1. Metaphysics & Buddhism

2. What is Metaphysics? (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/metaphysics)
Old materialists, who said that there is nothing but matter in motion, and current naturalists, who say that everything is made of lifeless, non-experiencing energy, are just as much metaphysicians as are idealists, who maintain that there is nothing but ideas, or mind, or spirit.
Dualists say that mind and matter are equally real, while neutral monists claim that there is a neutral reality that can appear as either mind or matter.
The term metaphysics originally referred to the writings of Aristotle that came to light after his writings on physics, about three centuries after Aristotle's death.
It seeks a description so basic, so essentially simple, and so all-inclusive that it applies to everything, whether divine or human or anything else. It attempts to tell what anything must be like in order to be at all.

3. Old materialists, … there is nothing but matter in motion
Current naturalists…everything is made of lifeless (non-experiencing energy)
Metaphysicians …. there is nothing but ideas, or mind, or spirit.
Dualists …… mind and matter are equally real
Neutral monists …. there is a neutral reality that can appear as either mind or matter.
Buddhist monks…..???

4. What is Metaphysics. http://www. experiencefestival
Traditionally, metaphysics refers to the branch of philosophy that attempts to understand the fundamental nature of all reality, whether visible or invisible.
The study of a supper-sensual realm (above sensitive) or of phenomena which transcend (beyond human experiences, reasons) the physical world.
The exploration of that which lies behind the appearance of things.
Just like physics deals with the science of visible matter, metaphysics deals with the science of the Invisible Self.

5. What is Metaphysics. http://www. experiencefestival
It is a question - and a most powerful one - that each of us might ask ourselves as a means, not necessarily to arrive at a definitive answer, but to achieve a certain attitude that may serve to re-shape our self-perception as well as how we relate to the world and life in general.
Thus Metaphysics is looking for the permanent Reality, the unchanged Beingness, and the stationary Existence as the Base for everything that shows constant change.
Cutting across the division of the academic and the popular, there is another way of dividing metaphysics: 'theoretical' and 'applied' .
This distinction is like the division between science and technology...one describes...the other applies the description to practical problems, putting knowledge to work.
Gathering knowledge in physics is traditionally, by rational thought, by popular understanding. (There are a lot more knowledge that physics can not explain, or try to explain.)

6. What is Metaphysics. http://www. experiencefestival
In metaphysics, knowledge gathering may be either mystical or occult; in either case the pure knowledge is to be distinguished from the practical application of it.
From time immemorial there has been in existence a body of knowledge, available to all who had sufficient inclination to investigate it. (but only a group of people interests in this investigation…scientists who interest in Buddhism??)
Within it can be found certain principles and laws of nature which lead to discovery of a 'level of awareness' that is wonderful and miraculous, which we are not ordinarily conscious of!

7. Sharing experiences??: www.suanmok.com
Within it can be found certain principles and laws of nature which lead to discovery of a 'level of awareness' that is wonderful and miraculous, which we are not ordinarily conscious of!
Sharing experiences??:

8. What proof is there of the supernatural?
1. Observation.
2. Chance and probability
3. Phenomenon
The processes of nature involve psychical functions as sensing, feeling, remembering, desiring, or thinking.

9. What are observed?
Philosophers, generally, are content to divide reality into two halves, mind and matter (extended and unextended reality) and do not emphasize such distinctions within the mind as spirit or soul.
Ordinarily... You live in an awareness that assesses/apprehends a world of objects and events external to “me”; so it 'appears' external. 
Rarely... do you stop to consider what is going on within the mechanism that is generating this awareness, instead of its product (i.e. the ordinary so-called 'external world' with its creatures, forms and events).
If and when the attention is turned inward, to what lies behind this awareness, the resultant alteration of perception is momentous!

10. Big ideas
Philosophers….divide reality into two halves, mind and matter (extended and unextended reality) and do not emphasize such distinctions within the mind as spirit or soul.
A world of objects and events external to “me”; so it 'appears' external.
Do you stop to consider what is going on within the mechanism generating this awareness?
Result is: alteration of perception (is momentous!)

11. Chance and probability?
Mind leads to your own thinking.
Getting lost in your thinking (illusion) leads to EGO (UTTA)

12. What is explained by scientists? by Buddhists?
Class discussion….
What is “O-Pa-Ti-Ka”?
What is explained by scientists? by Buddhists?
Name of persons:
Amrapali was born from manmgo tree
Pokkhorsati was born from lotus.

13. Also the invisible realm and metaphysics?
Phenomenon?
Upon achieving such a shift (in awareness), something immediately and automatically dawns, which is intellectually intangible (that can not be touched or grasped by the mind).
This shift acts as a gateway towards exploring the wide realm of energies associated with and beyond matter.
Being mindfulness and awareness govern the thinking within a reality realm, leading to the intangible intelligence and correct responses to the external world.
Sensation to the real world is then more effective and also the reaction to the real world governs by this ability reduces the chance of “negative kamma” to be created for the rest of your life.
Also the invisible realm and metaphysics?

14. Enlightenment?..said by practicing monks.
Answer according to Kusala Bhikshu
Nirvana- The End of Suffering... In this lifetime and all future lifetimes.
Enlightenment- The Wisdom of Emptiness... The wisdom that arises from the direct experience of all phenomena being empty of independent existence.

15. Luang Poh Tian….
Whenever you know that your mind is thinking, then the cause of suffering is opened.
Self awareness and the ability to see your “thinking mind” is “Panya”, it helps reducing the un-necessity thinking. (= empowerment your own energy!!)
Panya leads to the seeing of ““Tilakkhana”, (anijung-tukkung-anutda) then the mind reaches the middle path and the state of non-self is achieved!!.

16. Luang Poh Pramote (www.wimutti.net)
Being awareness of the “Tilakkhana”, then “pa-ticca-sa-mup-paada” wheel ceases.
Knowing your own thinking is the only path to stop the thinking.
Being mindfulness is the only key to the Enlightenment and Nirvana.

17. Let’s try it yourself!! Sharing experiences from class: Home work:
How can you overcome your suffering in everyday life? Give some examples

18. End of week 5 here!