Bodhimind's Blog

[Jhanananda]

Bodhimind, I noticed something else that may be in connection with the "balloon popping" experience we talked about before. It comes around the third jhana, it seems as though some kind of secretion happens with me from the roof of the mouth and travels down the throat. It becomes extremely difficult to not swallow as there is a choking sensation, or burning, or something associated with it? Might this be something you experience as well? I only note this because while it is easy to re-establish the sit afterwards, it has tended to be un-avoidable in ignoring. Its semi painful. Oh I forgot to say, when it happens, it seem like there is this endless amount of saliva that forms haha. Weird, I know.

I seem to have that "cool liquid" down the back of the throat as well. There's not much burning for mine though, so I am not sure if that is what you talk about. It feels like I need to swallow it, but then again if I leave it alone, it simply feels as if something cool is flowing at the back of my throat. I think this might be "ambrosia". Some yogi claim it to be the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) overflowing from the spine into the throat.

This could be a charismatic phenomena that is commonly reported in Indic religious literature.  One of the terms I have heard is "amrita," which means 'nectar.'  This would be a manifestation of the gastronomic charisms.

It could also just be post nasal drip.  So, see where it goes.

I also noted something else recently. You know how the Buddha has described being aware of internal organs and their functions, movements etc? Well as I lay in meditation before bed i became aware of a constant sound in one ear, like something consistently ruffleing my pillow case. I directed awareness to it to find that it was my pulse. As I maintained focus, I found that I was able to follow the entire pulse from the heart, to near the ear, and through the face. Not only could I feel it, I could see it as a visual image in my mind. Just found that interesting =).

Once a doctor asked me if I was able to feel my own heartbeat and I said yes. Apparently 'normal people' aren't supposed to feel the heartbeat. Maybe we have simply just extended and trained our awareness to capture more of it.... I don't know haha. I've never felt it to the extent you do yet, though.

Yes, when I arrived at hearing the sound charism 24/7 it was preceded by hearing my heart and pulse beating loudly.  At first I thought I was having a heart attack.  I realized later that this is an aspect of the hypersensitivity that a mystic goes through on his/her journey through the charisms.

[bodhimind]

You said this person was also a contemplative? Perhaps there is a way to rationalize the situation by attempting to view the root of the problem? I feel like you have a good handle on the situation, so you'll know whats best in this regard.

Most friends might advise that when going through a tough time to do anything you could to distract yourself from it. However, this presents a unique sort of obstacle for a contemplative, as we tend to be aware of everything, and thus that sting is felt much more keenly.  I have been married for a number of years, and with any marriage it has had it's ups and downs. There are times that my wife can get to me in the worst of ways, and it's these times that my heart will also physically ache. But for me, it has also provided a concrete reason for refuge. However, there are days I absolutely cannot meditate deeply due to being unable to find peace, and contentment. Love is certainly a doubled edge-sword, much like the charisms. I believe all we can do is observe it for it's beauty and endure it for it's pain.

A friend of mine said not too long ago that "Expectations are premeditated resentments". In a physical sense, I believe love to be composed primarily of expectation of reciprocation. I hate to dull it down in that way, as while going through the motions, it can be amazing. But, there really is no trick to a heart-ache, sadly. Time is the only thing I know that can cure them; one just becomes numb to the pain. But, never forget that you've got all that you need partner. It's all about someone else deserving it.

I've tried, but I guess she has not internalized that emotions are not part of her. I read in a Taoist text that females had a stronger attachment to emotion as compared to males, who had a stronger attachment to lust. For now, I've been discussing with her the nature of retreating backwards away from sensory pleasure, to become more attuned to the four foundations of mindfulness. I'll have to see where it goes, and keep my ruminations out of the way.

I agree with that... I've become extremely aware of my body and that I feel the pain a little too intensely. One moment the heart feels like it has a gaping hole, then the next moment it feels as if it was being seared. Then sometimes I would feel as if my entire skin was burning... Sometimes I would feel my organs were heating up... Sometimes I feel the sweat oozing out of my pores... It's a little overwhelming sometimes and I try very hard to keep identity detached from the body. I think loving has allowed me to bare my heart more... it actually feels quite similar to the joy that arises in the first jhana.

