Awakening to Reality

Shared by John Tan

 Soh Wei YuAdmin
Top contributor
It is more crucial to realise Presence. Your descriptions in the past were more of non doership and impersonality.
Also there is a difference between deity mysticism of fulcrum 8 and the I AM realization of the higher causal realization of fulcrum 9 to put it in ken wilber’s terms ( https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Radical-Wholeness-Integral-Delight-ebook/dp/B0CLR9BB9V/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.eVWO2U0-EVznAVGYt3zt-DDYxPqSNnP9SHXRHzYAJj9VWPG7w3YjIvyR7dPVMFW407f4j4zXFMCTmfnRrwbmAhns1E9Oavka7y0qbMOpetMR3fG3AfU9I0U-x530c5owAuZzJpAwHztzsAHLLw1rDjNEQS9QVH2fayceeKQoEbVSDehEP3RTxKWNwjh3Smq8XPZCEEnwsP2zbAi4PdC4LA.GXUGkfTaPCXmJJb1yqOlIpLCVpxunc2kurBm5rCv2nY&dib_tag=se&keywords=ken+wilber&qid=1717909959&sr=8-1 )

https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2017/11/anatta-and-pure-presence.html
Nov
18
Anatta and Pure Presence
Someone told me about having been through insights of no self and then progressing to a realisation of the ground of being.
I replied:
Hi ____
Thanks for the sharing.
This is the I AM realization. Had that realisation after contemplating Before birth, who am I? For two years. It’s an important realization. Many people had insights into certain aspects of no self, impersonality, and “dry non dual experience” without doubtless realization of Presence. Therefore I AM realisation is a progression for them.
Similarly in Zen, asking who am I is to directly experience presence. How about asking a koan of what is the cup? What is the chirping bird, the thunder clap? What is its purpose?
When I talked about anatta, it is a direct insight of Presence and recognizing what we called background presence, is in the forms and colours, sounds and sensations, clean and pure. Authentication is be authenticated by all things. Also there is no presence other than that. What we call background is really just an image of foreground Presence, even when Presence is assuming its subtle formless all pervasiveness.
However due to ignorance, we have a very inherent and dual view, if we do see through the nature of presence, the mind continues to be influenced by dualistic and inherent tendencies. Many teach to overcome it through mere non conceptuality but this is highly misleading.
Thusness also wrote:
The anatta I realized is quite unique. It is not just a realization of no-self. But it must first have an intuitive insight of Presence. Otherwise will have to reverse the phases of insights
Labels: Anatta, Luminosity |

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Mr. KS
Soh Wei Yu my friend, when you mean Presence it can be the Awareness?

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Soh Wei YuAdmin
Top contributor
Mr. KS
They mean the same thing as john said:
“Hi Mr. H,
In addition to what you wrote, I hope to convey another dimension of Presence to you. That is Encountering Presence in its first impression, unadulterated and full blown in stillness.
So after reading it, just feel it with your entire body-mind and forgot about it. Don't let it corrupt your mind.😝
Presence, Awareness, Beingness, Isness are all synonyms. There can be all sorts of definitions but all these are not the path to it. The path to it must be non-conceptual and direct. This is the only way.
When contemplating the koan "before birth who am I", the thinking mind attempts to seek into it's memory bank for similar experiences to get an answer. This is how the thinking mind works - compare, categorize and measure in order to understand.
However, when we encounter such a koan, the mind reaches its limit when it tries to penetrate its own depth with no answer. There will come a time when the mind exhausts itself and come to a complete standstill and from that stillness comes an earthshaking BAM!
I. Just I.
Before birth this I, a thousand years ago this I, a thousand later this I. I AM I.
It is without any arbitrary thoughts, any comparisons. It fully authenticates it's own clarity, it's own existence, ITSELF in clean, pure, direct non-conceptuality. No why, no because.
Just ITSELF in stillness nothing else.
Intuit the vipassana and the samantha. Intuit the total exertion and realization. The essence of message must be raw and uncontaminated by words.
Hope that helps!” - John Tan, 2019
-- excerpt from the abridged AtR guide, which you can read for self-enquiry pointers: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2022/06/the-awakening-to-reality-practice-guide.html

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Mr. KS
Soh Wei Yu thanks! last thing: where i can read about the awareness that tibetans point and if this awareness has an essence or not?

