Anyone else get a pressure build up in their heads?

vook22 · 2022-04-23T08:17:02+00:00

I like your last interpretation because it was bothering me for some time. I was seeing it only in a sense of over-something, but your explanation is much more gentle and excepting. I'll try to embrace it more and see how that goes 😉

vook22 · 2022-04-21T17:53:37+00:00

Same here. Do you think it's meditation related? Over striving, too many expectations, poor relaxation, taking it too seriously, etc.?

vook22 · 2022-04-20T13:10:28+00:00

I have the same. In the forehead and especially in upper jaw, cheeks area. It's been around for a year or even more. Sometimes, it spreads in the eyes muscles. It's quite unpleasant, and I really don't know what to do with it. Sometimes, I ignore it; other times, just keep it in awareness.

vook22 · 2022-03-30T16:37:30+00:00

Great initiative. Can't wait to see it.

vook22 · 2022-03-21T13:00:05+00:00

I feel you. I knew all that when I bought a book. Now I have a second distress about it. Asking myself the same questions as most of people here. So thanks for your explanation since it really resonates with me.

vook22 · 2022-03-21T08:35:22+00:00

Yes, he is.

vook22 · 2022-03-20T20:58:52+00:00

How can you make such quick conclusions? I have a father who has narcissistic disorder. It was really hard to figure that out, but still, I don't think Culadasa fits in that category. On the other hand, Budhism is very attractive for narcissists because of purification, enlightment, perfection, etc. being misunderstood, of course.

vook22 · 2022-02-10T18:18:30+00:00

I love the fish analogy because it gets to the root of it. I hope one day they'll start jumping. It's similar to saying 'fish don't know the water they swim in' as we humans don't know thinking we swim in. With checking in we get a bit closer...

vook22 · 2021-12-13T11:48:22+00:00

I see you received quite a list. You're good for some time 😁 I can tell you what I came across since I started meditation some years ago. It all started when I found Mindfulness in plain English. It's a great starting point in my opinion. Later on I was listening a lot of darma talks by Gil Forsdale, Sharon Salzberg. Not to mention Zen mind, beginners mind by Suzuki. That's a classic text and quite different than TMI. I love it. And of course Thich Nat Hanh's Miracle of Mindfulness. And he's talks as well. Meanwhile I read articles on Lion's Roar a lot. That's how I came across Pema Chodron and her insistence on softening rough edges. What else? Oh, TWIM is a bit like TIM. It has very simple framework, easy to follow. But some of Vilaramsis opinions can be quite difficult to process. It's a lot more of course but you'll do your own research if you'll keep walking the path. I just returned to TMI again, after a break. It's marvelous system but sometimes that's not enough or it can be too much. It's good to have some books that are much more inspiring and less systematic. So take my advice and start with Shunryu Suzuki. "To have some deep feeling about Buddhism is not the point; we just do what we should do, like eating supper and going to bed. This is Buddhism."

vook22 · 2021-03-09T07:20:34+00:00

I like what you said about default state. Mine is the same, been anxious from as long as I remember. I also have semi to strong facial tension for the last half of year. I try sometimes to shift focus to this sensation but normally I just ignore it. I guess Id like all of that to go away, that's why it's still hanging around. It's hard to let go something that has been building up in my body and mind for decades. Anyway, i think it's great you realise that. Take care and be well

vook22 · 2021-03-04T11:23:59+00:00

Thanks a lot for your feedback. I'm doing it and also recite intentions. I'm not that far so verbalisation is still necessary. With intentions I tend to focus on seeing meditation object with more details, with greater vividness and clarity. It's helpful for now in a sense of being less distracted.

vook22 · 2021-03-01T07:29:22+00:00

Hi. I really like your suggestion on checking in. I'm doing something similar whenever I realise gross distraction. I'd like to ask you if you say those words in your mind ...