I agree with you about reciprocation too. Often, I think that one partner does something with an expectation of reciprocation. And if the reciprocation doesn't come, the expectation drives pain and suffering. It's at its root... a form of craving. I'm trying to apply that practically... to seek bliss WITHIN, instead of attributing it to something outside. It's all too easy to succumb to that...

This could be a charismatic phenomena that is commonly reported in Indic religious literature.  One of the terms I have heard is "amrita," which means 'nectar.'  This would be a manifestation of the gastronomic charisms.

It could also just be post nasal drip.  So, see where it goes.

One of my Hindu friends says he experiences this on a very frequent basis, while doing the Kechari mudra (tongue into nasal cavity). And he experiences full-body bliss and tingling too. So I think it might really be a charism. I was wondering if you knew anything about kechari mudra?

Yes, when I arrived at hearing the sound charism 24/7 it was preceded by hearing my heart and pulse beating loudly.  At first I thought I was having a heart attack.  I realized later that this is an aspect of the hypersensitivity that a mystic goes through on his/her journey through the charisms.

Sometimes this hypersensitivity can seem chaotic to me... I guess i need to learn how to maintain equanimity and seek solace in the charisms more deeply...

---

These past few weeks have taught me quite a bit on how we tend to have subconscious thoughts that elude the conscious mind... and that the subconscious part of the mind can exert a very real effect on the body and mind. For example, although I may think of detachment, that is only surface-level, because I need to dive deep in and I suddenly realize that a bunch of attachments have sprouted up within. I'm not sure if I'm making sense here, but I feel like a puppet being driven by strings that I cannot see - and I need to be able to dive into these things and see them.

Lately I've been feeling very sensitive to the environment. For example, I've been leaving my concrete flat to walk in parks and forested areas as much as possible... to walk to places with lakes... To simply just be active around nature. I feel it to be extremely stifling within concrete walls. I want to breathe the fresh air, to feel the bare earth with my feet...

And I feel like in random periods of the day, I would get this feeling of "wind" entering my skin, as if I was a frog. Sometimes it can burn a little, sometimes it can feel very, very cooling. Sometimes I can feel mini-orgasms in localized body-parts. Just that other day, I had a full-blown orgasm in my entire left hand, which was extremely weird. I was wondering if this is also some kind of charism. I seem to get it randomly... neck areas, back, legs, especially the crown...

When I actively try to shift towards metta, away from unwholesome states, my heart feels like a ball of light, a bit like a mini-sun. But when I experience things like mini-heartbreaks, the heart feels as if it was squashed like a sponge. I also feel tremendous sadness sometimes when I am unable to get my message across to people.

[Jhanananda]

... I've become extremely aware of my body and that I feel the pain a little too intensely. One moment the heart feels like it has a gaping hole, then the next moment it feels as if it was being seared. Then sometimes I would feel as if my entire skin was burning... Sometimes I would feel my organs were heating up... Sometimes I feel the sweat oozing out of my pores... It's a little overwhelming sometimes and I try very hard to keep identity detached from the body.

During the period of my experience of the hypersensitive phase of the spiritual crisis I experienced much of what you described above.  I found when I read the literature of other mystics, such as Teresa of Avila, they reported similar experiences.  It can be quite difficult to get through this phase.  If one were to go to a psychiatrist they would conclude that we have become delusional and need heavy medication, so in western culture most people in this phase just get heavily medicated, and thus never make it past this phase.

I think loving has allowed me to bare my heart more... it actually feels quite similar to the joy that arises in the first jhana.

Yes, I found the experience of bliss and joy is much like the experience of love; however, it is all too easy to go from love object to love object when one enters this phase and thus never pass through it.  So, it takes quite some determination to stick with the sacred as one's object, and to avoid human relationships.

I agree with you about reciprocation too. Often, I think that one partner does something with an expectation of reciprocation. And if the reciprocation doesn't come, the expectation drives pain and suffering. It's at its root... a form of craving. I'm trying to apply that practically... to seek bliss WITHIN, instead of attributing it to something outside. It's all too easy to succumb to that...

This is a noble effort, and takes much determination, because romantic love is just so seductive a delusion.

