. If you want, create a website that just does quality stuff don't answer ppl. 缘分到 (translation: when conditions arrive)，then 指点 (translation: point out/guide)。” I discussed with my admins and informed them of my decision on the same day (October 13th). It is my wish that this group has been helpful and supportive in your spiritual journeys. From this point forward, there will be a 7-day period during which you can raise any questions about Dharma and ATR before I enact the closure. In case I or the admins are unable to respond to all inquiries in time, we may personally message you after the closure as soon as we are able. We are not closing our Facebook accounts, so we remain contactable via private messaging. The group will not be deleted; instead, it will be closed and archived, remaining available for reading by all members. I recommend making good use of this archive, as many questions you may have have likely been addressed here previously. It has become quite a trove of information, so I hope members can check back whenever they want and continue to benefit from it as a source of clarification. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all my admins. Without their involvement over the years, this group would not have been possible. I also want to thank all members for their participation and contributions to this community throughout the years. I have returned from the Dzogchen retreat and thoroughly enjoyed the teachings of Acarya Malcolm Smith. Recommendation for Acarya Malcolm Smith as a Teacher: I highly recommend Acarya Malcolm Smith as a teacher for several reasons, among these reasons would include: - Clarity in Insight and View: He possesses a rare clarity among Dharma teachers. - Accurate Translations: His translations are among the best for Dzogchen teachings. - Accessibility: He regularly travels around the world to give teachings, increasing the chances for anyone to meet him. - Online Teachings: He holds teachings online, allowing participation even if you are unable to travel. He also has an online forum or community for Zangthal members. To determine if Acarya Malcolm Smith's teachings resonate with you, please consider the following steps: Read Chogyal Namkhai Norbu's Book: Crystal and the Way of Light introduces Dzogchen teachings. https://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Light-Chogyal-Namkhai-Norbu/dp/1559391359 Acarya Malcolm teaches Dzogchen in the tradition and lineage of ChNN (Chogyal Namkhai Norbu). Acarya Malcolm Smith was also asked to teach Dzogchen by another teacher of his, Kunzang Dechen Lingpa, who attained rainbow body (Buddhahood). Watch Malcolm's YouTube Videos: Explore his teachings to see if Dzogchen interests you. If it does, I highly recommend studying under Acarya Malcolm Smith. Regarding Dzogchen teachings, Acarya Malcolm Smith stands out as a key figure. He offers teachings and practice instructions through his website, www.zangthal.com, with a structured fee. You can watch this highly recommended YouTube video for an introduction to Acarya Malcolm’s Dzogchen teachings, as recommended by Sim Pern Chong on the ATR group: Talk on Buddhahood in This Life ( https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2023/09/talk-on-buddhahood-in-this-life.html ). Additionally, some of Malcolm’s writings can be found here: Clarifications on Dharmakaya and Basis ( https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2014/02/clarifications-on-dharmakaya-and-basis_16.html ) . His approach includes regular Zoom sessions and encourages students to email their queries concisely due to his large student base and other professional responsibilities (i.e. his Dharma translation works). Watch this talk by Acarya Malcolm Smith: YouTube Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMWJ5TbbxU8 I would also like to announce that I have fixed the issue with DharmaWheelScrapper and uploaded the new PDFs of the DharmaWheel posts by Acarya Malcolm, Krodha (Kyle Dixon), and Astus. You can download the updated compiled PDFs here: Resolving Nested Quotation Issues https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2024/10/resolving-nested-quotation-issues.html If Acarya Malcolm Smith's teachings do not interest you, there are other sanghas available online with awakened teachers, such as the Anzan Hoshin Roshi & Ven Jinmyo Renge Sensei’s Soto Zen sangha who also offers training program online and replies queries via e-mail ( https://wwzc.org/long-distance-training-program ). I have also compiled their teachings https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2023/12/zen-master-ven-jinmyo-renge-senseis.html and https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2023/11/a-compilation-of-zen-teacher-anzan.html . Another trusted friend of mine recommends attending the online teachings of Thubten Chodron. Additionally, there might be local sanghas/communities you can explore if there are good awakened teachers in your area. The Importance of Finding Quality Awakened Teachers: It is crucial to find good quality teachers who are awakened to guide you. As I wrote in Finding an Awakened Spiritual Teacher, here is a partial excerpt from https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2024/01/finding-awakened-spiritual-teacher-and.html : Bodhidharma, esteemed as the first patriarch of Chan/Zen, marking him as a foundational and transformative figure in the lineage and teachings of this tradition, emphasizes the crucial role of a teacher in the journey towards enlightenment. In his teachings, he states, "To find a Buddha, you have to see your nature. Whoever sees his nature is a Buddha. If you don’t see your nature, being mindful