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Soh Wei YuAdmin
Top contributor
Mr. KS For the Tibetans, awareness is empty in nature. But usually one realises the clarity aspect first before realizing emptiness, and this is so even for vast majority of the Tibetan and Zen practitioners.
See partial excerpt from: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2020/09/the-degrees-of-rigpa.html

John Tan's reply on something Malcolm wrote in 2020:
“This is like what I tell you and essentially emphasizing 明心非见性. 先明心, 后见性. (Soh: Apprehending Mind is not seeing [its] Nature. First apprehend Mind, later realise [its] Nature).
First is directly authenticating mind/consciousness 明心 (Soh: Apprehending Mind). There is the direct path like zen sudden enlightenment of one's original mind or mahamudra or dzogchen direct introduction of rigpa or even self enquiry of advaita -- the direct, immediate, perception of "consciousness" without intermediaries. They are the same.
However that is not realization of emptiness. Realization of emptiness is 见性 (Soh: Seeing Nature). Imo there is direct path to 明心 (Soh: Apprehending Mind) but I have not seen any direct path to 见性 (Soh: Seeing Nature) yet. If you go through the depth and nuances of our mental constructs, you will understand how deep and subtle the blind spots are.
Therefore emptiness or 空性 (Soh: Empty Nature) is the main difference between buddhism and other religions. Although anatta is the direct experiential taste of emptiness, there is still a difference between buddhist's anatta and selflessness of other religions -- whether it is anatta by experiential taste of the dissolution of self alone or the experiential taste is triggered by wisdom of emptiness.
The former focused on selflessness and whole path of practice is all about doing away with self whereas the latter is about living in the wisdom of emptiness and applying that insight and wisdom of emptiness to all phenomena.
As for emptiness there is the fine line of seeing through inherentness of Tsongkhapa and there is the emptiness free from extremes by Gorampa. Both are equally profound so do not talk nonsense and engaged in profane speech as in terms of result, ultimately they are the same (imo).”
Dalai Lama - "Nature - there are many different levels. Conventional level, one nature. There are also, you see, different levels. Then, ultimate level, ultimate reality... so simply realise the Clarity of the Mind, that is the conventional level. That is common with Hindus, like that. So we have to know these different levels...." - Dalai Lama on Anatta and Emptiness of Buddha Nature in New Book

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Soh Wei YuAdmin
Top contributor
On the empty nature of Awareness in Tibetan tradition, see:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz5etGfyB6Q - Malcolm Smith on Advaita Vedanta and Dzogchen

https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2014/02/clarifications-on-dharmakaya-and-basis_16.html - Long elaborate explanation by Dzogchen teacher Acarya Malcolm Smith on Dzogchen basis (and also why it differs from realist views)

https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2007/03/self-liberation-through-seeing-with.html - Self-Liberation through Seeing with Naked Awareness - A Dzogchen text by Padmasambhava, pithy and wonderful text

https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2022/02/a-letter-to-almaas-on-dzogchen-and.html

https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2022/04/establishing-inner-perceiver-as-well-as.html

https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2009/09/rigpa-and-aggregates.html

Others can probably provide even more links

Also check this out, Mahamudra:

https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2020/06/the-royal-seal-of-mahamudra-volume-one.html

https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2015/12/self-liberation-by-khamtrul-rinpoche-iii.html

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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: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2007/03/thusnesss-six-stages-of-experience.html

On Anatta (No-Self), Emptiness, Maha and Ordinariness, and Spontaneous Perfection: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2009/03/on-anatta-emptiness-and-spontaneous.html

Insight Diagnosis Simplified: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2014/07/insight-diagnosis-simplified_11.html

Beyond Awareness: reflections on identity and awareness: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2018/11/beyond-awareness.html

Experience, Realization, View, Practice and Fruition: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2011/12/experience-realization-view-practice_16.html

Substantial and Insubstantial Non-duality: https://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: https://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: https://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 https://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://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2022/06/the-awakening-to-reality-practice-guide.html


- 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. 

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“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).”

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Admin Discretion:

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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!

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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

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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/ )

 https://youtu.be/ssE4h70qKWk?si=26YImLuFPg2T5Tmb
John tan shared with me “federico faggin new book. Go watch the entire YouTube. I bought his book...haha. I like scientists that explore the nature consciousness... Haha.”

 

 

Wrote these two articles in Chinese (Chinese original at the bottom) back when I was 20 years old, now translated to English with the help of ChatGPT.

**June 29, 2010:**

On February 9, 2010, I had a realization in my practice. I realized what self-nature, original face, and true self are. At that time, I was meditating with a question in my mind: What was my original face before I was born? I wanted to find the answer, but I knew it couldn't be understood through thoughts or reasoning. Suddenly, all thoughts disappeared, self-nature revealed itself, and I understood clearly. All doubts vanished as well. Since receiving the Dharma transmission, I had small insights over the years, but this time, there were no doubts at all.

Because this is a truth beyond words and language, what can be expressed is limited (like drinking water, only you know if it's hot or cold). Most of my interactions with friends are in English, but today, I will try to express my realization in my simple and limited Chinese. What exactly is the "self-nature" I mentioned? What is the "original face before I was born"?

