[T SparbyMember]

Hi,

I don´t think the idea of a self-subsistent, ultimate and personified god is compatible with traditional Buddhist teachings. But maybe you can find a way to interpret Buddha Nature as similar to the Christian teaching. And if you have a pragmatic mindset and a felt relationship to a personified god — why not use it? There are of course also teaching on dieties and diety practice in some parts of Buddhism. Maybe you can look into that. For me, I don’t feel compelled to follow traditional Buddhist doctrines even though I practice in a way that is very much inspired by and in accordance to Buddhist meditation practice. If I experience a personified presence in meditation practice, I work with that; I bracket the question of whether it is ultimately real or not.

Have a look at my blog, if you wish: http://thephilosophersstone.blog/

There you find some examples of how to relate to Christian imagery and dieties from a foundation that is very much TMI-based.

Best regards,
Terje

[T SparbyMember]

Hi Sanjeev,

I’ve had the same question myself. A solution I’ve found that works for me goes like this:

Gross distractions are phenomenologically richer than subtle distractions; they contain two or more sensory qualities. They can, for instance, contain a visual and and emotional content, even sound. Gross distractions also have a stronger pull to them; they tend to drag you into a story, a constellation of experiences that develop into rumination, pondering, mind-wandering. I note this in a way that addresses the content: “Planning, reflecting, sadness”, etc.

Subtle distractions consists of only one sensory component; an image, a word/sentence, feeling, thought, etc. I note these abstractly in a way inspired by Shinzen as addressing the sense door in an abstract way: “Thinking, feeling, image”, etc. or simply as “see, hear, feel”. I don’t care about classifying what it is about, which makes it easier to note fast. There is a micro-gesture of pulling back from the content once you notice it; drop it like it’s hot.

Noting gross distractions is more juicy and you need to pull yourself more out of it, noting subtle distractions is fast and you’re quickly done with it.

An analogy: Gross distractions feel like seeing a cake and reaching out to take a bite. Noting subtle distractions feels like slapping the hand as soon as the impression of a cake shows up.

In actual practice the distinction is often blurred; find a way of noting that works for you as your mind settles and then try to find a way to note quicker/more precise/more refined once your mind settles down more. I think you might find that the second way of noting won’t work well if your mind isn’t very calm. Then it is time to do the less refined version of the noting. If you can do the first way consistently then you’re likely to be at least on stage 3-4; if you can do refined noting, then you are likely to have progresses further. Get to know your mind works intimately and how it reacts to your practice. Modify accordingly.

Hope this helps.

Herzlich,
Terje

[T SparbyMember]

Here are a few thoughts:

1. Are there any more phenomena that show up? Do you get piti? Which grade? Energy currents running through the body? Is it wavelike? Does it last for seconds or minutes? This would help with diagnosis.

2. Based on what you say: Parts of you seem to have progressed further than other parts. You need to work on the parts that are underdeveloped. Dullness really seems to be the central issue. Do a lot of body scanning and work on introspective meta-awareness. Make meta-awareness continuous had habituate your mind to supplying energy when you need it and relaxing when you don’t.

3. Do some practices that you are not used to doing. Things that won’t let you relax, things that don’t come easy. In other words, challenge yourself to get out of your habitual patterns. Anything uncomfortable is good. Tried eyes open meditation?

4. Talk to teachers who have a completely different perspective on things to see whether they can pinpoint exactly what might be the issue. I had an issue with subtle dullness for about a year. What helped was switching to a less comfortable meditation position.

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