Tommy,
Thanks for the feedback again. I hope the below makes sense.
Tommy:
"Are you noting at all during this sit?"
I began with the intention of going thru as many of the jhanas as I could with the intention of being the body-scan technique when it felt right.
Tommy:
"Sounds like you're moving from 1st into 2nd jhana, but it also sounds like you're trying to control your experience rather than just paying attention to what's happening."
That's exactly what I'm doing. Mostly I'm just being mindful to what's happening, but I do notice that at times I almost try to manipulate the pleasant sensations or enter another jhana. Good point -I know I have to let go more.
Tommy:
"You've got some strong concentration skills though so I certainly wouldn't be concerned about having access concentration, you may find you can "lock in" to already that by just paying attention to bare awareness."
Yes, I think this is my strongest point. Hoever, I'm still slightly confused as to when I'm in access concentration and when I'm in 1st jhana. I find within minutes I'm locked into my breath, but quite quickly it becomes very pleasurable both at a physical and mental level.
Tommy:
"The bodily movements are typical of 2nd jhana for me, they're usually referred to as kriyas. These occur for yogis who have crossed the A&P as this is when "kundalini" first rises up and it then continues to circulate the body, so the ticks and movements are natural and a useful signpost."
Yes, I suspected this.
Tommy:
"The fluttering of the eyelids is more common during insight practice, in my experience, so by paying attention to the sensations in your body i.e. bliss, pleasantness, you're actually noting which is moving you into 2nd jhana."
I seem to get the fluttering eyelids in both concentration and insight practice. It becomes quite intense moving into the 2nd jhana.
Tommy:
"You mention "bliss" quite a lot, how would you describe this? Is there more than one kind of bliss being experienced?"
I say 'bliss' to mean extremely pleasant sensations that permeate thru the body/mind - almost orgasmic (at its most extreme - moving into 2nd jhana which is strange bcos I always assumed it should happen going into 1st jhana). A understand 'pleasure' as a more peaceful feeling and not as energetic as bliss.
Mike:
"Completely relax my facial muscles and eyes and the lessening of tension/action creates a more peaceful feeling (I'm thinking that this is a good time to begin insight practice)"
Tommy: "This is going into pure samatha as opposed to the vipassana/samatha mix you were inadvertently doing before this. Do the eyes move down and towards the nose by any chance? You can go either way from this point, but you can begin insight as soon as you get access concentration."
I notice that my eyes take many positions during the total time ofthe session. From looking at the crown when I'm in extreme bliss mode; to 'looking' at the body part I'm scanning; and looking at my nose when in access concentration. They get quite a workout!
Mike: Within a minute or so of body-scanning a wave of bliss begins again although is much, much stronger than at the beginning of the sit
Tommy: "Again, it's this use of the word "bliss" which may be somewhat confusing here. Being unfamiliar with body-scanning I don't know whether this is something typical of this practice but it still sounds like 1st jhana to me without more info."
This part is my biggest area of confusion. I thought I'd come out of 2nd jhana because the bliss had died down to more of a pleasant feeling and so it felt like a good time to begin insight practice. The upsurge of bliss again completely took me by surprise.
Mike: Abandon (actually, no choice) the body-scanning and just go with it - almost unbearably blissful
Tommy: "Be honest, you bottled out and had a mind-wank instead.....

Just joking, in all seriousness just pay attention to this bliss and the other sensations which arise and pass here, don't get caught up in it. Well, not for
too long anyway...."
Well, just a little wank... but who wouldn't??
Mike: Lasts about 5 minutes and then just before it feels like I'm going over the threshold of too much bliss I level off into equanimity
Tommy: "You might be leveling off but this isn't Equanimity, as in the 11th ñana, this is likely to be moving into 5th ñana, Dissolution. What does this "equanimity" feel like?"
Just feels like all the 'action' has died down and I'm sitting on top of it all. I'm aware of the 'pain' sensations in my body, but in a detached way.
Mike: Stay with it for about 5 minutes (my posture feels perfect and spine is solid). Aware of pain in hips/bum etc but feel like I could sit thru it no problem, i.e. no suffering
Tommy:"2nd jhana."
I thought this might have been 3rd jhana because of the absence of bliss and pain and also there was a feeling of calmness compared to all that had happened previously.
Tommy:
"You say "i.e. no suffering". This is not suffering, this is just a cluster of sensations labeled "pain"."
Exactly. I understand 'pain' as you describe and 'suffering' as the story we build around that pain eg, "Why is this hurting me so much. I wish it'd go away" etc.
Tommy:
"Advice? Depends on what you're trying to achieve through these practices."
Truth and Liberation! ...And some good pick up lines.
Tommy:
"With regards to your second posting, I'd say you've crossed the A&P on this cycle. Don't get too hung up on it, enjoy it and make the most of the energy."
Shit, this stuff is a real roller-coaster ride, eh!
Best of luck mukka,
- Tommy
Cheers mate!
Mike