One of my Hindu friends says he experiences this on a very frequent basis, while doing the Kechari mudra (tongue into nasal cavity). And he experiences full-body bliss and tingling too. So I think it might really be a charism. I was wondering if you knew anything about kechari mudra?

Yes, I am familiar with the kechari mudra, and many many other techniques.  I keep trying to remind people that once the mind is still, and the charisms arise, one needs no technique other than to attend to the charisms with a still mind 24-7.

Sometimes this hypersensitivity can seem chaotic to me... I guess i need to learn how to maintain equanimity and seek solace in the charisms more deeply...

Yes.

These past few weeks have taught me quite a bit on how we tend to have subconscious thoughts that elude the conscious mind... and that the subconscious part of the mind can exert a very real effect on the body and mind. For example, although I may think of detachment, that is only surface-level, because I need to dive deep in and I suddenly realize that a bunch of attachments have sprouted up within. I'm not sure if I'm making sense here, but I feel like a puppet being driven by strings that I cannot see - and I need to be able to dive into these things and see them.

This is why we must ever be vigilant in self-awareness, and maintaining a still mind and fully aware of the charisms.

Lately I've been feeling very sensitive to the environment. For example, I've been leaving my concrete flat to walk in parks and forested areas as much as possible... to walk to places with lakes... To simply just be active around nature. I feel it to be extremely stifling within concrete walls. I want to breathe the fresh air, to feel the bare earth with my feet...

This is why I have chosen to live in nature as much as possible for the last 16 years.

And I feel like in random periods of the day, I would get this feeling of "wind" entering my skin, as if I was a frog. Sometimes it can burn a little, sometimes it can feel very, very cooling. Sometimes I can feel mini-orgasms in localized body-parts. Just that other day, I had a full-blown orgasm in my entire left hand, which was extremely weird. I was wondering if this is also some kind of charism. I seem to get it randomly... neck areas, back, legs, especially the crown...

These are the charisms.  We mystics just turn our mind to them, and attend to them fully.

When I actively try to shift towards metta, away from unwholesome states, my heart feels like a ball of light, a bit like a mini-sun. But when I experience things like mini-heartbreaks, the heart feels as if it was squashed like a sponge. I also feel tremendous sadness sometimes when I am unable to get my message across to people.

Yes, when we attend to the world, then we feel the misery of the world; whereas, when we attend to the charisms we feel the bliss.  So, just attend to the charisms.  When misery arises, then turn your mind to the chairsms however you can.

[bodhimind]

Recently I've realized that I am able to enter the non-dual state more quickly when I let go and surrender the 'boundary' of the body. It feels as if my body disappears and I'm merged with infinity. Then the intense heat comes again and I stop breathing for a while. Light fills my vision and my entire frame has a subtle tingling suffused with joy. I've also learnt that I've always been going about it in an outside-in manner. The "inside-out" approach, which is to feel and not try to do anything or think about it, seems to help me feel the charisms to a more intense degree.

I find intuition stronger than before. I get images in my head before they happen (such as a person talking to me, what activities the person is doing... etc). My friend asked me, "How do you know?!" I really have no idea. It's as if it's just there. It's there all along. In that moment, I just know. Would this be intuition?

I find my heart more vulnerable than ever. I cry sometimes when I see how others have suffered, particularly when I see what patients have gone through in my medical rotations. Then I wonder - what is the difference between empathy and sympathy? Empathy defined in some fields say it is about knowing what the other has gone through and continuing with a compassionate act to help out, while sympathy is simply feeling the same but not bothering to do anything about it.

Also, am I right to say that the collective unconscious is literally the collection of unconscious thoughtforms... perhaps what Carl Jung calls the universal archetypes?

[Sam Lim]

Recently I've realized that I am able to enter the non-dual state more quickly when I let go and surrender the 'boundary' of the body. It feels as if my body disappears and I'm merged with infinity. Then the intense heat comes again and I stop breathing for a while. Light fills my vision and my entire frame has a subtle tingling suffused with joy. I've also learnt that I've always been going about it in an outside-in manner. The "inside-out" approach, which is to feel and not try to do anything or think about it, seems to help me feel the charisms to a more intense degree.

It seems that you have been practising qi-gong which would have a faster progress. The intense heat is the result of qi-gong.

