How does an Enlightened person view memories and the past

[Newest Reality]

9. Well, you are most welcome!

I am so glad that it was helpful or of some benefit. After all, benefiting beings in the best way we can is the spirit of Dharma.

You are full of questions. That is refreshing and most practical on the Way. It's OK! Continue just as you are. Tat Tvam Asi: That Thou Art!

Another way to phrase what ZhouZhou said is: Do you think your thoughts or do they think you? Are you doing it or is it doing you? Noticing the nature of that dichotomy is a way to recognize the dualism of experience so that it stands out and then, the relationship can also become more evident to the point that you breakthrough about polar opposites in general. They rely on each other and are more like sides of the same coin, so to speak.

Thoughts and emotions can also be said to be two sides of the same coin. When you consider emotions as just a form of energy that is made more complex by the relationship with corresponding thoughts, then that can be a sort of a solvent.

There comes a point that, when you understand morals and ethics, that you can also more confidently observe thoughts and feelings for what they are, just as they are. You can see good thoughts/bad thoughts, pleasant emotions/disturbing emotions in that light and become less compelling. In fact, judging your own experience is alright up to a point, but notice how you then enter a sort of feedback loop and get all caught up again. Noticing more is very helpful!

So, you could say that "remembering your true nature, (prior to all thoughts, memories, experiences, etc.) and abiding there is to pause, reflect, relax, and do nothing but observe them, at least initially, when you meditate to practice that. There is a participatory detachment that is calm and knowing. I just wanted to mention that because detachment, in this case, and from experience, is grossly misunderstood and often subjected to Western psychological criteria.

No, it is not at all crazy, (if you keep your wits about you) to ask those questions. That is an essential part of inquiry. The answers are of more import, of course. And it is not crazy to sincerely and consistently ask yourself who or what you really are. The only reason that can seem to be difficult and vague is that you are digging into a pile of conditioning and habits that have been inculcated into the mind for...oh, who knows how long? Knowing who or what you are is the name of the game, ultimately.

A lot depends on how motivated and earnest you are on the search. That's a good inquiry in itself. There are some hard core teachings that I have found and practiced, but I liken them to walking the shores of existence and discovering a bright, colorful jewel along the way and that is a way to put it without claiming any universal superiority.

Forgive me if you are already aware of these resources, but you might find these recommendations to be jewels that provide you with tips, support and glimmers of insight: Alan Watts, Adyashanti and Rupert Spira, to name a few (all available on YouTube). If you find yourself to be more Bhakti than a Jnana, then Mooji is also worth checking out. The "hard core" stuff may be for later or you will stumble upon it when you are ready. Patience is a good practice and something to cultivate. You are like a lotus ready to bloom and that is not to be forced, but watched and enjoyed.

And of course, there are many volumes of Buddhist sutras, commentaries and practices available on any level that might just fit your style, as you may already know.

Lastly, it is okay to be a DIY type, but if you come across a skillful, well-vetted teacher, (most importantly with a valid lineage) that can be most helpful at some stage because, you may find, all the sutras and books are a door to an in-depth dialogue. I find most Tibetan Lamas to be very knowledgeable and interesting in many ways

Longchen Rabjampa said, "How can a tight mesh of body, speech and mind reach out to touch its indestructible core?"

Tashi Delek
(sorry for the length, but, birds sing, thunder roars, bees buzz and I write too much, that's what I do)