I saw this when looking at articles about different Buddhist symbols and it called this one the OM symbol- it just looks a little different and I'm not seeing much when I recerse image search it

Hi everyone,

Recently, during my deep meditation practice, I’ve begun to observe many fragmented thoughts and unconscious images arising. These pieces appear very scattered—often seeming unrelated to “my” immediate awareness. However, as I follow these thoughts, I notice that what emerges also reveals how the alaya-vijñāna (storehouse consciousness) operates, and that the manas (or “Mo-nash” as I sometimes call it) seems to attempt to solidify these fragments into a fixed personal identity.

Here’s a brief summary of my experience: • Fragmented Phenomena: In meditation, I observe a multitude of unconscious contents—images, sounds, and emotions that flash by like random snippets. These fragments appear to be manifestations of past karma seeds stored in the alaya-vijñāna, as well as projections of my current state. Yet, most of the time, they seem chaotic and unconnected to my direct experience of awareness. • Tracking and Redirecting: I continuously try to bring my focus back to the clear knowing that “I am aware.” The aim is to delve deeper into the alaya-vijñāna and observe how these karmic seeds arise, evolve, and naturally dissolve. When I let myself follow a thought too far, I notice that the manas tends to “collapse” the experience into a solidified notion of “I.” • Insights on Manas: It appears that the manas (or Mo-nash) plays a role in transforming these fleeting fragments into a fixed sense of self. In other words, when I cling too tightly to these thoughts, they solidify into an identification that reinforces the “I.” Conversely, if I can let go of that attachment, the overall field of experience becomes clearer and purer. • Questions for Discussion: This raises a couple of questions for me: 1. If we can prevent the manas from collapsing these fragments into a fixed “I,” does that effectively halt the accumulation of new karmic seeds? 2. How do we discern which fragmented phenomena are genuine karmic seeds and which are merely transient, unrelated images?

I’m very curious if any of you have experienced something similar in your practice. How do you differentiate and handle these fragmented pieces of consciousness in order to further purify the alaya-vijñāna and transform the manas? Additionally, what techniques have you found effective in preventing the re-solidification of the “I” in everyday practice?

Hi Everyone,
Here's the background: I've spent about 5 months total (5 - 6 hours a day) doing Metta practice (or what I thought was Metta). I would repeat the loving phrases ("May you be happy" etc). Focus on the sensation in the chest. Notice that a warm feeling appears in the chest. Once the feeling appears, I would drop the phrases and just focus on the feeling. 

After the first month or so of this, I got to a point where every time I focused on the chest, the warm feeling would arise and I would focus on it (no loving phrases needed). The warm feeling didn't feel particularly loving to me (it just felt warm), but I thought this was metta so I just went with it. I even play around with spreading the warm sensation to other body parts like the belly, back, and head. I would also try to radiate it out in all directions in space. 

I'm sorry to say, I also mixed mushrooms with this practice and meditated on the warm feeling while I was tripping (on several occasions).

Now, the warm feeling would come up really easily if my attention even flickers to the chest or belly. And a lot of time, it would come up all on it's own. Sometimes, I would get uncomfortably hot. And it would come up when I do other meditation practices. 

I'm starting to get really worried that it will keep getting stronger and stronger and out of control. I've tried not meditating at all for a while, but it will still come up. 

I've tried other meditation objects like sound and sights to draw attention away from the heat, but my skills with them is not great so attention tends to get pulled back to the chest and belly. Right now, I'm trying to keep my attention focused on the feet all the time, and hope that the heat will die down over time. This helps a little, but it will still come up throughout the day.

The heat seems to get stronger as the day progresses, suggesting that it's building momentum and will deepen and get stronger as the days and months pass. 

Does anyone have any experience with this?

What would you recommend I do?

Thank you for your suggestions!

I've seen a lot of discussions about rebirth, and I wanted to explore an idea—what if we use quantum mechanics as a metaphor to better understand it?

To be clear: Buddhism already has a complete explanation of rebirth through karma and Alaya-vijnana (storehouse consciousness). This isn’t about "scientifically proving" anything. But the overlap between quantum physics and Buddhist philosophy is too intriguing to ignore—especially when we consider how information, probability, and causality shape reality.

