Hello to a wonderful community

[Jhanananda]

Thank you Jhananda, everyone has been very welcoming and helpful on this forum and it has helped me deepen my practice...

This forum provides continued motivation and insight for practice, it is a very helpful tool so thank you for setting it up. 

I am glad that this forum serves you well, and I am very glad that it functions without me, as I find the need to renew myself by camping for an extended period in the wilderness quite precessing.

I hope you have less trouble with those people and you enjoy your camping

The sad part about being a mystic is people seem to be driven to cause us harm.  Right now I perceive no harm my way.  I just need to avoid those people, who have threatened me, and the places where they live.

The stilling of the mind is certainlly something that i try and incorporate outside of meditation as well, in every day life, even if it's something simple like walking the dog.

Yes, those who are successful at deep meditation tend to learn how to keep the mind still and in the present throughout the day.  I consider it the base of deep meditation practice, so it is good to read that you are doing so.

I have taken your advice and changed my name although i couldn't think of anything particularly good hah. 

It is sad that those who are interested in leading a dedicated contemplative life are commonly marginalized.  Thus, the need for anonymity here.  Good to know that you have followed through quickly.

[PeacefulDodo]

It is a beautiful thing when you can see your creation blossoming into such a wonderful hub for mystics and people who search inwardly like the people here, it can be difficult to find people offline my age who have such interests apart from passing interest.

For instance at university i would often talk to people who were suffering, not about the divine and all of that as it puts many people off because of the strong associations  with religion which is rightly viewed with a very critical eye, in a place like England it feels as if very few are religious.  Those that are are often quite dogmatic and preach alot.  But when speaking of the mind and thought, and how it makes us suffer to those people that made more sense, although it was more of a casual interest than anything, something interesting to hear but not practice. 

I have found just letting people know that they do not have to be the fearful prisoners of their thoughts and can instead be peaceful watchers seems to resonate.  It is difficult to see others suffer due to the prisons of thought they put upon themselves, i am guilty of it on occasion, although i find mindfulness to be a wonderful cure to letting thoughts run and take too much energy.

There is certainly misunderstanding at times but i have not experienced people trying to harm me, quite the opposite in fact!  When i first when to uni i made a concious effort to open my self up to love as i knew i had alot of anger and negative emtions in me related to my father passing away when i was 18, i was still getting over it. 

I found accepting and loving my self and starting to love the world around me meant that love seemed to come my way, as such i found a wonderful women in my life rather quickly, someone who helped open me up further and embrace my emotions.  I can communicate well and am assertive as well as possessing quite a large framed body so people tend not to mess with me, and instead want to befriend me.  Although i am quite the recluse and feel i evolve far quicker alone, and come across happiness far easier alone, which is something i am aware of so try and put my self out there with others to challenge my self but alone time really is the best. I think keeping wholesome company helps as well as i am very picky with my friends, there are alot of people who act very rudely around and when around them i do feel that negative vibe and quickly absent my self.  I noticed i have used "I" alot in this, by no means do i take this to be the ultimate expression of self but it is a handy tool for writing about this type of thing.

Meditation has been going well, despite my GF being down from Malaysia for 2 weeks after having not seen her for 10 and a half months since she graduated and had to move home due to being out of a Visa.  I find that the sessions seem to consist of an emptiness, like the body becomes just an outline and there is nothing inside of it.  I must admit that what i was terming piti and sukha (pleasurable sensations) do not seem to be present and instead there is just this sort of emptiness, which im not sure is resulting from a lesser level of concentration from not being able to meditate as much or if it is from some sort of mind state resulting from concentration.

 At times i feel that this emptiness is all consuming and thoughts like "i am tired of this material world" seem to arise, playing the game that is presented to me seems pointless, only practice seems to make sense.  I am not going to resist any of this or otherthink it, just allow it to come and go as i did the pleasurable sensations which feel like a super powerful orgasm but cooler and more refined all over the body for an extended period of time.  Even those blissful sensations have a temporary nature to them.  The emptiness feels like a barren desert, nothing for miles around as far as teh eye can see, the high pitched ring and lower pitched roar seem to be always present despite this change in experience (from blissful and "nice" to empty and almost barren ) I will just keep meditating and see what happens, thoughts that arise like that can be viewed as almost depressive in nature although i do feel ultimatly very happy and content and have done for a while.  At the stage in life where i am expected to get a job, and do certain things in the material world but it feels pointless and not the true path, which i have known since i was 18 when i sat at my computer googling alternative ways to live.

