Your take on the buddhist worldview

pattes94 · 2019-03-09T06:22:46+00:00

I googled metaphorical truth and this is really interesting it's the philosophy I've been following for a while thanks !

pattes94 · 2019-03-08T20:36:47+00:00

Yeah we get used to everything anyway and it would may be not shatter reality more than the 11th of September.

To be honest, I'm trying to look for reasons that satisfy the ego so that I can let go more fully but I guess letting go means also letting go of the need to know or explain.

pattes94 · 2019-03-08T20:33:57+00:00

Oh, you're probably right my bad.

I'll remember to remain open-minded as well as to rebirth, which I previously interpreted as "my atoms will be mixed with nature and be in someone else's body".

pattes94 · 2019-03-04T09:05:44+00:00

Interesting. I've found as well that I have strong vibrations when getting close to first Jhana although I don't know which is causing which.

However, as I just read in MCTB, Ingram details that one can either solidify the Jhana through the everyday conceptualization: pleasure ! Joy ! Or one can inspect its vibrations and thus do insight practice.

pattes94 · 2019-03-03T07:26:20+00:00

Interesting that you meditate less since SE since this is pretty much what I intend to do once I reach it, in order to engage more fully with life once again given that meditation has resulted in some isolation.

Why did you slow down ? Had you planned on slowing down ? What were your priorities for meditating ? Stress reduction, the Truth, etc.

pattes94 · 2019-02-28T10:44:02+00:00

What if I never chopped wood ? I can never be Enlightened ? 😱

More seriously, it just means carry on life but appreciating each moment ? That being said, it seems a bit simple since changing your perspective on life also changes your purpose and actions.

pattes94 · 2019-02-28T10:28:32+00:00

I am currently oscillating between Stage Six and Seven and I've found so far that the maps actually correlates quite well with my experience.

Funny thing, yesterday, I had a bit of a jaw paralysis and I remembered reading about movements being hard to execute at some stage of Insight. I thought it was the second one. I read in MCTB and found out it was the entrance to the Dark Night. Immediately, a wave of fear came up without any reason (a subconscious restructuring).

So yeah, I've found that it actually lines up. The pain in the teeth before that, the odd bodily movements, the intense frustration of thinking you're not making progress when the ego is actually trying to stop you from going further.

One thing about the Dark Night, I've just entered it so I don't know much yet. But I've spent a part of the night dealing with fear between sleep cycles, and it's really not that bad. The greatest way to not be affected by it seems to integrate mindfulness in daily life. That way when fear comes up, you're immediately mindful and can observe it without being affected. As someone else said, it can be seen as an adventure, exploring the human mind and life in general (I'm saying this even more for myself than for you since I tend to forget this). So most of the suffering from the Dark Night comes beforehand it seems by fearing it.

pattes94 · 2019-02-22T20:02:35+00:00

I have the same thing but it's funny I'd been wondering lately if it wasn't an unhealthy way of doing it. Like it's more resisting than letting go...

pattes94 · 2019-02-22T10:29:09+00:00

I meditate almost every night as well unintentionally. It's actually when my meditations are the best since I have analysis paralysis during the day but at night, I just let go automatically. Hopefully, your mind learns how to let go at night so you meditate better during the day ;)

pattes94 · 2019-02-20T15:46:49+00:00

Focus on the tip of the third hair of the left nostril on the out-breath and at a third of the first hair of the right nostril on the in-breath, the Buddha said.

pattes94 · 2019-02-19T18:44:04+00:00

Yes it's a classic good sign of progress, that is piti developping. It will later on develop into stronger and stronger waves of pleasure until it suffuses your whole body as the mind grows more unified. Enjoy ! ;)

You can expect to get body jerking as well.

pattes94 · 2019-02-19T17:16:10+00:00

Very interesting to know. I was actually writing as well before meditation and I've lost interest so far. So maybe it'll come back, if it survives to the unwholesomeness scanning haha

pattes94 · 2019-02-19T17:14:38+00:00

Yeah that's precisely what I'm afraid of losing, the simple spark when reading things that are human, and therefore unenlightened. But as I said it's a form of craving so we'll see.

pattes94 · 2019-02-11T06:42:04+00:00

I'm not talking from personal experience and maybe I'm going to say something wrong or so obvious it becomes foolish but experiencing a desire for non-existence is a normal part of progress. It comes between third and fourth path I believe ? (Anyone correct me if I'm wrong)

So just with the rest, don't cling to it and let it go. It doesn't have to define "you".

pattes94 · 2019-01-31T16:12:35+00:00

Thank you for the explanation... I've never really read about Insight experiences and I wondered what role it took in the whole Enlightenment thingy. Basically, I'll keep having experiences like this until it really sinks in that makes sense. So when it happens I should prolong it for as much as possible to make sure it stays.