The more I think about it, the more it feels like we're all just information collapsing into existence, over and over again. But if so, can the cycle be stopped?

Level 1: Sensory Input and the Illusion of “You”

Right now, you feel like you exist. But what exactly is "you"?

Buddhism breaks it down into six senses:

• Sight
• Sound
• Smell
• Taste
• Touch
• Thought (Yes, thoughts are considered a “sense” in Buddhist philosophy)

These six inputs create the illusion of a stable self, but none of them are actually "you"—they’re just data being processed.

Modern neuroscience backs this up. Your brain organizes this information into a "self-model", reinforcing the feeling that "I am me."

But here’s the kicker: If your entire feeling of "I exist" is just information being processed, then what happens when the processing stops?

If we strip away all sensory input and thoughts, does "you" still exist?

Level 2: The Brain’s Job – Constantly Reinforcing the Observer

Your brain isn’t just passively experiencing the world—it’s constantly reinforcing the idea that "you are you" by:

1. Organizing sensory input into a continuous story.
2. Filtering out unnecessary information to make that story feel stable.
3. Giving you a false sense of continuity, even though every moment is new.

Now, what happens if this self-reinforcement process stops?

If "you" only exist because your brain constructs you, then when the process ends (death), shouldn’t "you" be gone forever?

Yet, we were "gone forever" before birth, and now we’re experiencing something. Why wouldn’t this process happen again?

This brings us to Quantum Field Theory and Alaya-vijnana.

Level 3: Quantum Mechanics – A Field of Potential Becomes Reality

In quantum physics, the universe isn’t made of solid objects, but of underlying fields that store and transmit energy.

• Particles aren’t tiny solid things—they are excitations (disturbances) in quantum fields.
• These fields store all possible states, and when conditions are right, one possibility manifests as a particle.
• The quantum vacuum contains infinite potential, from which particles emerge based on energy fluctuations.

This sounds shockingly similar to Alaya-vijnana, which stores all karmic imprints (causal information) and manifests new experiences when conditions arise.

So what happens when a living being dies?

• The physical body stops functioning, just like a quantum fluctuation returning to the vacuum.
• But karmic imprints don’t disappear—they exist in the field of Alaya-vijnana, waiting for the right conditions.
• When a new life form arises, these stored karmic imprints shape its tendencies, habits, and experiences.

This isn’t a soul being transferred—it’s past information influencing new existence, just like quantum fields influence new particles.

Level 4: Alaya-vijnana – The Cosmic Database of Karma

Buddhist philosophy has an idea strikingly similar to a quantum field of possibilities—Alaya-vijnana (the Storehouse Consciousness).

• It’s not a soul but a vast, impersonal storage of all karma (intentions, actions, mental patterns).
• Every action, thought, and intention you create leaves an imprint in this storehouse.
• These karmic imprints are like quantum probabilities waiting to collapse into a new experience.

So what happens at death?

• Your individual brain stops processing, but your stored karmic imprints still exist—just like unmanifested quantum states.
• When the right conditions arise, these imprints collapse into a new conscious experience.
• This new consciousness feels like "I am me," just like you do now, but with different conditions, memories, and identity.

This isn’t reincarnation in the traditional sense—no fixed soul jumps from body to body. Instead, karma influences new consciousness in an ongoing feedback loop.

Level 5: Rebirth as a Self-Reinforcing Loop

Since consciousness is just a process collapsing karmic data into a new "self," it follows a pattern:

1. Sensory input + awareness = action
2. You think, feel, and act.This gets stored as karmic data in the Alaya field.
3. Action creates Karma = Future probability
4. The stronger the intention, the deeper the imprint.This karmic imprint becomes a seed for future consciousness collapses.
5. At the right moment, stored information collapses = New consciousness appears
6. This "newborn" consciousness doesn’t remember past imprints.But it inherits tendencies, preferences, and mental structures from past data.

So, rather than a fixed "soul" moving through lifetimes, what’s actually happening is a continuous transformation of information, collapsing into new conscious experiences based on past tendencies.