of Buddhas, reciting sutras, making offerings, and keeping precepts are not equal to it. Being mindful of Buddhas results in good karma, reciting sutras results in a good intelligence; keeping precepts results in a good rebirth in heavens, and making offerings results in future blessings — but no buddha. If you don’t understand by yourself, you’ll have to find a teacher to know the root of births and deaths. But unless he sees his nature, such a person isn’t a good teacher. Even if he can recite the twelve groups of scriptures he can’t escape the Wheel of Births and Deaths. He suffers in the three realms without hope of release. Long ago, the monk Good Star was able to recite the twelve groups of scriptures. But he didn’t escape the Wheel, because he didn’t see his nature. If this was the case with Good Star, then people nowadays who recite a few sutras or shastras and think it’s the Dharma are fools. Unless you see your own Heart, reciting so much prose is useless. To find a Buddha have to see your nature directly. Your nature is the Buddha. And the Buddha is the person who’s free: free of plans, free of cares. If you don’t see your nature and run outwards to seek for external objects, you’ll never find a buddha. The truth is there’s nothing to find. But to reach such an understanding you need a good teacher and you need to struggle to make yourself understand. Life and death are important. Don’t suffer them in vain. There’s no advantage in deceiving yourself. Even if you have mountains of jewels and as many servants as there are grains of sand along the Ganges, you see them when your eyes are open. But what about when your eyes are shut? You should realize then that everything you see is like a dream or illusion. If you don’t find a teacher soon, you’ll live this life in vain. It’s true, you have the buddha-nature. But without the help of a teacher you’ll never know it. Only one person in a million becomes enlightened without a teacher’s help. If, though, by the conjunction of conditions, someone understands what the Buddha meant, that person doesn’t need a teacher. Such a person has a natural awareness superior to anything taught. But unless you’re so blessed, study hard, and by means of instruction you’ll understand. People who don’t understand and think they can do so without study are no different from those deluded souls who can’t tell white from black.” Falsely proclaiming the Buddha-Dharma, such persons in fact blaspheme the Buddha and subvert the Dharma. They preach as if they were bringing rain. But theirs is the preaching of devils not of Buddhas. Their teacher is the King of Devils and their disciples are the Devil’s minions. Deluded people who follow such instruction unwittingly sink deeper in the Sea of Birth and Death. Unless they see their nature, how can people call themselves Buddhas they’re liars who deceive others into entering the realm of devils. Unless they see their nature, their preaching of the Twelvefold Canon is nothing but the preaching of devils. Their allegiance is to Mara, not to the Buddha. Unable to distinguish white from black, how can they escape birth and death? Whoever sees his nature is a Buddha; whoever doesn’t is a mortal. But if you can find your buddha-nature apart from your mortal nature, where is it? Our mortal nature is our Buddha nature. Beyond this nature there’s no Buddha. The Buddha is our nature. There’s no Buddha besides this nature. And there’s no nature besides the Buddha." Additionally, Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche said: "If you wish to eradicate your afflictions, you must follow your teacher and study for a long time. Otherwise, studying for only a few days will not have any significant effect ... Some people today are not willing to study or reflect on the Dharma, but they are enthusiastic about meditation. They believe meditating all day with their eyes shut is the ultimate practice. I do not think much of this. Although there are people of the highest caliber who attain enlightenment without study or reflection, are you of such caliber? Therefore, you cannot live in a cave or another completely isolated place when you first start to practice. Instead, you should be with a qualified Dharma teacher and earnestly receive the Buddhadharma; it is best if you are always engaged in study, reflection, and practice. Of course, I am not asking you to study and reflect for a lifetime without ever practicing. But to spend an entire life in blind meditation without any study or reflection is also the wrong path!" I have no concrete plans yet for what’s next for the ATR blog. I do not intend to close the blog, as I believe it has benefited many and continues to do so. However, it is possible that at some point I may start a new website on my own. Time will tell, and there is no rush, so this will not happen anytime soon. John Tan is currently working on a book. I have no doubt it will be profound in wisdom and greatly beneficial to all readers. I wish that all beings have sufficient merits to read John Tan's book swiftly, and that John Tan can release/publish his book soon for the benefit of all. I wish you all a fruitful journey ahead. May all beings awaken and benefit all beings, bringing everyone to the other shore, the state of Buddhahood. 🙏 P.s. one last thing. If anyone reading this hasn’t read the Awakening to Reality blog before, I highly recommend reading these articles at least: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2007/03/thusnesss-six-stages-of-experience.html https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2009/03/on-anatta-emptiness-and-spontaneous.html
Welcome to the Awakening to Reality Facebook Group!