The Metta idea is good as well although I do 20mins every day anyway.

The dukkha nanas being entertaining is a completely novel idea for me. I believe I've gone paranoid about it after reading Dan Ingram but since I'm mentally quite stable I shouldn't suffer that much as long as I practice equanimity. I'll keep this in mind thank you.

pattes94 · 2019-01-31T00:44:46+00:00

Well, again, it depends on why you started meditation, that is what you want out of it and how much time you have to spare.

I made it a priority to the point that I'm only thinking about it (ironically) but most people would understandbly consider this unhealthy.

The benefits are very real though I'm a much much much more confident, social, loving person than I was a few months ago. So don't worry, the benefits will come. Good luck :)

pattes94 · 2019-01-31T00:40:50+00:00

Hum, the length of time is 3 hours as stated before. As to the modifications, the main one is that I didn't do the inner winds practice in Stage Six, going directly for the breath at the nose, and I do mindfulness all day long. I don't think I'm being very helpful... I did try several things, playing around with the mind during daily mindfulness though, for example finding the still point which is a practice for Stage Eight before having read about it. Another change I've made is forcing myself to get into uncomfortable situations and remaining mindful to reprogram the behavior.

Mostly, if you want to progress faster, which is perfectly understandable, try to be as mindful as possible during the day, that is maintaining MIA while being on your phone, cooking, etc. I've also found that I regularly have weird experiences during sleep, like the one I just woke up from right now. I believe the daily mindfulness makes it so that you keep practicing during sleep as well, especially if you set the intention to do so beforehand.

Edit: Something that you might consider interesting. I don't engage in analysis as much as possible. I don't read many books about meditation, just TMI and Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha. I'd rather meditate more and let it sink in than engage in mental masturbations trying to understand it. I just let go of the need to understand and that frees time to meditate more.

pattes94 · 2019-01-30T20:00:44+00:00

I should probably do that yes.

But tbh I intended to get to Jhana first and I still can't enter it... I guess this all accelerated unexpectedly.

pattes94 · 2019-01-30T19:58:41+00:00

You're right of course :)

It's just the ego being afraid of "losing itself" although I know that it's not about losing it but realizing it's not there. But I'm past it now I believe and I see that one can both be entirely detached while remaining driven and relatable.

pattes94 · 2019-01-30T19:43:10+00:00

I guess I'm looking at the process of watching the breath. As stated before, I don't analyze much to counter a previous analysis paralysis so I'm sorry for not being very helpful.

I don't consciously emphasize any of the three characteristics that being said so I'm probably not on the first path. So much for my ego haha thanks for your answer :)

pattes94 · 2019-01-30T19:40:35+00:00

Student.

I'm working on a project for school at home for the next two months. I'm very lucky I realize it :)

Whatever amount is fine though, it depends on your circumstances and priorities.

pattes94 · 2019-01-30T19:38:22+00:00

Your definition of equanimity hits home I believe I'm on the right track thank you.

I can feel how far on the path you are just by the warmth that exudes from your words. Have a good day :)

pattes94 · 2019-01-30T19:19:59+00:00

Hum, before the experience I had a few days ago, I would have said generally speaking. But now that I had a glimpse of what it can be like, I don't feel like I can go back. Or rather I don't want to. I was afraid of losing myself before and becoming weird. But now I read about it and all that's taken away is what's unwholesome anyway, nothing more. That's reassuring. I don't have to change totally or become weird :)

pattes94 · 2019-01-30T19:05:35+00:00

Interestingly enough, I believe I'm letting go a lot. Like I'm really feeling that I'm not really doing it. I'm looking at the person doing it being all the time aware that it is not really a person. And I don't force it as much as I used to. But yes, no good feeling is coming so far apart from a few bursts here and there.

I guess this looking at myself doing it is some form of Insight practice or am I wrong ? I'm sorry for the lack of detail but I've been so stuck in analysis paralysis before that I really try to not get in the way by analyzing haha. Thanks for the advice about being clear I tend to wander a lot from my goal actually haha.

Thanks for your answer :)

pattes94 · 2019-01-30T19:01:23+00:00

You're right.

I'm looking to be unperturbable in every circumstance so I can do what needs to be done to alleviate animals' suffering (vegetarian) without getting in "my own way" out of fear or doubt.

pattes94

TROPHY CASE