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]

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]

How do you some of you deal with intense head pressures? What techniques do you use to alleviate it? I have a tendency to feel a lot of head pressure either at the top of my head, my forehead, or in the center of my brain. It doesn’t always happen but seems to occur when I meditate more or when concentration increases.

I’ve tried the…[Read more]

Ditto!

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.

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]

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]

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]

Only when you neither love nor hate
does it clearly reveal itself.

To see its truth
be neither for, nor against.

Even the slightest distinctions made
set heaven and earth far apart.

Conflicts between longing and loathing
are a disease of the mind.

Gain and loss, right and…[Read more]

I’m debating on whether or not to sign up for a Shinzen Young Retreat. I’d like to hear any feedback or reviews. Whether or not it’s worth the price?

As a baseline to compare against, how does it compare to Goenka’s 10-day retreat? What similarities, what differences?

Any input would be great.

Thanks!

Unfortunately I do not have any books on this. English was my first language so a lot of these words are commonly found in children’s books when growing up. However, The Mind Illuminated does refer to these words quite a bit, which I’m sure you’ve already read since you’re on this forum.

Another good book, the one I read before TMI…[Read more]

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]

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]

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]

“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]

This one “Patterns of Attachment: A Psychological Study of the Strange Situation”? And which one by Crittendon?

-Is it a sudden flash of understanding where you now know something you previously didn’t?
-Or is is more like trying to solve a problem and finally figuring out the solution?
-Or is it a gradual…[Read more]

Not sure. My impression of 1st jhana was blissing out in ecstasy. I read that the physical bliss is overwhelming, difficult to miss and difficult to sustain. The closest I’ve felt anything like that is when the area between my eyes flashes and pulses with white light. There’s subtle joy, but not flooding in joy or happiness. Perhaps I…[Read more]