If you let go of all thoughts and delusions of self, even completely let go of body and mind, at this moment, do you completely disappear and cease to exist? Does your body become a corpse? No. At this moment, there is nothingness, and what remains is the undying self-nature, the original face, which is your very existence. It is formless and shapeless, yet it has always existed without increase or decrease, transcending time and space. Its nature is awareness: it is clear, vivid awareness that can illuminate everything, like a mirror reflecting all things. Everything seen and heard naturally appears because of this awareness. With this Existence Itself and awareness as a foundation, the body has vitality; this is the marvelous function of awareness. As the Treatise on the Bloodstream by Bodhidharma says, "Buddha is a Sanskrit word, in this land it is called awareness. Awareness is the spiritual awareness, responding to situations, raising eyebrows and moving eyes, moving hands and feet, all are the functions of one's mystical awareness."

If the illuminating power of awareness is strong, even the smallest actions, like eating or walking, will feel wonderful, as they are the marvelous functions of awareness. This is something that ordinary people, who constantly think while doing things, cannot understand or experience.

Our hearing nature does not change; all thoughts and feelings arise and fall within awareness, but awareness constantly illuminates and is unaffected. Usually, we consider our body and mind as "me," and when we walk or move, it seems like "I" (body and mind) are moving in the surrounding environment. But if there is awareness while walking or running, you will find that the surrounding environment and scenery move within your true nature, but you (formless and shapeless, encompassing everything like space) are not moving.

If you truly witness the truth of the "original face before I was born," there will be no doubt at all. It will be impossible to deny this truth; you will know that in your life, self-nature/awareness/existence itself is the only undeniable truth. Everything is a manifestation of self-nature. Without self-nature, you couldn't be here reading this article. And this is something you can affirm without thinking. It is not something that can be concluded or understood through thinking. For example, a person may look refined and wear deep glasses, so they seem to be knowledgeable. This is a conclusion reached through thinking, but you cannot be entirely sure it is true. Realizing one's true nature is completely different; it is affirmed without thinking, in a state where the previous thought has passed, the next thought has not arisen, and there are no thoughts at all. You can affirm that this is your true nature without any doubt.

About one or two months later, I had a deeper realization. From this realization, I deeply understood that self-nature is like the vast sky. The vast sky does not belong to me, nor to you, but "I" and "you" and all sentient and insentient beings arise from this universal substratum/vast space. I also understood what is meant by "Heaven and Earth share the same root, all things are of one body." This vast space is filled with awareness, capable of manifesting everything. I also clearly saw through the illusion of "self" and "others." Originally, everything is a phenomenon of the universal substratum. Even walking, coughing, speaking are not done by "me" or "you," but are entirely the natural operations of the universal substratum. The "I" is completely false, and clinging to this "I" and "mine" is the root of all suffering. Practice is like the small air merging into the big air/universe, letting go of the "small self," and everything operates freely in this universal substratum, how liberating.

In fact, it is not that you have to completely stop the mind to practice, because if that were the case, then you wouldn't be able to practice in daily life and work. Our thoughts are like clouds, our self-nature is open and vast like the sky. If you maintain awareness while doing things, thoughts will arise and pass with conditions, but awareness will vividly observe the arising and passing of thoughts like clouds drifting across the sky, but the sky remains calm and peaceful, pure and unstained (originally there is not a single thing, where can dust alight?). The sky does not reject the clouds, and the clouds do not obstruct the sky, everything happens naturally without leaving traces. The most important thing is to maintain awareness and not cling to thoughts. If you cling to the delusions of "self" and "mine," you will not be liberated. Moreover, clinging to distinctions and attachments of consciousness will not lead to liberation either. Awareness is to illuminate everything without distinctions and attachments, so "awareness" and "mind" should be clearly distinguished. For liberation, there must be "awareness." If there are thoughts but also awareness, it is not the ordinary "conscious mind," but the aware mind.

I don't think these realizations are much because anyone who practices seriously for a period of time will have their own realizations, and these realizations do not mean liberation. Practicing from the point of realization is very important; I feel my path of practice has just begun. In fact, ultimately, there is nothing to practice because self-nature is inherently complete, originally so, just needing to "maintain" (maintain awareness). If everything is completely let go, what remains is our originally pure and unstained inherent awareness.

**January 14, 2011:**

Four months after writing the previous article, I had a new realization.

I realized that seeing the phenomena is seeing the nature, without distinguishing between nature and phenomena. I once read in Master's article, "Green bamboo is all Dharma body [Dharmakāya], lush yellow flowers are nothing but prajna," and this time I deeply understood the meaning of this sentence.

From this, I understood that what I realized in February 2010 was only the essence, though I mentioned that everything is the marvelous function of Buddha-nature, there was still a distinction between essence and function. At that stage, my understanding of the aware nature was only "formless and shapeless awareness," so I wanted to always hold onto that emptiness, leaning towards emptiness and creating an attachment to emptiness. I did not yet know that all phenomena are originally equal and are the marvelous function of Buddha-nature. Until mid-October, when I followed the instructions in the Bahiya Sutta for contemplation, I had a new realization.