It seems that in meditation stages come of bliss, and effortless love for the world come for the world even union with the cosmos, and then an emptiness and want for annhilation arise also.  It is a strange paradox, but i guess its part of a dualistic experience.  Like i say i shall just keep meditating and see where it takes me

[Alexander]

It sounds like you have the right idea, PeacefulDodo. I agree with your thoughts on religion. It's true we are living in a time when God is dead. That means it's reasonable for people to disbelieve. At the same time, the challenge is religion still contains the ultimate truths. But to realize that you have to discriminate, and ultimately make your way to a place like here.

I understand your feeling of "I'm tired of this material world" as I share it. When that feeling fills your whole being it has the power to transform your life. When you feel it you feel compelled to transcend yourself, and take the steps needed to escape.

[bodhimind]

Hello PeacefulDodo

Sometimes the blissfulness becomes so overwhelming it can be hard to compare a level of satisfaction with what you can do out there in the world. I mean, the main motivation of anything in society is really the gain of pleasure and avoidance of pain... So when you become so blissful and joyous internally, it already takes away the suffering as you become no longer dependent on the outside for joy... I guess that is one way why we tend to look at the material world as pointless...

The world is one big, complicated mess... Truth be speaking, we haven't really evolved much as a species... Same playing around in economics, just more sophisticated... With more sophisticated tools... And consequently even more sophisticated minds...

But you cannot deny that science has really allowed more people to have good conditions for survival as compared to the past... People can live longer to a higher expectancy, meditate and cultivate longer. Food would be given to every soul on the planet, if not for the greed and selfishness of beings. Spirituality would be allowed to every person, if not for the divisions among religions and religion/science.

Sometimes it pains me to see such a state too. When I travel in transport, I see everyone hooked into their gadgets... I see everyone listening to their music, watching shows, reading books, etc... Not that it's bad of course, but simply sitting there, contented with nothing but just surrendering... No one even dazes anymore, they just fall to unconscious sleep in fatigue...

If everyone was in touch with their spiritual core, then perhaps the world would not be such a hard place to live in. It's a dysfunctional society, and trying to fit in feels like you have to be dysfunctional yourself too, and it can be hard to handle for some people.

[Jhanananda]

It is a beautiful thing when you can see your creation blossoming into such a wonderful hub for mystics and people who search inwardly like the people here, it can be difficult to find people offline my age who have such interests apart from passing interest.

Yes, I found it pointless to instruct people who are not into meditation at all to take up deep meditation practice.  I also found it pointless to be a member of a local meditation group, because I found the guiding teachers for those groups never learned deep meditation, and thus were always threatened by my presence, even though I did not proselytize at all. 

Thus, it became clear that the only people I could work with were those who had taken up a contemplative life and had stumbled upon deep meditation, who invariably found no one to guide them.  So, now we have an international support community here, which I hope will survive me, and go on to continue to support those who stumble upon deep meditation for decades to come.

For instance at university i would often talk to people who were suffering, not about the divine and all of that as it puts many people off because of the strong associations  with religion which is rightly viewed with a very critical eye, in a place like England it feels as if very few are religious.  Those that are are often quite dogmatic and preach alot.  But when speaking of the mind and thought, and how it makes us suffer to those people that made more sense, although it was more of a casual interest than anything, something interesting to hear but not practice. 

I have found just letting people know that they do not have to be the fearful prisoners of their thoughts and can instead be peaceful watchers seems to resonate.  It is difficult to see others suffer due to the prisons of thought they put upon themselves, i am guilty of it on occasion, although i find mindfulness to be a wonderful cure to letting thoughts run and take too much energy.

Yes, it is difficult to see all of the suffering around us, but few people can believe that someone who is not rich, powerful and famous knows the answers.  So, they go on looking in all of the wrong places for their solutions, which only perpetuates their suffering; and there is nothing any of us can do about it, other than become a living example, and stand up together as a supportive community.

There is certainly misunderstanding at times but i have not experienced people trying to harm me, quite the opposite in fact!  When i first when to uni i made a concious effort to open my self up to love as i knew i had alot of anger and negative emtions in me related to my father passing away when i was 18, i was still getting over it. 