(You can join the Awakening to Reality Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AwakeningToReality/ )
Our group is dedicated to exploring and discussing the profound topics of nature of mind/pristine consciousness, enlightenment, and the nature of reality. Here we share insights, experiences, and teachings inspired by the works of John Tan (“Thusness”) and the AwakeningToReality Blog. Please familiarize yourself with the following articles before participating in the group: (Note: Unless explicitly stated to be authored by John Tan [first two articles] or André A. Pais [fourth article], all other articles below are written by Soh)
Thusness/PasserBy's Seven Stages of Enlightenment: http://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2007/03/thusnesss-six-stages-of-experience.html
On Anatta (No-Self), Emptiness, Maha and Ordinariness, and Spontaneous Perfection: http://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2009/03/on-anatta-emptiness-and-spontaneous.html
Insight Diagnosis Simplified: http://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2014/07/insight-diagnosis-simplified_11.html
Beyond Awareness: reflections on identity and awareness: http://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2018/11/beyond-awareness.html
Experience, Realization, View, Practice and Fruition: http://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2011/12/experience-realization-view-practice_16.html
Substantial and Insubstantial Non-duality: http://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2011/08/substantial-and-insubstantial-non_6.html
Different Degrees of No-Self: Non-Doership, Non-dual, Anatta, Total Exertion and Dealing with Pitfalls: http://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2020/04/different-degress-of-no-self-non.html
[insight] [buddhism] A reconsideration of the meaning of "Stream-Entry" considering the data points of both pragmatic Dharma and traditional Buddhism: http://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2020/08/insight-buddhism-reconsideration-of.html (Highly recommended reading, especially for those coming from a Buddhist background or those familiar with, or wanting to learn more about, the term 'stream entry': https://www.reddit.com/r/streamentry/comments/igored/insight_buddhism_a_reconsideration_of_the_meaning/ )
Buddhahood: The End of All Emotional/Mental Afflictions and Knowledge Obscurations https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2022/07/buddhahood-end-of-all-emotionalmental.html
If the vision and purpose of the Awakening to Reality Facebook Group does not align with your views, you are welcome to either depart or stay and observe quietly. Your presence, in whatever form, is respected.
Group Purpose:
1. Educational Resources: Providing access to articles, books, videos, and discussions that deepen understanding of nature of mind/pristine consciousness and spiritual insights.
2. Community Support: Connecting with like-minded individuals on the path of spiritual awakening, offering mutual support and encouragement.
3. Discussion and Inquiry: Engaging in thoughtful discussions and inquiries into the nature of self, consciousness, and reality.
4. Sharing Experiences: A respectful and supportive space for members to share their personal experiences and insights. However, please review group rule #6 on claiming attainments to ensure clarity and avoid misunderstandings.
We encourage all members to deeply engage with our core materials to foster a shared understanding and meaningful discussions. Please prioritize reading the key articles linked above.
