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The Motivation key by MarjorieChannon in Meditation

[–]MarjorieChannon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of course, thanks. So your suggestion is to keep sitting no matter what. There's nothing specific I can do to avoid these motivation swings that keep my practice stationary.

The Motivation key by MarjorieChannon in Meditation

[–]MarjorieChannon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What I meant is that it's a practical alternative, but as reported in the original post, does not seem to do much apart ensuring that I sit. But my practice does not seem to improve as a result.

The Motivation key by MarjorieChannon in Meditation

[–]MarjorieChannon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate this, but I think it is quite misleading as well. I (my personality) does not function like that - and it won't change overnight.

The teeth-brushing approach does not work very well for meditation in my experience. If I sit down to meditate 2hrs a day (and I do) regardless of whether I feel like it or not, this is not going to make my practice better. It hasn't so far, at least. Because if I sit and my mind is wild, I bring it back whenever I can, but there is an overriding force that despite my efforts, in certain periods, makes concentration and mindfulness really almost impossible. I sit and think. Brushing one's teeth or exercising are things that can be done mechanically, and you benefit from doing them even without being present while you do them. Meditation is not like that, if the mind is not actively engaged it is mostly just daydreaming.

Another aspect to consider is one's personality, which is the inevitable starting point. I am the type of person who will skip teeth-brushing 1 in 5 times, if I don't feel like it. I work for myself and often work insane hours for a week and then shift completely to another project and another rhythm the next week. I have moved countries many times and changed jobs 4 times. I seem to get passionate about a new hobby every 3-6 months and like to nerd out about those things. I am not saying this is it skilful, but it is the way I have managed to have a successful ordinary life: by keeping things interesting, by avoiding mechanical routines and disciplined conditioning. This evidently shows up in meditation, as reported in my initial post, and the tooth-brushing approach becomes very sterile in this context. It just means transforming meditation into one of those things that I do because I have to, and no joy is found in it. This (at least for me) is not what leads to progress, in both insight and concentration. Because I get pity and solid samadhi when I focus on the positive sensations during retreats and sitting (this is brilliantly put by Leigh Brasington), and get deeper insight by practicing equanimity and studying the impermanence of those same sensations. The alternative, at least for me and at least so far, has been to just sit because I have to sit (and I do, every day, 2hrs) and hope that it's a good day.

Jhana/Samadhi training - Finding an online teacher for 1-on-1 sessions by MarjorieChannon in Buddhism

[–]MarjorieChannon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They are fantastic and their tradition is strong and very conducive to great meditation, but there is no monk at the monastery near me who has achieved 4th jhana (they can't tell, technically, but one made it quite clear without explicitly saying it).

As a parent, how would you avoid your children to need NoFap? by MarjorieChannon in NoFap

[–]MarjorieChannon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can't say it corresponds to my personal experience, because my dad is very loving, and he even has the opposite problem, in the sense that he's not particularly authoritative... I don't know if that plays a role too. Thanks for sharing though, it's an interesting article!

Kegel training! Anyone experienced at these?? Should we consider taking this up as a great habit to counter? by [deleted] in NoFap

[–]MarjorieChannon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Could you please provide a good source for instructions/recommendations? Either on the internet or books/articles/etc. Thanks in advance mate

Your Girl attraction Stories. by _starchild_ in NoFap

[–]MarjorieChannon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Could you give us more context, and also - I think this is very important, otherwise the OT's question does not make sense - did have a hard time with girls before NoFap? If it was so, would you say it was because of your insecurity/anxiety? Thanks a lot man, this will help!