I find my heart more vulnerable than ever. I cry sometimes when I see how others have suffered, particularly when I see what patients have gone through in my medical rotations. Then I wonder - what is the difference between empathy and sympathy? Empathy defined in some fields say it is about knowing what the other has gone through and continuing with a compassionate act to help out, while sympathy is simply feeling the same but not bothering to do anything about it.

This seems like you are progressing very well. Most real mystic would go through that compassionate phase. I still cry now and then. Keep up the good work

[Jhanananda]

Recently I've realized that I am able to enter the non-dual state more quickly when I let go and surrender the 'boundary' of the body. It feels as if my body disappears and I'm merged with infinity. Then the intense heat comes again and I stop breathing for a while. Light fills my vision and my entire frame has a subtle tingling suffused with joy. I've also learnt that I've always been going about it in an outside-in manner. The "inside-out" approach, which is to feel and not try to do anything or think about it, seems to help me feel the charisms to a more intense degree.

It sounds like you are making progress, as the loss of a sense of self, and even the sense of a body, and the awareness of the non-physical phenomena that we call 'charism,' are characteristic of deep meditation states.  As Sam stated, the heat, which he calls 'Qi,' and Hinduism tends to call 'kundalini' and Christianity tends to call 'holy spirit,' is a product of leading a contemplative life.

I find intuition stronger than before. I get images in my head before they happen (such as a person talking to me, what activities the person is doing... etc). My friend asked me, "How do you know?!" I really have no idea. It's as if it's just there. It's there all along. In that moment, I just know. Would this be intuition?

Intuition is one of the superior fruit of leading a contemplative life, so it is proof that your contemplative life is baring fruit.

I find my heart more vulnerable than ever. I cry sometimes when I see how others have suffered, particularly when I see what patients have gone through in my medical rotations. Then I wonder - what is the difference between empathy and sympathy? Empathy defined in some fields say it is about knowing what the other has gone through and continuing with a compassionate act to help out, while sympathy is simply feeling the same but not bothering to do anything about it.

I agree with Sam, sympathy and empathy and compassion are all the product of leading a fruitful contemplative life.

Also, am I right to say that the collective unconscious is literally the collection of unconscious thoughtforms... perhaps what Carl Jung calls the universal archetypes?

Yes, and no.  I do not buy into the whole package of Carl Jung's hypotheses; however, I find when I am out of body there is certainly groups of beings who have a shared delusion that causes them to congregate in the immaterial domains, and if you violate their collective delusion, then they will rise up against you as if you are an intruder and attack you with tremendous violence.

[Cal]

I find my heart more vulnerable than ever. I cry sometimes when I see how others have suffered, particularly when I see what patients have gone through in my medical rotations. Then I wonder - what is the difference between empathy and sympathy? Empathy defined in some fields say it is about knowing what the other has gone through and continuing with a compassionate act to help out, while sympathy is simply feeling the same but not bothering to do anything about it.

This is a very interesting thought, Bpdhimind. In the past, and I suppose without a great deal of thought, I always considered empathy to be the thoughts, feelings, or intentions of another to be known by me, without them meaning to tell them. Where-as sympathy was afforded after ones perception of an event was given and I have attempted to relate.

But I suppose they walk in tandem, where empathy is the "desire" to notice, and sympathy is the "desire" to relate. Hmm, interesting thought indeed.

It's good to hear from you Bodhimind. =)

[bodhimind]

It seems that you have been practising qi-gong which would have a faster progress. The intense heat is the result of qi-gong.

Yes, I've been practising it alongside meditation. Haha

Yes, and no.  I do not buy into the whole package of Carl Jung's hypotheses; however, I find when I am out of body there is certainly groups of beings who have a shared delusion that causes them to congregate in the immaterial domains, and if you violate their collective delusion, then they will rise up against you as if you are an intruder and attack you with tremendous violence.

That is strange indeed... Is there a reason why they might share a collective delusion?

This is a very interesting thought, Bpdhimind. In the past, and I suppose without a great deal of thought, I always considered empathy to be the thoughts, feelings, or intentions of another to be known by me, without them meaning to tell them. Where-as sympathy was afforded after ones perception of an event was given and I have attempted to relate.