Sorry to hear of the death of your father.  Regarding all of the threats that I have received, often people blame me for bringing those threats; however, I am not dogmatic, nor do I proselytize; however, I do engage in dialog with people, and I find when I do not support the delusional belief systems of someone who is obviously suffering, then that person can express violent tendencies.

Meditation has been going well, despite my GF being down from Malaysia for 2 weeks after having not seen her for 10 and a half months since she graduated and had to move home due to being out of a Visa.  I find that the sessions seem to consist of an emptiness, like the body becomes just an outline and there is nothing inside of it.  I must admit that what i was terming piti and sukha (pleasurable sensations) do not seem to be present and instead there is just this sort of emptiness, which im not sure is resulting from a lesser level of concentration from not being able to meditate as much or if it is from some sort of mind state resulting from concentration.

 At times i feel that this emptiness is all consuming and thoughts like "i am tired of this material world" seem to arise, playing the game that is presented to me seems pointless, only practice seems to make sense.  I am not going to resist any of this or otherthink it, just allow it to come and go as i did the pleasurable sensations which feel like a super powerful orgasm but cooler and more refined all over the body for an extended period of time.  Even those blissful sensations have a temporary nature to them.  The emptiness feels like a barren desert, nothing for miles around as far as teh eye can see, the high pitched ring and lower pitched roar seem to be always present despite this change in experience (from blissful and "nice" to empty and almost barren ) I will just keep meditating and see what happens, thoughts that arise like that can be viewed as almost depressive in nature although i do feel ultimatly very happy and content and have done for a while.  At the stage in life where i am expected to get a job, and do certain things in the material world but it feels pointless and not the true path, which i have known since i was 18 when i sat at my computer googling alternative ways to live.

It seems that in meditation stages come of bliss, and effortless love for the world come for the world even union with the cosmos, and then an emptiness and want for annhilation arise also.  It is a strange paradox, but i guess its part of a dualistic experience.  Like i say i shall just keep meditating and see where it takes me

It is typical to experience deep meditation as non-dual.  Non-dualism does not necessarily come with a lot of effusiveness, so sometimes we feel we might be missing something, but we are not.  Deep meditation comes with contentment, which you have described.

[PeacefulDodo]

God is dead in many peoples minds, they have made up their mind and will not hear otherwise.  Although i notice that people have a wonderful experience, something they cant quite explain with their rational mind and it does open them up.  I think many of our behaviors indicate a need or search for something higher, certainlly i see that in my self when i was younger alot. 

There was that resetlessness, looking to still it by doing various things, nothing ever working.  Oh i am so grateful to have landed upon meditation, being able to turn off the mind and change my relationship to thought has freed me more than i thought possible.

Alexander i must say that i might have worded it wrong, i love the world, so much beauty, but the ugliness and suffering cannot be denied as well.  Maybe more tired of society and it's various workings, i feel if we could foster that sense of interconnectivity with each other and our animals, and the earth and soil it's self things would be much different.   When thinking of how i would like to live i see the Native American way of going about things working with mother earth, and having a relationship with her as quite a noble way to go about things.  Simple, free, peaceful and interconnected.

You touched on it Bodhimind, when everyone is on their devices, although i am guilty of using my computer rather alot.  It feels odd when everyone gets on the bus and no one talks to each other, i make a point of conversing if someone seems receptive.  The mind is certainlly more sophisticated but i feel like it's a state of mind that discects and divides in trying to find truth, the logical mind slicing through everything and analysing it outwardly instead of exploring inwardly.  It seems in my limited experience there are vast plains and worlds to explore inwardly, and because it shapes how you see the world it seems almost more imporant.

I had similar vibes Jhanananda from meditation teachers, it just seems as if they are defending their identity instead of being open and wanting to help others learn and grow.  That seems to be to be a warning sign and often puts me off, if someone would come to me if i was a high level teacher of anything; woodwork, meditation drawing etc it would be an honor to help a young passionate person on their way.  That is not what i feel though, but it is ok making ones own path is quite rewarding although it can feel like stumbling in the dark at times but that reinforces my determination rather than dampens it.

