[PeterMember]

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 pressure.

The pressure subsides off the cushion and does not affect daily life. As mentioned above though, during the retreat I felt the pressure pretty intensely when I was about to sleep. Ultimately it would subside the next day but start up again as a progressed with meditation throughout the day.

It’s relatively stable considering I just do an hour a day. But it does increase when I practice multiple times a day.

No, I don’t take Aspirin. I do take turmeric and fish oil to alleviate inflammation from lifting weights.

Yes, I have found the abdomen to produce less pressure than the nose. However as concentration increases and the mind gets quiet and still, the pressures slowly begins. They do come and go on their own, but does increase as I meditate more frequently within a day.

Yes, there’s no pressure when I perform walking meditation.

I just brought this up because I have a 10-day Mahasi retreat coming up next week and wanted to see if there are ways to ease or counter the pressure.

The pressure at the crown and forehead are okay and I can deal with it. It’s the one that’s in the center of the brain that makes me go, “ehh should I slow down a bit.”

Thanks!

• This reply was modified 6 years, 11 months ago by  Peter.

[PeterMember]

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 just to reduce the suffering of this lifetime for this particular “person”? Or is the spiritual aspirant, just another play of consciousness, another story?

So maybe, prior to the intuitive recognition of no-self, the aspirant living in the relative world exists as a egoic self, identifying with the body, and potentially is bound to karma, reincarnation, and samsara. So past lives exist in the relative sense. Which is why the dhamma always speaks in a relative manner using terms like: free will, choice, skill vs unskillful action, and repercussions to each action. So for example, a sufferer who commits suicide will continue to suffer in future lives because of the clinging to a self, however with self-realization, the ego itself is dissolved so there is no more suffering for future lives. And one realizes, they have always been the absolute and that there was never a doer to begin with.

So if one has merged with the eternal, that which is not born, nor dies. That same “one”, however continues manifestation in other forms and continues with endless suffering through other beings. Doesn’t this cycle just repeat itself indefinitely even if one or several individuals attained enlightenment? Considering the source is ground zero, infinite, and cannot be added or subtracted to.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 11 months ago by  Peter.

[PeterMember]

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 I’m not concentrating using force or trying really hard to solve or figure out some kind of problem. By “gently”, I just mean gentle awareness resting on the primary meditative object and an attempt to see the object with clarity.

Thanks!

[PeterMember]

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!

[PeterMember]

@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.

[PeterMember]

@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 attitude when struggling to meditate. This self judging is the antithesis of the point of meditation. The poem teaches practitioners to just be with everything, this very moment. The original nature of the mind, that is pure awareness. The poem encapsulates complete and total acceptance and surrender to what is. Two valuable concepts for those pursuing the path.

To me, “Faith in Mind” captures the essence of non-duality. All of our problems begin with the discerning mind. The one that says this is good this is bad. Or things should be done this way or that way. As soon as the discerning mind arises, it is the beginning of desire and aversion. Which ultimately is what every practitioner is trying to uproot.

“Faith in Mind” points to things are the way they are. That’s where inner peace arises from, being totally okay with whatever situation life throws at you.

I’d imagine a highly equanimous mind mirrors what this poem tries to articulate.

To be honest and transparent though, what I’ve struggled with is that in Thervada, the Buddha always emphasizes wholesome and unwholesome, right and wrong. A bit of a contradiction to “Faith in Mind”, which probably comes from the mixture of Chan Buddhism & Taoism.

What’s your take and how have you applied it with TMI?

[PeterMember]

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, there’s still much to learn from.

I feel you are too wrapped up in the contents of the mind. You may grasp some Buddhist concepts intellectually, but you sure don’t exhibit them in your demeanor. But that’s okay, every experience is an opportunity to learn.

That’s what this forum is for. And my posting, has given rise to this opportunity to teach.

[PeterMember]

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 be. That is all.

[PeterMember]

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 that
indeed there is no thing here;
this, Bahiya, is how you should train yourself.
Since, Bahiya, there is for you
in the seen, only the seen,
in the heard, only the heard,
in the sensed, only the sensed,
in the cognized, only the cognized,
and you see that there is no thing here,
you will therefore see that
indeed there is no thing there.
As you see that there is no thing there,
you will see that
you are therefore located neither in the world of this,
nor in the world of that,
nor in any place
between the two.
This alone is the end of suffering.

[PeterMember]

Thanks! The registration filled up much faster than I thought it would’ve and missed the opportunity. Will keep your inputs in mind for the next sign up.

[PeterMember]

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 between pursuing the path (wholesome) vs chasing desires (unwholesome)? Can this not cause one to go back too old unwholesome habits?

Can one be fully present and mindful in the midst of unwholesome action?

Or is it just another type of thought?
-Yes, a thought.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 3 months ago by  Peter.
• This reply was modified 7 years, 3 months ago by  Peter.

[PeterMember]

Haha, awesome! Good answer…

[PeterMember]

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 philosophical stand point though, I do often still question the “no doer” aspect (Nisargadatta Maharaj). From an ego perspective, there is an “I” that strives and seeks for liberation, to be virtuous. The ego comes from a place of control. But then it also makes me wonder, if there is “no doer”, that leads me back to a place where I ask, “doesn’t that give the ego the excuse to do as it pleases, to pursue sensual desires”? Since it was not in control to begin with, if the sense of control was only an illusion.

Or is that deluded thinking? Been struggling with these two school of thoughts a bit lately.

I should probably just be more Zen like, drop this questioning/thinking mind and just practice. =)

[PeterMember]

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

[PeterMember]

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” struggle with these teachings a bit since they are counter to the “effort” and “meditation” camp. Is there not risk that these teachings may cause one to stop meditating, stop being compassionate, or equanimous.

Should the path not be a means to an end, the journey being complete unto itself?

Would it not cause one to give up the spiritual life and jump back into materialism, hedonism, and self indulgence?

Or there was no “I” to begin with and if “I” were to derail from the spiritual path, it was meant to be so anyway. Then the insights nor going from stages 1 to 10 not so important anymore? Piti, seeing impermanence, seeing finer vibrations. How does one come to these fruitions if then?

Am I just confused because I still haven’t had this shift in perception, this “aha” moment. Maybe I get it intellectually but have not had the insight yet, hence the doubt. Thoughts?

• This reply was modified 7 years, 3 months ago by  Peter.

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