r/streamentry • u/jabinslc • 2d ago
Practice commons mistakes examples?
I was inspired to ask this question based on a post from yesterday about sexuality. there seemed to be a debate about whether desire falls off completely vs seeing through the empty nature of desire.
what are other common thinking errors people make on the path? like reifying awareness, the addiction to enlightenment, alienation from regular life perceived as good, the inability to reduce suffering anywhere but on the cushion, the pitfall of viewing things as non-existent vs lacking self nature, etc.
in my own practice, whenever I perceive something as having true ultimate nature, I calmly look at it as empty of self. whether its anger or bliss. good or bad. gently return to the emptiness of even nirvana itself.
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u/carpebaculum 2d ago
A common mistake I notice is people taking basic instructions, especially those related to renunciation such as the five precepts, like a set of commandments. To me this is an unfortunate and probably unconscious application of Judaeo-Christian worldview to a dharmic tradition.
I observe this view brings about a lot of guilt when people are unable to follow it to the letter, or when mistakes happen. It is better to view these restrictions as a set of voluntary guidelines for the benefit of one's own practice. If mistakes happen, notice that, be aware it will disrupt your practice momentarily (depends on how severe a breach), express regrets, say oops, make amends or ask for forgiveness if necessary, and get back on the horse. No guilt necessary, karmic laws take care of everything (and I don't mean anything supernatural or spooky, it is as simple as, if you drink alcohol, it clouds the mind and it won't be as sharp or calm as it would be otherwise). This is a practical aspect of training, not a lifelong rule, though that said obviously morality and the law continue to apply in shared spaces.