[Tony-JamesMember]

I forgot to reply to this before retreat but I wanted to thank you for this reply! I started working out once I applied your suggestions.

Thanks again for your time,

Tony-James

[Tony-JamesMember]

Hello,

Recently I had been reading a great online book by Kenneth Folk called “Contemplative Fitness” and in there he refers to Buddha as “Pali Buddha” and he explains this distinction as such on page 32 in the notes:

“Although both the Pali and Sanskrit texts are ostensibly about the same historical figure, the pictures painted by these collections of stories diverge; the Buddha of the Pali Canon is fierce, clear in his communication, and uncompromising in his dedication to excellence while the Buddha of the Sanskrit texts often appears easy-going and vague. This is what I mean when I say “Pali Buddha” or “Sanskrit Buddha.””

Hope this helps

[Tony-JamesMember]

Thanks for your thoughts Blake!

[Tony-JamesMember]

Hey Dcurtis,

I used to consume a lot of caffeine before I started practicing Vipassana and my tolerance was apparently high. To a point where I would use the caffeine pills instead of drinking coffee. When I was at a meditation centre for about a month, I wasn’t drinking anything that was very caffeinated I believe. Only tea at best, mostly herbal but I may have had some black tea. Later on into the month, the last few days, one of the teachers gifted us with some chocolate covered coffee beans. I ended up having a decent amount, around 10 probably, and I went to my room during the break time and felt these very strong anxiety sensations in my heart/chest area. It felt like I was in fight or flight mode. Caffeine targets your nervous system so I’m guessing that my awareness was good enough to pick up on this process. Your solar plexus, I think, has a lot of nerves in that spot. I stopped drinking caffeinated stuff, or at least slowed down dramatically since. It’s pretty much synonymous with anxiety/fear type emotions to me now. I feel like meditation in the morning and just an overall knowing that tiredness in the morning will wear off, has been a factor in my less caffeinated diet.

Wish you well!

[Tony-JamesMember]

Wow! I really appreciate your help Darlene! Thanks for the homework! I will take all these names, throw them into Google and investigate what might be the best option for me. This TMI approach really seems appealing to me. I read a post from Nick Grabovac where I’m pretty sure he said that the approach in TMI helps foster an understanding of anatta which is a stronger characteristic to be aware of when dealing with strong dukkha!

[Tony-JamesMember]

After writing this post I stumbled upon this serendipitous quote:

“When there is a little spiritual desire, the Lord sends books and teachers to further inspire you; and when your desire (for God-realization) is stronger, He sends a real guru.” ~ Sri Paramahansa Yogananda

[Tony-JamesMember]

Wow! It feels so good to be somewhere that requires no travel <3 Thank you so much for sharing 🙂

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