Dharma Treasure Community | Chris Gagne | Activity http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/members/chrisgagne/activity/ Activity feed for Chris Gagne. Sat, 11 Apr 2026 11:32:53 +0000 https://buddypress.org/?v=4.2.0 en-US 30 hourly 2 b20b3ba55a3a6b5a8032e21141ca5939 Chris Gagne replied to the topic Possible to Become Arahant Now? in the forum Principles of Dharma http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/possible-to-become-arahant-now/#post-3603 Fri, 29 Mar 2019 18:27:12 +0000 Dear InnerKnowledgeSeeker,

I thought carefully as to whether or not to mention people by name at start. Since I am not qualified to gauge whether or not someone is an arahant and thus it is only my uninformed opinion, I felt comfortable sharing that opinion but not going so far as to name names. These individuals have not told me directly that…[Read more]

]]> baf7d969d999bd600590d2e8652846ba Chris Gagne replied to the topic Possible to Become Arahant Now? in the forum Principles of Dharma http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/possible-to-become-arahant-now/#post-3586 Wed, 27 Mar 2019 16:40:07 +0000 Yes, I believe it is possible for a lay person to become an arahant now.

I do not have scriptural sources to back up my statement. However, I believe that such beings already exist quietly (and sometimes less quietly) in our world. I believe I have met at least two.

Which is more useful to believe? That it is possible, or it is not? If it is and…[Read more]

]]> da732b39d4b5eb341a6c341e17d3ebd9 Chris Gagne replied to the topic Eyes open or shut in the forum Meditation http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/eyes-open-or-shut/#post-3508 Tue, 08 Jan 2019 16:17:22 +0000 Ultimately, I’d say it’s up to your investigation to see what works best for you.

A few additional factors to consider and/or experiment with:

Eyes open is associated with less dullness, at least initially. In fact, opening the eyes is a weak antidote to dullness. After a while the mind can adjust to the eyes being open and get dull…[Read more]

]]> 20d0ad8a02b4453d9c50f25ac4735efd Chris Gagne replied to the topic Zengar and the likes - the topic of Neurofeedback in the forum Meditation http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/zengar-and-the-likes-the-topic-of-neurofeedback/#post-3349 Sun, 09 Sep 2018 18:42:40 +0000 Hi Michael,

I’ve used the system on myself a few hundred times. I think it’s definitely hit diminishing marginal returns. I’d say for most people that they can get 80%+ of the benefits with a 1-2 month rental. If you have someone to share the rental with, consider renting a professional system with unlimited sessions and just crank out as many as…[Read more]

]]> daa2233e5896abedf76546ce7ecdaa21 Chris Gagne replied to the topic Shinzen Young Retreat Reviews in the forum Events http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/shinzen-young-retreat-reviews/#post-2883 Fri, 27 Apr 2018 22:23:39 +0000 Hi Peter!

I met Shinzen a couple of months ago and thought very highly of him. I am not particularly familiar with his practice, but as with Culadasa’s he is highly regarded. I’ve not been one to one of his retreats, either.

That said, if his retreats are similar to Culadasa’s former group retreats, I think they’d be well worth the price. A…[Read more]

]]> 63e247b4b1b343c0b973c32ee4b10dfa Chris Gagne replied to the topic The importance of full lotus posture? in the forum Meditation http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/the-importance-of-full-lotus-posture/#post-2638 Mon, 05 Mar 2018 00:05:46 +0000 Magnolia, a few minutes is probably okay, particularly if it isn’t too strong. If it persists or refers, change your posture to be more gentle. I have gotten some of my strongest meditations while sitting in a good upright chair.

I have heard of one person who “stuck it out” at a Goenka retreat and developed permanent nerve damage, so I don’t…[Read more]

]]> ac157ecee2037453434d1847c2e61cfb Chris Gagne replied to the topic The importance of full lotus posture? in the forum Meditation http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/the-importance-of-full-lotus-posture/#post-2633 Sun, 04 Mar 2018 21:25:59 +0000 So far, sitting in chairs and on an ergonomic meditation chair has allowed me plenty of opportunities to explore pain and work through dullness. I am currently making progress through Stage 5 and do not consider the pain to be helpful at this point, merely a distraction.

In Culadasa’s “Beginning Meditation Handout,” he states: “Note: Sitting…[Read more]

]]> 1d0577ad85d3fd10650fb69f6a225f35 Chris Gagne replied to the topic Low mood since meditating? in the forum Dharma Practice in Daily Life http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/low-mood-since-meditating/#post-2599 Sat, 24 Feb 2018 17:21:29 +0000 Hi Jem,

Here’s some food for thought from my own experience.

I’ve found periods in my practice, especially when focusing on vipassana, where I was inexplicably angry or upset off the cushion. I regarded them positively as indications of purifications in process due to years of repressed anger and did my best to avoid triggering situations.

It…[Read more]

]]> a8b807ca8b8fc7dabf0dda2b33b60d98 Chris Gagne replied to the topic Techniques for Mindfulness at Work in the forum Dharma Practice in Daily Life http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/techniques-for-mindfulness-at-work/#post-2490 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 07:11:58 +0000 As an Agile coach, this is something I think about a lot and hope to speak at more conferences about.

