Sotapannahood: Discussion

[HappinessSeeker]

I would suggest actually practicing according to the Visuddhimagga and going through the stages of insight. As far as I know, one must first practice the four elements meditation and see ultimate reality before he can practice vipassana.

If someone practiced according to the Visuddhimagga and has learned the vipasanna sections, I think it’s possible to attain stream entry before one dies or in the deva or brahma world unless he aspires for supreme enlightenment (Buddhahood) or any kind of enlightenment that requires him to fulfill paramis for more lives.

I hope you achieve your heart’s desire. I do think it’s still possible to attain jhanas, psychic powers, and enlightenment in modern times. We just have to put in every ounce of energy we have and trust in ourselves, the Visuddhimagga, and our teachers who will teach us.

[RobertK]

@HappinessSeeker

I would suggest actually practicing according to the Visuddhimagga and going through the stages of insight.

Someone could study the Visuddimagga and still go wrong.
You can check now how much understanding has been developed: is there real acceptance that whatever appears is conditioned, not self.

Is sati seen as a dhamma that arises when conditions are present . Or is there a belief that sati can be made to occur by concentrating- in that case it shows that the difference between sati and concentration is not understood.

[HappinessSeeker]

@RobertK

Is sati seen as a dhamma that arises when conditions are present . Or is there a belief that sati can be made to occur by concentrating- in that case it shows that the difference between sati and concentration is not understood.

This is very important. In the past, I didn’t know this so I was forcing my sati and concentration.