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Michael Dunn replied to the topic 7 months, no real progress, monkey mind prevails in the forum Meditation 4 years, 8 months ago
I’d like to propose another option, and that is to move ahead and to try Stage 4 practices and to see if this additional work and new territory engages your mind enough to be less wandering.
I found that when I didn’t challenge myself in meditation that my mind wandered more because it was simply bored, but take on a more challenging practice and…[Read more]
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Michael Dunn replied to the topic Struggling immensely and confused in the forum Meditation 5 years, 1 month ago
Hello, Roger
The advice to pay attention to the aha moment of recollecting the object of meditation occurs at all stages that one is losing the object not just during the 4-step transition to the breath at the nose. When you do have an “aha” moment then make a mental note of that to reinforce this in the subconscious, then make an intention to…[Read more]
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Michael Dunn replied to the topic Dealing with intense head pressures in the forum Meditation 5 years, 8 months ago
Hello, Peter
There are some known conditions in some traditions that are caused by wind imbalances of the subtle body that can lead to these sensations. I had this occur many times during my retreats appearing as a deep pressure/pain in between my ears, and though I don’t have a single solution to help in all cases here are some options. First of…[Read more]
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Michael Dunn replied to the topic Analytical meditation: share your practice and experiences in the forum Meditation 5 years, 8 months ago
Hello,
True, this is not discussed enough along with the other meditations at the end of the TMI book (walking, loving-kindness).
I think analytical meditation is important for the insight phases of our practice, along with unifying the mind, this type of meditation engages the subconscious to reframe it’s perspectives and accelerates our…[Read more]
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Michael Dunn replied to the topic Eating less meals in the forum Dharma Practice in Daily Life 5 years, 9 months ago
hello Samuel,
I’ve never heard anything quite like that, but it doesn’t surprise me that it would be said. I’m not sure that the goal in life is to create more time for practice after all you can do that by going on Retreat and then you would have 24 hours a day.
Sometimes all we really need is better quality practice time not more of it.
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Michael Dunn replied to the topic Impasse at an early stage in the forum Meditation 5 years, 10 months ago
Hello,
In addition to what has already been posted, a “soft” skill that you can use to move through times when you feel stuck or when you just can’t past something is to reaffirm your intentions a lot more. I sometimes write down my intentions on a sheet of paper in front of me to remind me during the sit, in a very overt way.
This has the…[Read more]
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Michael Dunn replied to the topic Low mood since meditating? in the forum Dharma Practice in Daily Life 6 years, 1 month ago
Hello, Jem
In addition to the previously stated advices keep in mind that if you are new to meditating or at least new to a daily meditation practice as suggested in TMI that you may well be experiencing some low energy states that can also manifest as low moods.
If the body/mind are not used to meditation it may find it quite dull and lead to…[Read more]
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Michael Dunn replied to the topic Questions about Dullness and Pleasure (Sorry another question) in the forum Meditation 6 years, 1 month ago
Hello, Alexander
There has been a similar thread about dullness that you may also be reading, but a key reading for you would be on page 157 Non-Perceiving Mind Moments which talks about the pleasant sensation and the parts of the conscious mind, which I think will answer your questions clearly. In short yes, they are all real mental…[Read more]
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Michael Dunn replied to the topic Tips on meditation schools in the forum Help Wanted or Offered 6 years, 3 months ago
Well, I would have to bump you up to the top and suggest you engage in a dialogue with Culadasa directly, as he has graciously offered this service. (And he meets all of the qualifications of being experienced in this technique…!)
See details at this link:
Michael
DT Teacher in training -
Michael Dunn replied to the topic time to switch to other practices? in the forum Meditation 6 years, 3 months ago
ST1000
In response to your latest query, on top of all that has been said in this thread, I would suggest that if your mind/body system are out of balance, then you should work with off-the-cushion solutions to bring about balance and ease once again. Meditation can be a window into the dis-ease but may not be the cure.
