Mary R Bohan:
1) How do I find a teacher who is familiar with the map? (Is there a certain school of Buddhism?) Or, where do I turn for guidance?
Good luck finding a teacher who is familiar with the map and will actually help you along it. Did you read the part in MCTB on
Mushroom factor Look deeply into what it is exactly you are looking for from a teacher/guidance. Do you need instruction? what is not clear? do you need a coach? a cheerleader? why? do you need company and community? why? The clearer you are on these things the more likely you will find exactly what you are looking for and will be less likely to be led astray or down blind alleys that will waste your time....
Mary R Bohan:
2) Are there certain practices that are recommended at this stage? Now that I know I'm actually on the right track, I'm pretty motivated to practice.
Did you read MCTB yet? Is there anything unclear about the noting practice? Here are additional resources that explain the practice -
WIKIPractical Insight Meditation, by Mahasi Sayadaw
The Progress of Insight, by Mahasi Sayadaw
Insight Practice Instructions #1Mary R Bohan:
I've been struggling along on my own for 3 years, sitting (almost) daily, just trying to focus on the breath. Before the A&P, meditating was an enjoyable experience for me, full of the objective viewing of my thoughts and the awareness of deeper sensations/motivations. (Which I now see are Steps 1 & 2.) I have been trying to get back to this, thinking there was something wrong with me because I can't seem to. But my attention is (as MCTB describes it), wide-flung and unfocused, and my physical being feels irritable in myriad ways, and usually my mind wanders around the whole time, and then I give up in a sort of welling up of frustrated energy, and go work out intensely.
Mary R Bohan:
2b) Have I been trying to go backwards? How do I try to go forward instead?
Start right where you are....there is no other place...let go of expectation
Mary R Bohan:
3) I'd love to try to understand a little better the stages of the Dark Night - I have no idea where I am in this process, only that I've seen only brief glimpses of Equanimity over these years. I feel like, surely, it must come to an end soon, but I have no idea what to do.
Practice will skill and diligence. If you are cycling pay attention to the cycles and you will start to get a good idea where you are within the cycles...of course knowing does not change the instruction any....get to equanimity and push forward bit by bit til fruition. Noting practice might work very well for you. I'd try it and see. If you don't like the strong dark night effects (as some suggest can happen) at least you will know exactly where you are.
Good luck,
~D