Expert: Laurie McLauglin - 10/17/2009

Question
QUESTION: yeah ok, buddhism is often misunderstood because of this set of wrong set of words like anatta is said to be no soul it may be true but to a buddhist duality is useless in the end, nirvana is said to be cessation so negative but actually its end of suffering it is a false thought to say nirvana is cessation because we do not have anything to remove, karma is said to be determined but determined and the word condition seemed same but actually different, empty the mind is said to be dangerous but actually empty the mind is like melting the thoughts that are discriminating and abusive?

any more about mind emptying in meditation? is it like our mind is the coke container or water and the thoughts are like bubbles? is it all about letting the bubbles melt to make the coke clearer?

the mind in mediation is discarding thoughts that are abusive and samsaric, actually you gotta remove sensual thoughts or fetters to be in a position of enligtenment because only removing thoughts can make the moon freed from clouds?

what about other meditations like seeing devils or being harassed?

are there any mind reading in buddhism?

ANSWER: Hello again Jaya

Thanks again for letting me answer your question.

I am not sure I understand everything you say in your first paragraph, so I cannot comment.

I used to think you had to empty your mind of thoughts during meditation and from what I know, eventually the mind gets pretty clear but from what I understand, thoughts are part of the mind just as bubbles are part of Coke. It is not possible separate one from the other.  From my side it is not so much about having the bubbles "melt" but the ability to see both the mind and the bubbles at the same time. When one does that one will see that there is plenty of space between the bubbles because one is not grasping at the bubbles or endowing the bubbles with qualities they do not have. They are just bubbles.

It is not so much that the mind in meditation is discarding negative or abusive thoughts, it is more like the mind recognizes a negative thought and simply does not follow it.  We do not allow it to take us down a road that leads to negative actions such as anger, rage or jealousy. Again, from my side, it is not about removing thoughts, but we just learn to focus on the Coke and not the bubbles.  When we focus on the Coke (read mind)we can truly understand our mind and therefore it does not feel so clouded over.

From my side, we remove sensual thoughts because we are too easily distracted by them and they can cause us to grasp at the material world and can lead us to suffering.

I am not sure about your question - there are no meditations "like seeing devils or being harassed" If you could clarify that for me, I will happily answer it.

Yes, there is mind reading in Buddhism. When one has calmed ones own mind enough and gained a level of wisdom, one will automatically become clairvoyant as it is the nature of the mind to know all things.

I hope this helps.  Don't hesitate to ask any further questions.

Take care - Laurie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: one buddhist friend of mine even told to be careful if in meditation you see divine beingsl ike manjushri and others because it is also possible that these visitations could be disguised by mara also and there is genuine visitations vs fake ones, anyway about devils some say if you meditate you open your mind into outside influences

Answer
Hello again Jaya

Thanks again for the chance to chat with you.

From my side, it is not just that one sees a deity such as Manjushri in one's meditation. From my side, it is having the wisdom not to grasp at the vision as having a true emotional significance. I know people who have seen deities in their meditations and use them to help their practice but not attached any negative connotation to them.  One sees what one wants to see ultimately.  For example, some people thought the living Jesus Christ was evil. From my side, one must develop and learn to trust ones wisdom in cases like this.

There are meditations that do allow negative states of mind to flourish. And there are meditations that do open the mind to outside influences. Neither of these are taught in the Mahayana Buddhist meditations I have encountered. If negative states or outside influences to arise in meditation and it seems they are doing more harm then good, I suspect any Buddhist teacher would suggest that that person find a qualified spiritual teacher and have them work with that teacher to help let those negative minds go.

Hope that helps.

Namaste - Laurie