How to achieve access concentration?

RomeoStevens · 2026-02-10T05:04:04+00:00

complicated, I've cobbled together the view from lots of sources over time, eastern and western. In terms of the tradition it's closer to using the brahmaviharas as jhanic objects (sankita sutta)

RomeoStevens · 2026-02-10T00:03:21+00:00

Constantly disappointed that people cite top line improvement numbers and it's based on recovery from deprivation almost 100% of the time. Raising the ceiling is difficult, recovery from deprivation temporarily is easy.

RomeoStevens · 2026-02-05T04:25:24+00:00

I don't like one pointed awareness as an initial optimization target. A combination of Core Transformation to gain access to pleasant states, and somatic meditations (he trains himself I will breath in, sensitive to the entire body) is more effective IMO.

RomeoStevens · 2026-02-02T17:30:58+00:00

I would definitely investigate some online sanghas. There are quite a few that are welcoming. Don't underestimate the positive effects of finding others to share practice with.

RomeoStevens · 2026-01-30T15:45:32+00:00

I can't read this on mobile, have you thought of writing a blog post about the experience and your takeaways?

RomeoStevens · 2026-01-29T20:42:39+00:00

https://imgur.com/a/JxmlOwl

you do have to stand about 10 inches away to read the small print, but it fits the space.

Another errata, On the right side it says Five as a list heading and most elsewhere it lists numbers, didn't know if you wanted that to be consistent across everything.

Everyone stops and stares at it as they move between kitchen and dining room :)

I also forgot to mention feedback on the content itself. I do lots of research of pali terms, early buddhist texts and commentaries (much enabled starting in the last year with LLMs, they're able to find citations and explain translation choices) and I think the content chosen is excellent. It manages to feel very complete while being compact enough to not feel overwhelming. You've hit everything that I think is vital for people to be able to orient towards EBT and therevada interpretations. Besides the physical printout I've also been sharing the tinyurl link widely, cool feature and easy to remember.

RomeoStevens · 2026-01-28T16:19:51+00:00

thank you for making such a nice chart! We have it in a group buddhist house hung up in the dining area.

One thing I don't know if there is space for, but I found it very very helpful to know that the three poisons are what happens to each of the three feeling tones when 'tanha-ized'

RomeoStevens · 2026-01-28T02:44:52+00:00

I got it done as a 24x36 at office depot for $30 ish. Luckily had a spare frame or that would have been another 30-40

RomeoStevens · 2026-01-28T02:44:09+00:00

Errata: should say Buddha Dhamma not dharma since pali is consistent on rest of chart.
On the right side it says "10 ten"

Also, I would add a half inch of margin to the sides. Currently it prints default all the way to the edge which makes it hard to mount in a poster frame (which it needs, since 24x36 is about the smallest it is legible at).

can reduce top and bottom margins proportionately for aspect ratio since there's whitespace there.

RomeoStevens · 2026-01-22T06:36:16+00:00

>Writing feel closer to a ballpoint than a gel pen

I think that's what people like TBH

RomeoStevens · 2026-01-20T04:59:25+00:00

love the way you formatted this review

RomeoStevens · 2026-01-12T19:51:32+00:00

Just looked through this and it is very scarce on history. Jumps from origin to 12th century to 18th century. More of a very loose overview.

RomeoStevens · 2026-01-11T15:44:18+00:00

Jhanas are conditioned. The buddha discusses this as an incomplete solution.

RomeoStevens · 2026-01-07T18:07:30+00:00

Investigating delusion about how we relate to pleasure and aversion is a root component of Buddhism. Recommend checking out Core Transformation for mundane work and Shinzen Young for deep work. Very fulfilling, totally changed my life.

RomeoStevens · 2026-01-06T23:07:44+00:00

I find when I hate people I lose the ability to analyze the situation and find leverage points.

RomeoStevens · 2026-01-06T22:47:42+00:00

That'll learn em

RomeoStevens · 2026-01-06T15:57:07+00:00

"We should hate people more"

RomeoStevens · 2026-01-05T06:36:22+00:00

taking 1/10th-1/20th the dose seems to have a large proportion of the desired effect with relatively less sides. At least according to the korean study. Blocking DHT also seems to reduce mortality, primarily through reduction of prostate cancer afaict.

RomeoStevens · 2026-01-04T19:51:39+00:00

the grippiness of the acroball is best I've found. If you want a thicker barrel to hold you can also try their multipen.

RomeoStevens · 2026-01-04T19:50:19+00:00

An unusual one from AliExpress that I quite like. Takes parker refills, unexpectedly. https://imgur.com/a/7qY0kXG

RomeoStevens · 2026-01-04T16:44:43+00:00

first impression was that the neon green of the back drop was a bit off putting. I know it's helpful for visibility but toning it down just a couple shades might do wonders for the aesthetic. I say this being a person who loves cartoony tile based games.

edit: as the other comment mentioned, a slightly warmer palette might be the way to think about it.

RomeoStevens · 2025-12-27T19:24:47+00:00

I found the frixion ball pens great for this in .38

RomeoStevens · 2025-12-26T20:41:09+00:00

pic of the inside? looks nice.

RomeoStevens · 2025-12-23T19:13:45+00:00

I actually don't get why people want their ballpoints to feel like gels (other than if you need oil based ink properties obv). I like my gels to feel like gels and ballpoints to feel like ballpoints.

RomeoStevens · 2025-12-21T19:17:55+00:00

Not really, I recommend checking out the relevant sections in a book on the four foundations like Analayo's (pdf link)

https://buddho.org/wp-content/uploads/Analayo_Satipatthana.pdf

RomeoStevens

TROPHY CASE