| | Hi Gary,
Unlike vipassana, this exercise deliberately cultivates detachment by introducing a (contrived) third party observer. When you are simultaneously "the watcher" and that which is being watched, it's harder to identify with what is being watched. Of course, you can identify with "the watcher," but that is a higher-order problem, and one that is self-correcting with practice. To get the sense of self out of the body and into the ether is a big relief, and an important step. In fact, deliberately "dwelling as the I am," i.e., identifying with the apparent watcher who has no stake in Gary's experience, is the workhorse of Advaita Vedanta. This perspective is said to be "the stick that stirs the fire and is eventually consumed by it." Meanwhile, the perspective gained by not being stuck in the small self all day long can be very empowering in your daily life.
Having continuous real time access to this detached state corresponds with Tozan's Third Rank. This is where you can really manifest the "stink of enlightenment." In addition to being very pleasant, it's a powerful teaching tool, as other people can see how "holy" :-) you are, and be inspired by your presence. It's a good idea, in my opinion, to flesh out the stinky phase as much as you can. You will eventually fall from grace, like it or not, at which point you will have reached Tozan's Fourth Rank.
I'm anticipating here; what you are describing is nowhere near Tozan's Third Rank. I'm just preparing you for what can happen if you cultivate detachment. |