| Nirvana in Buddhism is the supreme state of Buddha | | | | oneness with the parts, and therefore, we should |
| Nature that is free from Samsara and suffering. Once | | | | abandon "the poison of contradictions." Being able to |
| this state is attained and contained all karmic imprints | | | | discriminate is an important function of the mind, but a |
| are stopped and one is released from the cycle of | | | | dualistic mind ruled by negation is not a happy mind |
| reincarnation. While Nirvana is often used in the East, | | | | because it is disconnected from its own true nature. |
| freedom from suffering can also be explained through | | | | Our true identity is beyond conceptual thinking, and it is |
| non-attachment and this form of Buddha nirvana is | | | | by redrawing this conceptualization that we can |
| also referred to as "Enlightenment." | | | | experience the true nature of the mind. |
| So, how do you reach Nirvana or enlightenment? In | | | | Karmic patterns are not part of our true nature-they |
| Buddhism, enlightenment can be explained as the | | | | are part of the manifest world (Samsara). To be real |
| liberation from our thoughts. Instead of being our | | | | and to experience who we are, we need to move |
| thoughts, we shift perspective to watching our | | | | beyond into the un-manifest and unlimited world of our |
| thoughts-we are observing our thoughts without | | | | true nature. Just the same, when we die and leave the |
| identifying with our thoughts. | | | | body, we also leave this karmic world of delusion to |
| This is the liberation from thought identification to | | | | enter the ultimate nature of reality. |
| thought observation, and this is what it means for the | | | | The true nature of mind is the door through which we |
| brain to get out of its own way. Beyond the brain and | | | | enter into the ultimate reality of existence. The |
| its thoughts we experience that we are still there, and | | | | Buddhists teach us that to leave the karmic world |
| this experience is liberation-the experience of our true | | | | behind; we cannot be attached to it. Non-attachment is |
| nature. | | | | a mind in equilibrium without craving or aversion. Again, |
| To explain this, a mirror is often used as a metaphor | | | | non-attachment is not the nihilistic perception of |
| for the mind, or consciousness. Our mind is an empty | | | | nothingness, but the abandoning of conceptual thinking, |
| mirror in which thoughts occur as reflections. We are | | | | which leaves the mind calm to experience itself. The |
| the mirror. Our thoughts, as reflections in the mirror, are | | | | true nature of the mind is naturally full of light and |
| our subjective self, or ego. By observing our thoughts | | | | unlimited love. This is very similar to the experience of |
| we can see that these reflections come and go in the | | | | the light in the near-death experience. In fact, "The light |
| mirror, but when we watch closely we find something | | | | experienced in meditation has many of the qualities of |
| behind these reflections that is clear and stable. This is | | | | the light of the NDE." |
| the mirror-our true nature. | | | | Buddhism teaches that when we die, we encounter |
| Knowing our true identity, we can observe the | | | | this light-the Luminous Bardo of Dharmata, Dharmata |
| reflections as they change from pleasant to | | | | meaning true nature and luminosity referring to the light |
| unpleasant thoughts and back again, but since we no | | | | that is naturally present. As the near-death experience |
| longer identify with the reflections we have now | | | | gives evidence to, this ultimate reality is beyond our |
| become liberated from them. This simply means that | | | | human understanding, and in Buddhism it is bright and |
| we are no longer controlled by our thoughts. | | | | unimaginably positive as the ultimate bliss. |
| We now control our thoughts, and can select positive | | | | This clear light nature is the ultimate level of reality and |
| and happy thoughts, instead of negative and unhappy | | | | as such it is also your true nature as the light of your |
| thoughts. This is enlightenment and freedom from our | | | | enlightened mind. Therefore, an important key to |
| thoughts, which leads us to the essence of our nature. | | | | enlightenment is the realization that nirvana is not |
| This was what the Buddha taught, and all his 84,000 | | | | something you effort for as you try to reach it with |
| teachings can all be condensed into one line: | | | | attachment to the goal. You are in essence nirvana |
| Recognize your essence. | | | | and as such all you need is to stop reacting to karmic |
| The Buddhist tradition tells us that negation lacks the | | | | imprints and just be - be yourself. |