The sutra records that Bahiya, receiving respect and offerings from people, wondered, "Am I already enlightened?" A deva who had been his fellow practitioner in a previous life knew Bahiya had this doubt and appeared, telling him that he had not only not attained enlightenment but had not even entered the path of enlightenment. Bahiya asked, "Who is enlightened now?" The deva replied, in Savatthi, there is an enlightened sage teaching the path of enlightenment; he is the Buddha. When Bahiya arrived in Savatthi and met the Buddha, the Buddha was on his alms round. Bahiya requested the Buddha to teach him the Dharma, but the Buddha refused, saying it was not the time. Bahiya persistently requested, saying no one knows the dangers in their lives, and eventually, the Buddha agreed to give him instructions. The Buddha told Bahiya, "In the seen, there is only the seen; in the heard, there is only the heard; in the sensed, there is only the sensed; in the thought, there is only the thought. Therefore, Bahiya, you should train yourself thus: In the seen, there will be merely the seen; in the heard, there will be merely the heard; in the sensed, there will be merely the sensed; in the thought, there will be merely the thought. When for you there is only the seen in reference to the seen, only the heard in reference to the heard, only the sensed in reference to the sensed, only the thought in reference to the thought, then, Bahiya, there is no you in terms of that. When there is no you in terms of that, there is no you there. When there is no you there, you are neither here nor there nor between the two. This, just this, is the end of suffering." Hearing this, Bahiya immediately attained liberation. Unfortunately, Bahiya was gored to death by a cow that very day. The Buddha's disciples asked the Buddha where Bahiya had been reborn, and the Buddha replied, "Bahiya was wise. He practiced according to the Dharma and did not trouble me with questions about the Dharma. Bahiya has attained complete liberation."

When I followed the Buddha's instructions in the Bahiya Sutta to observe everything (I was practicing in movement at the time), I realized that seeing mountains and rivers, there was no separation between the observer and the observed; the distinction between subject and object completely disappeared. The observer is the observed! Awareness is not a "formless and shapeless awareness," awareness is what is seen and heard: in hearing, there is only sound, but no hearer; in seeing, there is only the scene, but no seer; in thinking, there is only the thought, but no thinker. And because there is no subject-object distinction, there is no distance, as there is no standpoint ("I" versus the "external scene") to arise distinctions or measure distances. The universe is self-nature, without a standpoint, there is no limitation of time and space. Seeing mountains and rivers, there is no feeling of "I inside the body looking at the outside scene" - the body is also an illusory sign - body and mind drop away, subject and object both vanish, there is no inner or outer distinction. The mountains and rivers are the Dharma body [Dharmakāya], the entire universe is a vast expanse of great luminosity, without inner or outer, without center or periphery, without a specific place. Seeing the phenomena is seeing the nature - but without a "seer" and "seen." Although body and mind drop away, subject and object both vanish, everyday life and actions continue as usual, but without a "doer" doing it, without an "observer" observing it, yet everything is clear and vivid, everything appears naturally according to conditions. Without straying outwards nor withdrawing from everything seen and heard, everything in this very moment is the marvelous function of Buddha-nature. Thoughts are the same, like waves on the sea, whether more or less, the nature of the waves is still water (water symbolizes the nature and essence of all phenomena as emptiness, awareness). So, practice is not about having or not having thoughts, but whether there is delusion regarding the thoughts. This way of practice does not create a distinction between movement and stillness.

Many people think "no self" is an achievement in practice, such as practicing to the point where there is no attachment to the self, which is indeed important and an achievement in practice. But what the Buddha spoke of in the Bahiya Sutta about "no self" is not an achievement but a "Dharma seal" - inherently, all phenomena are without self, without the duality of subject and object, without the seer/hearer/doer! In hearing, there has always been only sound, without a hearer, without "me," inherently so, there is no need to "eliminate" a "me," as there has never been a "me" to eliminate. This must be realized, it is not an achievement or state attained through practice. If there is no true realization, no matter how one practices, liberation cannot be reached. So, "no self" is not an achievement or state, inherently, the Dharma has no self, it has always been so.

