Adam West:
So how are you defining Samadhi and insight?
Hey Adam; thanks for the rockin reply!
Well, it's a pretty sure bet that if we are talking about Samadhi that I'm not going to be able to define it, but I kinda like your definition, so since I can't beat it I'm going to steal it! -Hehe, I was indeed talking about "deep stillness of mind resulting in a hyper awareness" well put. -However, I am really starting to get the impression that what I become hyperaware of in the state of Samadhi isn't any more "reality" than the reality which exists in everywhere, always. Of course in Samadhi there is no "I" to be aware of anything, but you know what I'm saying. So, that's how I'd loosely define Samadhi.
But really and truly, dispite some epic exploration into Samadhi & stillness, the one only time in my practice that I had the impression I was getting a clear look at "reality" is when I inadvertently stumbled into a realiztion of impermanance. In that instance, I came to see directly that the constituent thoughts, feelings, and sensations which make up the "I" are all completely transient. So, that's how I would define insight.
To put the definitions into zen language, which we both seem fluent in: -The absolute is experiencially wonderful, whereas the relitive is experiencially ordinary. In the absolute there is no "I", whereas in relitive the manifest "I" can be seen for what it actually is.
Adam West:
practice deep undistracted stillness of mind and you may at any instant or over time, come to see through into the true nature reality/mind and thus realize the insight of enlightenment.
For years that has been my sole intent, and like yourself I can point to many sourses (both new and old) that state that such a thing is indeed possible. However, even though I can formulte a firm belief that it is possible, I can't really be sure. Due to a stoke of luck and having an insight into impermanance, what I can be sure of is: that there is a very real and tangible payoff available from looking closely at things as they are, here and now.
At this point in my practice I am willing to trade something wonderful for something that works.