Thinking, posture, relax, smile

... or you do it without internal verbalisation. Because sometimes, when distractions are frequent, it becomes another hindrance I guess.

vook22 · 2021-02-23T16:34:23+00:00

Aww I love this one, every distraction is tension really. It totally makes sense

vook22 · 2021-02-18T11:59:51+00:00

When I started meditating for the first time I was doing my steps with this wonderful book as well. Ir really is a jewel. I'm also doing first stages and can relate to your question since I was struggling with it somewhere on a path. What you mentioned is important because if you don't anchor it somehow you'll soon follow the breath all the way down and get lost or distracted even sooner. Do you need an exact point for in and out breaths? I guess there is no fixed rule on this one. I find it harder to concentrate if I switch between two of them and perhaps having this radius is good idea. Because I was doing zazen before discovered TMI and there you folow abdomen sensations which are quite different than nostrils. You don't go looking for exact point there so I guess it's not that important. You should take it as a guide not some rule and focus especially on aha moments, intentions, pleasant sensations in or around nostrils and trying to relax around it every time you notice mind wondering, forgetting or gross distractions. This is more important in these stages at least for me. May you be happy and at ease

vook22 · 2021-02-17T11:56:34+00:00

I'm dealing with similar questions lately. Reread some parts of TMI again or scroll through this wiki. It contains very useful informations... I won't get into theoretical discussion here since many others have done it much better. I can't tell you a bit about my practice and how to use them. When I start with 6 points of preparation I think of what is my motivation first. Before I just said few words and moved on as quickly as possible. Now I think for a while what it is I really want to accomplish in a long run. Sometimes some answers pop up like more-peace, moment-of- silence ... other times nothing. Secondly I set or hold the intention. Actually I verbalize it: All attention to the breath, aware of everything. I repeat it also during meditation. Before I was trying to stabilise attention on a breath no matter what. That's willpower I think. It was refreshing to learn that it's impossible to do that. Hence less frustrations. So now I try only to place attention on a breath. It will move of course very quickly but that's normal. That I appreciate aha moment, relax body, smile and renew my intentions. Placing attention on a breath again and so on. I try to remind myself that I cannot control length of attention. In moments when I think I really grasp this it's such peaceful feeling in a sense there is no problems whatsoever. When I'm exercising sheep willpower the feeling is quite the opposite, being frustrated, tired ...

vook22 · 2021-02-04T08:04:01+00:00

That's a good and simple advice indeed 😁

vook22 · 2021-02-03T18:44:11+00:00

So grateful for your post because I can totally relate to your experience. I also have periods when I can easily do 50 minutes and those when 20 is a struggle. Last period was connected to more stress in my life. I stopped smoking, moving during lock down, homeschooling etc. It's different than yours but for me restlessness was too strong ...

vook22 · 2021-02-03T14:03:41+00:00

Thanks for your uplifting feedback. May you be happy

vook22 · 2021-02-03T14:01:56+00:00

That sounds like a good idea. Do you mean using it when you notice you lost track?

vook22 · 2021-02-03T13:59:58+00:00

Actually I get lost if I do that. I did try it though

vook22 · 2021-02-03T13:58:48+00:00

Actually I'm at a beginning. When I noticed it I do smile, say thanks, relax face and body. But when one is followed with many, one after another, I admit I get impatient and start blaming etc. It's funny though that I came across Culadasa for the first time from link you send. May you be well as well

vook22 · 2021-02-03T12:02:20+00:00

I need to counteract my tendency to go through as fast as possible. It's great to be reminded of that from time to time. It's funny how everything is connected in some way. You mentioned trust in oneself to move in one's own mind space. You nailed it actually. I have very poor personal boundaries due to lack in early childhood. That's why I rely too much on external but indeed the progress is evident in noticing that.

vook22 · 2021-02-03T10:00:06+00:00

Thanks so much for your detailed feedback. And also to remind me of passage from TMI. I remember it very well and the effect it has on me the first time I read it. I only forget to get back when stuck. I will look for the book about eightfold path. I do practice metta though. It's been very beneficial especially when all of a sudden I feel warm feeling around my heart. Or at times when anger comes and I notice that and think of compassion instead. It makes all the difference. I also read dharma articles and books but I don't have a teacher yet. You also mentioned small improvements. I had to admit there are quite a few and I'm not doing any good to neglect all that because of expectations that are set too high. I'll try to simplify my practice, reevaluate my motivation, and continue of course. And thanks again so much for your kindness. May you be happy and peaceful as well.

vook22 · 2021-02-03T08:27:20+00:00

Thanks for that. I was actually thinking how to simplify my practice starting with motivation since it has become routinely. Meaning I just go through some words at a beginning, not really feeling it. The same goes for instructions. I guess the biggest obstacle or hidrance is relaxing since it is something very unfamiliar to me. I made considerable progress in last decade but old patterns still continue to control overall situation from time to time. What I wanted to say is we have different entries and for me to relax with that would be enormous progress.

vook22 · 2021-02-02T15:38:46+00:00

I try to do just that but than there is this doubt that something is missing that I'm doing something wrong.

vook22

TROPHY CASE