Sam's Practice Log 2 - Discussion
60 min Sit (20 min Jhanic Practice, 40 min Noting)
Another case of not sleepy or dull, maybe that only happens in retreat. Started out with good energy, then went into Concentration and begin thinking of coffee instead of the breath
but recognized and came back, Then it was into noting and the good energy continued. Lots of movement in the feet (going to talk to Psych at 1PM if I have developed TD). Anyway, no boredom, no issues, maybe even a little calm.
BODY Foot pain, itching, legs movement, sore & achy arms, tension & tightness lower back, very tight back of the neck
VISUAL FIELD: Pulsating white light -> gone
SOUND landscaping equipment, dog barking -> gone, large AC outside
THOUGHTS Dr. Kycia (Psyc) Thoughts, Future planning thoughts, Desire for coffee, logging thoughts, DhO thoughts
EMOTIONS/FEELING TONES Mostly calm and was pleasent
GENERAL FEELINGS Pretty near perfect but could use some insights once in a while
Another case of not sleepy or dull, maybe that only happens in retreat. Started out with good energy, then went into Concentration and begin thinking of coffee instead of the breath
but recognized and came back, Then it was into noting and the good energy continued. Lots of movement in the feet (going to talk to Psych at 1PM if I have developed TD). Anyway, no boredom, no issues, maybe even a little calm.BODY Foot pain, itching, legs movement, sore & achy arms, tension & tightness lower back, very tight back of the neck
VISUAL FIELD: Pulsating white light -> gone
SOUND landscaping equipment, dog barking -> gone, large AC outside
THOUGHTS Dr. Kycia (Psyc) Thoughts, Future planning thoughts, Desire for coffee, logging thoughts, DhO thoughts
EMOTIONS/FEELING TONES Mostly calm and was pleasent
GENERAL FEELINGS Pretty near perfect but could use some insights once in a while
Yes I like that new format as introduced by Niels. I see some other members are also using the same format. It does make things easier to follow. I would also use it if Im more disciplined, but being me, very raw and immediate, I just spill out into my log all that comes to mind in the moment and wish good luck to those unfortunate who might read it 
Sam Gentile:
60 min AM Sit (20 min Jhana Practice, 40 min Noting)
Went to bed too late again last night and suffered again. Both the concentration practice and the noting were just filled with tired & sleepiness, dullness & boredom.
BODY Everything was pretty flat with dullness but I had foot pain, ankle pain, eyes watering, itching, tension & tightness in the back and in the back of my neck while the arms were sore & achy.
SOUND My louad upstairs neighbor was up to her usual tricks running her very loud washer. I also heard some sea gulls. THOUGHTS I hate shaving thoughts, Future planning thoughts, logging thoughts, DhO thoughts
EMOTIONS, FEELING TONES The main emotion was tiredness along with dullness and boredom which were unpleasent.
GENERAL FEELINGS Not my best sitting.
Went to bed too late again last night and suffered again. Both the concentration practice and the noting were just filled with tired & sleepiness, dullness & boredom.
BODY Everything was pretty flat with dullness but I had foot pain, ankle pain, eyes watering, itching, tension & tightness in the back and in the back of my neck while the arms were sore & achy.
SOUND My louad upstairs neighbor was up to her usual tricks running her very loud washer. I also heard some sea gulls. THOUGHTS I hate shaving thoughts, Future planning thoughts, logging thoughts, DhO thoughts
EMOTIONS, FEELING TONES The main emotion was tiredness along with dullness and boredom which were unpleasent.
GENERAL FEELINGS Not my best sitting.
Indeed
again and again Dukkha shows it self in form of some sense of "me" not liking this and prefering something else instead. However Anicca also shows itself in form of passing away of that "not so best sit" and arising in form of a "my great feeling sit" and then back to "oh, gawd what a crap sit" etc ... That clinging is the source of suffering. Its ok. We are sitting to realise that. Just simple noting and accepting all weather its pleasant, neutral or unpleasant. We learn to know that these couds, dark or bright arise and pass just to arise and pass again and again. So its not about us trying to stop this unfolding. If not that then what are we doing? We are allowing the realisation to mature, that all these clouds of experience with their feeling tones do what they do as we are not in control of them anyway. The "me" having this experience is just an idea, a very glue like sticky knee-jerk idea that claims any given experience, solidifying it into a concept of "my experience".We cant really think our selves into this realisation. What we can do is observe this unfolding and accept it all no matter how nice or bad it feels and keep our daily sits going as this momentum is what does the damage to this "selfing idea". There is an itch, there is unpleasant, there is aversion, there is hearing, knowing its a neighbours loundry machine, there is aversion, there is agony, there is Acceptance, there is vibration in fingers and feet, its pleasant etc ...
You are doing great as long you are doing the practice. After the storm comes the Sun, then storm then Sun again ... Anicca
60 min AM Sit (20 min Jhanic Practice, 40 min Noting)
Father Buddha gave me the day off yesterday
Well, I am getting in a real rut. Yesterday, I couldn't even get myself to practice and today, although I completed the meditation I was filled with tiredness, sleepiness, dullness and boredom. I don't even know how to get myself out of it. My body doesn't even want to meditate anymore and I can't drink coffee anymore because of its effects on my gut. So today, I practically slept through the meditation.
BODY Too dull to note much but I had back pain, foot pain, shin pain, feet moving around, eye pain & watering, itching & scratching
SOUND Car horn and sound of outdoor AC
THOUGHTS Fustration thoughts, Abre thoughts, planning thoughts, logging thoughts, DhO thoughts
GENERAL FEELINGS Good thing I have an appointment with Abre today
Father Buddha gave me the day off yesterday
Well, I am getting in a real rut. Yesterday, I couldn't even get myself to practice and today, although I completed the meditation I was filled with tiredness, sleepiness, dullness and boredom. I don't even know how to get myself out of it. My body doesn't even want to meditate anymore and I can't drink coffee anymore because of its effects on my gut. So today, I practically slept through the meditation.
