mucho metta,

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1huWepa1YyId7VsHDaEmXcot6zhUMA83P?usp=sharing

Try this and see if it works. Make the 6-step prep more deliberate to tamp down the distractions by actually writing down the answers to the first 5 steps…as if you were filling out a questionnaire. Maybe save your answers to see how they change over time (another lesson in impermanence 🙂 ). Eventually you will see you won’t need…[Read more]

I was going to suggest going to the abdomen but only in the interim till you get to Stage 6. In Stage 5 there is a preliminary step before the body scan to go to the abdomen. So your attention will be there at the abdomen already. As you go on to scanning sensations in the body, going from smaller to larger areas and vice versa, you can…[Read more]

First I think it’s great the way you have used and framed the challenges you face and progressed to stage 4…way to go! Have you read stages 5 & 6 in TMI? I think I see a way thru for you but you will need to be familiar with the techniques and goals in those stages first.

Re: the pain in your gums. Have you looked at foods that cause…[Read more]

Anatta or no-self is an insight for one “internally” or subjectively…for ones own freedom. It’s not meant to be used or wielded on others i.e. “why are you sad that your mom died, there’s no-self ya know!”.

Compassion (all the brahma viharas) is no-self reflected into no-selfishness “externally” or inter-subjectively with…[Read more]

Sutta has a relation to suture. Santikaro once advised to follow a thread within the suttas to gain understanding. I found that helpful. With…[Read more]

Mucho metta,

I had an emergency appendectomy years ago that left me bedridden. First the surgeon could not find the appendix and so opened me up 5 inches and then he could not close the wound because he thought it may be septic and I’d be worse off if he closed it. Anyway, I basically found a breath that calmed my body enough to not feel the pain so…[Read more]

In the metaphor at the end tranquility and insight come to consciousness via the 8-fold path. If we see that the path is developmental then we see that…[Read more]

Yes the stuff came up as thought con…[Read more]

If there is an unresolved emotional component to your energy imbalance, you may want to check out EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique aka tapping). Like acupuncture it is meridian based and meant to remove energy blockages. Although it would be helpful you don’t need a trained therapist and can self facilitate it. The technique is easy to…[Read more]

I tell folks that if you wake up the next day and your body hurts i.e. your knee, back, etc. from sitting with the pain too long then you overdid it the day before. Most won’t feel anything the next day from a one hour sit unless they began with an uncomfortable position. I don’t recommend starting in full lotus etc. unless…[Read more]

” I tried to hold the intention ‘to turn my mind inwards’ but then nothings seems to happen (ie. ‘my mind’ does not know where to turn attention to).”

Before working with TMI I spent a few years with Shinzen’s 5 Ways. He has a clear and simple way to differentiate introspective vs. extrospective awareness. See/Hear/Feel Out (Chapte…[Read more]