But I suppose they walk in tandem, where empathy is the "desire" to notice, and sympathy is the "desire" to relate. Hmm, interesting thought indeed.

It's good to hear from you Bodhimind. =)

Haha I should try to post here more. I really like how you put empathy as noticing and sympathy as relating, it does make sense. I know one of the divine abodes is 'sympathetic joy', so I was wondering what exactly this meant, because I tend to just have a higher emphasis on loving-kindness/metta.

[Jhanananda]

That is strange indeed... Is there a reason why they might share a collective delusion?

People with similar delusions, and beliefs will be propelled into similar layers of the immaterial domains (AKA collective unconscious.)  An example of this is the devout of mainstream religion subscribe to a common collective delusion.  Curiously, it means that devout Muslim, Christians, Buddhists, and Hindus, etc. are likely to congregate in the same layer of the immaterial domains; where the cultural differences between one devout religious belief system, verses another, become just individual filters (AKA rose colored glasses) through which the individual perceives that layer of the immaterial domain, such that devout Muslim, Christians, Buddhists, and Hindus, who hate each other on the material domain, are likely to cohabitate on the immaterial domain without perceiving those differences.

Haha I should try to post here more.

It helps others negotiate the strange world of the charisms when we discuss our journey through them.  So, it is useful for others to post here.

I really like how you put empathy as noticing and sympathy as relating, it does make sense. I know one of the divine abodes is 'sympathetic joy', so I was wondering what exactly this meant, because I tend to just have a higher emphasis on loving-kindness/metta.

I believe that bodhimind is using these terms more precisely; whereas, observing the feelings of others is more related to intuition, which the psychiatric community dismisses as delusion, because they do not accept anyone can actually observe the feelings of others.

[bodhimind]

People with similar delusions, and beliefs will be propelled into similar layers of the immaterial domains (AKA collective unconscious.)  An example of this is the devout of mainstream religion subscribe to a common collective delusion.  Curiously, it means that devout Muslim, Christians, Buddhists, and Hindus, etc. are likely to congregate in the same layer of the immaterial domains; where the cultural differences between one devout religious belief system, verses another, become just individual filters (AKA rose colored glasses) through which the individual perceives that layer of the immaterial domain, such that devout Muslim, Christians, Buddhists, and Hindus, who hate each other on the material domain, are likely to cohabitate without perceiving those differences.

Thank you for the explanation, that makes a lot of sense.

-----------

I think I have finally gotten a slight handle over how to view internal visions. I feel like I have to completely retreat from the sense of seeing and produce a mental picture, as if I took the backseat in a cinema instead of sitting in the front.

In a recent session, I saw a vision of Avalokitesvara/male Kuan Yin who turned into this huge orb of light that felt like a sun. I could feel the warmth and a brilliant golden light shone into my heart area. I felt immensely loved. I felt as if this sun was in the center of the universe. I'm not sure why I thought that way. After that I felt like the light expanded and I became one with the light, expanding past my body. There was a lot of bliss and I felt very equanimous. I could hear the auditory charisms. I'm not exactly sure what jhana this was, but I felt like I could meditate forever.

A mystic friend recently told me about how he started seeing "glitches in the matrix". He can read the energetic imprint/vibes of what people write or say and tell the overall feeling of the person. Do you find it to be true? Also, he is able to see the auras of people in color - such that he can see who has an intensely opened brow chakra, etc. He does follow a daily routine of intensely long meditation sits (currently in a retreat), that's why I believe him.

I personally find that I can sometimes see bluish color or whitish color patterns in the air, especially after a meditation session. As if everything is connected by some kind of grid... But they seem to radiate somewhat from the tips of my fingers. I can see a bubble of color around the heads of some people, but they're mostly whitish... grey even. I also feel drained when I'm around a lot of people... I don't really know why. I have this slight feeling of how people are feeling and their vibes... For example one person might be smiling but I can feel this dank heaviness, or another would be repulsive, etc.

I find a contemplation of death of my own body to be one of the staple practices I'm doing along with qigong, breath/kasina meditation and walking/standing meditation...

[Jhanananda]

I think I have finally gotten a slight handle over how to view internal visions. I feel like I have to completely retreat from the sense of seeing and produce a mental picture, as if I took the backseat in a cinema instead of sitting in the front.

