[JavaJeffMember]

B Lejon, regarding this: Please do post back here how you are doing with this. I too am trying to maintain close attention while increasing peripheral awareness…and I don’t really know how to do that, so my progress seems stopped. I am interested to see how you do and what you learn from your efforts.

[JavaJeffMember]

This is an interesting thread. I have noticed this “sound of silence” myself many times in the past, but never gave it much thought. I picked up the book Lesley referred to above and read through the initial chapters up to “Nada Yoga Part I” – and this morning I tried to use that sound as my object of meditation. It went pretty well and I felt rather collected, more so than I usually do when using the breath as the object of meditation. I think I’m going to play around with this for a while and see what happens.

Also thanks to Ana for the reference to Culadasa’s section on Pacification of the Auditory.

[JavaJeffMember]

I am interested in answers to this as well. It reminds me of checking in, in that you have to briefly take attention away from the present (body sensations) and direct it to the past (memory of how well you were paying attention just prior to checking in). I don’t remember exactly where in the book – somewhere in the first 4 stages, for sure – but Culadasa does mention that this is fine to do.

You might get a faster response, BTW from the TMI Reddit group: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheMindIlluminated/

[JavaJeffMember]

Hi Steve, glad you have found a solution to your issue.

One thing that I always found helpful when dealing with desire & ill-will (craving & aversion) is to do just as you said, look into the direct experience of the body, and see what is happening there. Typically for me there will be tightness in the chest, stomach in knots, tense jaw, restriction of throat, and just a general overall ‘yuck’ feeling. And then I ask myself: is there anything at all in these actual physical feelings that compel me to act on them? Is Desire or Ill will an actual thing or is it just a label that mind is applying to the combination of feelings? When I believe the labels, I tend to react. When I just look at, and recognize, the feelings in the body, there does not seem to be a requirement for me to act on them. I can sit with the feelings instead of reacting. Eventually they go away. And then if the situation calls for it, I can craft a response that is appropriate to the situation and in line with the desired outcome.

Best, Jeff

[JavaJeffMember]

“We are also in the process of creating a new TMI Dedicated Practitioner Program”…

Awesome!

[JavaJeffMember]

I see. I didn’t get that you were replying to Sasha. I thought you were asking a question to the group regarding what YOU should do. 🙂

[JavaJeffMember]

All good stuff and I don’t see any downsides to this, other than it takes away time from the TMI method [which IMHO is the best, clearest and most thorough path to liberation I have seen].

[JavaJeffMember]

Hi Samuel,

Not sure to whom you were asking, but IMHO, it’s never a waste of time for people to take an honest look at themselves. What self awareness techniques are you thinking of in particular?

[JavaJeffMember]

Note: first post here in these forums, and of course what follows is my opinion only. I make these comments from a place of compassion, because much of what you said is very similar to how I have felt in the past.

From a strictly Buddhist perspective, not adhering to the 5 lay precepts will cause hindrances to arise during meditation that are going to slow your progress. Of particular note is the drinking. Drugs and alcohol put a serious damper on mindfulness and TBH you are pretty much stunting your spiritual growth if you’re regularly ‘partying.’

From a more practical/real-world perspective: alcohol dulls the mind (it’s classified as a depressant), and when consumed regularly by someone who has a propensity towards depression, can really wreak havoc in their lives. I would encourage you to take an honest look at your drinking and ask yourself if you could possibly have a problem there. From the sounds of it, you’re young, so perhaps it has not become completely obvious yet, but just know that alcoholism is progressive. Over time, it gets worse, never better. The good news is there is a solution if you decide that you need help. Personally, it took 26 years of my life to finally admit that I had a problem with alcohol.

As far as the music goes, I don’t buy that music is a sensual pleasure that is to be avoided. I consider music to be wholesome, not unwholesome…IMNSHO it is one of mankind’s greatest gifts. You’re not a monk, and you’re not beholden to all 227 precepts in the vinaya, so don’t sweat it about enjoying music!

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