These are additional resources one should go through before participating in group discussions (if you do not have time to go through all, we highly recommend reading the first one at least):
1) **The Awakening to Reality Practice Guide** by Nafis Rahman:
- Guide available in various formats https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2022/06/the-awakening-to-reality-practice-guide.html
- AudioBook on https://soundcloud.com/soh-wei-yu/sets/the-awakening-to-reality
- Feedback: "The shortened AtR guide is very good. It should lead one to anatta if they really go and read. Concise and direct." - Yin Ling
- **Update:** Portuguese translation http://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2022/08/translation-of-awakening-to-reality.html
2) **The Awakening to Reality Guide - Web Abridged Version** by Pablo Pintabona and Nafis Rahman:
- Access the Abridged Version https://atr-abridgedguide.blogspot.com/2021/11/this-is-shortened-version-of-complete.html
3) **The Awakening to Reality Guide - Original Version** compiled by Soh:
https://app.box.com/s/157eqgiosuw6xqvs00ibdkmc0r3mu8jg
- Feedback: "I also want to say, actually the main ATR document >1200 pages helped me the most with insight. I am not sure how many have the patience to read it. I did it twice 😂it was so helpful and these [Mahamudra books](https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2022/01/all-thrangu-rinpoche-58-books-at-35.html) supported ATR insights. Just thought to share. 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 reads and contemplates at the same time it’s good because the same point will repeat again and again like in the nikayas 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
Additional Note on Group Openness:
AwakeningToReality explores realizations common to all Buddhist and non-Buddhist mystical traditions worldwide (including but not limited to Advaita Vedanta, Kashmir Shaivism, Kabbalah, Christian Mysticism, Islamic Sufism, Taoist Quanzhen, New Age, and other Buddhist sects), such as I AM and One Mind (substantialist nondualism), as well as insights unique to Buddhadharma/Buddhism, including anatman (no self/Self), emptiness, dependent origination, and total exertion.
While our primary focus is on the insights shared by John Tan (“Thusness”) and the AwakeningToReality Blog, we recognize that the path to awakening can be enriched by a variety of perspectives. Therefore, members are welcome to share insights, resources, and teachings from various traditions and teachers (be it Buddhist or non-Buddhist), provided they contribute meaningfully to our discussions.
**Guidelines for Sharing External Resources:**
- **Relevance:** Ensure that shared materials are relevant to the themes discussed in the AwakeningToReality Blog, Thusness' Seven Stages, and related topics on the nature of mind, enlightenment, and reality.
- **Respectfulness:** Share resources in a manner that respects the group's primary focus and does not overwhelm the community with frequent postings.
- **Moderation:** The admin team will review shared content to ensure it aligns with the group's values and purpose. Repeated postings of the same material, especially if perceived as spam, may be moderated.
By embracing a diverse range of perspectives while maintaining our core focus, we aim to create a rich and supportive environment for all members on their journey to awakening.
Guidelines and Suggestions for Discussing Sensitive Topics in the AwakeningToReality Group
We acknowledge and appreciate that many teachers, even those who have not yet realized anatta or emptiness (and might be at stages like I AM or One Mind), are incredibly helpful to many. We welcome the sharing of their teachings in the AwakeningToReality group if it benefits others.
However, given the nature of our discussions, controversies can sometimes arise. While I don't want to impose strict rules, I urge members to consider the implications of raising questions like 'Is X teacher at Stage 5 or 6?' especially if the teacher has followers within our group. These types of questions, although not frequent, do sometimes arise and cause unease and can potentially raise tensions.
This is especially true when most spiritual teachers and practitioners with spiritual realizations, be they Buddhist or non-Buddhist, do not go beyond substantialist views and realization. And as John Tan mentioned, "Though buddha nature is plainness and most direct, these are still the steps. If one does not know the process and said ‘yes this is it’… then it is extremely misleading. For 99 percent [of ‘realized’/’enlightened’ persons] what one is talking about is 'I AMness', and has not gone beyond permanence, still thinking [of] permanence, formless… ...all and almost all will think of it along the line of 'I AMness', all are like the grandchildren of 'AMness', and that is the root cause of duality.” - John Tan, 2007.
With that being said, several teachers I appreciate have substantialist realizations, and that's okay; people can still receive benefits from those teachings. Please understand that even if a teacher only has a substantialist form of realization, there can still be valuable insights to learn from, even for someone who has realized anatta, let alone someone who hasn’t yet realised it. The value of a teaching should not be judged solely on the criteria of 'what stage is it' but rather on what you can gain from it for your own practice and understanding. Each teacher also offers unique perspectives and teachings that can be beneficial. It is also important not to mistake the Thusness Seven Stages as a strict hierarchy. For a detailed explanation, please refer to https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2009/05/are-insight-stages-strictly-linear.html
Being mindful of the sensitivity of such discussions, it might be more constructive to cite passages from the teacher's works (preferably anonymized) and ask, 'What insight/realization is this?' rather than directly questioning the teacher's stage with their name. For more specific or sensitive inquiries, please consider referring these questions to an admin in private. In cases where admins deem the discussion too contentious or disruptive, moderation may be warranted, or even closure of the thread.