I see no need to "produce a mental picture," when the path to deeper meditation states starts with stilling the mind; however, I can see how mental projection can lead to deeper states, when at some point we let go of the mental projection.  Here the mental projection just becomes a meditation object, which is let go of at the 2nd jhana.

In a recent session, I saw a vision of Avalokitesvara/male Kuan Yin who turned into this huge orb of light that felt like a sun. I could feel the warmth and a brilliant golden light shone into my heart area. I felt immensely loved. I felt as if this sun was in the center of the universe. I'm not sure why I thought that way. After that I felt like the light expanded and I became one with the light, expanding past my body. There was a lot of bliss and I felt very equanimous. I could hear the auditory charisms. I'm not exactly sure what jhana this was, but I felt like I could meditate forever.

Certainly to feel immense love is what bliss is all about, and bliss is a factor of deep meditation (jhana).  Feeling as if you could meditate forever is a characteristic of the 4th stage of deep meditation; and the brilliant golden light is also called a 'kasina' and is a characteristic of moving from the 4th stage of deep meditation to the fifth.

A mystic friend recently told me about how he started seeing "glitches in the matrix". He can read the energetic imprint/vibes of what people write or say and tell the overall feeling of the person. Do you find it to be true? Also, he is able to see the auras of people in color - such that he can see who has an intensely opened brow chakra, etc. He does follow a daily routine of intensely long meditation sits (currently in a retreat), that's why I believe him.

Certainly deep meditation developed a number of the superior fruit of attainment (maha-phala) for me, and the case histories here show it is true for others.  So, I see no reason why your friend could not be experiencing these phenomena.  We can only know a tree by its fruit, which includes the superior fruit of attainment (maha-phala), as well as freedom from addiction and neuroses.

I saw my first chakras and auras back in 1973.  After about a year of deep meditation practice I took to doing aura readings to support myself; however, I found people do not generally want the truth.  Instead they tend to pay a lot for some fantastic fiction.  So, I gave up the readings, and found another livelihood.

I personally find that I can sometimes see bluish color or whitish color patterns in the air, especially after a meditation session. As if everything is connected by some kind of grid... But they seem to radiate somewhat from the tips of my fingers. I can see a bubble of color around the heads of some people, but they're mostly whitish... grey even.

This sounds like seeing auras and chakras.  I found seeing auras and chakras is a characteristic of the visual charism.

I also feel drained when I'm around a lot of people... I don't really know why. I have this slight feeling of how people are feeling and their vibes... For example one person might be smiling but I can feel this dank heaviness, or another would be repulsive, etc.

Yes, most people are more identified with the lower planes, and so can be a drain for a mystic.  This is why many mystics go off into the wilderness to preserve their sanity.

I find a contemplation of death of my own body to be one of the staple practices I'm doing along with qigong, breath/kasina meditation and walking/standing meditation...

I too have done these practices, and found them fruitful, so I am not surprised that you too find them fruitful.

[Sam Lim]

Glad for you bodhimind. You have improved tremendously. Keep it up.

[bodhimind]

I was wondering about this...

Avalokitesvara or Kuan Yin is said to have been enlightened through the use of the "sound without sound", then it suddenly occurred to me that he/she might be talking about the auditory charism.

For example, in this Mahayana sutra (though I understand its lack of validity as compared to the Pali canon):

"I now submit to the World Honoured One
That all Buddhas in this world appear
To teach the most appropriate method
Which consists in using pervasive sound.
The state of Samadhi can be Realized by means of hearing.
Thus was Avalokiteśvara freed from suffering.
Hail to the Regarder of sound
Who, during aeons countless as Ganges' sand,
Entered as many Buddha lands to win
The power and comfort of his independence,
And bestow fearlessness upon all living beings.

O you who (have achieved) the sound profound,
The seer of sound, of sound the purifier,
Who, unfailing as the sound of ocean tides,
saves all beings in the world make them secure,
ensure their liberation and attainment of eternity.
Reverently I declare to the Tathagata what Avalokitesvara said:
When one dwells in quietude,
Rolls of drums from ten directions
Simultaneously are heard,
So hearing is complete and perfect,
The eyes cannot pierce a screen,
But neither can mouth nor nose,
Body only feels when it is touched.
Mind's thoughts are confused and unconnected,
(But) voice whether near or far, at all times can be heard.
The five other organs are not perfect,
But hearing really is pervasive.
The presence or absence of sound and voice
Is registered by ear as 'is' or 'is not'. 