It is true what you say about suffering, although another part of me feels like it is all me, so we are all on our different paths at different stages and learning.  I just wish people happiness and mental freedom.  Yea i feel what you are saying about the violent threats, when you challenge someones ingrained patterns of thinking then it can produce a negative reaction, i want to be wrong, please tell me i am wrong open my mind to other posibilities, that is a thing of beauty. 

Thank you for the clarification, i need to refine my concentration and explore these states in longer periods of sitting i feel.

Last night as i was in bed i was half concentrating on the breath and just letting joy and nice feelings arise before i slept when i heard this music which was hauntingly beautiful, like from memory ( i thought it was from a show i had watched and my thought was to show my gf at which point i realised i had no idea where i had heard it from ) but not.  I felt like if i could take that sound and put it on a CD it would be an amazing piece, when the mind is stilled all kinds of odd things seem to happen.  Beauty arises from the depths and pervades your being like mud in a pond ( but the mud represents something wonderful ) as it flows around.

[Jhanananda]

...Thank you for the clarification, i need to refine my concentration and explore these states in longer periods of sitting i feel.

Exploring these states in longer periods of sitting is how it works.

Last night as i was in bed i was half concentrating on the breath and just letting joy and nice feelings arise before i slept when i heard this music which was hauntingly beautiful, like from memory ( i thought it was from a show i had watched and my thought was to show my gf at which point i realised i had no idea where i had heard it from ) but not.  I felt like if i could take that sound and put it on a CD it would be an amazing piece, when the mind is stilled all kinds of odd things seem to happen.  Beauty arises from the depths and pervades your being like mud in a pond ( but the mud represents something wonderful ) as it flows around.

Yes, I have heard the most beautiful music come from my deep meditation experiences.  I often wished that I was talented in music production and writing to express that beauty so that others could hear it, but I am not.  Other mystics have done it, and future mystics will do it.

[PeacefulDodo]

Hey all, my girlfriend has been here for a while ( she is malaysian and we met at uni, but she had to go back home cus of visa issues, 10 and a half months without seeing each other for a few weeks of contact - i am very thankful for meditation in allowing me to ride out that time with ease and enjoy the moment for what it is and not miss, morn or regret that she is not with me ) so it has been difficult to post and to meditate as much. 

She has been gone for about a week now and as such i am getting alot of time alone, which i very much enjoy and have done since childhood.  It has been a good week, trying to remain mindful as possible although thoughts do arise - sometimes often - there is fairly rapid awareness about the thoughts and thus they dissapate into the the quietness and beauty of the present.  I must say that when you can zone into that awareness, you see the trees moving in the wind, feel the wind on your skin, hear the birds tweeting it is a beautiful place.  I will keep striving to maintain inner calm and a cultivate silence and awareness.

Meditations have been going well with fairly rapid descent into blissful sensations and decent focus on the object of meditation although admittedly i do slip sometimes and drift off into thought for a few seconds but it's not much of a problem unless i am pretty dam tired and ready to sleep.

  A joyful sensation arises quickly, i thought it to be physical bliss but upon further investigation it appears to be joy, akin to that feeling of climbing into a soft bed after a long day of work but sustained, although it may be physical as it feels somewhat orgasmic almost, but cleaner.  Tingling and odd sensations have been present as well, and when noticed i try and spread my awareness to the breath and the sensations in the body (switching from just the breath to begin with) there is a steady feeling of bliss/joy all over my body and it feels as if there is a much greater wave of bliss just in the background that wants to evelop me, but i think i may subconciously tense up a little or maybe change the level of concentration it is eluding me at the moment.  But i will keep sitting for longer and longer in an attempt to surrender to these sensations. 

Honestly i have no idea where i am at on the jhanaic ladder as sometimes i enter into states where its easier to not think and to softly focus on the object (like it dosent require as much effort) than it is to think, thinking is actually quite hard which sounds a bit like 2nd jhana.  I think i am probably entering 1st most occasions, but can there be thinking in 1st?  Any thoughts that pop up i try and put into reference of the 5 hinderances or fetters but some do not seem to fit any category, having said that normally it gets to a point where thought is not occuring much at all and its just dwelling in and spreading the blissful sensations around the body/awareness.  Thoughts are very much becoming objects though and not something identified with, which is easy to have as intellectual construct and remind your self of and harder to happen seemingly automatically. 

