智覺學苑 Buddhism in Modern Language at Pho-Hien Temple Academy of Wisdom & Enlightenment (AWE) Inflation and Defence of EgoMarch 9, 20131

Thank you for being here Mindfulness/relaxation In body, Mind, and Spirit Awareness 02/02/2013Lecture L2.1: Holistic Health2

Fast track to your Enlightenment Road Map

Learning Skills Lecture #3.1 Speed Learning Feb 16,2013L3.1 Learning Skills4

Feb 16,2013 I.Definitions of Terms II.Communication skill Set III.Mind Set Three Sets of Learning Skills 5

Set I : Definition of Terms Survey Question: “Why do you want to learn Buddhism?” Various answers/motivations/questions Depends on the definition of Buddhism AWE definition: Lecture #2 “What is Buddhism” Why do you want to learn the way to enlightenment? Feb 16,2013L3.1 Learning Skills6

II.Communication Skill Set 1.Active listening 2.Appreciation 3.Expression 4.Establish Collective Consciousness Feb 16,2013L3.1 Learning Skills7

II. 1Active listening Feb 16,2013L3.1 Learning Skills Do not criticize – right/wrong, good/bad Do not try to fit information into existing silo Accept other’s opinion (disagree is OK) Do not interrupt Overcome ego 8

II. 2Appreciation Feb 16,2013L3.1 Learning Skills Discover obstinacy in oneself Connect with the speaker (body language) Improve the elements and factors that mould our character Overcome ego 9

II. 3Expression Feb 16,2013L3.1 Learning Skills Overcome fear of public speaking Contribute by giving oneself Learn to speak better from listening to others (considerate) Overcome ego 10

II.4 Establish Collective Consciousness Feb 16,2013L3.1 Learning Skills Absorb the good points from others Minimize one’s obstinacy/stubbornness The whole is greater than the sum of its parts Egocentric self grow with an open mind & breaking out of thinking box 11

L3.1 Learning SkillsFeb 16,2013 I.Definitions of Terms II.Communication skill Set III.Mind Set Three Sets of Learning Skills 12

Key to opening our minds An introduction to Metaphysics Metaphysics Lecture 1 Beyond infinity: How to expand our thinking mode III. Mind Set Feb 16,2013L3.1 Learning Skills13

Avatamsaka SūtraNumber of Digits 122 immeasurable 4 x immeasurable 4 = unspeakable unspeakable x unspeakable = unspeakable unspeakable 2 x unspeakable 2 = unspeakable unspeakable 4 x unspeakable 4 = unspeakably unspeakable unspeakably unspeakable x unspeakably unspeakable = untold ? Expansion of two-dimensional Mind Set

Finite – having bounds or limits; measurable; capable of being completely counted; not infinite or infinitesimal; not zero Infinite – unlimited or unmeasurable; indefinitely or exceedingly great Expansion of one-dimensional Mind Set Feb 16,

UnitLog 10 incrementsDigits Ten102 Hundred1003 Thousands10004 Millions1,000,0007 Billions1,000,000,00010 Trillions1,000,000,000,00013 Quadrillion1,000,0000,000,000,00016 Gazillion1,000,000,000,000,000,00019 zillion, jillion, and gazillion, are fictitious names “Infinity”1,000,000,000,000,000,000,00022 Linear (one-dimensional) Mind Set

Two-dimensional mindset UnitsSquare IncrementDigits Hundred10 x 10 = 1003 Ten thousand100 x 100 = 10,0005 Hundred million 10,000 x 10,000 = 100,000,000 9 Feb 16,

Two-dimensional mindset UnitsSquare IncrementDigits Hundred10 x 10 = 1003 Ten thousand100 x 100 = 10,0005 Hundred million 10,000 x 10,000 = 100,000,000 9 Hundred quadrillion 100,000,000 x 100,000,000 = 10,000,000,000,000, Feb 16,

Two-dimensional mindset UnitsSquare IncrementDigits Hundred10 x 10 = 1003 Ten thousand100 x 100 = 10,0005 Hundred million 10,000 x 10,000 = 100,000,000 9 Hundred quadrillion 100,000,000 x 100,000,000 = 10,000,000,000,000, “Infinity”10,000,000,000,000,000 x 10,000,000,000,000,000 = infinity 33 Feb 16,

Thinking Boxes Feb 16,

March 16, 2013Review lesson Ego Boxes March 16, 2013Review lesson

March 16, 2013Review lesson Open Mind inversely correlate with Ego OPEN MIND EGO March 16, 2013Review lesson

Inflation and Defence of Ego Lecture #4.5 Forget-me-not Inflation and Defence of Ego March 9,

Characteristics of Ego Ego has context, structure and relies heavily on identification. Context identification is conditioned by the environment, upbringing and culture. Structure is the thought process underlying ego’s identification with form. March 9, 2013Inflation and Defence of Ego24

Terminologies Ego = small me = self Higher Consciousness = Selfless = Unlimited Inspirations = Holy Spirit = Holy Ghost = ~ God March 9,2013Overcoming Ego25

Inspirations Great art or achievements come from inspirations. Inspirations come from the word inspire (the spirit is in the body)… What spirit? When the holy spirit is in; we become servant of God and create greatness. When the Self/I/Ego is in, we do selfish/hurtful things to satisfy our ego. March 9,2013Overcoming Ego26

March 9, 2013Inflation and Defence of Ego27 External Stimuli

March 9, 2013Inflation and Defence of Ego28

THOUGHT THOUGHT ….DISTORTED REALITY WITH BIG SELF External Stimuli

Defence of Ego/I/Self I will not listen…. I do not want to listen to teachings that exceed Self/I. example: I will not listen to Buddhist teaching that leads to Enlightenment. I am only happy to listen to sayings that strengthen Self/I. example: I will live to 100 years old or forever. I will not listen to the lecture on counting numbers. Counting numbers has nothing to do with Self/I a waste of my time. March 9, 2013Inflation and Defence of Ego30