34 ms·

If you don't mind my asking - why do it? From my very limited understanding of vedant, moksh is the only "true" goal. Is awakening the kundalini more of a "fun"

If you don't mind my asking - why do it? From my very limited understanding of vedant, moksh is the only "true" goal. Is awakening the kundalini more of a "fun" exercise or is it helpful for say meditation?

nprateem 3y ago
Hmm, a couple of reasons: * some subjective 'proof' that there's more than just this material existence * the impermanence of all things in life seems pointless and makes me sad * personal growth emotionally and spiritually * to aid meditation. It's supposed to allow you to enter deeper absorptive states quickly - which is where you can do the real work of gaining insight - without having to adopt a 24/7 monastic lifestyle. Hopefully that will allow me to carry on living a relatively normal life, or at least make those states more accessible. It also carries a fair share of risks (intense energy surges, intense heat, hallucinations, heightened senses, sensitivity to food, the environment, unbalanced emotions, depression to name a few I've heard of), but, well, I'm as prepared as I can be. I'm probably wrong on some or most of the above. But nothing in life is without risks, and I'd rather regret what I have done in this respect instead of being too afraid to step through that doorway.
- minhm 3y ago
  > the impermanence of all things in life seems pointless and makes me sad Wouldn't impermanence itself be impermanent then so we won't need be bothered by it too much?
  - nprateem 3y ago
    Probably above my pay grade, but as I see it the issue is how we typically relate to the world that causes this kind of sadness, rather than the fact itself. It's like, even though I consciously understand nothing lasts forever, I can't help being sad by it. Some deep structure of my mind won't accept it. The aim of Buddhist insight meditation is, as I understand it, to get to a deep enough level of your mind that you finally accept this at your core. This brings about freedom/liberation, as from then on you're able to just go with the flow without the slightest desire for permanence (or anything really). At least, that's the sales pitch.

nprateem 3y ago

Hmm, a couple of reasons: * some subjective 'proof' that there's more than just this material existence * the impermanence of all things in life seems pointless and makes me sad * personal growth emotionally and spiritually * to aid meditation. It's supposed to allow you to enter deeper absorptive states quickly - which is where you can do the real work of gaining insight - without having to adopt a 24/7 monastic lifestyle. Hopefully that will allow me to carry on living a relatively normal life, or at least make those states more accessible. It also carries a fair share of risks (intense energy surges, intense heat, hallucinations, heightened senses, sensitivity to food, the environment, unbalanced emotions, depression to name a few I've heard of), but, well, I'm as prepared as I can be. I'm probably wrong on some or most of the above. But nothing in life is without risks, and I'd rather regret what I have done in this respect instead of being too afraid to step through that doorway.

minhm 3y ago
> the impermanence of all things in life seems pointless and makes me sad Wouldn't impermanence itself be impermanent then so we won't need be bothered by it too much?
- nprateem 3y ago
  Probably above my pay grade, but as I see it the issue is how we typically relate to the world that causes this kind of sadness, rather than the fact itself. It's like, even though I consciously understand nothing lasts forever, I can't help being sad by it. Some deep structure of my mind won't accept it. The aim of Buddhist insight meditation is, as I understand it, to get to a deep enough level of your mind that you finally accept this at your core. This brings about freedom/liberation, as from then on you're able to just go with the flow without the slightest desire for permanence (or anything really). At least, that's the sales pitch.