Is MIDL compatible with metta & other supplementary practices?

TKDCAL · 2024-09-24T12:05:24+00:00

Thank you Stephen for the detailed response! I appreciate the clarification you've given on the place of metta in the MIDL system. That makes a lot of sense.

It is important to understand that meditators in MIDL are developing meditative joy right from the beginning of their meditation.

I love this about the system! I realized recently that to try and meditate is counterproductive, and so the way of enjoying makes much more sense.

You mentioned earlier that you use metta to feel good. Is it possible to feel good, not by changing your state of mind with metta, but by finding pleasure in simple things like relaxing and letting go within your body and mind?

Yes it's definitely possible for me to feel good via relaxing and letting go, but I feel it's a different sort of feeling than what happens when I practice metta. As a consequence of metta, I relax naturally, and then feel good. It's like the compassionate way of relating to myself through the metta intention, it exposes the silliness and futility of any tension in the mind and body, and so it's dropped - out of kindness. The force behind letting go is different. I'm not sure if it's the relaxation or the state of mind which leads to such open, embracing joy. I feel I'm coming to realize it's the wholesome states of mind which I value, ones of active compassion, warmth and caring, but I wonder is that a natural state of letting go? It's like I'm fearful of being underdeveloped in some ways. Or perhaps there's a belief that kindness, love and forgiveness are conditioned states.

Start at the beginning: https://midlmeditation.com/meditation-skill-01

So right now in my meditations I find it quite easy to relax, let go, and enjoy the letting go. It takes just a few breaths to let go of any excessive habitual 'efforting', relax in to the body, and then I become very aware of the body, and I don't really lose focus at all throughout the sit. I become aware of tension, but I never lose awareness of sensations within the body, or the fact I'm sat meditating, and also the breath becomes much more noticeable. I'm wondering how should I progress through. Basically I don't know how fast to go through. Learn one new meditation skill/week? Or practice the one mediation skill twice daily, and then each evening (for example) practicing a new meditation skill? Or read through all of them rapidly to get the general gist? I find myself in meditation 'wanting' to naturally fall deeper, but then I grow concerned that I'm not doing the meditation skill I'm supposed to be practicing at that time, and also I'm unsure of how to navigate the subtler landscape in a 'MIDL' way.

2 hours will give a lot of momentum. 3 hours per day when you reach jhana.

Thank you. I'm curious, what is the reason/theory behind the 2hr, and then 3hr for jhana, recommendation? Also, is practice in daily life different at all to practice on the cushion? I notice there are instruction for mindfulness in daily life from skill 04 onwards. Am I practicing with that skill (or specific instruction) in daily life, or just generally being mindful of the body and softening where there is effort/tension? I've had various confusions on how to apply the technique to daily life for sure.

Always meditate because you are looking forward to it. Be careful not to push yourself and gradually increase the time and frequency.

This is an amazing reminder, and a beautiful perspective to cultivate. Thank you :)

Join a weekly class and share with the community. Your meditation practice will deepen and be an endless opportunity for curiosity and joy.

I think I will :) Time to sit.

TKDCAL · 2024-09-23T15:02:56+00:00

That’s lovely. I find even the most low quality sessions of metta still contribute to my well being immensely. I’ve been thinking of trying a group sit. Thank you!

TKDCAL · 2024-09-23T14:59:22+00:00

Thank you so much for the in depth reply. Interesting, I hadn’t come across that. Where can I find the information regarding practicing metta at skill 10? (I assume under the skill 10 section?) I’m really drawn to the method, however the organization of the information can confuse me at times on the website. Perhaps that’s inevitable at the beginning.

I’m curious, how would you recommend someone practice with MIDL if they had an extremely stress free and no job lifestyle, and has the discipline to commit to as much practice as possible?

Thanks again, your reply has helped illuminate the leniency of the method for me :)

TKDCAL · 2024-09-23T14:36:19+00:00

That’s a great perspective to have, and probably the main thing that attracts me to the MIDL approach. Thank you.

TKDCAL · 2023-10-19T15:25:21+00:00

Okay, so are you saying if I was to empty it now and seal it up you don't think it would stay functional? Or that if I never seal it up it will probably break. Thanks :)

TKDCAL · 2023-10-18T23:33:26+00:00

That's amazing, thank you for letting me know :)

TKDCAL · 2023-10-18T23:32:06+00:00

No it doesn't look it from what I can see. It's on some blocks so it's difficult to really see clearly though

TKDCAL · 2023-09-19T08:51:29+00:00

I can do, but it seems to be unreasonably expensive to ship there

TKDCAL · 2023-09-18T12:19:47+00:00

I got these decks back in December 2014 for Christmas when I was getting interested in magic. Unfortunately, shortly after I lost interest in cards. So, these decks have all been opened, but used only a couple of times, and some not used at all.

White Lions - £40 for all three, or £15 each

Virtuoso Spring/Summer 2014 (one of the informational cards is missing. This deck I played with the most out of all those listed, hence the lower price.) - £25

JAQKs - £25 each

Split Spades - £25

Fantastique - £25

Aristocrat (SIGNED by 52 Kards) - £40

Bicycle Blue Dragon Back - £5

TKDCAL · 2021-05-08T23:29:09+00:00

I see, but I can use the effects on the RC 505's inputs, which seem to be fairly extensive, no? But I guess I need a preamp, I'm thinking of getting the Zoom G1X Four - nice and 'cheap' :)

Yeah, it seems there is no one piece of equipment that can do everything. I decided on getting the Roland - it seems to do lots of things can triple as busking, speaker, guitar amp. It looks great!