Many people think practice requires eliminating birth and death phenomena/thoughts to reach the undying self-nature, which was also my previous understanding. But now I know that if birth and death phenomena are not distinguished, they are inherently undying, not coming and going, without distinction between movement and stillness. This is no longer the distinction mentioned in the previous article of "birth and death phenomena coming and going in the unmoving self-nature," because this thought, this sound, if not distinguished, at the moment is the true nature, transcending past, present, and future. Although everything is constantly evolving, at the moment of evolution, there is no signs of movement, no signs of coming and going, only the true nature, neither moving nor still. Therefore, the Surangama Sutra says, "Ananda, all illusory sense organs and every illusory form arise and perish exactly where they manifest. These are falsely named and conceived, yet their true nature is the luminous essence of marvelous awakening. So it is with everything, from the five skandhas to the six entrances, from the twelve bases to the eighteen realms. The union of causes and conditions gives rise to their illusory arising; their separation bestows the illusory name of extinction. It is profoundly elusive to discern that the arising and ceasing, the coming and going, are fundamentally the ever-present, wondrous clarity of the Tathagatagarbha. The unmoved, perfect, all-encompassing nature of true suchness — within this constant and true nature, seeking the coming and going, delusion and enlightenment, birth and death, one will never find them." The Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana says, "Those who see the Dharma self, due to the dull roots of the two vehicles, the Tathagata only speaks of the non-self of persons. This is not the ultimate teaching, seeing the arising and perishing of the five aggregates, they fear birth and death, falsely clinging to nirvana. How to counter this? By seeing the self-nature of the five aggregates as unarisen, there is no perishing, originally nirvana." Therefore, trying to eliminate birth and death phenomena to reach "undying" is still within the distinction/opposition of subject and object, not knowing that all phenomena are empty of inherent existence, illusions arising from conditions, they are the wondrous function of the wondrous bright clarity of pristine awareness, with no signs of arising and perishing. Also, it is crucial to understand that without phenomena, there can be no Buddha-nature. Essence and function cannot be separated - emptiness is manifested through form, form appear because of emptiness. True nature and illusion are not two different things. Seeing the same thing, in delusion, one clings to forms, in awakening, everything is the true nature. Everything is like a dream, illusion, bubble, shadow, but also the manifestation of the luminous self-nature, without contradiction.

So, the so-called "detaching from forms" and "no thoughts" is not about eliminating all forms and thoughts, but detaching from the deluded realm of subject and object, seeing through the inherent existence and attachment to all forms, without creating opposition or distinction, and not rejecting anything. What is encountered at the moment is the true nature. Therefore, the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch says, "Huineng immediately understood the master's intention, entered the room at the third drum; the master covered with a robe to prevent people from seeing, explaining the Diamond Sutra. When he reached “should bring forth a mind that does not abide anywhere” Huineng was greatly enlightened, realizing all phenomena do not depart from self-nature." Trying to find a "Buddha-nature" apart from what is seen and heard is entirely unnecessary. To realize the unity of essence and function, one must see the essence through form, realize the Way through sound, without leaning towards emptiness, maintaining neither emptiness nor form, not clinging to either.

Finally, I summarize with a verse:

In-depth contemplation, Bahiya Sutta.

Understanding the sutra's essence, directly pointing to no mind.

No attachment to subject or object, forgetting body and mind.

Only then understanding seeing nature, only requires apperceiving [the nature of] forms.

Apprehending forms [is] seeing nature, seeing forms [is] apprehending the Mind.

True mind is empty in nature, manifesting appearances according to conditions.

In delusion, illusory signs manifest, in awakening, it is true mind.

Mountains and rivers, originally the Dharma body [Dharmakāya].

Forms, sounds, smells, and tastes, are all the marvelous Mind."





2010年6月29日：

在2010年2月9日，我有了一个修行的体悟。我体悟了什么是自性、本来面目、真我。当时我正在打坐，心中有一个疑问：我未生以前的本来面目是什么？我很想找到答案，但也知道这不是意念或思考所能了解的。突然间，一切意念消失了，自性显现，了然明白，一切疑惑也随之消失。我自从传法后，几年前就开始有了小小的体会，但这次完全没有疑惑了。

因为这是个超越语言文字的真理，所能用言语表达的也有限（如人饮水，冷暖自知），跟朋友之间互动多半都是用英语，但是今天，我将尽量用我浅白有限的中文表达我的体会。我刚说到的“自性”到底是在讲什么？什么是“未生以前的本来面目”？

如果你把一切意念，我执妄想都舍了，甚至把身心都完全舍了，在这时刻，难道你就完全消失而不存在了吗？难道你的身体就变成尸体了吗？不。在这时刻，空然无一物，剩下的就是不生不灭的自性、本来面目，也就是你存在的本身。它是无形无相的，但很肯定地从无始劫就存在着，不增不减，它是超越时空的本体/灵性/灵知。它的本性/质地就是觉：它是了了分明的灵敏觉知，能觉照万物，就像镜子有照万物的功能。一切所见所闻都因觉性而自然显现。有了这个存在的本身，有了觉性做依靠，身体才有活力，这都是觉性的妙用。如《达摩大师血脉论》所说：“佛是西国语，此土云觉性。觉者灵觉，应机接物，扬眉瞬目，运手动足，皆是自己灵觉之性。”如果觉照力强，连一举一动都照得清清楚楚的话，你会感觉到连平常的动作如吃饭走路都很“妙”，都是觉性的妙用，这不是平凡人从早到晚都在一面做事一面在想东想西所能理解和体会的。

