The hottest Buddhism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Faith & Spirituality Topics

Gnosticism: Convergences

Secretum Secretorum • 606 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism Esotericism Mysticism
  1. Gnosticism and Buddhism share ideas that material existence is less real and that ignorance is the root of suffering. Both traditions emphasize the importance of mystical knowledge for liberation.
  2. Both Gnosticism and Tantric practices in Buddhism involve a focus on transgressions and a move beyond traditional religious laws. This shows they both seek deeper truths through breaking societal taboos.
  3. Gnostic communities, like some Tantric traditions, allowed more freedom for women and looked beyond social status for spiritual attainment. This highlights a common theme of valuing inner character over external labels.

98 - Emotion Stories

Nick Burdick: Writing from California • 99 implied HN points • 13 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Buddhism Emotion Free will Mental health
  1. Emotions can be primal, like fear and craving, which we can't fully control right away. It's important to create safeguards to keep these emotions from guiding our decisions.
  2. Some emotions are based on stories we create, like anger or jealousy. Recognizing these as stories helps us react better and keep our thoughts clear.
  3. It's crucial to be mindful of what we feed our minds, like avoiding negative news and social media. Quality content gives us better reactions and lessens harmful habits.

Me

Philosophy bear • 278 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Buddhism Mental health Identity
  1. It's important to express ourselves beyond just labels like race or gender. Relying too much on these labels can limit our understanding of a person and their experiences.
  2. People often crave certainty and security about their self-image, but this can lead to feelings of despair. Instead of clinging to an idealized self, focusing on doing good in the present moment can be more fulfilling.
  3. Many of us share a desire to be truly known by others. This feeling can lead to frustration when we feel invisible or misunderstood, but seeking genuine connections can help us combat that isolation.

Find The Part of You That Never Dies

Deep Fix • 550 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Shamanism Buddhism
  1. Visualizing your higher self can help you unearth profound insights and engage in meaningful conversations.
  2. Exploring different perspectives, like primary dualism and samsara, can lead to unexpected insights and personal growth.
  3. Embracing change and finding the part of you that never dies can bring a sense of permanence and connection to the world around you.

No Self, No Politics

Everything Is Bullshit • 511 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism Ethics Mindfulness Spirituality Religion
  1. The author discusses how combining spirituality with evolutionary psychology can be beneficial for personal growth.
  2. The text highlights the idea that political beliefs are often shaped by alliances and power dynamics rather than truth or personal values.
  3. It suggests that it's okay to prioritize personal growth and non-political actions over being deeply involved in political discourse.
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The Alabama Sutta

Weekly Wisdom • 119 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism Enlightenment Meditation Spiritual Awakening
  1. The text draws parallels between a 90's country song and Buddhist philosophy by connecting the themes of restlessness and ignorance from the song lyrics to the Buddhist concept of fetters.
  2. The ten fetters in Buddhism represent psychological obstacles that must be overcome for spiritual liberation, similar to cognitive biases in psychology.
  3. Methods to break free from these fetters include inquiry, self-inquiry through writing or meditation, and becoming confident in the absence of the perceived obstacle.

Weekly Wisdom #11

Weekly Wisdom • 39 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Wisdom Buddhism Spirituality Meditation Communication
  1. Wisdom can be explored through open-ended inquiries and examining its opposite, foolishness.
  2. Deep diving into spiritual practices like Buddhism's Ten Fetter model and Zen koans can offer valuable insights and resources.
  3. Resources on effective communication, such as writing as a Zen practice and analyzing popular TED Talks, can enhance communication skills.

Relating as beneficent space

Meaningness • 19 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism Relationships Practice Writing Books
  1. The post discusses a Vajrayana Buddhist approach to relationships, aimed at resolving stuck patterns in personal interactions.
  2. The writer mentions upcoming topics including software engineers, stage theory, and the future of stage theory as science.
  3. The writer is contemplating the value of producing a paperback/Kindle version of their AI book based on potential readership numbers.

