A Sticky should be made about the cyclicle nature of the nanas (stages) - Discussion
A Sticky should be made about the cyclicle nature of the nanas (stages)
Bailey , modified 10 Years ago at 4/17/14 1:41 PM
Created 10 Years ago at 4/17/14 1:41 PM
A Sticky should be made about the cyclicle nature of the nanas (stages)
Posts: 267 Join Date: 7/14/11 Recent Posts
Someone did not know the cyclic nature of the stages and so I made the reply below. The idea of cycling is very important and fundamental. I suggest a sticky be made entirely devoted to that idea. People are to easy to jump to diagnose where they are because there are so many things you can mistake for stages. Knowing that they should be cycling through all of them constantly should keep that diagnosis in check.
This idea of cycling is fundamental
What do you mean by cycling/cycles?
This idea of cycling is fundamental
You travel through stages on your way to enlightenment. However, it is not discrete. It is not like, ok I have now obtained stage 5, and now you permanently feel the way stage 5 feels. In reality, you cycle through and feel all previous stages constantly. If you are at stage 5, you constantly cycle from 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 to 5, then back down to 1 to 2 to 3... ect. This is the way in which you progress. Then you would attain 6, and cycle all the way through six. Up until stream entry, sotappana, after that is attained you cycle through ALL of the stages constantly.
However, your cycles will vary in time. Sometimes it will take a while to go through them all, sometimes it will just be a short time. On top of that, the feelings which correlate to the stage you working on at the moment will be the feelings you feel the most. If you are at one of the dukkha nanas, then you cycle through all the stages prior, however, the feeling of that particular dukkha nana will be the strongest.
Knowing this information helps us out a lot. It is the strongest indicator in finding out how far you are and what you have attained. Meaning, if you think you are at a particular stage, you should notice yourself cycling up until that stage. The easiest phases for me to feel is the AP, EQ, magga (enlightenment) and the fear dukkha nana. This makes it relatively easy, given some time, to figure out what stage you are at or what you have attained. You just have to occasionally notice one of the stages. Much of the time you may not even notice that you are cycling, this is different for different people and may be based on things like how pure you are, how aware you are, what type of meditation you do, and even if you know or don't know the cycles exist.
However, your cycles will vary in time. Sometimes it will take a while to go through them all, sometimes it will just be a short time. On top of that, the feelings which correlate to the stage you working on at the moment will be the feelings you feel the most. If you are at one of the dukkha nanas, then you cycle through all the stages prior, however, the feeling of that particular dukkha nana will be the strongest.
Knowing this information helps us out a lot. It is the strongest indicator in finding out how far you are and what you have attained. Meaning, if you think you are at a particular stage, you should notice yourself cycling up until that stage. The easiest phases for me to feel is the AP, EQ, magga (enlightenment) and the fear dukkha nana. This makes it relatively easy, given some time, to figure out what stage you are at or what you have attained. You just have to occasionally notice one of the stages. Much of the time you may not even notice that you are cycling, this is different for different people and may be based on things like how pure you are, how aware you are, what type of meditation you do, and even if you know or don't know the cycles exist.
A Dietrich Ringle, modified 10 Years ago at 4/17/14 4:00 PM
Created 10 Years ago at 4/17/14 3:59 PM
RE: A Sticky should be made about the cyclicle nature of the nanas (st
Posts: 881 Join Date: 12/4/11 Recent Posts
I think the cycles of insight are important to a point, at least that is my experience. They were good for giving my OCD mind something to wean itself on but ultimately are theoretical and empty just like anything else.
In my opinion the cycles that are much more insightful and helpful in alleviating suffering are understanding things that relate to the natural cycles and rhythm of the body, such as the breath and how it corresponds with the heart, how that corresponds to things like the spinal column and the various impulses that travel up and down it, how those might correspond to various brain functions, not to mention other critical organs like the sex organs, the stomach, etc etc.
These latter cycles are something everyone can relate to, and will be present without a doubt all the way until the drawing of the last breath.
In my opinion the cycles that are much more insightful and helpful in alleviating suffering are understanding things that relate to the natural cycles and rhythm of the body, such as the breath and how it corresponds with the heart, how that corresponds to things like the spinal column and the various impulses that travel up and down it, how those might correspond to various brain functions, not to mention other critical organs like the sex organs, the stomach, etc etc.
These latter cycles are something everyone can relate to, and will be present without a doubt all the way until the drawing of the last breath.