BODY Too dull to note much but I had back pain, foot pain, shin pain, feet moving around, eye pain & watering, itching & scratching
SOUND Car horn and sound of outdoor AC
THOUGHTS Fustration thoughts, Abre thoughts, planning thoughts, logging thoughts, DhO thoughts
GENERAL FEELINGS Good thing I have an appointment with Abre today
"Father Buddha gave me the day off yesterday"
You did deserve it it's ok to let go sometimes. Once back you see it with fresh eyes so to speak. At times meditation can get rather mechanical which is not good. It needs to have that fresh organic feel to it, that noting attention "touching" gently each sensation and that accepting curiosity of the unfolding of experiential Thisness.
Indeed, it's so good to have a teacher in such situations. I'm very grateful for the teacher I've had.
You did deserve it
it's ok to let go sometimes. Once back you see it with fresh eyes so to speak. At times meditation can get rather mechanical which is not good. It needs to have that fresh organic feel to it, that noting attention "touching" gently each sensation and that accepting curiosity of the unfolding of experiential Thisness. Indeed, it's so good to have a teacher in such situations. I'm very grateful for the teacher I've had.
Good news I like your teacher!
Now all you need is bring Acceptance to the fore and keep it in mind as Re-observation stuff comes in. "Its ugly" yes it is, I accept it, "its unpleasant" yes it is I accept it all, "its myserable" yes it is I accept it, "its disgusting" yes it is, I accept it all no matter how unpleasant it is ... "feels like my whole world is falling apart and is utterly unpleasant" yes it is and I accept it all, one by one as they arise and pass away, and even if bombarded by the same stuborn object/sensation/mind state/feeling again and again I take all those hits and I accept it all ... you will feel so much better after such a sit if accepntance was there throughout
Yogi Sam, I salute you!
I like your teacher!Now all you need is bring Acceptance to the fore and keep it in mind as Re-observation stuff comes in. "Its ugly" yes it is, I accept it, "its unpleasant" yes it is I accept it all, "its myserable" yes it is I accept it, "its disgusting" yes it is, I accept it all no matter how unpleasant it is ... "feels like my whole world is falling apart and is utterly unpleasant" yes it is and I accept it all, one by one as they arise and pass away, and even if bombarded by the same stuborn object/sensation/mind state/feeling again and again I take all those hits and I accept it all ... you will feel so much better after such a sit if accepntance was there throughout
Yogi Sam, I salute you!
30 Minute PM Sit (15 min Jhanic Practice, 15 min Noting)
I have absoluetly no idea what Abre did to me! I had sleepiness all day and I wasn't even going to do a PM sit. She did a few tricks during our meeting, maybe she pit a spell on me but I had no coffee and yet here I was all energized! I felt energetic and wide awake. The concentration was average with pesky thoughts. The nothing was amazing. Fast noting (3x/sec). It's like Nana 10 went hiding in a closet.
BODY Restless feet, foot pain, itching, tender & sore arms, tender & sore shoulders, tension and tightness in the lower back
VISUAL FIELD I saw a yellow ball then gone
SOUND I heard people walking outside and in other apartments of this building.
THOUGHTS Abre thoughts, remebering thoughts, logging thoughts, DhO thoughts
EMOTIONS, FEELING TONES I had the emotions of energetic which was pleasent followed by relaxation and calm.
GENERAL FEELINGS This was the best meditation in a week
I have absoluetly no idea what Abre did to me! I had sleepiness all day and I wasn't even going to do a PM sit. She did a few tricks during our meeting, maybe she pit a spell on me
but I had no coffee and yet here I was all energized! I felt energetic and wide awake. The concentration was average with pesky thoughts. The nothing was amazing. Fast noting (3x/sec). It's like Nana 10 went hiding in a closet. BODY Restless feet, foot pain, itching, tender & sore arms, tender & sore shoulders, tension and tightness in the lower back
VISUAL FIELD I saw a yellow ball then gone
SOUND I heard people walking outside and in other apartments of this building.
THOUGHTS Abre thoughts, remebering thoughts, logging thoughts, DhO thoughts
EMOTIONS, FEELING TONES I had the emotions of energetic which was pleasent followed by relaxation and calm.
GENERAL FEELINGS This was the best meditation in a week
I have absoluetly no idea what Abre did to me! I had sleepiness all day and I wasn't even going to do a PM sit. She did a few tricks during our meeting, maybe she pit a spell on me
Probably, talking to her:
It was a reminder for you that a) you are not alone b) there is hope.
Well done Sam! DN Nanas can be mild to full on horrible in feeling tone. Just remind yourself that acceptance of it all, in no matter what shape or form it seems to present itself, is the way through it. This is especially important in the re-observation as most of the DN Nanas can arise in the same wave. As with all waves, they do the same thing they pass away. Hold onto Acceptance and matter of fact noting/noticing for the duration of the sit I know, as many here do, that these mind states and feelings suck big time, but it feels so good if you let it all wash over you without resistance and yes, noting does chops up these unpleasant arisings so it's in a way easier staring straight into their eyes , so to speak
You ARE doing great!
they pass away. Hold onto Acceptance and matter of fact noting/noticing for the duration of the sit I know, as many here do, that these mind states and feelings suck big time, but it feels so good if you let it all wash over you without resistance and yes, noting does chops up these unpleasant arisings so it's in a way easier staring straight into their eyes , so to speak You ARE doing great!
