I have mixed feelings about claims of attainment. As we are trying to orient ourselves on the dharma maps, it can be quite easy to misdiagnose and to think and claim we are more attained than we are. Sometimes this comes from misunderstanding, sometimes from grasping and the compulsive need to enlarge identity and sometimes it's a mixture of both.
Recently I finished an extended period of practice which I have documented here.
End of 8 Month SabbaticalI was reluctant to post this publicly as I didn't want to come off as bragging about attainment. After a conversation with Daniel and some reflection my opinion changed a bit. The thing that really inspired me to take up this practice in earnest, go on retreats and finally to go on an 8 month sabbatical is Daniel and people like him standing up and saying "this can be done" and "I did it" and "here is how I did it...". While the techniques and the details and the maps were all great and valuable, nothing was more empowering than the belief it was possible and having real life examples of those that had done it.
So it seems we have a tight rope to walk here. Not claiming attainment helps to perpetuate ignorance and misconception about the contemplative path and claiming attainment unskillfully or incorrectly turns a lot of people off quickly.
As is often the case in morality training, I think when we are planning to make a claim of attainment, it's important to look at our intention. Is there a desire to prop up, expand or solidify self? Is there an intent to gain respect, admiration or establish authority in the context of disagreement? If any of these seem to be the predominate intention, it might be wise to STFU and keep it to yourself. If however the intention is a genuine sense of compassion, a desire to encourage and inspire people to go for it, along with the courage to take the heat from those are quite aversive to any claims whatsoever, well then speak up and tell your story. I know I want to hear it as do a lot of other people around here.
Just remember that you may be wrong about some things and that's ok. 100% subjective certainty isn't objective proof of anything, but if you put your story out there along with the sensations of certainty (keeping in mind that they are sensations) and not hold too tightly to your opinions, then it's more good data that can be saved, reviewed and integrated effectively.
-Lee