Dharma Treasure Community

Hi Michael,

In general, it’s pain-free and does not lead to headaches. However, during my 10-day Goenka retreat, the pressures did get pretty intense and at times a bit concerning. But since the retreat early in Jan, they have not reached that level of intensity. Of course this was after I learned the various techniques to minimize the…[Read more]

Slightly different question but on the same topic. If our “true self” or “true nature” is the source, or the one (the Self, Brahman, God). Nirvana being the experience of knowing there’s no longer a separate self and that everything is just impermanence, dukkha, and emptiness/form. Why is there a seeker that seeks to discover true nature? Is it…[Read more]

Hey B,

When I say “noticing the sensations more deeply”, is just to continue to observe the sensation and try to see that the pressure is not solid, but broken up into smaller or finer subtler experiences. It was a suggestion that a teacher gave me. However, it just continues to stay dense and solid.

When I say “gently” it’s just to imply that…[Read more]

Haha, I’m pretty much experiencing exactly what you’re going through. Although doubtful I’m near Stage 8. Everything you’ve described from what you’ve attempted, to what you’ve listened to, and your overall state of practice and results from it. Same here bro.

Ditto!

@Salina D

I found that quite helpful. Language is tricky, it’s good to be precise. Skillful/Unskillful is an excellent choice of words.

Thank you for that.

@David S

I’ve never personally applied it to TMI. But now that you mention it, I can see it being quite useful for practitioners who get wrapped up on thoughts like “I had a good meditation session or a bad one.” Then proceed to get sucked into the stories of the mind, either with self praise when the meditation session is good or a self defeated…[Read more]

It seems ironic to me, that the way you’re reacting (judging/critiquing) and assuming I don’t understand the poem blatantly shows how much you missed the point of the teaching. I’m sure this is quite visible to others as well. You may not be seeing as clearly and may think your understanding is correct. But from your tone and choice of words,…[Read more]

David,

Can you tell me why everything must serve a purpose? This is under the category of Inspirational Poems, Writings, and Artwork. Seems fairly appropriate.

Is not sharing and enjoying such a beautiful poem simply enough? Why so much thinking? Why so much critique and judging? lol.

I’d say, drop the thinking mind. Just enjoy it! =)

Just…[Read more]

One of my favorite and inspiring poems from Buddhist literature. Although the original one is much much longer. Bahiya Sutra is awesome too.

Bahiya Sutra

In the seen, there is only the seen,
in the heard, there is only the heard,
in the sensed, there is only the sensed,
in the cognized, there is only the cognized.
Thus you should see…[Read more]

Pablo,

What is this ego that might “do as it pleases”?
-A mental construct, a thought that can potentially bear fruit to become action.

Is there really a thing called ego that lives inside the head, has a mind of it’s own and wants to take over, as is implied by the language of many teachers?
-No, but then what is it that struggles betwe…[Read more]

Haha, awesome! Good answer…

Ohh got it, I’m aware of the “I” thought/feeling ego construct. I’ve seen it’s phantom-ness.

The five aggregates that make up what we perceive as a “self”. Emotion, Thought, Perception, Consciousness, and Formation. Working on de-coagulating it, to weaken it’s grip, it’s illusion.

Power of Now was when it was first introduced to me.

From a…[Read more]

Haha okay, whew thanks! I shall keep on striving. Appreciate you taking the time to address all the questions.

Pablo/Ivan,

Not to jump to conclusions with “liberationunleashed” without trying it myself. But I’m assuming it’s a forum that falls in the non-dualism Advaita Vedanta camp? Is it the concept of “no concept”, “just be”, “you are that”, “i am”, “it is what it is”, “there’s no path”, “no doer”, “give up seeking”, “who am i”, etc.

If it is, “I”…[Read more]

Just read this from Shizen…

“Within the context of our work, differentiation means making finer and finer distinctions. Integration means
finding deeper and deeper unity. Both are aspects of clarity. Although they may seem opposite they’re actually
part of the same process. Subdividing gets you down to the vibrating pixels that are the u…[Read more]