FULL DISCLOSURE I did not meditate the last 2 days at all because I fell into this pattern of not wanting to do it with all the sleepiness
60 min AM Sit (20 min Jhanic Practice, 40 minute Noting)
What a suprisee! No tiredness or dullness or boredom, actually energetic! I started out with fullness/heavingness and pressure but did not get sleepy from them. Then I went into concentration. The concentration practice was pretty good. Then it was back into noting. The energy levels stayed up. The noting wasn't ultra fast like when I have had coffee but I averaged abou 1x/sec. I had my usual places of body sensations - I'm getting old
BODY As mentioned, started out with heavingness, fullness, pressure. As noting progressed, I had tightness and tension in myy lower back and upper back, stiff and tight neck, itching/scratching, tingling, foot pain, knee pain and a fair amount of leg movement VISUAL FIELD I saw crimson red surrounding the circular area and then cover the whole visual area. I also the whole VF covered in white light SOUND There were the usual sounds of the large AC units outside THOUGHTS I had less thoughts during noting but they were still there. Staci thoughts, future planning thoughts, no logging or DhO thoughts however EMOTIONS, FEELING TONES This was a pretty even keeled sitting. I can't remember any real emotions
GENERAL FEELINGS A really great sit that was really needed
60 min AM Sit (20 min Jhanic Practice, 40 minute Noting)
What a suprisee! No tiredness or dullness or boredom, actually energetic! I started out with fullness/heavingness and pressure but did not get sleepy from them. Then I went into concentration. The concentration practice was pretty good. Then it was back into noting. The energy levels stayed up. The noting wasn't ultra fast like when I have had coffee but I averaged abou 1x/sec. I had my usual places of body sensations - I'm getting old
BODY As mentioned, started out with heavingness, fullness, pressure. As noting progressed, I had tightness and tension in myy lower back and upper back, stiff and tight neck, itching/scratching, tingling, foot pain, knee pain and a fair amount of leg movement VISUAL FIELD I saw crimson red surrounding the circular area and then cover the whole visual area. I also the whole VF covered in white light SOUND There were the usual sounds of the large AC units outside THOUGHTS I had less thoughts during noting but they were still there. Staci thoughts, future planning thoughts, no logging or DhO thoughts however EMOTIONS, FEELING TONES This was a pretty even keeled sitting. I can't remember any real emotions
GENERAL FEELINGS A really great sit that was really needed
30 min PM Sit (All Noting)
Lots of energy for this one (well it was coffee fueled). Noting was fast (3x/sec). BODY Sensations in both ears, buzzing feeling in head, bicep soreness & tenderness, unshaven beard itchiness, muscle jerk (just one), urinary tension, shin tenderness, feelings of foot sinking down into carpet, trembling, foot pain. itching & scratching, tension & tightness at the waist, neck tension & tightness SOUND For the billionith time, my upstairs neighbor running her loud washer, sound of large AC units outside VISUAL FIELD Saw concentric circles of white THOUGHTS Staci thoughts Logging thoughts, DhO thoughts EMOTIONS, FEELING TONES Anger and aversion at my neighbor running her loud washer again! She runs like 6 loads every day and sometimes in the middle of the night
General Feelings Another good one
Questions
Lots of energy for this one (well it was coffee fueled
). Noting was fast (3x/sec). BODY Sensations in both ears, buzzing feeling in head, bicep soreness & tenderness, unshaven beard itchiness, muscle jerk (just one), urinary tension, shin tenderness, feelings of foot sinking down into carpet, trembling, foot pain. itching & scratching, tension & tightness at the waist, neck tension & tightness SOUND For the billionith time, my upstairs neighbor running her loud washer, sound of large AC units outside VISUAL FIELD Saw concentric circles of white THOUGHTS Staci thoughts Logging thoughts, DhO thoughts EMOTIONS, FEELING TONES Anger and aversion at my neighbor running her loud washer again! She runs like 6 loads every day and sometimes in the middle of the nightGeneral Feelings Another good one
Questions
- How do most effectively deal with the anger that is coming up with my neighbor's ecessive washing?
- My noting is humming along but I'm not generating any insights? Do I need to wait until things calm down out of Dukka Nana stage of Reobservation and I got back into Equanamity or is there something more I oculd be doing
Hey Sam,
Brute force advice, loss of interest for meditation could mean equanimity is settling in. It seems to happen qite a bit that people who lose the "dukkha" insentive to meditate kind of stop, and then cycle back down, and go through a kind of DN->EQ loop with difficulty moving past that until they're sick of it and decide to go through with it no matter what
Well, it also happens that one loses interest sometimes. I also have trouble meditating these days.
Good luck with you motivation, you can make formal resolutions from time to time. The summer is here, but the winter will return, right ?
Cheers
Brute force advice, loss of interest for meditation could mean equanimity is settling in. It seems to happen qite a bit that people who lose the "dukkha" insentive to meditate kind of stop, and then cycle back down, and go through a kind of DN->EQ loop with difficulty moving past that until they're sick of it and decide to go through with it no matter what
Well, it also happens that one loses interest sometimes
. I also have trouble meditating these days.Good luck with you motivation, you can make formal resolutions from time to time. The summer is here, but the winter will return, right ?
Cheers
Actually, Abre just skyped me and said its not equanimity because if it was I woulldn't want to meditate because everything is so good rather than my case where things aren't. She's says I'm being a Drama Queen . She says I've made this commitment, now do it. Continue and push through it. There will be lots of days where motivation will not be there. Don't wait for th emuse. What else am I going to do all day? Develop the habit. What is the big drama? Practice is not when you feel like it but always. Don't take it so seriously - no drama.