A few things come to mind:

* As you walk around, try to make it a walking meditation. In fact, hold the intention to be as mindful as you can in body, speech, and mind. This is somewhere we eventually get in practice anyway, so congratulate…[Read more]

]]> a9ce30d8006515586dc539a5762940cd Chris Gagne changed their profile picture http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/all-activity-streams/p/2634/ Sat, 03 Feb 2018 17:22:48 +0000 0 2af7b9bc0cee7ff8ad9dc39b8f664530 Chris Gagne's profile was updated http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/all-activity-streams/p/2633/ Sat, 03 Feb 2018 17:21:34 +0000 0 3a33f83115c9098f85be39cd4207e727 Chris Gagne replied to the topic time to switch to other practices? in the forum Meditation http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/time-to-switch-to-other-practices/#post-2364 Sun, 17 Dec 2017 19:52:14 +0000 I too have done a *lot* of Neuroptimal (probably north of 200 sessions) over the last couple of years. I’ve never felt any euphoria or energy currents as a result of using it, but it did bring my mood back to baseline when I was in a funk.

I agree with David that taking some time to be kind to yourself may well be the work you need to do right…[Read more]

]]> 77b572b0378d29282c4455ec9e850c33 Chris Gagne replied to the topic Login information is transmitted without encryption in the forum Dharma Treasure Community Information http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/login-information-is-transmitted-without-encryption/#post-2051 Sun, 16 Jul 2017 19:38:17 +0000 Blake, feel free to reach out to me if interested. If you are on a modern cPanel setup, this is quite easy and likely free with LetsEncrypt.

]]> 9159b788ecbe0f3e5dabad595769a296 Chris Gagne replied to the topic Zengar and the likes - the topic of Neurofeedback in the forum Meditation http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/zengar-and-the-likes-the-topic-of-neurofeedback/#post-1854 Mon, 13 Mar 2017 19:38:59 +0000 Hi Dor K,

Yes, I have experimented with the Neuroptimal system extensively. I have found it to be of benefit, particularly in quelling strong negative emotions that interfere with sitting. I think it has also helped with gross distractions.

I would say that if the money is not a significant factor for you, renting a personal system for a month…[Read more]

]]> d5fcefbefdd522d02abbe77daebc54c5 Chris Gagne replied to the topic Zengar and the likes - the topic of Neurofeedback in the forum Meditation http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/zengar-and-the-likes-the-topic-of-neurofeedback/#post-1854 Mon, 13 Mar 2017 19:38:59 +0000 Hi Dor K,

Yes, I have experimented with the Neuroptimal system extensively. I have found it to be of benefit, particularly in quelling strong negative emotions that interfere with sitting. I think it has also helped with gross distractions.

I would say that if the money is not a significant factor for you, renting a personal system for a month…[Read more]

]]> 4cf5ac5c57cd53f87e49c802b7317f75 Chris Gagne started the topic What to eat at Cochise Stronghold? in the forum Meditation http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/what-to-eat-at-cochise-stronghold Thu, 05 Nov 2015 19:17:25 +0000 Hi all!

I am going to Cochise Stronghold for 3 weeks this December. 1 week solo retreat, 1 week group retreat, 1 week solo retreat. I love Nancy’s cooking and so I’m covered for the group retreat.

Any suggestions for food during the solo retreat? I’m almost tempted to focus on Soylent shakes or similar. What have you found to work well?

Love,

Chris

]]> 6f6f3f54ff5de10ec9d9d61be923ace3 Chris Gagne replied to the topic Promoting The Mind Illuminated in the forum Help Wanted or Offered http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/promoting-the-mind-illuminated/#post-374 Wed, 23 Sep 2015 21:14:53 +0000 I think the Reddit AMA would be brilliant. +1 to that suggestion.

]]> 9c56b4a9eec382b3428c46749fbd136b Chris Gagne replied to the topic Retreat June 2015? in the forum Events http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/retreat-june-2015/#post-356 Tue, 17 Mar 2015 20:47:01 +0000 Wonderful, thanks Jesse!

]]> 415cb2ce49ca59ef990a6614f25281ca Chris Gagne started the topic Retreat June 2015? in the forum Events http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/retreat-june-2015 Thu, 12 Mar 2015 16:20:54 +0000 Hello all,

I came to learn of Master Culadasa via Darrin and Claire and have greatly appreciated the Light on Meditation handouts and recordings.

I’m interested in the event this coming June in MA; is this […]

]]> e3acd96ffb3962cd33915f22bd504f4b Chris Gagne replied to the topic Struggles of a new meditator in the forum Meditation http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/struggles-of-a-new-meditator/#post-326 Tue, 14 Oct 2014 00:08:52 +0000 Thanks everyone! There’s a lot to digest.

I’ll break up my sits. I like the 24 minute sit idea from Alan Wallace; that feels like where I start to lose focus. I can set a goal of doing 4 x 24 minute sits a day […]

]]> 3b96c9fced47ea4db6470777d5df3eac Chris Gagne replied to the topic Struggles of a new meditator in the forum Meditation http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/struggles-of-a-new-meditator/#post-321 Thu, 09 Oct 2014 17:32:45 +0000 Tucker and Blake, thank you!

Tucker, I would love to join you for the Sangha. I normally work until 6:30 most days, so I’ll figure out how to get this on my schedule. It is certainly more convenient than trying […]

]]> cc5d1fe070ee62f8936d49d61d141c52 Chris Gagne started the topic Struggles of a new meditator in the forum Meditation http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/struggles-of-a-new-meditator Tue, 07 Oct 2014 22:55:27 +0000 Hello everyone!

I had the great fortune of attending a refuge vows ceremony with Darin McFadyen and Claire in November of ’13. They provided my friend and I with a wonderful, 2-hour introduction to meditation […]

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