Videos of Daniel Ingram talking about the hardcore (pragmatic) dharma movement and the stages of Insight (with sound effects!)

Part 1: http://vimeo.com/23539030

Part 2: http://vimeo.com/23567498

Part 3: http://vimeo.com/23568408

Watching these videos when they were put up a month or so ago led directly to progress in my practice.
I highly recommend watching all three, but if time is an issue consider just the middle one.

I just want to second m m a's comment. These videos injected some serious and subtle juice into my practice as well!

I listened to the 2nd video.
So, when I had a sudden surge of bliss while just sitting down at a coffee shop; such an encompassing happiness that I had to look around to see if anybody noticed.... it sounds like that was an A&P event.
Do I understand that correctly?
Gerry T.

Could be A&P, could just be a nice feeling, and context and the things around it and what came after, etc, would all help clarify exactly what that was, but more importantly is what insights came from it, what was perceived, what it told you about the nature of sensations, and the like, as good feeling without some wisdom or insight that comes from them are just good feeling, and good feelings and pleasure are not to be sneered at, but in this context: what did you learn from that experience?

The maps have various uses, but helping us gain wisdom from some of the more strange and unexpected things that happen, as well as put things in context and compensate for things that might otherwise throw us: that is their value more than knowing exactly what label to put on everything.

Daniel

Daniel,
Prior to the time that it happened I had a sense of remorse regarding a frustrating conversation had in the morning with a person over the phone. I was talking to someone about a problem at a financial institution.
During the phone call I noticed that the tone of my voice was showing my frustration with understanding her and with my explaining the problem. I stopped and apologized to her for my getting frustrated. I felt sorry for getting upset with her.

Later in the afternoon I thought about the phone call and that was when the rush of happiness just covered me. I tried to just watch it and let it stay for as long as it would. I had a smile on my face like a cheshire cat and looked around to see if anyone noticed. It ended after maybe 15 to 30 seconds or so.

The happiness I felt was not the same as the sort of "happiness" you might get with eating good food, or getting a new car, or even seeing an old friend. It didn't have a feeling of being contingent upon anything.

What I got from the whole thing was that happiness is not something that comes from acquiring something in the future, or getting to some future idea, or place. Even though it was temporary it was a good lesson about the value of the other forms of happiness.

I realize, after watching the video, that I had gone through an A&P and dark night a long time ago. I had a sort of awakening or shift of some kind and had a definite feeling that if I died I would become born into another persons body (this was before I knew much of anything about buddhism). I became disgusted with the thought of eating. I had times where I was afraid to drive because I thought I might drive the car off the road. I didn't have a death wish, I very much wanted to stay alive, but I just didn't trust myself. I had, at times, overwhelming feelings of agitation and fear to the point that I would have to leave the room, as if some fear that I could not pinpoint was bearing down on me. Back then the astral projections started happening more frequently and I even had the sensation of "falling awake" at night instead of falling asleep. I just stayed conscious while my body fell asleep (not because I wanted to, it just happened that way). After this happened then for about three days I felt great. I felt like I could do anything that I wanted but I didn't want to do anything.

I haven't had anything nearly as difficult as that occur since then and my life is pretty normal. When you described the dark night in the video I thought it matched up pretty darn well with what I went through back then.

I've been practicing concentration on the breath and trying to reach first Jhana. That's all that I have practiced so far.

Do you think the rush of happiness was an A&P event? Can you have an A&P event without any sort of dark night?
If it happens again what do you think I should do or look for?

Gerry

If you are having problems, then look to the maps.

However, if you are doing ok, just look at what is happening directly, as that is far superior. See it sensation by sensation, causal, direct, where they are, happening on their own: this is the way of insight. ;)

D

Excellent videos! I just watched all three, and they really bring MCTB and the DhO to life. Although they are long, I am glad they are "full-length uncut" because they are so chock full of useful and interesting tidbits, besides of course the really clear exposition of the maps. Pity the third video ends abruptly just as Daniel is getting into his fractal theory. Even if that is "just another content trap" (as per p. 256) it is one that he so obviously enjoys, and that is fun to watch.

The video links posted above have been deleted from Vimeo, but apparently re-posted. The new links are:
Part 1: http://vimeo.com/28182419
Part 2: http://vimeo.com/28182458
Part 3: http://vimeo.com/28182481

Hello! I'm interested in watching these videos but a password is required. Is it possible to receive this? Thank you!

Hi, these reposted links are password protected, do you know if kthe videos are available elsewhere, or where can I find the password?. Thank you!

Hey, I have the password from Willoughby but she tells me that I should probably look at them and update them, though I haven't had the time to do this recently, but hopefully will sometime in May if all goes well.

OK, looking forward for the updated version. Thanks a lot.