That's why I really like her. She's tough when she has to be.
. She says I've made this commitment, now do it. Continue and push through it. There will be lots of days where motivation will not be there. Don't wait for th emuse. What else am I going to do all day? Develop the habit. What is the big drama? Practice is not when you feel like it but always. Don't take it so seriously - no drama.That's why I really like her. She's tough when she has to be.
Sam Gentile:
22 min AM Abre Relax Meditation
How was the feeling tone of this sit ?
Is mind interested and engaged in smiling to the body parts? I guess you can give us a few details
gimme som readn' boyo ;)
Papa Che Dusko:
Sam Gentile:
22 min AM Abre Relax Meditation
How was the feeling tone of this sit ?
Is mind interested and engaged in smiling to the body parts? I guess you can give us a few details
gimme som readn' boyo ;) I was afraid about trying to write about this type of meditation. I'm not sure mind understands this concept of the buddha inner smile to the head. I just trying my best to do a buddha smile in the direction of the body part. The feeling tone is pleasent.
22 min PM Abre Guided Relax Meditation
Sounds perfectly natural to me Sam! When I get the lower belly going either through deep breathing, or just going for walks or even runs I will generally fart a lot! Farting is healthy in my opinion! Also gives new oportunities to be NOTED the sense of smelling is being involved note it, note it
In case you feel like going back to noting (Im not saying you should , but only in case you start feeling the need), try and focus only on the body sensations and relaxing the body (while noting you can scan the body for tension and rellax it). You can stay away from the mind states and feeling tones if they are too disturbing. You simply lock onto coolness in the nostrils and belly rising and falling, expanding belly touching the shirt (this I find usually is very pleasant). Body really is always good to return back to when stuff gets too heavy emotinaly.
Im saying this as you might feel bad about this sudden transition from full on practice going on and suddenly you are off the hourse so to speak. Its almost like a "cultural shock" some people have when moving countries (Ive moved alot) or when people get fired from a job they liked. Transition can be felt as loss.
I think breathing relaxation (calm abiding) is a very good practice and can lead the one practicing all the way. Im know personally it can lead all the way to EQ (4th Jhana) and if you dont freak out (like I did) when you totally loose the breathing (as if you are not breathing at all) then you might even continue further. Back then I didnt know about this happening in 4th Jhana (breathing stops, but its harmless, no reason to panic, as I did )
So, once again, I think its a great practice, this breath relaxation and there is no need for you to feel as if you are downgrading your practice. Tibetans dont offer Shamatha (calm-abiding relaxation) without a good reason
In case you feel too overwhelmed with this illness then maybe talking to a therapist can help. Talking about our stuff always helps.
I really wish you all the best Sam!
the sense of smelling is being involved note it, note it In case you feel like going back to noting (Im not saying you should , but only in case you start feeling the need), try and focus only on the body sensations and relaxing the body (while noting you can scan the body for tension and rellax it). You can stay away from the mind states and feeling tones if they are too disturbing. You simply lock onto coolness in the nostrils and belly rising and falling, expanding belly touching the shirt (this I find usually is very pleasant). Body really is always good to return back to when stuff gets too heavy emotinaly.
Im saying this as you might feel bad about this sudden transition from full on practice going on and suddenly you are off the hourse so to speak. Its almost like a "cultural shock" some people have when moving countries (Ive moved alot) or when people get fired from a job they liked. Transition can be felt as loss.
I think breathing relaxation (calm abiding) is a very good practice and can lead the one practicing all the way. Im know personally it can lead all the way to EQ (4th Jhana) and if you dont freak out (like I did) when you totally loose the breathing (as if you are not breathing at all) then you might even continue further. Back then I didnt know about this happening in 4th Jhana (breathing stops, but its harmless, no reason to panic, as I did
)So, once again, I think its a great practice, this breath relaxation and there is no need for you to feel as if you are downgrading your practice. Tibetans dont offer Shamatha (calm-abiding relaxation) without a good reason
In case you feel too overwhelmed with this illness then maybe talking to a therapist can help. Talking about our stuff always helps.
I really wish you all the best Sam!
So good to see you back Sam show must go on You did it!
I agree, sitting around and just feeling how everything is terrible is certainly not helping at all We need to learn to disembed from such thinking patterns and meditation sure can do that as well as bring some tranquility into our life.
How was that Smiling Buddha meditation for you? Any good? Can you think of doing it again or is it too artificial feeling? Im asking as it would be good to have one short sit that is based on one pointed calming meditation and then do the noting later maybe or before, as it suits you.
You could aslo try and create an object for one pointed part of your noting meditation. I do open eyes focus on a kasina object (can be anything and matters little if its just a dirt spot on the wall or floor infront of you). If this is not good for your eyes then maybe holding something between your fingers, an object of your choosing. This would be your one pointed object that you return to very often during noting. Ingram I think used raise and fall of the abdomen as the primary one pointed object in his sittings and noting all other stuff but returning to it again and again. It doesnt work that well for me hence I use eye focus on an object and of course my own voice (in noting aloud) as well as the in ear frequency when it pops up (the nada sound).
Having this one pointed object in your noting practice can introduce tranquility, calm and of course concentration (absorption joy, rapture, bliss and open spacious awareness). Try and think what would be the best one pointed object for you. Chris Marti prefers the preassure of his buttocks against the cushion apparently
Great to see you again!
show must go on You did it! I agree, sitting around and just feeling how everything is terrible is certainly not helping at all
We need to learn to disembed from such thinking patterns and meditation sure can do that as well as bring some tranquility into our life. How was that Smiling Buddha meditation for you? Any good? Can you think of doing it again or is it too artificial feeling? Im asking as it would be good to have one short sit that is based on one pointed calming meditation and then do the noting later maybe or before, as it suits you.
