Thinking about early Buddhism and meditation. Stoicism. Practising in the midst of life, sharing what works, gaming for fun. Check out my blog.
Devon, UK
Joined March 2016
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I'm off to Mastodon. There's no attention hacking, no algorithm enraging people to drive engagement, no ads. You see posts from people you follow in chronological order. It's decentralised and you control your data. See you there! mastodon.online/@markcooper | joinmastodon.org
Another gem from Bhikkhu Anālayo. Deepening Insight. Very brief chapters drawing out teachings relevant to vedanā (hedonic tone)—a pivotal object for mindfulness.
ALT Deepening Insight by Bhikkhu Analayo
I’m fairly convinced games make us smarter. Yes, some games are more worthwhile than others. But gaming offers many diverse and intricate problems to solve, like no other medium. Manipulating 3D spaces, information, time. Maybe gaming is one reason IQs have risen over the years.
Decision-making, planning, co-operation. Even ethical choices *Ahem* #SeaOfThieves—I see you, gamers.
@chakathemighty Hey, I think you mentioned a Buddhist Discord server that you found inspiring a while back?
It was procrastination that got us in the end. The best time to do something was thirty years ago. The second best time is now. theguardian.com/environment/…
Can anyone help me understand MN 43, Mahāvedalla Sutta? In what way are these four deliverances of mind the same? I think it's saying they are four different methods of reaching an unshakeable deliverance of mind, but that they are the same to the extent that they reach it.
How are you thinking about autism? Have you heard of the double empathy problem? youtube.com/watch?v=A1AUdaH-…
Mark Cooper retweeted
My intuition too. No one has ever had a direct experience of matter. Everything we experience is mental, it arises in dependence on mind. Simplicity suggests that the objects we perceive are also mental in nature. Conversely, it’s very hard to explain how mind arises from matter.
Mark Cooper retweeted
7 cool @lizandmollie graphics accompanied by relevant philosophy quotes:
1.
"Well-being is realized by small steps, but is truly no small thing."
— Zeno of Citium
This is really great. Bhikkhu Anālayo compares the Pāli canon and Chinese āgamas to shed light on the early Buddhist practice of the Brahmavihārās and the gradual entry into emptiness. He arrives at some invaluable practical guidance.
Bhikkhu Anālayo has recorded some guided meditations that take you through this progression through the Brahmavihārās into emptiness, here: buddhistinquiry.org/resource…
Fascinating. I can relate to some parts of this as my interest in Buddhism has gradually became more earnest. theguardian.com/world/2022/s…
Mark Cooper retweeted
Feel like there’s overlap with the psychedelics debate. I see where the objections come from, but jhanas are conditioned states, often conditioned by being on retreat & certain kinds of practice. If this gizmo puts the right conditions in place for wholesome mind states, why not?