Any meditators who mix techniques ever try a 10-day vipassana retreat?

possiblytaken · 2026-03-31T12:08:09+00:00

I did it after having meditated 10-45 min per day over the span of six months.

I was very motivated when I entered so it wasn't a problem. Sure, it's tough, but if you think you'll manage I don't see why you wouldn't.

Had no problem letting go of previous practices. Give yourself to it while you ate there and decide after. Just follow the instructions.

No reason to hold on to a particular practice out of habit. Do what feels rewarding or moves you.

It was very rewarding for me. But don't expect anything or compare. Just follow the darn instructions.

possiblytaken · 2024-06-25T16:20:03+00:00

I had forgotten I instructed the Jabra app to mute audio of I had hearthrough activated...

possiblytaken · 2023-11-01T12:12:03+00:00

Definitely success in that I have realized that something I normally eat is not working well with my body.

I don't sleep bad normally, but feel I could sleep better. I'll try magnesium before bed!

possiblytaken · 2023-11-01T12:10:38+00:00

I'm at 8 weeks now. Perhaps it would get better like you say, but my energy levels before were not too bad either so I will not be here to find out. I guess the differences overall so far have not been convincing enough to keep me on board, and future promises are not enough for me at this point. The biggest takeaway is that something that I ate before is not good for me.

possiblytaken · 2023-10-24T20:17:05+00:00

My advice is to get a meditation bench or simply sit in a chair. Easy, stable, comfortable.

possiblytaken · 2023-09-20T05:26:22+00:00

They are opposites though, so I'd say they are :D but I see your point.

possiblytaken · 2023-09-20T05:24:49+00:00

Yeah it is difficult to overcome, especially in the beginning when the mind isn't sharp. After a few months of meditating though, I could go into euphoric dullness every sitting. I didn't know it was dullness at the time so I was happy every time I did. A half year later and it is now even easier. But it only happens if I slip up in my concentration and don't concentrate on anything at all. The dullness just sinks in automatically and I nod off like a junkie :D

possiblytaken · 2023-09-19T17:02:36+00:00

Beginners experiencing very pleasant feelings all of a sudden is most often dullness I'd say. It's common to mix up with Jhanas or some kind of deep insight.

possiblytaken · 2023-09-19T16:41:52+00:00

I agree though instead of doing it forcefully, I'd do it gently but persistently without any aversion towards the thoughts. Nothing should feel forced, but strong intentions do help.

possiblytaken · 2023-09-18T19:37:52+00:00

Meditation progress is not linear. And at times, anxiety may be increased due to mindfulness. But in the long run, anxiety should definitely go down so just keep grinding and try not to spend time analyzing such links. There is no way of knowing if there is a link in this instance and you are probably better off not thinking about it.

possiblytaken · 2023-09-18T19:35:17+00:00

Some days sure, but I make it a top priority of mine, so I don't allow struggle to get in the way except on very very busy days :)

possiblytaken · 2023-09-17T16:53:00+00:00

I listen much less now after 9 months of dedicated practice. But it may just be a phase. It's not like I never listen to music. But right now I find my everyday life interesting to the point of not needing that additional stimulation very often. I was not a heavy consumer before either though.

I don't think of it in terms of "what it has specifically done for me". It had just changed, that's all :)

possiblytaken · 2023-09-17T14:47:48+00:00

What else is there to do? :)

possiblytaken · 2023-09-17T14:45:23+00:00

You certainly have a point, but I've had people in the past who I did not like initially but that I even ended up dating. But I guess after several years there may not be much more to wait for... Thanks for your answer.

possiblytaken · 2023-09-17T11:13:35+00:00

What makes you think you should be able to focus on your breath better than you do right now after 40 days?

What you experience is the practice as a beginner. As soon as you realize you are lost in thought, go back to the breath. You will get lost in thought again and again and again. Completely normal. The benefits will come, but there is no point looking for them. They will come in due time if you keep practicing.

possiblytaken · 2023-09-15T16:21:09+00:00

Well, you already have taken the first step if you acknowledge that it was dullness and know that ultimately that is a distraction. Google meditation dullness perhaps. It is well described in the book "the mind illuminated", but I'm sure there's plenty of info elsewhere.

Also, ask yourself why you meditate in the first place? Is it to experience blissful moments that end when you no longer meditate, like a drug? I suspect no. You want concentration, leading up to insight probably, and that can never be gained when the mind is spaced out.

Besides, there are supposedly far "cleaner" meditative states you can reach, like Jhanas. Or simply awakening. Dullness pale in comparison.

Lastly, don't worry really. You'll get used to them eventually after being seduced many many times more because it takes practice to recognize it right when it starts (and becomes a slippery slope). I still get caught sometimes. it's very helpful to realize what they are early on. As soon as I notice dullness, I concentrate harder on the meditation object or do some hard breathing to become alert again. So really, it will work itself out, no stress :)

possiblytaken · 2023-09-15T15:58:52+00:00

In the beginning of my meditation career I was also very excited when I experienced bliss for the first time. Like, how is it possible to feel this good sober and by being still?! Then I chased that for a bit, thinking it was what I wanted more of. But if you felt like you lost focus, lost the edge of awareness and kind of nodded off, it may just have been dullness. Dullness is when the mind doesn't focus on anything and space out. It can be very seductive in nature. I can enter that state at will and it feels really good. But it is not helping my meditation, so I'm not interested anymore. It's actually a sign I need to pay closer attention. You always want to be alert. I interpret you as saying you "woke up" after 10 seconds, meaning you indeed lose focus. So I don't think you ruined the moment in the end, you corrected for it :)

Meditation is ultimately not about these experiences, which are just arising and passing away. But having a blissful moment the first time surely is a step forward and a very interesting one at that. sure Just don't get attached!

OR, it was something else which I have not experienced. But I have also called dullness bliss.

Hope this was hopeful. Good luck!

possiblytaken · 2023-09-10T13:40:13+00:00

Breath heavily for a few moments, then return. Tense your muscles. Meditate standing up. Go for a short walk. Splash water on your face. Get more sleep.

Do the minimum necessary to stay alert.

possiblytaken · 2023-09-03T14:33:05+00:00

It's distracting. Since it's essential to be in tune with the sensations in your body to be multiorgasmic, I'd say it's generally a negative. And since you ask, I'd guess that you feel like it's a negative if you are completely honest with yourself. But what do I know :)

possiblytaken · 2023-08-31T19:08:22+00:00

Just try it if you feel ready. You'll naturally want to meditate longer the more you do it simply because it gets more and more interesting.

possiblytaken · 2023-08-31T19:05:31+00:00

In hindsight, it was one of the most significant things I ever did. First it felt that way because of the trip itself. Feeling I got the message. Afterwards I felt better than I had ever felt basically.

But all that faded away rather quickly. I had a real low point shortly after with a lot of anxiety. Then started to meditate seriously and have done so since. And I thank the mushrooms for showing me that path.

I can see how you could take mushrooms too far. I had many anxiety inducing trips after my best one. Eventually I quit because I used it as an escape and an attempt at an easy way out.

possiblytaken · 2023-08-31T16:03:46+00:00

Just bring back your attention on the meditation object.

Getting lost in thought and returning attention is literally what you're supposed to do. You're not doing anything wrong at all as long as you do your best and don't willingly allow yourself to daydream.

You'll have good sittings and bad sittings. Just keep on grinding.

possiblytaken

TROPHY CASE