-
How to investigate no-self?
Dear Dharma Overground
Any good hints on investigating the no-self characteristic in meditation, specifically when noting?
In my practice I currently use the time-honored notes "not-me" "not-mine" and "not-myself" (actually not the last one, since the difference to "not-me" seems to subtle for noting). As a variation, I also often note these as questions: "me?" "mine?".
Cheers,
Florian
Posted:
Sep 23 2008, 12:21 PM EDT by
-
meditating correctly on autopilot
I sort of realized this morning that it is possible to meditate quasi-correctly(!) on autopilot, just like we can drive a car on autopilot. By correct, I mean that noting labels are properly applied and accurate, even if I'm not really paying attention. It seems to me, that the antidote-to-meditation on autopilot is to pay attention to the noted objects, to see-what-I-see, hear-what-I-hear, etc. Is that correct? Does anyone have additional comments? Am I mistaken about really being "on autopilot"? If _I_ apply _effort_ to _be there_ am I reinforcing a sense of self or doing anything I shouldn't be?
Posted:
Oct 15 2008, 6:05 AM EDT by
-
Noting Practice Questions
I've been experimenting with noting practice for a few weeks now. Up until now, I would just pay attention without consciously forming words. Some questions:
Which kind of words do you use? Nouns or gerund verbs (i.e "in-breath" or "breathing in")? Does it matter? I found that short words more useful.
Also, for longer sensations, do you note repeatedly or in a drawn-out fashion? "itch, itch, itch" or "iiiiiiiiiitch"?
When a sensation "overlays" the breath, do you alternate between noting the breath and that sensation? "itching, rising, itching, rising..."? Non-verbally, I could watch both without a sense of alternating, but perhaps there was (very quick) alternation after all.
When a memory or an anticipation arises, verbalizing "memory" or "anticipation" seems to stop it quite abruptly. My previous practice of non-verbal attention allowed me to watch it sputter out.
All in all, noting practice has a very alert, active flavor, and I'll stick with it for now. I tried non-verbal attention again the other day, for comparison, and found that my thoughts would wander far more often. But maybe that was just the state I was in that day.
Posted:
Feb 26 2008, 3:44 PM EST by
-
walking and noting
Hi Everybody,
During walking meditation today, walking fairly briskly along the river (no turning around after a few steps) and noting "left" - "right" while paying attention to the feet touching the ground, I hit a state where I experienced my field of vision swaying, very similar to being slightly drunk, but without the light-headedness or vertigo.
It was as if the "optical stabilizer" which usually corrects for the swaying vision when walking had shut down. Also, the ground seemed awfully unreal all of a sudden, like a sponge or a layer of fog that would solidify just in time in the spot where I would next set my foot, or somehow rise up to meet my foot. I had no trouble walking, however.
So, was that a (slow) vibration of insight practice, or some really dynamic samatha state? I've hit "sitting on air" and "world revolving around my diaphagm" sensations in sitting samatha meditation, but the quality was quite different when walking today - when I stood still, the ground seemed solid enough, and the swaying stopped, but the effect resumed when I started walking again.
It was the second time I hit this state today, the first time was a few days ago. I tried to note the swaying, but couldn't think of anything but "left - right" which didn't seem useful, so I continued to note my steps instead.
Thanks for any advice,
Cheers,
Florian
-
Where did my Jahna go?
Dear all,
I just finished a 15 day retreat using the noting technique. In one occasion, I was noting my breath and suddenly I got into what it seems to fit the description of the first Jahna: this state was blissful and very calm (like being drunk and high without the mental lethargy), but the most important point is that I could notice the sensations of my breath with a tremendous clarity. Furthermore, after a while, watching the breath was boring (too slow) and I decided to watch the itchy sensation on my legs (caused by the numbness). This felt like watching a bullet bouncing against the walls of a maze with a high speed. There was no effort required to hold this state and it lasted until I decided to finish my sitting meditation.
Regarding this experience I have the following questions:
1) Is this a Jahna (shamata or vipassana)? or is still a "near Jahna experience" (sorry I don't remember the pali word for it)?
2) Is this supposed to be the "regular practice" as we go deeper on the path? or I just hit a state that I should not cultivate or pay too much attention?
Cheers,
mautelino
Posted:
Mar 25 2008, 3:45 AM EDT by
|
|