It would be even better if you can familiarize yourself with the core insights of Thusness' Seven Stages https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2007/03/thusnesss-six-stages-of-experience.html so that you can discern with clarity what 'stage' of insight the other teacher is at by yourself (if that information is somehow important for you), and more importantly, that the right view serves as a crucial guide for your own path to liberation.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in maintaining a respectful and thoughtful dialogue.
Further Clarification on Group Focus and Mentorship
It’s important to clarify that the focus of this group is primarily on sharing and discussing the materials and insights found in or inspired by the works of John Tan (“Thusness”) and the AwakeningToReality Blog. Although admins may occasionally answer questions or engage in group discussions, we have full-time jobs and busy lives, so we are generally not available for one-on-one mentorship or personal guidance. I encourage members seeking such support to find qualified and deeply awakened Dharma teachers. In fact, I highly encourage everyone to seek out a good, qualified and deeply awakened Dharma teacher to guide their practice. (See: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2024/01/finding-awakened-spiritual-teacher-and.html and https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2024/02/teachers-who-realised-anatta.html) Clear reasons and citations from masters were also provided in the links above to explain the importance of studying with and learning from an awakened spiritual teacher.
While some members may choose to engage more personally and offer guidance within the group, it is crucial that these interactions are accurate and helpful. Admins will intervene if any posts are found to be misleading.
By making these points clear, we hope to set the right expectations for new members (the admins’ role not as “personal guides” but as moderators performing an administrative function) and ensure a focused and supportive community.
Promotion and Advertisement Policy for Teachers and Teachings:
Relevance and Approval:
• All promotions and advertisements must be directly related to the group’s spiritual focus.
• Promotions and advertisements will be subject to review and approval by the group admins to ensure they align with the group’s values and standards.
• Posting simple quotes from a teacher without promotional content does not require admin approval and is not considered advertising. However, please avoid posting excessively frequent one-liner quotes to maintain the quality of our discussions.
Frequency:
• Each group member is allowed to post promotions or advertisements for teachers, teaching organizations, workshops, retreats, or similar events no more than once every month.
• A group member should not post promotions or advertisements for the same teacher and/or teaching organization and/or its events more than once every two months.
• Different group members cannot post promotions or advertisements for the same teacher and/or teaching organization and/or its events more frequently than once every two months.
• Promotions for events or retreats that are of the same type or methodology, originating from the same source, are considered the same for the purpose of this policy, regardless of the specific teacher leading the event. For example, if different members post about similar retreats that originate from the same foundational methodology or source, these will be counted together under the two-month rule. However, broader traditions that encompass diverse teachings and methodologies are classed separately. This means that within traditions such as Zen or Dzogchen, each teacher and teaching organization is considered separately for the purpose of frequency limitations. For instance, promotions for Teacher A from Organization X and Teacher B from Organization Y within a broader tradition are treated individually under the two-month rule.
Content Guidelines:
• Promotions and advertisements should include clear information about the teacher, the nature of the teaching, dates, and any associated costs.
• Posts should be concise and respectful, avoiding overly promotional language.
• Simple quotes from teachers should not contain promotional language or links to events or services.
• Members are required to post a biography of the teacher at the end of every promotional post regarding spiritual retreats. For example:
“Ācārya Malcolm Smith has been a student of the Great Perfection teachings since 1992. His main Dzogchen teachers are Chogyal Namkhai Norbu, the late Kunzang Dechen Lingpa, and the late H.H. Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche. He is a veteran of a traditional three-year solitary Tibetan Buddhist retreat, a published translator of Tibetan Buddhist texts, and was awarded the Āchārya degree by the Sakya Institute in 2004. He graduated in 2009 from Shang Shung Institute’s School of Tibetan Medicine. He has worked on translations for renowned lamas since 1992, including His Holiness Sakya Trizin, Kunzang Dechen Lingpa, Khenpo Migmar Tseten, Tulku Dakpa Rinpoche, and many others. His works include Buddhahood in This Life and The Self-Arisen Vidya Tantra (vol 1) and The Self-Liberated Vidya Tantra (vol 2).”
Engagement:
• Members are encouraged to ask questions and discuss the promotions or advertisements in the comments.
• Advertisers should be responsive to inquiries from group members.
Transparency:
• Promotions and advertisements should clearly disclose any costs associated with the teaching or event.
