Cheers for the recommendations and advice there Ian, really appreciate it. I think my understanding and acceptance of Buddhism, Buddha and the Dhamma has changed dramatically in the last few months so I'll definitely check out those titles.
As for the "blip" I referred to, the choice of word is based on the way I've seen the same thing described on here. I know language is limited when it comes to this but I'll try my best to explain. As I understand it, stream-entry brings understanding, not simply an intellectual comprehension, of the impermanence of all things and the illusory nature of self, the abandonment of dogmatic, conditioned systems of thought, and the disappearance of some of the baser emotional reactions such as jealousy. That's how I understand it through what I've learned from my studies so far in the dhamma. Again, I stand to be corrected if I've misinterpreted what I've read so far and through comparison with my own experiences. At that time, I was involved in Hatha and Raja yoga and practising tratak, dharana, and shavasana etc.
The 'blip' I was talking about was, for me, experienced while noting (although I didn't know it as such at that time and automatically did this while meditating) when I became aware of the space between thoughts, the pause between thought and action. I knew immediately that thoughts were not self, that self was another mental construct and how thought was the root of suffering. This was around three years ago before I entered into what I now know to be yet another dark night, a period of tremendous upheaval, and personal loss which has passed for now but, unlike my other experiences with this phase which I've struggled to understand in alchemical terms (i.e. nigredo stage) previously, this time I understood the impermanance of all things, the truth that all is change. This became my life-raft and it carried me through what occured. I'll spare you the details (too late!) as I'm sure my day-to-day life is of no interest to anyone here. On seeing that the dark night was passing, I experienced what I've read on here as equanimity. The phrase "Life starts here" seems to sum up what occured, it was as if that simple Zen phrase became a reality which has now become a constant state of awareness for me since that time. I say that in the knowledge that, even if I have attained stream-entry, I know that my work is FAR from over.
I find it difficult to explain this at present but I hope that it makes little more sense to those who'll read my posting. I ask out of interest in where my studies and practice take me next, not to make any egotistical claims to exalted grades or whatever since I place no importance on this. My goal is firmly fixed and has been since day one: To become enlightened. By acheiving this goal, I can benefit humanity and, whether in this incarnation or some subsequent one, bring our fellow beings to experience this too. Looking back I now see how in line my intentions have always been with Buddhist aims, it was only my own ignorance, prejudice and idiotic conditioning that shrouded it. My girlfriend has always been interested in Buddhism and found my aversion to it (I'll explain what I mean if you need it) to be strange given that I was so heavily involved in studying, practising and LIVING magick. Now, she's astonished by my newfound enthusiasm and passion for Buddhism, it's elevated our relationship to a whole new level, physically and emotionally. Literally, it's been a complete and total shift in perception for me and has been noticed by the people closest to me.
I know that only work and more work will answer my questions but I'm grateful for the feedback so far as it's led me to examine things more closely again. Thanks again for reading and taking the time to reply. As you'll probably have guessed, I'm prone to leaving these lengthy posts so my apologies for taking up your time.
Cheers!
