www.dharmaoverground.org Guest

Hi April,

If what you experienced was the A/P stage then right after it comes the Dukkha nanas. They can be rough and Reobservation stage is also referred to as the 'Roll up your mat" stage for all the practicioners who "give up" for all the misery it can seem to churn up.

I was myself very immersed in the Goenka tradition for over 9 years. I didn't know anything about the maps of insight so I was floundering around in the dark night/dukkha nanas until I read Daniel Ingram's book. I even had a couple of years within those 9 where I gave up meditating daily.

Check out the chapter on the dukkha nanas:

http://bit.ly/w1QKN


Knowing the map of insight helped me establish where I was and also that there was a goal to all the sitting which was achievable in this lifetime. It helped me realize that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and to keep practicing was not fruitless. Far from it. I kept at it and on the 1st of January this year got stream entry. I know of people who have progressed in a very short time once crossing the A/P to Equanimity of formations stage and then on to 1st path / stream entry with the assistance of Daniel and/or KEnneth Folk. Why can't you?

Here's an account of what I did on my last Goenka retreat

http://bit.ly/aBdEgx

Having a goal helps and trust me, life gets real interesting once you get there. And it is not some lofty goal for a distant life. If you work correctly and constantly, you could get it done in a very short time. Go for it!

Hey abhjit,

Here it is:

http://thehamiltonproject.blogspot.com/2011/06/yogis-journal-from-chronic-dark-night.html


I was a naughty dhamma boy. Didn't follow instructions. So if you have a reaction to this fact, read this:

http://thehamiltonproject.blogspot.com/2010/11/going-for-stream-entry-on-goenka-10-day.html
]

:-)

Nick

Hi April

What is your motivation? Why do you want to practice?