Absence of sound means nothing heard,
Not hearing devoid of nature.
Absence of sound is not the end of hearing,
And sound when present is not its beginning.
The faculty of hearing, beyond creation
And annihilation, truly is permanent
Even when isolated thoughts in a dream arise,
Though the thinking process stops, hearing does not end,
For the faculty of hearing is beyond
All thought, beyond both mind and body. 

In this Saha world
Teaching is by voice.
Living beings who cognize not hearing's nature,
Follow sound to continue transmigrating.
Though Ananda memorized all that he had heard,
he could not avoid perverted thoughts.
This is to fall into samsara by clinging to sound;
Whilst reality is won against the worldly stream.
Listen, Ananda, listen closely,
In the name of Buddha I proclaim The Vajra King of Enlightenment,
The inconceivable understanding that illusions Are unreal,
the true Samadhi that begets all Buddhas.
You may hear of esoteric methods From Buddhas countless as the dust,
But if you cannot eradicate Desire, to hear much causes errors.
To hear your very Self, why not turn backward
That faculty employed to hear Buddha's words,
Hearing is not of itself, But owes its name to sound.

Freed from sound by turning hearing backwards,
What do you call that which is disengaged
When one sense organ has to its source returned,
All the six senses thereby are liberated.
Seeing and hearing are like optical illusions,
Just as all three worlds resemble flowers in the sky.
With hearing disengaged, the illusory organ vanishes;
With objects eradicated, perfectly pure is Bodhi
In utter purity, the bright light pervades all,
With its shining stillness enfolding the great void.
All worldly things, when closely looked at,
Are but illusions seen in dreams.

Dream-like was the Matatigi maiden: How could she keep your body with her?
Like a clever showman
Presenting a puppet play,
Though movements are many,
There is but one controller.
When that control is stopped,
Figures show no nature.
Likewise are the six organs,
Derived from one alaya
Which divides into six unions.
If one of these returns to source,
All six functions are ended.
With all infection ended,
Bodhi is then realized.
Any defiling remnant requires further study,
Whereas full enlightenment is the Tathagata.
Ananda and all you who listen here,
Should inward turn your faculty

The Enlightened and World Honoured One Has asked about the best expedients
For those in the Dharma ending age
Who wish from samsara to escape In their search for Nirvana's heart.
It is best to contemplate on worldly sound:
All other methods are expedients
Used by Buddha in particular cases
To keep disciples from occasional trouble.
They are not good for indiscriminate practice
By men of different types.
I salute the Tathagata Store
Which is beyond the worldly stream.
Blessed be coming generations
So that they have (abiding) faith In this easy expedient .

'Tis good for teaching ‚Ananda
And those of the Dharma ending age
Who should use the hearing organ
Which surpasses all others
And with the True Mind accords."

And other sources someone recommended me that I plan to look through:

• http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/7845/Union-of-Sound-and-Emptiness
• http://www.amaravati.org/dhamma-books/inner-listening/

I find so much solace taking refuge in that unstruck sound charism, it brings joyful shivers.

[Jhanananda]

I was wondering about this...

Avalokitesvara or Kuan Yin is said to have been enlightened through the use of the "sound without sound", then it suddenly occurred to me that he/she might be talking about the auditory charism.

For example, in this Mahayana sutra (though I understand its lack of validity as compared to the Pali canon):

Yes, it is indeed possible that Avalokitesvara (aka Kuan Yin) had been enlightened through the use of the "sound without sound," which surely seems to be talking about the auditory charism.  Or, someone else who invoked Avalokitesvara (aka Kuan Yin), and wrote the sutra in question using pseudepigraphy.

"I now submit to the World Honoured One
That all Buddhas in this world appear
To teach the most appropriate method

This will surely be true of any genuinely enlightened person who would otherwise be called a 'Buddha.'  This would include all of the major mystics, whom I quote from regularly: Siddhartha Gautama, Patanjali, Jesus, Rumi, Kabir, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, and so many others.  We know a tree by its fruit, and that fruit is the superior fruit of attainment, called 'maha-phala' in the suttas.