我们的闻性不变，一切意念与感受都在觉性中起落，但觉性常照不受影响。通常我们把我们的身心定为是“我”，而如果我们走路或动作时，好像我（身心）在周围的环境里“动”。但如果在走路或跑步时有觉照的话，你会发觉你周围的环境与景色在你本性中来去，但你（无形无相，包含一切，有如虚空似的自性）并不在动。

如果你真的见证了“未生以前的本来面目”的真理，会完全无疑惑，你想否认这真理都不可能，你会知道在你人生中，自性/觉性/存在的本身是你唯一不可否认的真理。一切也都是自性的显相，如果没有自性你就不可能在这里读这篇文章。而这完全是不用思考就能肯定的。它不是一个所能用思考而达到结论/理解的东西。比如一个人样子好像很斯文，又戴很深的眼镜，所以好像是个有学问的人。这是一个用思考所达到的一个结论，但你也不能完全肯定就是事实。而见性是完全另一回事，它是不用思考，前念已过，后念不生，当下无思无念就能肯定这就是我们实实在在的真如本性而不再疑惑。

差不多一两个月后，我又有更深的体会。从这体会中我深入地了解了自性就像大空气，大空气并不属于我的，也不属于你的，但“我”和“你”和一切有情无情的万物都从这宇宙本体/大虚空产生，也了解什么是所谓的“天地同根, 万物同体”。而这虚空充满着觉性，能显现一切。我也很清楚地看破了“我相”，“人相”的虚幻。原来一切都是宇宙本体的现象，连走路，咳嗽，讲话，都不是“我”或“你”在做，而完全都是宇宙本体的自然运作，那个“我”是完全虚假的，而如果不舍这个“我”和“我所”的执着的话就是一切烦恼的根源。修行就像小空气融入大空气/大宇宙，把“小我”舍掉，在这宇宙本体中一切运作自如，多自在。

其实并不是说完全不生心才能修，因为如果是如此的话，那日常生活与做事时就不可以修行了。我们的念头就像云朵，我们的自性是开放的，无量无边如天空。如果保持觉照做事，心念会随缘而生，随缘而去，但觉照灵敏看着念头的起落与来去如云朵在天空里飘过，但天空还是一样地宁静与祥和，还是如此的清净无染（本来无一物，何处惹尘埃）。天空并不拒绝云朵，云朵也不障碍了天空，一切随缘而了，不留痕迹。最重要的是要保持觉照，不执着于念头，如果执着于“我”和“我所”的妄想，就不得解脱。而且如果执着于意识的分别与染着也不得解脱，觉是觉照一切而无分别与染着的，所以“觉”和“心”要分得清清楚楚，如果要解脱就要有“觉”。如果有念头但也有觉，就不是凡夫的“意识心”，而是觉心。

我觉得这些体悟也没什么，因为每个人认真修行一段时期也会有自己的体悟，而且这些体悟也不代表就解脱了。从悟起修是很重要的，我觉得我的修行道路才刚刚开始。其实究竟来讲也不需修什么，因为自性本具足，本来就如此，只需要“持”（保持觉照）。如果把一切统统舍掉，剩下的也就是我们本来具足的清净无染的本觉了。

2011年1月14日：

在我写上一篇文章的四个月后，我又有了新的体会。

我悟到原来，见相就是见性，而没有性相的分别。我曾经在师父的文章读过“青青翠竹尽是法身，郁郁黄花无非般若”，而这次我深深地体会到了这句话的含义。

从这我明白了我在2010年二月悟到的只是性体，虽然当时有说一切是佛性妙用，但在体和用当中还是在起分别，还不知什么是体用一如。在这阶段对觉性本体的认知只是一个“空无所有，无形无相的能觉”，所以想一直守住那个空，偏向于空而产生了“空”的法执，还不知道一切法本来平等，都是佛性妙用。直到十月中当我在依一部佛经《婆酰迦经》的指示来观照又有了新的体悟。

经里记载，婆酰迦因为受人们的恭敬与供养，所以自己生起了一个“我是不是已经成道”的念头。一个曾经是他前世同修的天人知道婆酰迦有这个疑问，即现身告诉婆酰迦他不只没有成道，也根本还没走入成道之道。婆酰迦问，“那么现在有谁已成道？”天人回答，在舍卫城有一位开悟的圣者正在传授成道之法，他就是佛陀。婆酰迦到达舍卫城见到佛陀时刚好佛陀在化缘。婆酰迦请求佛陀为他说法，但佛陀拒绝了他，说这不是时候。婆酰迦再三请求，说没人可知他和佛陀生命中的危险，后来佛陀答应给他开示，告诉婆酰迦：“婆酰迦！在看东西时，只有看东西；在听声音时，只有听声音；在闻、尝、触任何东西时，就只有闻、尝和触东西；在思想时，就只有思想。就因为在看东西时，只有看东西；在听声音时，只有听声音；在闻、尝、触任何东西时，就只有闻、尝和触东西；在思想时，就只有思想，对于一切，并没有一个‘你’，没有一个‘你’也就没有一个‘你’在那里，没有一个‘你’在那里也就没有一个‘你’在这里或那里或中间。这就是痛苦的结束。”听到这短短一句话，婆酰迦当场就解脱了。不幸的，婆酰迦当天就被牛撞死了。佛陀弟子问佛陀婆酰迦已投生哪一道，佛陀回答：“婆酰迦有智慧。他根据佛法修持，而没有以关于佛法的问题来打扰我。婆酰迦已经完全解脱了。”