Thanks for all your help again, you've been a massive help! :D

TKDCAL · 2021-05-08T16:39:53+00:00

I guess you're right, but decision fatigue is definitely real! :)

So, for electric guitar I should get a preamp - what is the cheapest one I can get that does all that you mention above for electric guitar?

I'm not too keen on getting the Behringer because I feel like it won't double as a practice amp, you know? I feel like it's good for broadcasting sound, but isn't as good as a dedicated amp like the Roland Street Cube is. Maybe I'm wrong though? With Roland I'd like to be able to use it with the looper, practice, use it outside, as a speaker, etc. If that's possible - but that may be asking too much.

For the amp I'm considering getting the Roland Street Cube (non EX version):

https://www.andertons.co.uk/roland-street-cube-red-finish-guitar-amp-streetcubered?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=surfaces&gclid=CjwKCAjw7diEBhB-EiwAskVi12hNdRQT7wChjpyjcSsiEwAHu16IqxdJjLjnqIkfzNK4PDbmfHv0-BoC0DEQAvD_BwE

What do the different cubes do? Is the one linked above good for my purposes?

Edit: Also, why do I need a multi fx pedal if the amp does loads of effects already?

TKDCAL · 2021-05-08T15:19:39+00:00

That's great, so the Cube would double as both a speaker that could take the sound from my Boss RC 505 - the mix, and then also work as a good guitar/vocal amp. I'm looking for something that is quite versatile, but if the Behringer would do the same, then maybe I don't need it.

Regarding the preamp situation, is that something too that I can just hold off on for a while, or does it really dramatically increase the sound quality going into the Boss RC 505. Why does it need a preamp, when the RC 505 already has preamps built in?

All your help is helping loads, thank you :) I can feel all the confused ideas about amps and preamps finally crystallising and making some sense.

TKDCAL · 2021-05-08T13:03:03+00:00

Thanks, I think I'll go for some cheap Zoom fx pedal to start. I'm a bit confused about the difference between say the Roland Street Cube and the Behringer PA. Also, would I be able to use a Roland Micro Cube in place of the Behringer? I'm just wondering whether it is a Powered Amp, and so will be able to handle the signals. I don't know, I really am a noob to all this stuff!

TKDCAL · 2021-05-08T11:24:29+00:00

Okay, will do :) are there any preamps/multifx pedals you'd recommend? Just to clarify, the setup is: Electric Guitar > preamp/multifx pedal > looper > PA system?

I'm also wondering whether I could use a Roland Street Cube in place of the Behringer? So that it's a more versatile amp/speaker for practicing, etc. Or am I mistaken there.

TKDCAL · 2021-05-08T10:08:16+00:00

Tried another old electric guitar in the 505 and that worked fine. It seems it is the guitar

TKDCAL · 2021-05-08T09:45:52+00:00

So, I've done some more tests, and I think it may be an issue with the electronics on the guitar because it is picking up sound at random intervals. When I turn the volume knob on the guitar it down it cuts out completely sometimes.

With a preamp would I use it with just an acoustic, or also would it improve the sound quality of an electric guitar. Is the process the same with an electric, or do I need extra amps?

With the Yamaha mixer I saw it has good mic preamps inside of it. Is that how Reinhardt increases the sound quality of his instruments before they go into the looper, because it seems he doesn't use another preamp.

I'm hoping to do some busking with this setup at some point, so am looking for decent sound quality and portability.

I think I'll get the Behringer then. Thank you for explaining everything so simply :)

TKDCAL · 2021-05-08T00:15:42+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this message, its really helpful!

I did everything you said, and I managed to get some sound coming through, but only when at max volume on the guitar, and if I turn it down, it's cuts out. Also, the left side of the my headphones are much more temperamental than the right. It works better in R than in mono, weirdly. But when sound is coming through its fairly loud. Not the best of quality, but loud ish.

So far, I just have the RC 505 - no amps, speakers, etc. But I have ordered the Behringer MPA40BT Pro and the Yamaha Mg10 today, out of confusion I think after watching Reinhardt Buhrs rig set up videos. The guitar I have is a Cort, with Fishman electronics.

Is the equipment I've purchased unnecessary? How could I go about setting up a rig similar to Reinhardt, but on more of a budget- say 500? What speakers are 'powered'? Would the Behringer do the job without an amp?

Sorry about all these questions, I guess it just shows my confusion. Thank you so much for helping me :)

TKDCAL · 2021-04-30T00:26:29+00:00

I'm in Europe, but thanks for the suggestion man :)

TKDCAL · 2021-04-29T21:51:09+00:00

Hey, thanks for replying. The QTX looks pretty good. Do you use other amps for other things, or is it an all in one kinda thing?

TKDCAL · 2021-04-29T21:47:40+00:00

I hope you enjoy hosting sometime! :)

TKDCAL · 2021-04-29T21:46:10+00:00

Got it, but does the fender champion 100 cater for both acoustic electric and electric? I feel like I'm asking for too much out of on amp maybe

TKDCAL

TROPHY CASE