| | Whenever I think of twisting, spontaneous movements, "swaying" as the Burmese call it, or other things like that, such as feet jerking while walking, arms flapping, neck, head and jaw movements, the sense that our bodies are imbalanced from one side to the other, and the like, that is all 2nd and 3rd ñana territory, aka the middle of the first vipassana jhana.
As to things about being a nun and all that, the "nunness" is not the key, but the practice conditions are, meaning that those who go on longer, more intense retreats, are trained well, practice according to instructions, and have the supports of those who know the territory will, on average, do better than those who don't. Thus, it is not about a robe and shaved head, it is about doing the work and having better conditions and supports in which to do it. These days there are plenty of meditation centers and monasteries where this can happen and one needn't be a nun, just a dedicated practitioner. |