What is Reality?

...

Is the next question is going to be "What is truth?"

I touched on something related to this in my practice journal, comments 115 through 117.

The problem with defining what is "real" by consensus is that there is often insufficient data. Most people have only experienced life in the gross/waking state (while awake at least), and have thus not peered through the sensitive instrument that is the well-trained mind. If more people were willing to do contemplative practice, I think the consensus may change. Until then, we're probably stuck with flatland materialism, since any person of average (or even below average) mental capacity can readily grasp that aspect of reality.

So what is reality? I can't say for sure. But I can say that anyone can gain a fuller, more inclusive understanding of reality by taking seriously data from both the interior and exterior of first, second, AND third person perspectives.

Even then, we end up with just "this".

This is it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What isn't?

I'd like to offer the suggestion that the next question be "What is karma?"

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I'd like to offer the suggestion that the next question be "What is karma?"



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Nice one.

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I'd like to offer the suggestion that the next question be "What is karma?"



"

How about "what is rigpa?"

What is rigpa? Been there, done that, and there's no t-shirt reward.

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What is rigpa? Been there, done that, and there's no t-shirt reward.

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I think you can get one of those "Buddhist Bracelets" that TIger Woods is wearing now.

Reality for most people is like the ocean is to a fish. It's something accepted without consideration. When it is considered it turns into an undefinable will-o-the-wisp. Poof! So... why try? Does it matter?

Who was it who said, "Reality is whatever you can get away with."--? Or am I misquoting that?

Reality is only that which consciousness wants to make of it with appendages or compounding. With consciousness at its simplist there is nothing external that is real, there is no reality.
No Reality, no truth, no karma and no rigpa, no nothing - just consciousness.

Reality is where you stub your toe

I've always liked Philip K. Dick's definition:

"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away."

A link to the article where he formulated that:

deoxy.org/pkd_how2build.htm

Cheers,
Florian

"I've always liked Philip K. Dick's definition:

"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away."

A link to the article where he formulated that:

deoxy.org/pkd_how2build.htm

Cheers,
Florian"

I love it!

"What is Reality?"
Relative (conventional) or Ultimate? Two, Not Two.



Hey Jackson, you mentioned "flatland" in post #2 -- are you referring to the Edwin Abbott story "Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions"? Hey, hey I love that little story, I used to read it to my son when he was little.

- Tina