Please explore a…[Read more]
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Michael Dunn replied to the topic Sleeping and meditation in the forum Meditation 6 years, 3 months ago
Hello, KJa
Yes, I have also found that doing the meditation practices while in bed can actually keep me awake, which is a good thing I guess, because then I won’t be falling asleep on the cushion either! In fact, these practices are designed to remove the progressive dullness that can lead to sleepiness, in part by overcoming the habit of…[Read more]
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Michael Dunn replied to the topic Vipassana Mediitation Center — very confused in the forum Meditation 6 years, 4 months ago
Hello, Allen
TMI is prefereable but its hard to find alot of 10 day free meditation retreats in which you can do TMI.
The systematic approach of TMI lends itself really well to self-practice and though I do advocate retreats when one can do them, TMI is much easier to practice alone and ensure progress through following instructions in the…[Read more]
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Michael Dunn replied to the topic Generalised Anxiety in the forum Meditation 6 years, 4 months ago
Hello, Ollie
The previous comments by Blake and Ivan cover a lot of great material which will be very beneficial to you so I will add something new that may be of help to you.
During retreat times, when I increase my practice level a lot over my daily schedule, I can quite often get some anxiety. Numerous reasons have been stated above, all…[Read more]
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Michael Dunn replied to the topic Increasing Mindfulnes / Body Scan earlier in the forum Meditation 6 years, 6 months ago
Hello, Starflower
May I ask – in what stage do you think you are practicing at the moment?
In general, it is perfectly fine to explore the practices ahead as you may actually find yourself in those stages. So if you were considering yourself working in Stage 4 then a Stage 5 practice may be nice to explore, but if you are at Stage 2 then I…[Read more]
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Michael Dunn replied to the topic Rebirth in the forum Principles of Dharma 6 years, 6 months ago
Hi, Blake
It becomes clear that as we create causes/karmic potentials constantly through our actions of body, speech, and mind there is a vast amount of ‘data’ being generated (I’ve heard varying figures from 50 – 80 per second). These causes create results/our world just as fast – but what is the order to all of this? I may be generous in one…[Read more]
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Michael Dunn replied to the topic Rebirth in the forum Principles of Dharma 6 years, 6 months ago
Hello, Jimi
I also have a very strong tendency to identify myself with my body and thus when my body dies, then I also die. However, if you’ll forgive me for summarizing some of the great and important dharma teachings in a hurry, we can see another way to look at this.
A consideration of the “I” to start. Who am I? What am I? What if I take…[Read more]
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Michael Dunn replied to the topic Online Meditation Group in the forum Meditation 6 years, 6 months ago
Hello, Tom
Here are links to 2 online meditation groups that I am aware of:
Nick Grabovac:
Tucker Peck:
Hope this helps,
Michael Dunn, teacher in training
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Michael Dunn replied to the topic Renunciation and Social Interactions in the forum Dharma Practice in Daily Life 6 years, 7 months ago
Hello, Samuel
Social interactions are unique to each person, and I can see in my life how they have changed over time and where I live and who I am with- there has been no constant. I wouldn’t dare try to tell you how to interact socially. I gather you can figure out the wholesome bit of just doing good and being happy about it.
My suggestion…[Read more]
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Michael Dunn replied to the topic Joy and Fear in Practise. in the forum Meditation 6 years, 7 months ago
Hello, Ali
I’m glad to hear how meditation is bringing you joy and that you have found your practice again.
Yes, fear can be considered a purification, and not all purifications happen on the cushion so that you could be having this as you get up and contrast to a non-meditating worldview. How do you come out of your meditation? If you use an…[Read more]
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Michael Dunn replied to the topic No moments of attention vs. attention fused with awareness in the forum Meditation 6 years, 7 months ago
Hello, Neko
I hear what you are saying about the generalization on the stages though I think the hierarchical structure works well for communicating this technique through a book.
Most people don’t need to ask what stage their meditation is in as long as they know what they need to work on in their mind at any time. For example, we all know…[Read more]
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