This also explains why some people feel "naturally inclined" toward certain things without any clear reason—because their stored karmic data nudges their new consciousness in specific directions.

Level 6: Can This Cycle Be Stopped?

Now, this raises an even bigger question:

What happens if there’s no new karmic data?

If rebirth happens because karma conditions a new experience, then in theory:

• No karma → No conditioning of new consciousness.
• Karmic imprints exist, but without new reinforcement, they weaken and fade.
• Eventually, the cycle of rebirth stops because there’s nothing left to sustain it.

This is eerily similar to Nirvana in Buddhism—the complete cessation of karma and rebirth.

In other words, if one fully stops producing karma, there’s no longer any stored potential to manifest in a new experience.

So does this mean enlightenment = the end of conditioned experience?

• In quantum mechanics, if no energy disturbs the quantum vacuum, no new particles emerge.
• In Buddhism, when one reaches Nirvana, karmic seeds stop manifesting into new consciousness.

This would mean that the goal of enlightenment is to stop the cycle of karma conditioning new conscious experiences.

It's like turning off the feedback loop. No craving, no attachment, no identification = no new formation of consciousness.

When there’s nothing left to reinforce rebirth, the cycle simply ends.

Final Thoughts: Are We All Just Information Flowing Through Reality?

When I first became interested in practacing Buddhism in my teens, my friend gifted me this statue, telling it me it is Buddha. At the time, I didn't think to research any further, and with time I unfortunately fell out of my practice. Now, some twelve years later, I've started practicing again, this time researching quite a lot. I'm still new in many ways!

Well, I'm preparing to make an altar and I found my little statue. However, I don't recognize who this could be, if even anyone in particular. It certainly doesn't remind me of Shakyamuni Buddha. Perhaps simply a generic monk? Or is it even related to buddhism at all?

I would be greatful for any insight!

I guess my question is in the title but why would repeating a certain mantra or phrase over and over potentially result in reaching enlightenment?

I agree with the other noble truths, but I do not understand how following the Eightfold path is supposed to stop your sufferings.

So I'm nearly finished my degree which is environmental science adjacent (woohoo). Recently someone I met at uni reached out to me about a really exciting job opportunity which I proceeded to apply for. Who knows I may not even get it.. but if I get the offer do I really want to take it?

It involves working as a field officer on a remote island which I've always wanted to go to. You live there for about a year with paid accommodation etc. and get to spend lots of time outdoors and I feel like it'd be a wonderful reprive from the city. The job is monitoring cameras and checking traps for the invasive species program. This involves controlling a couple other invasive species and the feline eradication program. This part would be where the trapping comes in. I would be carting them to their deaths.

I understand why this is done and the uniqueness of islands that is under a huge threat from invasives, and I do want these places to be cat free as it's something totally unachievable on the mainland and is a really good hope for the biodiversity there.. but man, I love animals and have had my own cats. It'd be both fulfilling and heartbreaking, I'm in this business to work towards a better world, but is this really okay? Am I okay with doing this to myself?

To steal the definition from Wikipedia, “Compassion fatigue is a form of traumatic stress resulting from repeated exposure to traumatized individuals or aversive details of traumatic events while working in a helping or protecting profession.” It’s frequently experienced by nurses, teachers, firefighters, paramedics, etc.

The Buddha taught that one should seek to develop their sense of compassion, so why does it seem like compassion often leads to suffering for so many people?

There was a brown beetle in my room. I picked it up with a piece of paper and meant to chuck it outside my room but I overshot and it fell 10 floors ):

What can I do to help it

I'm interested in learning more about deity and Buddha worship, but I don't really understand it yet. A lot of basic buddhist teaching is pretty adamant about the fact that Sidartha Buddha wasn't a god, but then, where does worship of him and other enlightened ones come into play? Is "worship" in Buddhism the same as "worship" in Hinduism, Christianity, etc?

(Edit, spelling)

I’m fluent in both Arabic and English. I’m aware that both languages can grasp good parts of language, however, which one would be best to truly understand it as if it was written in its original language?