I have been seeing odd things the last week, i was saying thankyou for my food and allowing me to cultivate and sustain my physical body and i saw a light fly across from one side of the room into my carrot  very odd.  A few days ago i saw this white, misty powdery stuff floating through the air, i wasent sure if it was an after image from my computer screen as it was above it but it seemed to be distinct.  Few other odd things, not paying much attention to it though as its not a big deal just thought it may be worth mentioning. 

Been increasing the amount of metta for my self, others and just for life really as well as compassion and understanding of others as i felt i was becoming a bit empty of all of that.  It's difficult to see others suffer because of thoughts, but everyone is on their path and at their own stage, and i still have alot of cultivation, concentration and insight to develop my self so yea.  I feel way more full of joy and love now, which is good, i noticed it was something missing and it was arising because of my perspective. 

Probably spending 2-3 hours a day in meditation at the moment but looking to up that as the weeks go by, i don't have a job at the moment freshly graduated so going to use this time to train hard 

[Jhanananda]

Hey all, my girlfriend has been here for a while ( she is malaysian and we met at uni, but she had to go back home cus of visa issues, 10 and a half months without seeing each other for a few weeks of contact - i am very thankful for meditation in allowing me to ride out that time with ease and enjoy the moment for what it is and not miss, morn or regret that she is not with me ) so it has been difficult to post and to meditate as much. 

She has been gone for about a week now and as such i am getting alot of time alone, which i very much enjoy and have done since childhood.  It has been a good week, trying to remain mindful as possible although thoughts do arise - sometimes often - there is fairly rapid awareness about the thoughts and thus they dissapate into the the quietness and beauty of the present.  I must say that when you can zone into that awareness, you see the trees moving in the wind, feel the wind on your skin, hear the birds tweeting it is a beautiful place.  I will keep striving to maintain inner calm and a cultivate silence and awareness.

You might see in Alexander's Blog that deprivation often inspires the contemplative to drive on deep into their being, which turns them into a mystic.

Meditations have been going well with fairly rapid descent into blissful sensations and decent focus on the object of meditation although admittedly i do slip sometimes and drift off into thought for a few seconds but it's not much of a problem unless i am pretty dam tired and ready to sleep.

  A joyful sensation arises quickly, i thought it to be physical bliss but upon further investigation it appears to be joy, akin to that feeling of climbing into a soft bed after a long day of work but sustained, although it may be physical as it feels somewhat orgasmic almost, but cleaner.  Tingling and odd sensations have been present as well, and when noticed i try and spread my awareness to the breath and the sensations in the body (switching from just the breath to begin with) there is a steady feeling of bliss/joy all over my body and it feels as if there is a much greater wave of bliss just in the background that wants to evelop me, but i think i may subconciously tense up a little or maybe change the level of concentration it is eluding me at the moment.  But i will keep sitting for longer and longer in an attempt to surrender to these sensations. 

Honestly i have no idea where i am at on the jhanaic ladder as sometimes i enter into states where its easier to not think and to softly focus on the object (like it dosent require as much effort) than it is to think, thinking is actually quite hard which sounds a bit like 2nd jhana.  I think i am probably entering 1st most occasions, but can there be thinking in 1st? 

Yes, because the second jhana is without thought.

Any thoughts that pop up i try and put into reference of the 5 hinderances or fetters but some do not seem to fit any category, having said that normally it gets to a point where thought is not occuring much at all and its just dwelling in and spreading the blissful sensations around the body/awareness.  Thoughts are very much becoming objects though and not something identified with, which is easy to have as intellectual construct and remind your self of and harder to happen seemingly automatically. 

I have been seeing odd things the last week, i was saying thankyou for my food and allowing me to cultivate and sustain my physical body and i saw a light fly across from one side of the room into my carrot  very odd.  A few days ago i saw this white, misty powdery stuff floating through the air, i wasent sure if it was an after image from my computer screen as it was above it but it seemed to be distinct.  Few other odd things, not paying much attention to it though as its not a big deal just thought it may be worth mentioning. 

Yes, when we learn to meditate deeply, then we begin to experience the charisms, which are non-physical, which means they belong in the spiritual dimension (deva loca).

Been increasing the amount of metta for my self, others and just for life really as well as compassion and understanding of others as i felt i was becoming a bit empty of all of that.  It's difficult to see others suffer because of thoughts, but everyone is on their path and at their own stage, and i still have alot of cultivation, concentration and insight to develop my self so yea.  I feel way more full of joy and love now, which is good, i noticed it was something missing and it was arising because of my perspective. 