而我在依佛陀在《婆酰迦经》给婆酰迦的指示来观照一切时（当时我是在动中修），我体悟到——看见山河大地时，并没有一个能觉者和所觉的对立，能所的分别是完全不存在的，能觉就是所觉！觉性并不是一个“无形无相的能觉”，觉性就是所见所闻：在听声音时只有声音但没有听者，在观看景色时只有景色但没有观者，在思想时只有思想但没有思想者。而因为没有能所，就没有距离，因为没有一个立场（“我”对“外景”的分别）来生起分别或衡量距离——宇宙就是自性，没有一个立场也就没有时空的限制。看到山河大地，没有一个“我在身体里面看着外面的景色”的感觉——身体也是一个虚幻的假相——身心脱落，能所双亡，完全没有内外之分，山河大地就是法身，整个宇宙就是一片大光明，无内外，无中边，无方所。见相就是见性——但没有一个“能见者”和“所见之境”。虽然身心脱落，能所双亡，但一切平凡的生活处事还是同样地继续，只是没有一个“行者”在做，也没有一个“觉者”在看，但一切清清楚楚，了了分明，一切来去随缘自显。一切所见所闻不即不离当下就是佛性妙用，念头也是如此，有如海上的波浪或多或少，波浪的本质还是水，不必去掉波浪来找水（水比喻一切法的法性和质地就是空性、觉性）。所以修行不在于有念或无念，而是对于这个念头有没有迷惑，如此修持就没有产生动静的差距。

有很多人以为“无我”是一种修行的成就，比如修法修到没有“我相”的执着，当然这也很重要，这是一种修行的成就，但佛陀在这部经所讲的“无我”并不是一种成就，而是一个“法印”——对于一切法本来就无我，本来就无能觉者/所觉的对立，无见者/听者/行者！在听声音时一直以来就只有声音，没有闻者，没有“我”，本来就如此，也不用去“消灭”一个“我”，因为本来就没有一个“我”可以消灭。这是要体悟出来的，不是一种修行达到的成就或境界。如果没有真正的体悟，无论如何修也无法达到自如。所以“无我”不是一种成就或境界，法本无我，本就如此。

也有很多人以为修行需要去掉生灭相/念头来达到不生不灭的自性，而这也是我曾经有的理解，但现在知道这些生灭法如果不起分别对立也就当下是不生不灭，不来不去，没有动和静的分别（也不再有如上一篇文章所说的“生灭法在不动的自性中来去”的分别了），因为这一个念头，这一个声音，如果不起分别、对立、执着，当下就是实相，超越过去现在未来。一切虽然在不断地演变，在演变当中的当下并没有动相，没有来去之相，只有实相，非动非静。所以《楞严经》才会说：“阿难！汝犹未明一切浮尘诸幻化相当处出生、随处灭尽、幻妄称相，其性真为妙觉明体；如是乃至五阴六入，从十二处至十八界，因缘和合，虚妄有生；因缘别离，虚妄名灭；殊不能知生灭去来本如来藏常住妙明、不动周圆妙真如性；性真常中，求于去来迷悟死生，了无所得。”而《大乘起信论》云：“法我见者，依二乘钝根故，如来但为说人无我。以说不究竟，见有五阴生灭之法，怖畏生死，妄取涅槃。云何对治？以五阴法自性不生，则无有灭，本来涅槃故。”所以如果要去除生灭法来达到“不生不灭”还是在能所的分别/对立当中生法执，不知一切法都是缘起性空的幻相，并非实有，而是妙觉明体的妙用，并没有生灭来去之相。同时也要知道离开现象就无佛性可言了，因为体用是不能分开的——空由有显，有因空立。实相和幻相并不是两样不同的东西，同样看到一样的东西，迷时着相，悟时一切都是实相。一切如梦幻泡影，但同时也是自性光明的显现，这是没有矛盾的。