I’ve recently discovered Buddhism and I know that staying away from intoxicants is one of the precepts but pot really helps me de-stress and I don’t exactly want to give it up entirely as far as I can tell it doesn’t affect my meditation at all nor my cognitive ability I’m not addicted I’ve quit before and I don’t crave it whatsoever it simply helps me wind down after a long day moreover my mother is a Buddhist who also smokes for her POTS diabetes PCOD and a whole laundry list of other health issues and she’s always told me it is a medicine and I genuinely believe her I guess i just want to know is smoking pot dark karma

I can’t take it anymore. It’s all in my own head. Every attempt to be better eventually goes wrong. It feels like being cursed. I’ve exhausted myself these last fees years trying to just survive and even that I’m doing poorly. I’m having a hard time now believing that there is any point to this, or rather that there is a point beyond me having been fucked up in this life and another life and endless lives and just being here to suffer until it chokes me. And now there isn’t even a god to pray to.

I feel life is such that i have no control. That i am to always be controlled by carnal cravings. Forever to live a life that is without discipline or control. When I discovered buddhism I hoped this would help me. But perhaps I am missing something. I can think of what i wish my life would be. For some reason I have lacked the ability the will or the strength to achieve it. I feel now that my life is worthless. But I am trying to hold onto the idea that I can find wisdom in this world to help me. I am always open to new ideas and wisdom but so far I have not been able to understand it. But I am still willing. Apologies for the pessimism. but I genuinely am comforted by the support of the buddhist community and thus am seeking advice from it.

How did the Buddha know to leave his home to become enlightened if no one had become enlightened before?

Hey, I've been interested in buddhism for some time and would like to further my knowledge and attend some credible temples/centres. I recently started attending my local "buddhist centre" of which they teach Triratna (formerly Friends of the Western Buddhist Order/FWBO). Upon doing a lot of research, I no longer feel comfortable attending this centre due to the abuse surrounding the founder Sangharakshita, as well as other concerning factors found online. It seems to be a bit culty? Luckily I only attended this centre for a short time before learning the truth and I won't be going back. It is disheartening and it worries me that I may walk down another disingenuous path within buddhism (I am also aware that NKT has some controversy surrounding it too).

If anybody could help pointing me in the direction of genuine and safe buddhism teachings and temples/centres it would be much appreciated. I realise I may need to travel further afield - I am just over an hour away from London.

Thank you.

I'm having trouble overcoming lust. I have some basic fantasies (like having threesomes, for example) and life seems so plain without these fantasies coming true. Like having a threesome as a daily thing, or twice a day. I understand this is a desire and if unfulfilled it causes suffering. And I want to get rid of the desire and not suffer from lust in this way anymore. I understand that the fantasies aren't realistic, but it still causes me suffering. How would I transcend these desires for sensual pleasure? Any help would be appreciated.

Hello guys! I am new to buddhism. How to practice it ? Please somebody help!

I know there have been some posts on this in the past, but they're out of date. Wondering if anyone has resources for online teaching groups.

I just started being a buddhist and i have some questions such as where i can get a tipitaka and how to properly be a buddhist, please and thank you

Hi,

I'm a new Buddhist based in the UK, specifically Cornwall. I was researching sangha / communities in my area that I could practice with, but the only one local to me is a Kadampa group. Their website: https://www.meditateincornwall.org I did a lot of research into the NKT and it seems that this center/group is part of it. They endorse NKT on their website and even literatures associated with Kelsang Gyatso. Should I avoid this group at all costs. I was hoping to find a Theravada group, because that's the school I can understand most.

Many thanks.

Can anyone please recommend a book to help support me with everything going on in America right now? I like Thich Nhat Hahn books, so maybe something by him? I read “we were made for these times” by Kaira Jewel Lingo and it was good. I am open to suggestions from all authors, of course. I do meditate, usually lovingkindness meditation, and have read all the books by Sharon Salzberg. The current state of things has been difficult for my mental health, though.

I apologise if this is a horribly basic question. But I've always had a fascination with Buddhism, and loosely studied the history and teachings of it.

I suppose what I'm asking is - if you wanted to begin actually presuing it, how would you best recommend doing this?

Things you can read? Actions you can try and do every day? Practices you can do?

Thanks in advance