This is symbolism<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not about what might happen in another, magical world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also not about what might happen in this world with just a few minor changes. Symbolism readily touches the heart of the matter and may demand change \u2014 not just asking for it at the sideline. As such, this is eventually important for everyone in every circumstance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Extinction of conscious thoughts and feelings?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Nirvana in Buddhism literally means the extinction of the candlelight, symbolizing the extinction of all thoughts and feelings \u2014 everything that is supposed to stand in the way of pure Enlightenment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More broadly, this symbolizes not letting \u2018distracting\u2019 thoughts and feelings (the \u2018bonn\u00f5\u2019) stand in the way of the striving towards a detached life (and next lives for real Buddhists) in the service of Insight and Compassion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Insight and Compassion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To me, these are thoughts and feelings, be them of a special kind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This \u2018special\u2019 lies in nothing special: depth<\/a>. Therefore, not human depth is called for extinction by original Buddhism and certainly not by me \u2014 quite the contrary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n See the lights and the glow<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, what about Nirvana?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Eventually, I see \u2018pure consciousness\u2018 as no consciousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nirvana stays relevant as a direction. It is our human privilege to be able to follow this direction and encounter many mental adventures \u2015 called \u2018life.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n Distracting thoughts and feelings are those that may rather incarcerate than liberate. They are those that lack depth, being instead quick and cheap and heavily superficial. Unfortunately, many of these are continually flooding social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Distracting thoughts are not small steps in the right direction, although they may sometimes appear so. Nevertheless, they can be stepping stones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By extinguishing these in their form of obstacles, a new mindscape becomes visible.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As said, this is not Nirvana. It is the path toward Nirvana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Feelings are of utmost importance on this path \u2014 if they are liberating. For instance, those of young children or otherwise uncomplicated people can be very much so. Of course, more complexity is no problem, just more challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kind of feelings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The feelings that liberate are not categorized or easily categorizable as distinct entities that accord to groups of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is about feeling without feelings<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n