You could aslo try and create an object for one pointed part of your noting meditation. I do open eyes focus on a kasina object (can be anything and matters little if its just a dirt spot on the wall or floor infront of you). If this is not good for your eyes then maybe holding something between your fingers, an object of your choosing. This would be your one pointed object that you return to very often during noting. Ingram I think used raise and fall of the abdomen as the primary one pointed object in his sittings and noting all other stuff but returning to it again and again. It doesnt work that well for me hence I use eye focus on an object and of course my own voice (in noting aloud) as well as the in ear frequency when it pops up (the nada sound).
Having this one pointed object in your noting practice can introduce tranquility, calm and of course concentration (absorption joy, rapture, bliss and open spacious awareness). Try and think what would be the best one pointed object for you. Chris Marti prefers the preassure of his buttocks against the cushion apparently
Great to see you again!
Papa Che Dusko:
So good to see you back Sam show must go on You did it!
I agree, sitting around and just feeling how everything is terrible is certainly not helping at all We need to learn to disembed from such thinking patterns and meditation sure can do that as well as bring some tranquility into our life.
How was that Smiling Buddha meditation for you? Any good? Can you think of doing it again or is it too artificial feeling? Im asking as it would be good to have one short sit that is based on one pointed calming meditation and then do the noting later maybe or before, as it suits you.
You could aslo try and create an object for one pointed part of your noting meditation. I do open eyes focus on a kasina object (can be anything and matters little if its just a dirt spot on the wall or floor infront of you). If this is not good for your eyes then maybe holding something between your fingers, an object of your choosing. This would be your one pointed object that you return to very often during noting. Ingram I think used raise and fall of the abdomen as the primary one pointed object in his sittings and noting all other stuff but returning to it again and again. It doesnt work that well for me hence I use eye focus on an object and of course my own voice (in noting aloud) as well as the in ear frequency when it pops up (the nada sound).
Having this one pointed object in your noting practice can introduce tranquility, calm and of course concentration (absorption joy, rapture, bliss and open spacious awareness). Try and think what would be the best one pointed object for you. Chris Marti prefers the preassure of his buttocks against the cushion apparently
Great to see you again!
show must go on You did it! I agree, sitting around and just feeling how everything is terrible is certainly not helping at all
We need to learn to disembed from such thinking patterns and meditation sure can do that as well as bring some tranquility into our life. How was that Smiling Buddha meditation for you? Any good? Can you think of doing it again or is it too artificial feeling? Im asking as it would be good to have one short sit that is based on one pointed calming meditation and then do the noting later maybe or before, as it suits you.
You could aslo try and create an object for one pointed part of your noting meditation. I do open eyes focus on a kasina object (can be anything and matters little if its just a dirt spot on the wall or floor infront of you). If this is not good for your eyes then maybe holding something between your fingers, an object of your choosing. This would be your one pointed object that you return to very often during noting. Ingram I think used raise and fall of the abdomen as the primary one pointed object in his sittings and noting all other stuff but returning to it again and again. It doesnt work that well for me hence I use eye focus on an object and of course my own voice (in noting aloud) as well as the in ear frequency when it pops up (the nada sound).
Having this one pointed object in your noting practice can introduce tranquility, calm and of course concentration (absorption joy, rapture, bliss and open spacious awareness). Try and think what would be the best one pointed object for you. Chris Marti prefers the preassure of his buttocks against the cushion apparently
Great to see you again!
Thanks for the welcome back and suggestions. I think I am just tryiing to keep it simple right now, seeing if I can even do do it on a regular basis. The Smiling Buddha Relaxation meditation is the one Abre left me to deal with the Parkinsons but it has a lot of deep breathing, which causes gas which causes bathroom trips!
Sam Gentile:
Axtually I'm about to have a 30 minute pro-bono therapy session by my own therappist right now.
Papa Che Dusko:
Sam Gentile:
Axtually I'm about to have a 30 minute pro-bono therapy session by my own therappist right now.
After our session, it tuns out meditation is not high on our list of priorities right now.
Sam Gentile:
Papa Che Dusko:
Sam Gentile:
Axtually I'm about to have a 30 minute pro-bono therapy session by my own therappist right now.
After our session, it tuns out meditation is not high on our list of priorities right now.
Same here Sam
at the moment Im full on working on spreding 14 cubic meters of gravel infront of our house and helping one neighbour with his concrete tiles infront of his house and from next week Im starting a new job (packaging xmass presents) and after work looking after my little son. Meditation, as in sitting practice, is not getting the high priority right now. When the time is right the practice will rekindle again So glad you found a therapist mate! Your health both mental and physical is important. Good on you Sam!
"SOUND Hot water heater, dog barking"
Just wondering; do you get any mind impressions when you hear these sounds? I know there is Comprehanding after the fact of hearing but anything else? Im just being curious
Just wondering; do you get any mind impressions when you hear these sounds? I know there is Comprehanding after the fact of hearing but anything else? Im just being curious
Papa Che Dusko:
"SOUND Hot water heater, dog barking"
Just wondering; do you get any mind impressions when you hear these sounds? I know there is Comprehanding after the fact of hearing but anything else? Im just being curious
Just wondering; do you get any mind impressions when you hear these sounds? I know there is Comprehanding after the fact of hearing but anything else? Im just being curious
30 min AM Noting Sit
After a talk with my girlfriend Staci and a nice Bulletproof coffee, I got inspired to meditate. I think its impossible to meditate without coffee So I entered this meditation full of energy, alert, even restless but there was not a lot of boredom.
