Dharma Treasure Community

Hi, Tanvi is right it is really good that you’ve been meditating for about seven months that is an achievement in itself (whoo!!). it sounds like you’re frustrated with how slow your progress is and it might be worth reflecting on why you’re doing it, on the progress you’ve made so far (stage one is completed definitely), on the good things that will come out of your meditation practice in the future and renewing your passion for it. in the book, as well, there is the ‘preparation for meditation’ with some good things to reflect on.
With regard to not making any further progress the only thing I can think of is to go back a stage and really make sure you have reached the goals for it. the only thing I can think of is that you might find it helpful to sure-up on some elements you might have missed and improve a few of the things you still might be getting to grips with in those stages; you then have a really solid foundation from which to go forward.
someone would probably tell you different and I’m only guessing really but like I say you are doing great at the moment and meditating for an hour isn’t something the average person can do.

How’s your mindfulness throughout the day off the cushion? Do you remember to be mindful when you’re doing everyday tasks like walking, brushing teeth etc, and how often? I ask because you mention that you’ve been able to reach higher stages on retreats so I wonder if it’s a momentum type issue that’s holding you back, or what TMI calls having a ‘leaky bucket’

TMI indicates the cure for monkey mind is getting grounded in your body. How’s your body awareness?

• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by  Jason.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by  Jason.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by  Jason.

Hi Laura,
It sounds like you are doing a lot of skillful things to train your mind, such as practicing regularly, and giving yourself positive feedback when you wake up. I also hear that you notice some agitation when there is mind wandering, and I’m wondering if there are particular topics around the mind wandering which you might notice? Although labeling is not really part of the 2nd stage, perhaps when you are practicing in stage 3, you could prioritize labeling and notice if there are any particular themes. Is there a lot of emotional content with any of these themes?

In the 6 step preparation, are you able to name some of the distractions which might come up and intend to put them aside when they arise? Also, are you spending plenty of time noticing pleasant body sensations, relaxation, and joy during the 4 step transition?

I had one teacher tell me (not TMI) that if the same thing keeps coming up in meditation practice, it might be a good idea to address whatever it is when you are not meditating. Therapy is sometimes helpful if challenging things are arising, and are causing agitation.

Just some thoughts, and best of luck in your practice!

Congratulations on your practice. I have no reason to think that this might help, but it’s something that most of us miss in the preparation steps. On page 94 there is a gray box which is advised to be used as part of our preparation for meditation. Just for fun, you might take a look and see if you are doing those things. And if not, give them a try.

Hi Laura, I’m in one of Culadasa’s teacher training classes and just saw your post about monkey mind. I’ve been practicing with TMI since July, 2015 and in the past several months had the same problem, lots of distraction and mind-wandering. I had to back up from Stage 7 practices and I went back to Stages 2-3, really focusing on several things:
1. Setting and holding intentions for stable attention and powerful mindfulness
2. closely following the sensations of breathing (not the mechanics, just the sensations like temperature, pressure, velocity)
3. connecting, noticing the similarities and differences between “this breath” and the last one.
4. checking in frequently.

There is an instruction in TMI that when the “monkey” is agitated, give it a bigger cage by intentionally expanding the scope of attention to take in more locations, even up to whole body. The key word: “intentionally.”

Going back to earlier skill building feels really good. I can think if each in breath as the only thing that’s actually happening right now, and then the same for each out breath. I like to imagine nothing else exists except “this breath.” And I know I have limited time to sit, so I try to focus strongly on each in and out breath. I discovered I wandered at the bottom of the out breath, if I hung out there too long, so I try to watch there even more closely. And sometimes I can’t even count 10 breaths! If I can’t even do that, I might switch to Metta practice for a while and come back to it. Some people get up and walk a bit.

Anyway, wishing you well.