user21934: So , if someone defeats death and ends birth...actually achieves nirvana.
What is that like pragmatically?
Of course you have that old saying about carrying water and chopping wood but what is the actual experience of reality like for someone who has done this?

user157: The not very helpful but probably accurate response is Nirvana is ineffable
The more helpful answer would be to direct you a few books.
Daniel Ingram's book Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha, An Unusually Hardcore Dharma Book is a very detailed account of what the higher stages of realisation are like (to him) up to and including Nirvana from an arhant perspective. I think he has since modified this claim but it's all pretty high level stuff. It is freely available for download at the above link.
Also, there is Rob Burbea book Seeing that Frees. While Rob Burbea doesn't make any specific claims for his own level of realisation - it's clear that he is a very experienced insight meditator and he gives a clear account of what that is like plus instruction on how to get there. You'll have to pay for that book.
Probably the most helpful thing to say is just engage with Buddhist practice as much as you are able under a teacher that you trust. And do your best. I personally wouldn't read the above two books if I wasn't practicing, as there is just a whole heap of misunderstanding and grasping that can come from it - especially the Daniel Ingram one.
They are great books though, so everyone makes their own decision about how much they want to know about the stages of the path and at what point, and how to balance this with their own practice.

21934: <p>So , if someone defeats death and ends birth...actually achieves nirvana.</p>
<p>What is that like pragmatically?</p>
<p>Of course you have that old saying about carrying water and chopping wood but what is the actual experience of reality like for someone who has done this?</p>
 157: <p>The not very helpful but probably accurate response is Nirvana is ineffable</p>
<p>The more helpful answer would be to direct you a few books.</p>
<p>Daniel Ingram's book <a href="https://www.integrateddaniel.info/book" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha, An Unusually Hardcore Dharma Book</a> is a very detailed account of what the higher stages of realisation are like (to him) up to and including Nirvana from an arhant perspective. I think he has since modified this claim but it's all pretty high level stuff. It is freely available for download at the above link.</p>
<p>Also, there is Rob Burbea book <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/25172403-seeing-that-frees" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Seeing that Frees</a>. While Rob Burbea doesn't make any specific claims for his own level of realisation - it's clear that he is a very experienced insight meditator and he gives a clear account of what that is like plus instruction on how to get there. You'll have to pay for that book.</p>
<p>Probably the most helpful thing to say is just engage with Buddhist practice as much as you are able under a teacher that you trust. And do your best. I personally wouldn't read the above two books if I wasn't practicing, as there is just a whole heap of misunderstanding and grasping that can come from it - especially the Daniel Ingram one.</p>
<p>They are great books though, so everyone makes their own decision about how much they want to know about the stages of the path and at what point, and how to balance this with their own practice.</p>