BODY Eyes flickering, restless, tremors/trembling, foot pain, abdominal pressure, neck tight and stiff, eyes watering and pain, urinary tension, gut pressure and excitement, headache in forhead, teeth grinding, restless legs VISUAL FIELD A bright white circle was noticed SOUND sirens, fridge, AC, aiirplane EMOTIONS Restless, alert, excitement, some boredom THOUGHTS Staci thoughts, Alex thoughts, noting thoughts, DhO thoughts
OVERALL Good sit
After a talk with my girlfriend Staci and a nice Bulletproof coffee, I got inspired to meditate. I think its impossible to meditate without coffee
So I entered this meditation full of energy, alert, even restless but there was not a lot of boredom. BODY Eyes flickering, restless, tremors/trembling, foot pain, abdominal pressure, neck tight and stiff, eyes watering and pain, urinary tension, gut pressure and excitement, headache in forhead, teeth grinding, restless legs VISUAL FIELD A bright white circle was noticed SOUND sirens, fridge, AC, aiirplane EMOTIONS Restless, alert, excitement, some boredom THOUGHTS Staci thoughts, Alex thoughts, noting thoughts, DhO thoughts
OVERALL Good sit
30 minute AM Noting Sit
We're in the middle of of a blizzard up to 20 inches right now
I decided to try things without coffee and boy did that affect my noting. I felt sleepy, tired, lack of energy and I struggled to note. At a lot of times I was using Abre's "Noticing" to fill the gap rather than directly percieving a sensation.
BODY Cold, itching, nose itching, sensations in right foot, transient headaches, roughness on face from shaving, sensations in right foot, tremors/trembling, neck tight and stiff, right knee pain, forehead sensations, mid back pain, facial pain, sensations in right forarm, tremors/trembling, left shin pain, nose dripping, shoulders heavy, aabdominal tightness, left knee pain, sensations in fingers SOUND just sound of heater THOUGHTS lots unfournately Abre thoughts (we are meeting today), future planning thoughts, logging thoughts, DhO thoughts EMOTIONS tiredness, sleepiness, lethargic
We're in the middle of of a blizzard up to 20 inches right now
I decided to try things without coffee and boy did that affect my noting. I felt sleepy, tired, lack of energy and I struggled to note. At a lot of times I was using Abre's "Noticing" to fill the gap rather than directly percieving a sensation.
BODY Cold, itching, nose itching, sensations in right foot, transient headaches, roughness on face from shaving, sensations in right foot, tremors/trembling, neck tight and stiff, right knee pain, forehead sensations, mid back pain, facial pain, sensations in right forarm, tremors/trembling, left shin pain, nose dripping, shoulders heavy, aabdominal tightness, left knee pain, sensations in fingers SOUND just sound of heater THOUGHTS lots unfournately Abre thoughts (we are meeting today), future planning thoughts, logging thoughts, DhO thoughts EMOTIONS tiredness, sleepiness, lethargic
"Even worse, I had been stopping the noting flow to write down each sensation!"
I agree this is certainly of no benefit. If you can best is to laugh about it and turn a new page as you already are doing. We always learn new things about our meditator-self. It's a process. Don't fault yourself and just follow the good old saying "what do we do when we fall off the horse? We climb back on" The ride goes on and we know better now. I'm sure we will all fall off the horse many times on this journey
Best wishes to you Sam!
I agree
this is certainly of no benefit. If you can best is to laugh about it and turn a new page as you already are doing. We always learn new things about our meditator-self. It's a process. Don't fault yourself and just follow the good old saying "what do we do when we fall off the horse? We climb back on" The ride goes on and we know better now. I'm sure we will all fall off the horse many times on this journey Best wishes to you Sam!
Hi Sam,
Just a couple of remarks, which I hope will not sow confusion and be helpful instead.
Basically, the list of factors Abre mentionned are the Seven Factors of Awakening, and the Hindrances.
You can read relevant passages in MCTB, they are very clear and useful IMO.
The idea is not just to see if these different factors are strong or not, but to actually tweek your meditation and strengthen these factors so that they will be more present and more balanced. So, during a session, you can check in from time to time, see what's up, and change things accordingly. Also, this is straight vipassana, in case you might be wondering, as some consider that considering lists like that while meditating, which were outline by the buddha, to be the fourth foundation of mindfulness, Dhammanupassana, contemplation of dharma. So, it's not distraction.
Furthermore, there is an order to these. It's M I E R C T E (that's how I remember them), 1 Mindfulness/presence comes first, 2 Investigation/enthusiastic curiosity can then be established, then more 3 Energy can be poured invested in the enthousiastic curiosity, then 4 Rapture is born from that joyful effort of being present. This should be balanced with 5 Concentration (also can be seens as relaxation/centring/stability of attention), 6 Tranquility, and 7 Equanimity (or evenness and detachment).
You can see the connection with your version of the list.
These factors are TO BE ESTABLISHED. They won't necessarily show up by themselves.
It's important to make it yours and truly grok what these different things mean for you in your practice, experientially, and what you can do to actually mold your practice to have a bit more tranquility here, more investigation there, etc.
You can. Influence. those things.
It was a real breakthrough in my practice when I understood this. Thank you, Dan Ingram.
It's also really cool, to realize that you can actually shift your energy level at will, basically, if you learn the skill. That's what meditation practice is about too : building a malleable mind and body.
Same goes with joy : learn to generate the joy, don't expect it to just show up. Find a way to make the meditation engaging.
