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**MiniBoy** · 05-16-2011, 11:26 PM

I am a philosopher and deep thinker by nature, and have trouble turning the mind off! One thing I identify with is the mind.

I can relate to that.
The reason I am asking these questions is to maybe get some more knowledge on how these things are "not self." Well, there's tons and tons of stuff from many traditions out there and you could spend years looking at it. It may sound shocking but anatta is not ultimately a doctrine or a metaphysical position - it is a realisation of reality, one which is unlikely to occur without meditative training.

I am trying to let go, and it has been really hard. REALLY HARD. I didnt realize how much I cling and grasp until now. Thanks

You are trying to 'convince' yourself into letting go and in my experience there will never be a good intellectual argument that has the staying power to effect this outcome.
You can't let go if you don't discover what is holding on. Meditation will reveal what clinging is about and its release. Trying to resolve this with the intellect is like expecting a disease to cure itself.

We can talk ourselves into all kinds of moods and positions but they are impermanent and bound to fail. Direct, naked experience is the key to liberation. Buddha discovered anatta, he didn't think it up.

Check out the meditation thread I've started for some great accounts.
http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries...891-Meditation

05-16-2011, 11:26 PM	#26
MiniBoy Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 495 Senior Member	I am a philosopher and deep thinker by nature, and have trouble turning the mind off! One thing I identify with is the mind. I can relate to that. The reason I am asking these questions is to maybe get some more knowledge on how these things are "not self." Well, there's tons and tons of stuff from many traditions out there and you could spend years looking at it. It may sound shocking but anatta is not ultimately a doctrine or a metaphysical position - it is a realisation of reality, one which is unlikely to occur without meditative training. I am trying to let go, and it has been really hard. REALLY HARD. I didnt realize how much I cling and grasp until now. Thanks You are trying to 'convince' yourself into letting go and in my experience there will never be a good intellectual argument that has the staying power to effect this outcome. You can't let go if you don't discover what is holding on. Meditation will reveal what clinging is about and its release. Trying to resolve this with the intellect is like expecting a disease to cure itself. We can talk ourselves into all kinds of moods and positions but they are impermanent and bound to fail. Direct, naked experience is the key to liberation. Buddha discovered anatta, he didn't think it up. Check out the meditation thread I've started for some great accounts. http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries...891-Meditation
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