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Meaning(less)(ness) in Dzogchen/Mahamudra
Hmm, I’m not entirely sure what you are referring to?
In mainstream Mahayana, emptiness is considered to be ultimate, and it’s loosely similar to meaninglessness. (“Meaning” itself isn’t referred to as a category in any Buddhist view, as far as I recall.) For Vajrayana, emptiness is not ultimate; I wrote about that here.
texts in Mahamudra practices mention the possibility or even probability of a (sometimes long) phase of intense nihilistic depression “right before you reach THERE”
Interesting; I don’t think I know about that, and would like to know more! Which texts are these, and specifically where do they discuss this?
I enjoyed reading this very much.
This was a refreshing read. It covers everything and makes total sense. I liked the layout and style too. Good times. Thanks for posting.
Intense Nihilistic Depression
...probability of a (sometimes long) phase of intense nihilistic depression “right before you reach THERE”
This is the well-known “dark night of the soul” often talked about by people like Dan Ingram in the Theravada-inspired Practical Dharma movement. Ingram discusses this in great length in his “Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha”.
The Zen people call it the “rolling up the mat phase”.
I'd just as soon skip the dark night, thanks
the well-known “dark night of the soul” often talked about by people like Dan Ingram in the Theravada-inspired…
Yes; the question was about Dzogchen and/or Mahamudra, rather than Theravada. I don’t recall any discussion of something analogous to the “dark night” in these other traditions.
The “dark night” sounds like a bad thing to me. If a meditation system says it’s necessary, I would be rather wary of that system.
The Zen people call it the “rolling up the mat phase”
I wonder which Zen people that is. I did a web search on this, and couldn’t find the phrase anywhere other than on Dharma Overground (Dan Ingram’s community forum).
"Ultimatetism" and Dzogchen/Mahamudra?
I’d be interested personally to know your stance on the kind of meaningless suggested by the “ultimate” teaching of Dzogchen and Mahamudra that emerged from the Vajrayana tradition and are traditionally considered their ultimate essence and pinnacle, which sounds pretty akin to eternalism” ultimatetism” (“special fancy meaning”)…
The reason I’m asking this question is that you yourself seem to be a practicioner of these traditions (as am I, although not in the same tradition as you), but somehow frame them in a whole different way,which I find very interesting. However, reading your articles, I can’t really bridge the gaps, so i would need a more detailed exposition on how this actually would work in more detail?
On a side note, it also strikes me as interesting that the ancient texts in Mahamudra practices mention the possibility or even probability of a (sometimes long) phase of intense nihilistic depression “right before you reach THERE” . I’d be interested to hear your take on all this…