Probably spending 2-3 hours a day in meditation at the moment but looking to up that as the weeks go by, i don't have a job at the moment freshly graduated so going to use this time to train hard 

Using the time of no work for training hard a good idea.  I can see that you are already making excellent progress, so keep it up, because you are sure to make more progress.

[PeacefulDodo]

I have been continuing my practice in a diligent manner, although i have recently got a 9-5 job so free time is not quite as abundent as it was before.  However i am taking this as a time to practice in a more focused manner as before i would spend alot of time in my free days on the computer, or doing various things not related to practice (although trying to stay mindful).  In this job i can remain mindful throughout the day and make sure to suffuse my awareness with the "I Am" as much as possible inbetween the tasks, trying to remain in a calm, aware and quiet state of mind. 

I experienced some odd sensations recently, feelings of being far larger than the body - felt like a giant buddha statue or something to that effect then my awareness narrowed as it felt like i was being pushed out my body.  There was quite alot of thought at this stage about the experience trying to figure out what was happening as my words do not capture it fully and it was quite blissful, in fact i arrived there through riding the bliss through 1st and probably 2nd as there as a very easy focus for a while until i started trying to digest what was going on, with no thought or maybe thought just on the very outer fringes of awareness, like someone trying to talk to you through thick glass, muffled and indistinct.

 I have also had sessions where the mind has been busy, full of sloth and torpor (when sleepy it can be hard to meditate properly in my experience), very blissful, very quiet.  Something i am learning and is happening naturally is that i go into a session with no expectations, what ever happens, happens and what ever arises, arises.  Sometimes there is huge bliss, othertimes not much of anything, this just seems like the natural way in which it pans out and i find accepting the sessions for what they are allows me to go deeper more often.  There isnt the clinging for jhana, which i know sometimes happens in the mind and funnily enough prevents it most of the time.  Having said that no matter what is going on in the mind/body etc during a session it feels like if you sit for long enough it will all just equal out and jhana will be reached most times.

Being in the workplace is interesting, you see your workmates suffering, many say they cant sleep for instance.  Sometimes it can be difficult to view this and you wonder why more people dont incorporate meditation and contemplation into their daily lives to find inner peace, but i mostly just feel compassion and love towards all people now.  Even those who say something rude, i dont take this personally anymore, where as many years ago it would have stewed in the mind and become toxic, how dare they affront this person i take my self to be!  Oh the sillyness of it all hah.  I pray for the end of suffering for all sentient beings after every meditation session and at the end of the day (which often ends with a sit) and this is my most fervent wish, as others suffering is my own.

I find my self feeling great senes of awe and mystery in random events in life, like just driving to work i could feel the friction of the wheels against the road and it oddly sent me into a very blissful state, which i had to control as driving like that isnt very safe.  I think using the powers of investigation throughout my practice and daily life are allowing for a good balance to be struck.  There are still things i need to work on, mainly desire for things in the sense realm such as food and sex, but i am learning that the satisfaction from these things is hollow, and a life of discipline and practice hold true joy.  I am strongly considering joining a monestary somewhere, or trying to find refuge in a holy, mystical place like the Himelayas so i can practice and master my self to a degree where i can help others

[Jhanananda]

I have been continuing my practice in a diligent manner, although i have recently got a 9-5 job so free time is not quite as abundent as it was before.  However i am taking this as a time to practice in a more focused manner as before i would spend alot of time in my free days on the computer, or doing various things not related to practice (although trying to stay mindful).  In this job i can remain mindful throughout the day and make sure to suffuse my awareness with the "I Am" as much as possible inbetween the tasks, trying to remain in a calm, aware and quiet state of mind. 

This is good work, regardless of whether one is in a monastery or a householder, one who wishes to make progress in the contemplative life needs to maintain mindful self-awareness day and night.

I experienced some odd sensations recently, feelings of being far larger than the body - felt like a giant buddha statue or something to that effect then my awareness narrowed as it felt like i was being pushed out my body. 

This phenomena is note referred to in the Pali Canon, but it is specifically referred to in the Yoga Sutras.