Rinse and repeat with all the other factors. They are important aspects of your mind and understanding this will be beneficial to your practice, and beyond, because you can apply this to daily life too. If you find that your mind is dull, or that you lack presence while doing the dishes, you might just realize that you can just change that in a few seconds... Believe me, it's possible ... !
Maybe, if you were in for another list, you could check out the 5 spiritualfactors faculties, also called controlling faculties. They're pretty important too, and resonated with me even more strongly at first. I somehow feel like they relate with shamatha/brahmaviharas/heart practices more, but you can make your own opinion.
Best wishes, Sam.
Just a couple of remarks, which I hope will not sow confusion and be helpful instead.
Basically, the list of factors Abre mentionned are the Seven Factors of Awakening, and the Hindrances.
You can read relevant passages in MCTB, they are very clear and useful IMO.
The idea is not just to see if these different factors are strong or not, but to actually tweek your meditation and strengthen these factors so that they will be more present and more balanced. So, during a session, you can check in from time to time, see what's up, and change things accordingly. Also, this is straight vipassana, in case you might be wondering, as some consider that considering lists like that while meditating, which were outline by the buddha, to be the fourth foundation of mindfulness, Dhammanupassana, contemplation of dharma. So, it's not distraction.
Furthermore, there is an order to these. It's M I E R C T E (that's how I remember them), 1 Mindfulness/presence comes first, 2 Investigation/enthusiastic curiosity can then be established, then more 3 Energy can be poured invested in the enthousiastic curiosity, then 4 Rapture is born from that joyful effort of being present. This should be balanced with 5 Concentration (also can be seens as relaxation/centring/stability of attention), 6 Tranquility, and 7 Equanimity (or evenness and detachment).
You can see the connection with your version of the list.
These factors are TO BE ESTABLISHED. They won't necessarily show up by themselves.
It's important to make it yours and truly grok what these different things mean for you in your practice, experientially, and what you can do to actually mold your practice to have a bit more tranquility here, more investigation there, etc.
You can. Influence. those things.
It was a real breakthrough in my practice when I understood this. Thank you, Dan Ingram.
It's also really cool, to realize that you can actually shift your energy level at will, basically, if you learn the skill. That's what meditation practice is about too : building a malleable mind and body.
Same goes with joy : learn to generate the joy, don't expect it to just show up. Find a way to make the meditation engaging.
Rinse and repeat with all the other factors. They are important aspects of your mind and understanding this will be beneficial to your practice, and beyond, because you can apply this to daily life too. If you find that your mind is dull, or that you lack presence while doing the dishes, you might just realize that you can just change that in a few seconds... Believe me, it's possible ... !
Maybe, if you were in for another list, you could check out the 5 spiritual
Best wishes, Sam.
Olivier:
Hi Sam,
Just a couple of remarks, which I hope will not sow confusion and be helpful instead.
I am grateful for your clarifying and helpful remarks.
Basically, the list of factors Abre mentionned are the Seven Factors of Awakening, and the Hindrances.
OK
You can read relevant passages in MCTB, they are very clear and useful IMO.
Will do
The idea is not just to see if these different factors are strong or not, but to actually tweek your meditation and strengthen these factors so that they will be more present and more balanced. So, during a session, you can check in from time to time, see what's up, and change things accordingly.
Abre seems to use these meditation "worksheets" to record how wach session went so I'm a little confused. I get how they can be tweeked.
Also, this is straight vipassana, in case you might be wondering, as some consider that considering lists like that while meditating, which were outline by the buddha, to be the fourth foundation of mindfulness, Dhammanupassana, contemplation of dharma. So, it's not distraction.
What about noting practice?
Furthermore, there is an order to these. It's M I E R C T E (that's how I remember them), 1 Mindfulness/presence comes first, 2 Investigation/enthusiastic curiosity can then be established, then more 3 Energy can be poured invested in the enthousiastic curiosity, then 4 Rapture is born from that joyful effort of being present. This should be balanced with 5 Concentration (also can be seens as relaxation/centring/stability of attention), 6 Tranquility, and 7 Equanimity (or evenness and detachment).
You can see the connection with your version of the list.
These factors are TO BE ESTABLISHED. They won't necessarily show up by themselves.
It's important to make it yours and truly grok what these different things mean for you in your practice, experientially, and what you can do to actually mold your practice to have a bit more tranquility here, more investigation there, etc.
You can. Influence. those things.
It was a real breakthrough in my practice when I understood this. Thank you, Dan Ingram.
It's also really cool, to realize that you can actually shift your energy level at will, basically, if you learn the skill. That's what meditation practice is about too : building a malleable mind and body.
Same goes with joy : learn to generate the joy, don't expect it to just show up. Find a way to make the meditation engaging.
Rinse and repeat with all the other factors. They are important aspects of your mind and understanding this will be beneficial to your practice, and beyond, because you can apply this to daily life too. If you find that your mind is dull, or that you lack presence while doing the dishes, you might just realize that you can just change that in a few seconds... Believe me, it's possible ... !
Maybe, if you were in for another list, you could check out the 5 spiritual factors. They're pretty important too, and resonated with me even more strongly at first. I somehow feel like they relate with shamatha/brahmaviharas/heart practices more, but you can make your own opinion.
Best wishes, Sam.
Just a couple of remarks, which I hope will not sow confusion and be helpful instead.
I am grateful for your clarifying and helpful remarks.
Basically, the list of factors Abre mentionned are the Seven Factors of Awakening, and the Hindrances.
OK
You can read relevant passages in MCTB, they are very clear and useful IMO.