Which consists in using pervasive sound.
The state of Samadhi can be Realized by means of hearing.

Yes, or course, but we must keep in mind that there are many charisms (aka superior fruit (maha-phala)).

Thus was Avalokiteśvara freed from suffering.

Being freed from suffering is one of the defining qualities of one who is enlightened.

O you who (have achieved) the sound profound,
The seer of sound, of sound the purifier,
Who, unfailing as the sound of ocean tides,
saves all beings in the world make them secure,
ensure their liberation and attainment of eternity.

In my experience, and in our case histories we find the charism of sound can sound at limes like the waves of the ocean, or flowing water, or a water fall, or rain.

Reverently I declare to the Tathagata what Avalokitesvara said:
When one dwells in quietude,
Rolls of drums from ten directions
Simultaneously are heard,
So hearing is complete and perfect,

Yes, in my experience, and the GWV case histories, the stilling of the mind is the gateway to the charisms, and the charismatic sound is one of those charisms, and at times it can also sound like roaring water falls, or Rolls of drums, which can seem to come from all directions, or from inside the center of our head.

Absence of sound means nothing heard,
Not hearing devoid of nature.
Absence of sound is not the end of hearing,
And sound when present is not its beginning.
The faculty of hearing, beyond creation
And annihilation, truly is permanent
Even when isolated thoughts in a dream arise,
Though the thinking process stops, hearing does not end,
For the faculty of hearing is beyond
All thought, beyond both mind and body. 

Another way of saying this is the charismatic sensations are not the product of sensory stimulation.

And other sources someone recommended me that I plan to look through:

• Union of Sound and Emptiness
• Inner Listening by Ajahn Amaro

I find so much solace taking refuge in that unstruck sound charism, it brings joyful shivers.

Joyful shivers certainly can be a manifestation of the states of deep meditation, which are called, "jhana" in the suttas. 

Perhaps the video and book might be a clear description of the sound charism, which is experienced in deep meditation (jhana).  However, we have to keep in mind that "we know a tree by its fruit."  So, does this video and book represent all of the charisms or just one?  And are the authors known for recognizing the attainments of others?  If not, then we have to question the validity of their movies and books; because, too often priests of the religions of the world are just interested in securing a money-stream for themselves, and could care less for the attainments of others.  A truly enlightened one validates the attainments (maha-phala) of other contemplatives.

So, we must ask ourselves, "how has Ajahn Amaro, or the priest in the video, participated in the community of people who meditate deeply today?"  For instance, "Have they become  friends of the GWV?"

[bodhimind]

Just a bit of insight for me...

I've always had a sense of "presence"... of Spirit... and we seem to have habituated ourselves to bind to the four references of mindfulness of thoughts, feelings, body and mind, as if it was a drug or a hypnosis. I was deluded to think that our 5 senses and our ever-changing states were the "I"...

I now see how allowing identification as self to the four cornerstones is a form of hypnosis and how turning away from them towards spirit is retraining and breaking the habit of delusion - therefore why the Noble Eightfold Path is a continuous lifestyle until death. The key is not in its intellectual understanding but the training of turning towards spirit continuously.

Remaining in spirit feels vibrant with joy. Nothing else is needed, nothing else can be found within it, it is the root of all things that we see, feel, hear, perceive or know. There's not even an "it" because in it everything is forgotten. There's no name, no characteristic, even the word "void" fails to describe it utterly.

Therefore, to be detached means to reside within the presence and not be entangled along with the consistently shifting impermanence of what is perceived. To be diligent and "strive on", is to continuously turn away from the things that snag on and strengthen fetters and become one with spirit.

Whatever we see right now is akin to like a dream, because when the body dies, the presence, the intelligence does not, as the root of everything else...

The key of not dwelling and letting go, is in fact a turning towards of spirit. A reversal of the hypnosis of identification towards the false self... Which culminates in the root of this intelligence that permeates through everything. There is no "self", or rather, not in the sense of "perceiving" a self...

This habit of clinging from ignorance seems to be what had caused a continuous rebirth...