There was quite alot of thought at this stage about the experience trying to figure out what was happening as my words do not capture it fully and it was quite blissful, in fact i arrived there through riding the bliss through 1st and probably 2nd as there as a very easy focus for a while until i started trying to digest what was going on, with no thought or maybe thought just on the very outer fringes of awareness, like someone trying to talk to you through thick glass, muffled and indistinct.

The experience of deep meditation is so rarely discussed that most of us are completely unprepared for the experience, so when we experience it, then we are often confronted with the need to figure out what is going on.  The primary goal of the GWV website, and this forum is to provide a clear description of the experience of deep meditation, which nearly no one who teaches meditation today offers.

I have also had sessions where the mind has been busy, full of sloth and torpor (when sleepy it can be hard to meditate properly in my experience), very blissful, very quiet.  Something i am learning and is happening naturally is that i go into a session with no expectations, what ever happens, happens and what ever arises, arises.  Sometimes there is huge bliss, othertimes not much of anything, this just seems like the natural way in which it pans out and i find accepting the sessions for what they are allows me to go deeper more often.  There isnt the clinging for jhana, which i know sometimes happens in the mind and funnily enough prevents it most of the time.  Having said that no matter what is going on in the mind/body etc during a session it feels like if you sit for long enough it will all just equal out and jhana will be reached most times.

This is a good attitude to take, because the experience of deep meditation is not a constant, but varies from day to day, so we need not have craving or covetousness for the experience of deep meditation.

Being in the workplace is interesting, you see your workmates suffering, many say they cant sleep for instance.  Sometimes it can be difficult to view this and you wonder why more people dont incorporate meditation and contemplation into their daily lives to find inner peace, but i mostly just feel compassion and love towards all people now.  Even those who say something rude, i dont take this personally anymore, where as many years ago it would have stewed in the mind and become toxic, how dare they affront this person i take my self to be!  Oh the sillyness of it all hah.  I pray for the end of suffering for all sentient beings after every meditation session and at the end of the day (which often ends with a sit) and this is my most fervent wish, as others suffering is my own.

Yes, I too see the suffering all around me, but find there is little interest in the solutions that I offer, so I have chosen to be a living example instead, plus participate in a community of contemplatives who meditate deeply here.

I find my self feeling great senes of awe and mystery in random events in life, like just driving to work i could feel the friction of the wheels against the road and it oddly sent me into a very blissful state, which i had to control as driving like that isnt very safe.  I think using the powers of investigation throughout my practice and daily life are allowing for a good balance to be struck. 

I find I am a better driver if I enter the 3rd stage of deep meditation while driving.  It offers heightened awareness to see obstacles in the road, and the equanimity to react to those obstacles in a timely manner without over reacting.

There are still things i need to work on, mainly desire for things in the sense realm such as food and sex, but i am learning that the satisfaction from these things is hollow, and a life of discipline and practice hold true joy. 

There is no instant, drive-thru-enlightenment, because craving and covetousness die slowly, but are gradually eradicated by a disciplined, mindfully self-aware contemplative who learns to meditate deeply.  So, one just needs patience and discipline.

I am strongly considering joining a monestary somewhere, or trying to find refuge in a holy, mystical place like the Himelayas so i can practice and master my self to a degree where i can help others

Living in a contemplative community that values and understands the experience of deep meditation can in deed accelerate one's progress; however, in more than 40 years of such a lifestyle I never found a contemplative community that valued or understood the experience of deep meditation.  All I found was marginalization in every contemplative community I entered.  Perhaps you will find better treatment and support than I found.  Or, perhaps you will help form such a community.

[jay.validus]

Being in the workplace is interesting, you see your workmates suffering, many say they cant sleep for instance.

Even those who say something rude, i dont take this personally anymore, where as many years ago it would have stewed in the mind and become toxic, how dare they affront this person i take my self to be!  Oh the sillyness of it all hah.  I pray for the end of suffering for all sentient beings after every meditation session and at the end of the day (which often ends with a sit) and this is my most fervent wish, as others suffering is my own.

