Melissa practise log - Discussion
Thanks Pepe for your encouragement. Yes I always go back to noting body sensation when emotions and thoughts are few and far in between(I think I just couldn't pick it up not that it's few).
"when I note body sensations, do I let them come to my awareness before I note them or do I go towards them? Does that matter? I don't know if I will be "creating experience" if I go towards the sensations eg touch where the bum hits the sofa, touch between two palms, touch between my back and sofa, sometimes my attention automatically move between these places and it sort of become rhythmic. Is that ok to do? "
I will try and answer in case that advanced practitioner never shows up
Yes. It's ok to "look for sensations" and this very activity is to be noted too as either ; Curiousity, wonder, looking, scanning, urge/panic to find something quickly, inability to find sensations, doubt if I'm doing this right , etc ... recognize the mind state an feeling tone of that very intention to look for something. You do that, you are doing it right.
Btw, try and be sensitive to that very gesture of Looking (for something, or even Listening). Note it but also don't rush into sensations but rather "feel and observe" that very Looking. What's its size, is it narrow or wide, contracted or expansive, wonderous and open, or tensed and closed etc ...
I hope this is of help.
I will try and answer in case that advanced practitioner never shows up
Yes. It's ok to "look for sensations" and this very activity is to be noted too as either ; Curiousity, wonder, looking, scanning, urge/panic to find something quickly, inability to find sensations, doubt if I'm doing this right , etc ... recognize the mind state an feeling tone of that very intention to look for something. You do that, you are doing it right.
Btw, try and be sensitive to that very gesture of Looking (for something, or even Listening). Note it but also don't rush into sensations but rather "feel and observe" that very Looking. What's its size, is it narrow or wide, contracted or expansive, wonderous and open, or tensed and closed etc ...
I hope this is of help.
"I am easing back on today's practise. Will go to the gym, clean up my place, and see my parents."
I think this sounds really good
I'm not good at telling where people are on the map but one thing I can tell you; Ingram keeps repeating one word through the ENTIRE book of his - Acceptance, of all matter of fact phenomena arising in This moment.
It is a very wholesome intention which will help you all the way. Acceptance and intimate curiosity of your momentary experience is what does the work. Thinking about the Map will just cause frustration.
Map is helpful in a sense of telling us "if shit hits the fan, do not freak out, it's progress, it's part of the cycle".
Map is a general pointer but does not cover the very unik aspects of our mind terrain which is the very thing we are awakening to. Here, acceptance and intimate curiosity of the matter of fact experience goes a long way.
I think it's great you are going to the gym and doing stuff in your daily life. I have to kick my ars into doing the same as right now I'm in a stage that's rather heavy on the body and I feel utterly unbalanced and stiff.
BTW, only you can say if 5 hours a day is too much. Folks do sit even longer, and some of even shorter I was never big into sitting many hours a day except when I was in A&P, stage known for this. It's enjoyable to sit often and long. Once in DN things get a bit heavier and sitting might not be as enjoyable. Reducing to 1-2 times 45-60 minutes a day is ok. Keep noting 1-5 sensations per second depending on clarity and energy and don't beat yourself up for not being as good at it as before. All stuff is impermanent and so is clarity and energy etc. Acceptance and curious perseverance. Important is not to give up. Better less sitting hours per day than stopping entirely. It's always darkest before the dawn.
Did I say it's good you are going to the gym and staying in contact with your every day off cushion life
I hope my writing is not confusing you but helping instead.
I think this sounds really good
I'm not good at telling where people are on the map but one thing I can tell you; Ingram keeps repeating one word through the ENTIRE book of his - Acceptance, of all matter of fact phenomena arising in This moment.
It is a very wholesome intention which will help you all the way. Acceptance and intimate curiosity of your momentary experience is what does the work. Thinking about the Map will just cause frustration.
Map is helpful in a sense of telling us "if shit hits the fan, do not freak out, it's progress, it's part of the cycle".
Map is a general pointer but does not cover the very unik aspects of our mind terrain which is the very thing we are awakening to. Here, acceptance and intimate curiosity of the matter of fact experience goes a long way.
I think it's great you are going to the gym and doing stuff in your daily life. I have to kick my ars into doing the same as right now I'm in a stage that's rather heavy on the body and I feel utterly unbalanced and stiff.
BTW, only you can say if 5 hours a day is too much. Folks do sit even longer, and some of even shorter
I was never big into sitting many hours a day except when I was in A&P, stage known for this. It's enjoyable to sit often and long. Once in DN things get a bit heavier and sitting might not be as enjoyable. Reducing to 1-2 times 45-60 minutes a day is ok. Keep noting 1-5 sensations per second depending on clarity and energy and don't beat yourself up for not being as good at it as before. All stuff is impermanent and so is clarity and energy etc. Acceptance and curious perseverance. Important is not to give up. Better less sitting hours per day than stopping entirely. It's always darkest before the dawn. Did I say it's good you are going to the gym and staying in contact with your every day off cushion life
I hope my writing is not confusing you but helping instead.
Thank you Papa! Your words and my time off cushion today have lifted my spirits to continue walking the dhamma path.
I will remember your words for my next practise - acceptance. This is a season for me to learn acceptance , both in my meditation and in my life. I am a go big or go home person so this is an important lesson.
I will remember your words for my next practise - acceptance. This is a season for me to learn acceptance , both in my meditation and in my life. I am a go big or go home person so this is an important lesson.