Skeleton Visualization

[fqmorris]

Numerous schools use visualization techniques for meditation. One form of visualization focuses on the human skeleton.  I believe its purpose is the provide a map for tracking the energy as it is felt moving through th body. I suppose another purpose is to get one to release identifying the self with the body, to see that it is just physical stuff, a bunch of parts, that will eventually be given up.

I have recently started focussing attention on 3D images of skeletons, and then felt an inner picture of where these bones are in my body. As I meditate it allows me quicker access to in inner vision of where the energy is moving.

Do any here see value in this object of focus?  Have you used it?

Skeleton Model:
http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/model-human-skeletal-skeleton-bones/750179

[Jhanananda]

The origin of this meditation practice, in a Buddhist context, is the Kayagatasati Sutta.  You might try reading it, and letting us know if it helps you.

However, from my experience, once the charisms start arising, then there is no need for a meditation object or technique.  One just attends to the charism 24-7, especially during meditation sessions.  If one does, one is sure to find greater depth in meditation than any technique can produce.

[fqmorris]

Thanks.

My goal is to progress, and I've been told that a multitude of techniques is the best way for progress.  I don't want to dead-end myself, so I am constantly looking for more information on how to get further, and not dead-end.  I guess I am a combination of impatience and anxiety for progress.

I have been reciting the Zhunti mantra for a few months now, but always with a focus on the energy flow I have known since the kundalini arose.  I think mantra helps crowd out thought, and focuses on internal energy vibrations.  The internal "sounds" are mental, since I do them inside. I use them simultaneously with my walking meditation.  It helps slow down everything.  This mantra works well in conjunction with my walking meditation session, that are no longer kriya focused.

I think sometimes my lying kriya meditation reaches a physical limit, and it makes me shut down into brief semi dream spots.  I try to resist them, and I'm not really tired when they happen, but I just enter a semi dream state filled with gibberish hazy content that last just a few moments, and I snap back to awareness again.  It seems I just have to allow those spots, since I can't stop them.  I think it has to do with my body demanding a rest state, despite my will otherwise.

My daily schedule now (no job) is about two hours lying kriya/energy before noon, another one or two hours lying kriya after dharma readings in afternoon, and two hours walking early evening.  That schedule will last maybe through to October, when I will be forced to get a job again.  I really want back into that "blank space" that I felt a week ago.  And I think my third eye is getting ripe to open.  I will let you know my progress back in the case study journal.

[Jhanananda]

Thanks.

My goal is to progress, and I've been told that a multitude of techniques is the best way for progress.  I don't want to dead-end myself, so I am constantly looking for more information on how to get further, and not dead-end.  I guess I am a combination of impatience and anxiety for progress.

To make progress you will have to one realize that almost no one has the depth in meditation that you are already at.  In fact most people who have been practicing meditation for decades get nothing out of it.  Thus most of the advice you get will be misleading.  So, my advice, having given rise to the charisms in the first few months of practicing meditation 41 years ago is dump the technique, and go balls out on the charisms; because depth in meditation is self arising.  One just has to get out of the way to allow it to happen.

I have been reciting the Zhunti mantra for a few months now, but always with a focus on the energy flow I have known since the kundalini arose.  I think mantra helps crowd out thought, and focuses on internal energy vibrations.  The internal "sounds" are mental, since I do them inside. I use them simultaneously with my walking meditation.  It helps slow down everything.  This mantra works well in conjunction with my walking meditation session, that are no longer kriya focused.

Stilling the mind is a critical skill to develop for depth in meditation, so doing whatever you have to to still mind is useful; however, eventually the mantra, and any other technique, will have to be drop for depth.

I think sometimes my lying kriya meditation reaches a physical limit, and it makes me shut down into brief semi dream spots.  I try to resist them, and I'm not really tired when they happen, but I just enter a semi dream state filled with gibberish hazy content that last just a few moments, and I snap back to awareness again.  It seems I just have to allow those spots, since I can't stop them.  I think it has to do with my body demanding a rest state, despite my will otherwise.

Depth in meditation also requires traversing the sleep domain.  The key here is just to remain aware, while allowing the natural flow of the religious experience to unfold.

My daily schedule now (no job) is about two hours lying kriya/energy before noon, another one or two hours lying kriya after dharma readings in afternoon, and two hours walking early evening.  That schedule will last maybe through to October, when I will be forced to get a job again.  I really want back into that "blank space" that I felt a week ago.  And I think my third eye is getting ripe to open.  I will let you know my progress back in the case study journal.

Sounds like a useful regimen that is likely to produce results.

[bodhimind]

To make progress you will have to one realize that almost no one has the depth in meditation that you are already at.  In fact most people who have been practicing meditation for decades get nothing out of it.  Thus most of the advice you get will be misleading.  So, my advice, having given rise to the charisms in the first few months of practicing meditation 41 years ago is dump the technique, and go balls out on the charisms; because depth in meditation is self arising.  One just has to get out of the way to allow it to happen.

I totally needed this advice. I don't know if it was coincidence that I was compelled to click this thread, but the advice here is absolutely going to help my progress.

To the OP: I use the same technique, and it's gotten to the point where I can actually feel the "chi"/blood flows in my feet and other areas when I direct it with will. When I get my whole body saturated with this "wind movement", I loosen my grasp on the technique and naturally slip into jhanic states. It's as I lose sense of my own body as well.

[Jhanananda]

Good work, bodhimind, sounds like you are right on.  Glad I cold help.