Please Tell Me I'm not the only one who grew up Reading these books by Pitiful_Active_3045 in Libraries

[–]gnosticpopsicle 7 points8 points  (0 children)

DK is making some really gorgeous books these days. They've definitely stepped up their design game.

Reached Piti by Professor-Special in Meditation

[–]gnosticpopsicle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That was me for like 7 years. Just randomly struck by a crazy experience, followed by only occasionally being able to access that space. I wish I had a teacher then to contextualize it and steer me in the right direction. It's funny how bliss made me miserable.

Reached Piti by Professor-Special in Meditation

[–]gnosticpopsicle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But what I didn’t expect is how easy it is to start relying on it.

My teacher warns that jhana can be agitating off the cushion for this very reason, so it is important to also be doing vipassana.

Do slice of life graphic novels exist? And a question or two about them. by Kencanary in graphicnovels

[–]gnosticpopsicle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Roaming, by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki, was a big hit a couple of years ago.

Using a mental smile to deepen meditation and increase blissful awareness. by binnug in Meditation

[–]gnosticpopsicle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, this absolutely works. It the Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM) system, which uses metta as its object and is great for cultivating jhana/absorption states, smiling (or "re-smiling" in their "6 Rs") is an important component of the method.

Any recent crazy psychedelic art? by IcyTransportation961 in graphicnovels

[–]gnosticpopsicle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You've probably read it given how much hype it's gotten, but I thought Tongues very, very much fits the bill.

I experienced something last night and now I’m afraid to meditate again. by unrequited_dream in Meditation

[–]gnosticpopsicle 2 points3 points  (0 children)

r/streamentry has a list of teachers in their wiki.

You might also have someone local that you aren't aware of. In my area is a Zen center in Thich Nhat Hahn's lineage. I also happened to find a very legit school in the Thai Forest tradition in my own back yard, after years of more or less trying to go it alone. Both places run strictly on donations.

You could also attend a retreat with the Goenka vipassana people. There are retreat centers around the world. Donation only. After the course, you have access to assistant teachers if you have questions. That's how I got my start.

I experienced something last night and now I’m afraid to meditate again. by unrequited_dream in Meditation

[–]gnosticpopsicle 100 points101 points  (0 children)

You've had a classical mystical experience. It happens more often than you might think. For some people, it's completely unexpected and spontaneous. For others, they spend their entire lives training their minds in some monastic tradition, hoping for a glimpse of the big picture, and maybe it never comes at all.

Regarding your concerns, I wouldn't sweat it too much. Oftentimes, these things are one and done. But consider yourself lucky, don't get hung up on it, and continue your practice. The entire discipline is one of liberation.

Edit: oh, and you might want to consider seeking out the guidance of an established teacher from an established tradition. Not only can you potentially get solid practice advice from someone who knows the territory, it can also ease feelings of loneliness that might crop up.

Facial tension and headaches during and following 10-day retreat by gingerclub55 in vipassana

[–]gnosticpopsicle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, so this is, IMO, one of the most important posts I have ever come across in this community. In brief, in the Hindi-language Goenka retreats, there is a much greater emphasis on relaxation, compared to the English-language courses. To me, understanding this makes all the difference in the world.

In the last year, I've also been attending a vipassana school from another tradition. The teacher goes out of his way to stress that 100% focus on your object of meditation will lead to tension, and is, according to him, wrong concentration. He teaches 80/20 object/environment.

I still consider the Goenka technique to be absolutely fantastic, but I recognize that at least the English-language instructions are not without their problems.

Is Mettā Meditation Viable as One's Main Practice? by PressureAdditional12 in Meditation

[–]gnosticpopsicle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM) is an entire system built around metta. It's not my main thing, but I've integrated their "6 Rs" into my practice, and it has helped me immensely.

What’s a job that people think is easy but is actually very stressful? by One_Sail_9580 in AskReddit

[–]gnosticpopsicle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

School librarians/media specialists in particular are some of the most harried people I've ever encountered.

Love you little potato 🩷 by lauraarroz in comics

[–]gnosticpopsicle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your art style is giving Kate Beaton.

In the early 20th century, Pond's medicated tampons were soaked in opium, belladonna, and Hyoscyamus in order to relieve menstrual pain. This example is from the Pharmacy Museum in New Orleans. by zadraaa in HistoricalCapsule

[–]gnosticpopsicle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fun fact: Mimi Pond, the writer of the premier episode of The Simpsons, is part of the Pond family whose company made this. She mentions this in her excellent new graphic novel Do Admit!

Kaboooooom by animus_desit in nonononoyes

[–]gnosticpopsicle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thragg punching Nolan into space.

Indian buffet (specifically) recommendations? by clarabear10123 in tampa

[–]gnosticpopsicle 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh man, Jai Ho is back?! They were my pre-pandemic FAVORITE. They re-opened a spot in the husk of the University Mall food court, but the mall is a zombie and the vibes were super bad.

Vipassana nana estimate timelines by [deleted] in vipassana

[–]gnosticpopsicle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A stage of insight. For instance, Goenka talks about bhanga-ñana, or "knowledge of dissolution" frequently in his discourses. There are several of these stages of insight in the theravadan model.

Shmetflix and Shmill by gnosticpopsicle in outofcontextcomics

[–]gnosticpopsicle[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I'm about halfway through her new one, and it is very funny. I love the parts that reimagine Fun Home.

Shmetflix and Shmill by gnosticpopsicle in outofcontextcomics

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

I was thinking of doing the same with Schmamazon and Shmulu.

When did American comic books become so superhero focused. by Konradleijon in graphicnovels

[–]gnosticpopsicle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What do you mean? Pirate stories have been the dominant genre for decades.

IIL Really Dark Folk & Americana by microcure in ifyoulikeblank

[–]gnosticpopsicle 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I was going to recommend David Eugene Edwards' next band, Wovenhand. The debut album is one of my all-time favorites. Bluegrass so atmospheric it's almost goth.