That’s kind of where I’m at – zero tolerance. All caffeine does is make me feel like crap, and ruin my sleep. All benefits disappeared months and months ago. Yet there’s the habituated element which keeps me running to something that only interferes with my practice on and off cushion.

Just now seeing this. Thanks for the link. In line with the idea of a caffeine use disorder, I discovered there’s actually a twelve step group for caffeine addicts. Obviously some people are pretty seriously affected. I know it seems absurd to many, I’m sure. Yet, considering the way it affects my moods, sleep etc, I don’t find it so…[Read more]

Aaron A – I’ll check that out, hopefully it will prove helpful.

Jamie – After listening to many talks by various trust worthy teachers, and working with an ex-monastic as my actual teacher for two years, one thing I’m fairly sure of is that the suttas are written in a kind of a code. Not a…[Read more]

Wondering if anyone else here finds the suttas a little bit less than direct, or really coming through in plain english. I’ve bought a copy of the Majjhima Nikaya, and find it somewhat impenetrable. Sure, you can simply read it, but when trying to take it at more…[Read more]

Thanks, it’s really helpful to have your experience mirrored by others. It at least tells me it’s not my mind playing games.

I agree, the best thing is to be done with it. I had my last dose of caffeine on Monday, and I tapered down gradually for a week or so. Strangely, the first two days were no problem. Then today the wheels fell of.…[Read more]

Apparently I’m just unusually sensitive to the stuff. I have been down to about 10…[Read more]

I’ve noticed it off cushion, but it wreaks havoc with actual sitting practice. Monkey mind, scattered attention, uncomfortable feelings and emotions that hinder any attempt at stable attention. I’ve quit several times, for as long as ninety…[Read more]

I’ll remain a member of this community and will continue to…[Read more]

Thanks for that. Your timing is coincidental, as I’ve already softened my position about following things to the letter. First through Blake Barton’s instruction (see above) then I set TMI aside and decided to try Bhante Gunaratana’s approach as outlined in “Mindfulness in Plain English”

Something about how Bhante G writes makes a kind…[Read more]

Thanks for the help and input. I was unfamiliar with that sutta. That was very helpful to see that these issues have always been with us.

Best to you,

Darrell

Okay, I’ll just keep to your instructions and post a follow up when I’ve become able to mostly overcome mind wandering, and gain a clear awareness of where my attention is moving moment to moment.

I’ve had some profound results from walking meditation in the past, so I’ll integrate that back into my practice.

Yes, the energy sensations…[Read more]

I wish I could say about the sensations. It’s currently a mystery to me. At first I attributed it to caffeine, or supplements taken, due to the irritated quality this sensation has. But when those are eliminated as a cause, the sensation remains. What’s interesting is that it seems to happen approximately at the same time in every session.…[Read more]

Thanks for your help. What you say jives with my hunch, based on what Culadasa has stated in TMI.

I’ll be putting your suggestions into use, and will report back at some point.

Meanwhile, how do you suggest I know when it’s time to begin moving forward in the practice, and what do you suggest the next moves would be when that time…[Read more]

Hello dcurtis,

I’ll respond in the same fashion –

>>>I quickly scanned your post from last year. In relation to what Blake wrote, do you still agree with your assessment that you are sure this is mind wandering? It took me some long face to face discussion with a teacher to realize that I did not forget the breath, but that I was…[Read more]

I’ve tried to be very specific about the use of attention vs awareness, per the descriptions in TMI. That being the case, I don’t doubt I could still be mistaken/confused. Would you mind clarifying what you’re referring to specifically?

I’d love to work 1:1 with a teacher, but really don’t have extra funds to spare…[Read more]

What you said about checking in – Exactly. In TMI is suggests checking in about every twelve in/out breaths. I can’t keep my…[Read more]

I’m coming at this from the place of a raging agnostic. Hyper agnostic. Atheism and theism both seem like a leap of faith to me. Yet, I find it impossible to accept that everything comes from nothing. I was pushed by a teacher I had been working with (a Buddhist ex-monastic) to accept…[Read more]

Thanks for posting this. I too, am at almost this exact same place. It helps so much to know I’m not the only one going through it.

Thanks,

Darrell

I’d heard that these sorts of things can indicate progress, but it sure doesn’t feel like it. That of course doesn’t mean anything, it’s just how it feels.

I appreciate your input, I’ve been told before to be curious about the practice. Honestly, I’m not sure how to do that, or how to be playful, but I can try.

Thank you

This is a follow-up/extension of an earlier post http://dharmatreasurecommunity.org/forums/topic/difficulty-in-progressing-beyond-stage-two

I’ve been putting into practice those things suggested by Blake, which is basically my using stage three techniques/methods. I’ve become largely comfortable with the use of following, connecting…[Read more]

Not sure how to reply so that you are notified that I’ve responded. I hope you see my replies to you.

I forgot to mention something. With regards to this: “I sense some dissatisfaction and expectation in your practice. Try to notice if there is any disappointment during the “aha” moment.”

I think you’re on to something. I’ve had to find and work to let go of dissatisfaction and frustration once before in the last year. I wouldn’t be sur…[Read more]

I forgot to mention something. With regards to this: “I sense some dissatisfaction and expectation in your practice. Try to notice if there is any disappointment during the “aha” moment.”

I think you’re on to something. I’ve had to find and work to let go of dissatisfaction and frustration once before in the last year. I wouldn’t be sur…[Read more]

I would have to admit that the phrase I’d been given to use by my teacher does seem and feel cumbersome and awkward during meditation. I’m sure the ideas you suggest could be used instead without any detriment. I’m not sure the words are important. I think it is the matter of making the mind joyful as it is returned to the meditation…[Read more]

Yes, I mean mind wandering in the terms you described above. While there is some of the latter, at least half of the time it is mind wandering even if only briefly. Briefly meaning in the 2 to 10 second range. Of course trying to have a sense of time about anything that happens in meditation is pretty dodgy.

My peripheral awareness is…[Read more]

I posted the following at the Reddit TMI page, and am some what doubtful about some of the replies I received, and wanted to bounce it off folks here. Here’s what I posted:

I began using the TMI method, as described in the book in April of 2016. I was able to quickly move to stage two, as I already had a practice in place of sitting (at…[Read more]

That helps a great deal. Thank you for all of your help.

Blake, I’m wondering about two things. First, I’ve understood becoming fully present with the sensations in each stage as my mind not resisting the self imposed limits of those stages. Although my mind will still wander,…[Read more]

Is there someone here who can give me an answer to my questions?

Thank you

I’ve been working with “The Mind Illuminated” since late March, after getting serious about meditation in the winter of 2014/2015. It would appear I’m stuck though. I’ve been practicing the four step transition as described in the book since April, and it generally is all that happens for the hour I sit in the morning, and again in the…[Read more]