• If the advertiser stands to benefit financially, this should be made transparent.
Flexibility for Valuable Content:
• The policy allows some flexibility for exceptionally valuable content that might benefit the group, with special admin approval.
Special Exceptions:
• Certain teachers whom the admins personally know and recognize for their realization may be exempted from the two-month rule. This is a rare exception and is applied selectively, considering the teacher’s unique contribution to the group’s spiritual goals.
Feedback and Reporting:
• Group members can provide feedback on promoted teachings and report any concerns to the admins.
• Admins will review feedback and address any issues regarding the promotions or advertisements.
Review and Adjustments:
• This policy will be reviewed every six months and adjusted based on feedback from group members and admins.
Admin Discretion:
• Allowing a promotion or advertisement is ultimately up to the discretion of the admin team.
We hope these guidelines will help maintain the integrity and focus of our group while allowing valuable teachings to be shared.
Group Rules:
1. Agreement to Rules, Be Kind and Courteous
Welcome to our community! We’re here to create a supportive and inclusive environment, and we need your help to keep it that way by abiding by our rules.
We're all in this together to create a welcoming environment. Let's treat everyone with respect. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required.
Thank you for being part of our community!
2. No hate speech or bullying
Make sure that everyone feels safe. Bullying of any kind isn't allowed, and degrading comments about things such as race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender or identity will not be tolerated.
3. No promotions or spam
Give more to this group than you take. Self-promotion, spam and irrelevant links aren't allowed. (Limited and infrequent promotional post of relevant teachers/teachings allowed but subject to admin review and discretion, refer to Group Welcome Message: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2024/07/welcome-message-for-awakening-to.html)
4. Read Thusness 7 Stages before posting
You can join this group now, but before asking questions or posting, do read the Thusness 7 Stages of Awakening: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2007/03/thusnesss-six-stages-of-experience.html (and preferably more of the Must Read articles on the sidebar) as it clarifies a lot, ensures common understanding & meaningful discussions. The Awakening to Reality community is built around this model, offering free resources to help you attain these experiential insights.
5. Read the Group Welcome Message
You can join this group now, but please read our welcome message before posting. It provides an overview of the group's purpose, policies, guidelines for posting, and essential reading materials. Familiarizing yourself with this information ensures meaningful discussions and maintains a respectful and insightful community. Link: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2024/07/welcome-message-for-awakening-to.html
6. Rule on Spiritual Realizations/Attainments Claims
Members should exercise caution before making definitive claims of realization/attainment, such as I AM, Non-Dual, Anatta, Emptiness, etc. To maintain the integrity of our discussions, please ensure claims are truthful, clearly explained, & not misleading. Be prepared to discuss and elaborate on your experiences, as claims will be subject to critical review by admins and members to prevent misinformation. Violations of this rule will result in warnings and repeated violations may result in ban.
7. Blog Post Notification
Occasionally, posts may be featured on the AtR blog with names changed to initials. If you would like your post excluded or removed from the AtR blog (despite only initials being used - not the full name) for some reason, please request this from Admin Soh Wei Yu.
8. Mental Health and Participation Rule
Members experiencing significant psychiatric conditions are encouraged to seek guidance from a licensed mental health professional before deeply engaging in spiritual practices. For the safety and well-being of all participants, admins may recommend professional support and, if necessary, take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of the community. For a detailed list of conditions & advice, refer to https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2024/10/prioritizing-professional-mental-health.html
9. Moderation Policies, Private Admin Discussions
New topics are reviewed by admins before being posted. Offending posts and meta discussions may be removed without prior notice.
All questions, comments, suggestions, and disagreements about admin actions, matters, or rules should be privately relayed to admins. No threads or public posts discussing these topics are allowed.
10. Rule on Giving Advice regarding Spiritual Insight
It's advisable to comment only if you have personally experienced and realized the topic being discussed. If not, please state your limitations (e.g., 'I haven't reached that point' or 'this is just speculation as I'm not at that stage yet'). Humility and clarity helps facilitate quality advice and prevents misinformation. Violations of this rule and any attempt at providing advice on insights one hasn’t realized yet will result in a warning; repeated violations will result in a ban.
We are excited to have you join us on this journey of awakening and exploration. Feel free to share and ask questions. Let’s awaken to reality together!
- The Awakening to Reality Team
(You can join the Awakening to Reality Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AwakeningToReality/ )
