[Adam MMember]

That’s basically it. It is quite a difficult one to learn. I found it quite a subtle experience when I first got to the still point but was able to tell I was there when I got knocked off it when my attention went elsewhere and I noticed the difference. With practice it got deeper and I became more confident with it. I’ve found the best thing to do once you have got there is to ask the question with a feeling of gentle curiosity but to not think about it or at least ignore anything conclusions you come to from consciously thinking about it. You just need to wait a second or so and see if any realisation pops into awareness. And then keep doing it even if you think you found the answer. It can be sporadic. Sometimes realisations come and sometimes they don’t. And yes best to see if you can let go of any expectations. I’ve practised now and can get into it quite quickly even when I’m out walking in the street. Sometimes I can only get partially into it and sometimes further. I’ve found that even if I’m only partially there, the questioning can still work.

When I first did it I found it much easier using the guided meditation below. It took about 4 or 5 times doing this until I found I could generate it without the preamble and practice getting it as deep as I could.

https://soundcloud.com/culadasa/sit-breath-wake-up-still-point

I may have become a bit too evangelical about it as its worked so well for me and because its quite a tricky one to get right. But never mind. Give it a go and see how you get on.

Adam.

[Adam MMember]

Hi bobby,

I’m going through precisely the same experiences as you currently. Very much agree with above. I too read about the idea of focusing on the breath as a mental object from Catherine and also Ajahn Brahm. I don’t really get that. But I’ve found that doing the still point and witness exercise from stage 8 in TMI really helpful. Focusing on the still point rather than the breath raises the feeling of joy quite significantly for me. When the joy does start to appear continuously, I then tend to get drawn to the breath. Interestingly also, when I ask questions about the witness and get insight, this also has an effect on the level of joy I experience. It’s a very clear indication to me of how self clinging is a major obstacle to developing concentration at this point. I’ve also been trying the mindfulness review and been adjusting my lifestyle to some degree. I’m coming more to the conclusion that progress at this stage goes well beyond technique now.

Its great to hear from someone going through the same stuff as me though. Progress seems slow and arduous but we both seem close to a major milestone in our practice. Sometimes I think the biggest challenge is just remaining patient and not becoming frustrated. Good luck Bobby.

Adam.

[Adam MMember]

Hi Becky. You seem to be at a similar point to me! Sounds a bit odd. Culadasa says that grade iv piti is only present at stage 8 and sometimes stage 9. You may be further along then you think.

For the still point exercise, are you aware of the guided meditation below:

https://soundcloud.com/culadasa/sit-breath-wake-up-still-point

I found it a lot easier to do using this. He also provides here a few more questions to ask about the witness which I found pushed things forward. I would definitely recommend. The still point is a very calming exercise even if you don’t get the insight. And after doing it several times and just asking the questions, the mind seems to just click into place and suddenly it becomes really obvious. I found it really astonishing and strangely a huge relief. Hope it works for you.

Can’t help you on anything else as I doubt i know any more than you. But I’m sure you’ll get there. You seem to be progressing quickly.

Adam.

[Adam MMember]

Thanks. I think you’re basically right. I was becoming impatient and overdoing it. I’ve since cut down to 1 or 2 sits per day and chilled out. Things are slowly starting to move again. I had a really strong joy experience a few days ago and every sit now I can feel it seemingly bubbling away under my chest bursting to get out. I can see things will develop in time now I’ve stopped striving and I think I will as you suggest and put more effort into absorption into the breath as that seems to be key. Though I hope when the joy does develop it’s not too strong. The experience I had was a little difficult to bear! How did you find it?

[Adam MMember]

Thanks a lot Wiley Fox. That sounds great. Only I cant find it. Could you send me the page I can find it at?

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