Sorry, but that is exactly what the article is arguing against. Some great state you love and call "Nirvana" is just another escape from reality.

If you think Christianity is dumb, you've never been to Heaven.

I'm not talking about the religion of Buddhism, I'm talking about a mental state of nothingness. I only wish I could reach that state without the use of mind altering substances. As great as Nirvana is, it doesn't seem worth the effort to train the unenhanced mind to get there. That process is what is boring.

But if you're looking for shortcuts, I've got plenty of them.

i was comparing one imaginary place, and arguments based on it, with another.

But Nirvana is real. Close your eyes and try and think of nothing. That's Nirvana. Close enough, at least.

That's easy, what's with the mind altering substances? I've never seen the need; it isn't hard to get into a state of semi sleepiness and drift off somewhere in your imagination.

I am talking about having absolutely no thought in your mind, conscious or otherwise. How long can you hold yourself like that before you think of anything?

Depends on my mood, but I've definitely reached "nirvana" for long periods of time. It is especially easy if I'm out in nature.

The second sentence just refers to the use of mind altering drugs in general. I've done things that cause my mind to drift off without my control, and to drift off under my control, and I prefer the latter.

How can you know whether you have unconscious thoughts in your mind?

You can't.

Well neither have you.

unless the Internet stretches farther than I am aware.