所以所谓的“离相”和“无念”并不是要消灭一切相和念头，而是要离开能所的妄境与看破一切相的实有与执着而不生起对立和分别，也不拒绝一切，当下所面对的一切就是实相。所以《六祖坛经》说：“惠能即会祖意，三鼓入室；祖以袈裟遮围，不令人见，为说《金刚经》。至‘应无所住而生其心’，惠能言下大悟，一切万法，不离自性。”要离开所见所闻而找出一个“佛性”来是完全多此一举的，如果要悟到体用一如，就是要见色明心，闻声悟道，也就不会有偏空的现象，而是保持非空非有，不执于空也不执于有。

最后，以一首偈作为总结：

深入观行，婆酰迦经。
了悟经旨，直指无心。
无执能所，忘却身心。
方知见性，只需明相。
明相见性，见色明心。
真心空性，随缘显相。
迷时幻相，悟时真心。
山河大地，原是法身。
色声香味，尽是妙心。

chatgpt summarised a chat for me:

Navigating the Evolution of AtR: Balancing Directness and Sensitivity

Hey everyone, it's Soh here. I recently had an insightful conversation with Mr. K about the unique dynamics within our AtR (Awakening to Reality) community. There have been some recurring themes and questions that I'd like to address in this blog post, shedding light on our approach and the evolution of our group.

The Perception of Elitism

Mr. K raised an important point about the perception of AtR holding an "elitist" mentality, especially when it comes to labeling prominent teachers based on Thusness's models. However, it’s important to emphasize that discussing the stages of other teachers is not a prominent or common topic within our community, especially these days. While I may provide clear, honest responses when asked directly about a teacher’s realization level, it isn’t a central focus of our discussions.

For instance, if someone asks me whether Teacher X has realized Anatta, I’ll candidly say something like “Thusness stage 4” or “substantialist nondual.” However, this labeling is only done on a need-to-know basis. It’s not about constantly ranking teachers; rather, it’s about providing clarity when asked. I recognize that constantly categorizing teachers could come off as unnecessary and perhaps even unkind.

Importantly, I want to emphasize that I do not look down on teachers who haven’t realized Anatta. Many of these teachers offer immense value and can provide significant insights and guidance. For example, I still recommend teachers like Teacher Y for their teachings, even if they haven’t realized Anatta. They have their unique perspectives and contributions that are beneficial to many.

The Challenge of Doctrine

Another issue Mr. K mentioned is the risk of newcomers treating AtR material as absolute doctrine. This is a legitimate concern. The teachings and insights shared within our community are meant to be a starting point for personal investigation. It's crucial for everyone to realize that beliefs alone aren't sufficient. True understanding comes from investigating, finding out, and realizing the truth for oneself.

While the AtR Facebook group has grown significantly, with over 2000 members now, it's essential that we maintain a spirit of inquiry rather than dogma. The idea isn't to take my word—or anyone else's—as gospel, but to use it as a guide for personal exploration. Taking what I or any other member says as absolute truth without personal investigation can be dangerous. Beliefs should be tested and verified through personal experience and realization.

Engaging with Different Worldviews

Soh also touched on the diversity of worldviews within our community. For instance, I don't hold a perennialist position and have my reasons based on personal investigation of teachings like Advaita Vedanta. When people hold different views, it's important to engage in dialogue and agree to disagree respectfully. Understanding different perspectives enriches our own journey and helps us see the broader picture.

Interestingly, there are fewer questions nowadays about which teacher has realized which stage. This could be because people already know my stance or predict my answers. Despite this, I still recommend teachers like Teacher Y for certain contexts, recognizing their value even if they haven't realized Anatta. Their teachings can still provide profound insights and guide practitioners on their path.

Dream Yoga and Further Study

In our conversation, we also discussed dream yoga, referencing books by Teacher Z and others. John Tan recommended the teachings of Teacher Z, integrating them into our practice while recognizing the importance of understanding Anatta and emptiness for liberation.

Personal Reflections

Mr. K mentioned that some might see me as a prodigy for starting the AtR blog at the age of 17, before I had any significant realizations. Soh said, however, the true prodigy here is John, who figured out much of this on his own. My journey has been deeply influenced by John Tan's insights. While I have shared and spread his writings, my role has been more about facilitating the sharing of knowledge.

I've gone to great lengths to share our insights. When I was 16, I sent CDs with Thusness's stages to spiritual teachers around the world, including to prominent figures like Teacher X. I also started the Awakening to Reality blog in 2007, three years before I had any realizations. Additionally, I spent a considerable amount of time private messaging thousands of people on Reddit, sharing our articles and insights until my account was eventually banned for excessive messaging.

It's all been driven by a desire to help others. I wanted to ensure that people had access to valuable insights and teachings that could aid their spiritual journey. Even though my methods sometimes led to my accounts getting banned, the effort was worth it to reach those who were seeking guidance.

Conclusion

The AtR community is about fostering a spirit of inquiry and personal investigation. While we provide clear and direct guidance, it's crucial that members use this as a foundation for their own exploration and understanding. Let's continue to support each other on this journey, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives and the importance of personal realization.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

Warm regards,

Soh