I have found the same, you see how others suffer and instead of reacting over their emotional state, you stay calm and have peace of mind.  The mind becomes clear to see others.  In the past couple years with my practice, I am so shocked to see how I missed some underlying emotions and suffering in my own family.  I was too busy reacting to what they were feeling,

There are still things i need to work on, mainly desire for things in the sense realm such as food and sex, but i am learning that the satisfaction from these things is hollow, and a life of discipline and practice hold true joy.  I am strongly considering joining a monestary somewhere, or trying to find refuge in a holy, mystical place like the Himelayas so i can practice and master my self to a degree where i can help others

I don't think you need to join a monastery.  I have felt that same pull since I was a teenager.  I think it can be a form of running away from one's problems.  I have decided that when, and only when, I conquer my life aliments as a working man and with family is the time I will retreat to a wanderer lifestyle.  If you want to live on a meditation centre for a few months or a year, I would do that first before you make vows and put on robes.

Personally, I find monasteries have too many rules for me; I would never join one.  I might be a wandering monk, but not with any organization, ever.  I would consider a monastery IF renunciation meant acting on behalf of the holy spirit to offer service to the community.  This last choice is something I would not choose for this life though.

[PeacefulDodo]

Thank you Jeff for the links, i need to take a look at some more stuff on the actual GWV website lots of good content on there.

Yea i agree Jay, when you can see your own suffering you start seeing it in others as well.  It all sounds very morbid, this talk of suffering but until its seen you cant go beyond it.  I am thankful to have found meditation, as happiness, kindness and a free spirited nature is something that has always come naturally to me, just forgot how to do it when going through some family deaths etc and became filled with anger and an overswollen ego.  But now i feel better than i ever did so i guess suffering/pain has to happen to eventually accept it , in the acceptance it melts away, in the acceptance there is calm, in the calm there is insight and in the insight there is bliss.

Im not sure why i talked about a monestary tbh, certainlly not as a permanent thing as i agree there are far too many restrictions and rules to abide by, not my style at all really.  It would be nice to learn from a fully attained being in the flesh, but the ultimate guru is within and that is the most important guru for that is the goal i guess.  The talk of vows and robes is very offputting though hah :p Excuse my poor communication. 

It's just to the point where i cant see any higher purpose for this life than to try and attain enlightenment, and then help others with their suffering.  All else seems almost infintile at this point but that again is a poor way of describing it, i just see this as the goal which makes most sense, the path which offers the greatest chance at truth

[jay.validus]

The GWV website has some good stuff on it.  My choice was a compilation of suttas from the Discourses of the Buddha, which Jeffery edited and called Phala Nikaya.  Those were very good reads.  Someone on here said his translation of Patanjali was very well written.  I hope to read that soon.

It's just to the point where i cant see any higher purpose for this life than to try and attain enlightenment, and then help others with their suffering.  All else seems almost infintile at this point but that again is a poor way of describing it,

I know how you feel.  There are times when all I can think about is my future self helping others with their enlightenment.  I ended up realizing this will happen naturally in my own way, so I don't really need to think about it.  In another way, who the fuck am I to tell people how to live their lives?

Im not sure why i talked about a monestary tbh, certainlly not as a permanent thing as i agree there are far too many restrictions and rules to abide by, not my style at all really.  It would be nice to learn from a fully attained being in the flesh, but the ultimate guru is within and that is the most important guru for that is the goal i guess.  The talk of vows and robes is very offputting though hah :p Excuse my poor communication. 

 
I don't need a monastery to live an enlightened life.  I know there is value in it, and I am sure I could just as easily make the choice to join a monastery if my life circumstances were different.   
In any event, when I lived on a meditation centre, they never heard my concerns on what Jeffery calls charisma and gnosis.  They are not the safe havens and knowledge keepers I had imagined them to be.

A tangent, there was one time I had a 'memory' arise while meditating.  I was living as a Buddhist monk, and I was practicing feeling the sensations of others.  They way we did this was with a partner, and we meditated across from each other, expanding our awareness to what we could feel on the other person.  Real or not, I have not heard of any monks practicing this above exercise. 

[Jhanananda]

I was living as a Buddhist monk, and I was practicing feeling the sensations of others.  They way we did this was with a partner, and we meditated across from each other, expanding our awareness to what we could feel on the other person.  Real or not, I have not heard of any monks practicing this above exercise.

I was exposed to this practice while living in a 3HO ashram in 1974.  Over the next few years I occasional did the practice with others.  I found it very intimate because all would be revealed to me, so I found it useful to know the hidden, and subconscious motivations of a person.  I do not know if those I meditated with had the same experience.