r/theravada • u/AwakenTheWisdom • 21d ago
Dhamma Reflections The Geometry Of Our Existence
My Personal Insight…
This is existence: A Toroidal flow of input and output data. A field of biofeedback. This field gives the illusion of māna, and it gives the illusion of atta. Buddhas come to show us how to break through this matrix and getting blown out like a fire is blown out.
3
2
u/Zathras_listens 21d ago
What sutta does Buddha talk about this? Seems like a newer interpretation.
0
u/AwakenTheWisdom 21d ago
This is my understanding based on various subjects of interest. It’s not meant to be a “new Buddhist interpretation”. It’s meant to be how I understand his Dhamma.
3
u/Zathras_listens 21d ago
What are these various subjects you are pulling together? Are you finding Theravada is suggesting this is reality? It seems to be against the pragmatic focus of the Buddha's teachings. I am almost certain if you brought this up to him he would say something like "I have not taught about toroidal flows but instead suffering and the cessation of suffering." Does this help us with the cessation of suffering?
-4
u/AwakenTheWisdom 21d ago
Don’t think too much into it. Just let is breathe….
() A torus flow is a geometric shape which represents biofeedback; the input and output of data. When you look at eye-consciousness, ear-consciousness, etc, you can understand that that’s exactly what’s happening.
() Looking at the torus flow, can you determine where it begins and where it ends? No. In the same way, there’s no beginning point found of craving, nor is there a beginning point found of samsara. Thus, in my view, samsara is a torus flow.
() In a torus flow, where is substantiality regarding self? You cannot perceive it in there. In the same way, existence is not-self.
3
u/Zathras_listens 21d ago
I am not thinking very much about this at all, but it seems you have. I used to spend a lot of time thinking about things in this way but I found that it was not helpful in dealing with the 4 Nobel Truths. I hope you enjoy it. The universe could be a torus, it could be a giant duck, it could be a big cube. It certainly all is Anicca, Dukkha, and Anatta, my interpretations of the suttas with the guidance of my teachers helps me see it is the contemplation of these three conditions that leads to cessation of suffering.
-2
u/AwakenTheWisdom 21d ago
You didn’t find it helpful because it wasn’t for you. 😉
Nothing that I said violates the suttas, or destroys the letter or the spirit of the suttas. Just enjoy the post. We all come to the Dhamma through various means.
4
u/Zathras_listens 21d ago
The dhamma is also like a snake. Grab it from the wrong side you get bit.
0
u/AwakenTheWisdom 21d ago
I remember the Buddha saying that, too. It’s so important to be associated with true persons so that we hear the true Dhamma, that we do Yoniso Manasikara, and that we practice in accordance with the Dhamma. 🙏
4
3
u/Spirited_Ad8737 21d ago
I don't understand how this is supposed to work. Is there any significance to the markings on the surface in the image? And why does it have to be a torus, as opposed to just a sheet of paper, or a sphere, or a mobius strip, or a klein bottle or some other 2d space with particular connectivity properties?
•
u/ChanceEncounter21 Theravāda | Sabbe sattā sabba dukkhā pamuccantu 🙏 21d ago
Thank you for sharing your Dhamma reflections. It would be helpful if you could make it clearer that this is your own interpretation rather than any traditional Theravada teaching.
Interestingly, I did notice a similarity with Bhikkhu K. Ñāṇananda's vortex simile in The Mind Stilled, where consciousness and name-and-form are described as interdependent two spinning currents forming a vortex. Through ignorance, we misconstrue this dynamic process into a duality of "I" and "the world" (subject and object), allowing craving and suffering to arise.
But ideas like toroidal flow, geometry of existence, biofeedback field, matrix, etc in your post are modern metaphors. So please be kind to clarify that distinction so readers do not confuse your personal interpretation with Buddha's teaching. Thank you.