The learning relationship

Meaningness • 0 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism Courses Relationships Practices
  1. The article discusses reinventing Vajrayana Buddhism for the modern world by separating the functional and social roles of lamas, making the reinvention project feasible.
  2. There is a Zoom discussion titled 'Guru vs Learning Relationship' happening, which explores the importance of learning relationships and how they differ from traditional guru roles.
  3. Upcoming events include a course on the Charnel Ground in Vajrayana Buddhism and a five-week course on transforming relationships through Vajrayana practices.

And now for something completely different

Meaningness • 0 implied HN points • 31 Oct 20
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism
  1. The post discusses a spooky story for Halloween called 'Meeting Naropa's dakini' on the site 'Buddhism for Vampires'.
  2. There are seasonal updates in the post along with a commentary on the future of American politics.
  3. The content is part of the paid subscription service and requires a subscription to access.

Fully Automated Karmic Generation

Cybernetic Forests • 0 implied HN points • 29 Mar 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism Karma Rituals Technology AI
  1. Compression is key in technology, from fitting mantras on prayer wheels to encoding them on DVDs and blockchains, enhancing karma generation.
  2. Intent and action are intertwined in karma generation, whether spinning a prayer wheel by hand or inscribing mantras on digital platforms like blockchains, emphasizing the importance of mindful engagement.
  3. Acknowledging responsibility and compassion in technological design can be a powerful driver for positive karmic outcomes, suggesting that critical engagement can transform destructive cycles into cycles of renewal.

Imagining Jonathan Smith: The Ontological Implications of 'Imagining Religion'

Hunter’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Philosophy Buddhism Theology
  1. The compatibility of religion and science has been a long-standing debate, with notable public intellectuals arguing that they are actually mutually compatible despite differing perceptions.
  2. Jonathan Z. Smith's approach to the study of religion emphasizes a secular viewpoint, challenging scholars to be self-conscious about religious biases in academic study.
  3. Smith's perspective on religion raises questions about the nature of consciousness and the challenges of categorizing and studying religion due to the subjective and non-isolatable aspects of religious beliefs and practices.

Fragments, Chapter 3, pp.59-63 - Reading Club posting 11

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 0 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Magic Buddhism
  1. Man doesn't have a permanent 'I,' but rather multiple small 'I's that can change constantly.
  2. People's decisions are often influenced by different 'I's within them, leading to internal conflicts and unfulfilled promises.
  3. Some Eastern teachings use allegorical stories to explain the concept of a fragmented self and the importance of inner unity for true liberation.

Dzogchen and the Scenic Imagination

Mag’s Monthly • 0 implied HN points • 11 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism Esotericism Mysticism Religious texts
  1. The article discusses the concept of twilight language and its significance in safeguarding esoteric teachings.
  2. It explores the connection between generative anthropology and mysticism in understanding cultural origins.
  3. The text delves into the three Buddha-bodies and the scenic imagination, drawing insights from texts like 'The Tibetan Book of the Dead'.

The History and Origins of Meditation

Aslan’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality History Buddhism Christianity Religions
  1. Meditation has a rich history tracing back to ancient cultures and wisdom traditions.
  2. Indian spirituality gave rise to prominent meditation schools like Yoga and Vedanta, focusing on self-realization and union with the divine.
  3. Meditation transcends religious boundaries, gaining mainstream popularity for its mental and physical health benefits.

The big infodump chapter

Meaningness • 0 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
📚 Literature Novel Narrative Meditation Romance Buddhism
  1. The post discusses the big infodump chapter of a Tantric Buddhist vampire romance novel, where characters compare notes and pieces fall into place, setting the stage for what's to come.
  2. The narrative structure of the post is the final episode of Act II, establishing the relationship with the supernatural mentor.
  3. The author's spouse's guide to a foundational Dzogchen meditation approach, 'Opening Awareness,' is newly available in a Kindle edition, focusing on meditation that leads to vivid perception, interpersonal clarity, and responsible action.

A non-statement ain’t-framework

Meaningness • 0 implied HN points • 15 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism Meditation
  1. Dzogchen, a branch of Buddhism, is difficult to understand because it lacks a conceptual framework and makes no explicit claims.
  2. Explaining Dzogchen involves discovering meaning through inexplicit instructions rather than traditional philosophical or religious concepts.
  3. Attending a Dzogchen retreat at Drala Mountain Center in Colorado provides an opportunity for theory, discussion, and practice with a knowledgeable instructor.