Will do
The idea is not just to see if these different factors are strong or not, but to actually tweek your meditation and strengthen these factors so that they will be more present and more balanced. So, during a session, you can check in from time to time, see what's up, and change things accordingly.
Abre seems to use these meditation "worksheets" to record how wach session went so I'm a little confused. I get how they can be tweeked.
Also, this is straight vipassana, in case you might be wondering, as some consider that considering lists like that while meditating, which were outline by the buddha, to be the fourth foundation of mindfulness, Dhammanupassana, contemplation of dharma. So, it's not distraction.
What about noting practice?
Furthermore, there is an order to these. It's M I E R C T E (that's how I remember them), 1 Mindfulness/presence comes first, 2 Investigation/enthusiastic curiosity can then be established, then more 3 Energy can be poured invested in the enthousiastic curiosity, then 4 Rapture is born from that joyful effort of being present. This should be balanced with 5 Concentration (also can be seens as relaxation/centring/stability of attention), 6 Tranquility, and 7 Equanimity (or evenness and detachment).
You can see the connection with your version of the list.
These factors are TO BE ESTABLISHED. They won't necessarily show up by themselves.
It's important to make it yours and truly grok what these different things mean for you in your practice, experientially, and what you can do to actually mold your practice to have a bit more tranquility here, more investigation there, etc.
You can. Influence. those things.
It was a real breakthrough in my practice when I understood this. Thank you, Dan Ingram.
It's also really cool, to realize that you can actually shift your energy level at will, basically, if you learn the skill. That's what meditation practice is about too : building a malleable mind and body.
Same goes with joy : learn to generate the joy, don't expect it to just show up. Find a way to make the meditation engaging.
Rinse and repeat with all the other factors. They are important aspects of your mind and understanding this will be beneficial to your practice, and beyond, because you can apply this to daily life too. If you find that your mind is dull, or that you lack presence while doing the dishes, you might just realize that you can just change that in a few seconds... Believe me, it's possible ... !
Maybe, if you were in for another list, you could check out the 5 spiritual factors. They're pretty important too, and resonated with me even more strongly at first. I somehow feel like they relate with shamatha/brahmaviharas/heart practices more, but you can make your own opinion.
Best wishes, Sam.
Maybe check in with her if she agrees with what i wrote... Confusion with what you're supposed to be doing is a bad obstacle so that should be clarified a'd i would hate for that to be because of my advice. 
I think, personally, that it's important to keep a record of how meditation is going, but imo, even more important is to get wyat the 7 factors and 5 faculties point to in your practice and how they can help fine tune practice, rather than be used as sorts of metacognitive themes to evaluate progress after a session. I used to do both actually.
I think, personally, that it's important to keep a record of how meditation is going, but imo, even more important is to get wyat the 7 factors and 5 faculties point to in your practice and how they can help fine tune practice, rather than be used as sorts of metacognitive themes to evaluate progress after a session. I used to do both actually.
Olivier:
Maybe check in with her if she agrees with what i wrote... Confusion with what you're supposed to be doing is a bad obstacle so that should be clarified a'd i would hate for that to be because of my advice.
I think, personally, that it's important to keep a record of how meditation is going, but imo, even more important is to get wyat the 7 factors and 5 faculties point to in your practice and how they can help fine tune practice, rather than be used as sorts of metacognitive themes to evaluate progress after a session. I used to do both actually.
I think, personally, that it's important to keep a record of how meditation is going, but imo, even more important is to get wyat the 7 factors and 5 faculties point to in your practice and how they can help fine tune practice, rather than be used as sorts of metacognitive themes to evaluate progress after a session. I used to do both actually.
I'm glad you raised these issues = I'll have to ask Abre after the holidays. But I'm left lost. Even if I use Abre's method as a chart, it doesn't feel right for me. I struggle with the meaning and overlap oif Conentratiio n, Energy, and Alertness. At the same what II was doing before, listing all the sensations had no meaning for me. I am going to need a new way of logging that works for me.
Olivier:
Maybe check in with her if she agrees with what i wrote... Confusion with what you're supposed to be doing is a bad obstacle so that should be clarified a'd i would hate for that to be because of my advice.
I think, personally, that it's important to keep a record of how meditation is going, but imo, even more important is to get wyat the 7 factors and 5 faculties point to in your practice and how they can help fine tune practice, rather than be used as sorts of metacognitive themes to evaluate progress after a session. I used to do both actually.
I think, personally, that it's important to keep a record of how meditation is going, but imo, even more important is to get wyat the 7 factors and 5 faculties point to in your practice and how they can help fine tune practice, rather than be used as sorts of metacognitive themes to evaluate progress after a session. I used to do both actually.
Just a quick note Olivier to note that I think its quite profound what you've written and I have a whole session with Abre to go over it tomorrow.
Olivier:
Maybe check in with her if she agrees with what i wrote... Confusion with what you're supposed to be doing is a bad obstacle so that should be clarified a'd i would hate for that to be because of my advice.
I think, personally, that it's important to keep a record of how meditation is going, but imo, even more important is to get wyat the 7 factors and 5 faculties point to in your practice and how they can help fine tune practice, rather than be used as sorts of metacognitive themes to evaluate progress after a session. I used to do both actually.
I think, personally, that it's important to keep a record of how meditation is going, but imo, even more important is to get wyat the 7 factors and 5 faculties point to in your practice and how they can help fine tune practice, rather than be used as sorts of metacognitive themes to evaluate progress after a session. I used to do both actually.
I asked why my practice wasn't going so well lately and she said I wasn't applyiing strong motivation - 30 minutes is not enough for awakening, its for stress relief. She said i should go up to 40 minutes twice a day and really get that PM meditation in.