David Nichtern, Duncan's meditation teacher and friend, joins the podcast. They discuss topics such as escaping the samsaric loop, exploring the relational path, journey towards self-improvement, being present in the moment, attachment, vaping addiction, and mindfulness.
Recognizing and examining the various forms of suffering leads to a realistic understanding of their existence in Buddhism.
Following the Eightfold Path helps in building an enlightened and compassionate perspective for a more fulfilling life.
The state of totality, known as the fourth moment, involves experiencing the present moment fully and perceiving the totality of one's experience.
Deep dives
The First Noble Truth and the Four Kinds of Suffering
The speaker discusses the first noble truth of Buddhism, which explores the four kinds of suffering: not getting what you want, getting what you don't want, alternating between gaining and losing what you want, and a pervasive sense of dissatisfaction. By acknowledging and examining these forms of suffering, one can gain a realistic understanding of their existence.
The Eightfold Path and Integrating Compassion
The Eightfold Path is mentioned as a way to navigate suffering and find balance and wholeness. By following this path, one can learn to let go of attachment, cultivate mindfulness, practice right speech, right action, and right livelihood. This path helps in building an enlightened and compassionate perspective, which can lead to a more integrated and fulfilling life.
The Fourth Moment and Present Experience
The fourth moment is highlighted as a state of totality, going beyond the past, present, and future. It involves experiencing the present moment fully and perceiving the totality of one's experience, including both the positive and negative aspects. By being present and paying attention to the totality of the experience, one can cultivate a sense of security, intelligence, and relief.
Starting with the View and the Practice
The discussion touches upon the importance of starting with a clear view or understanding of the teachings of Buddhism. It is emphasized that while practice is essential, having a solid foundation in the view can help avoid misunderstandings and ensure a meaningful progress on the spiritual path.
The Experience of the Fourth Moment and Its Impact on Anxiety
The podcast explores the speaker's personal journey in experiencing what they refer to as the 'fourth moment' - a state of primordial awareness that is indestructible and independent of external circumstances. The speaker describes how initially, they struggled with anxiety and found relief by being fully present in the moment. However, they also discovered that this present moment awareness was not the ultimate experience of emptiness or enlightenment. Instead, they started having glimpses of the fourth moment, a state of awareness that is unaffected by the fluctuations of the present moment. The speaker highlights the importance of recognizing and not getting addicted to these glimpses, as well as the impact it has on diminishing anxiety and cultivating compassion towards others.
Exploring Addiction, Vaping, and Letting Go
The podcast delves into the topic of addiction, specifically focusing on the speaker's habit of vaping and their struggle to let go of this addiction. They discuss how addiction can be seen as a manifestation of attachment and how it can affect one's ability to fully engage with the present moment. The speaker reflects on the addictive nature of vaping and its impact on their ability to experience the fourth moment. They also touch on the realms of existence, using addiction as an analogy to understand the cycle of craving, the temporary relief it provides, and the subsequent suffering that comes with it. The speaker emphasizes the importance of renunciation and recognizing the unsatisfying nature of addictive behaviors, while also acknowledging the challenges of breaking free from them.
David Nichtern, David from The Midnight Gospel, Duncan's meditation teacher, and friend, re-joins the DTFH!
You can learn more about David, including where to find his fantastic music and books, on his website: DavidNichtern.com. The book discussed in this episode is Awakening from the Daydream, available everywhere you like to get your books!
