This was a big month for practice. I’m grateful to have had another opening that seems at least as impactful as the previous 4 shifts that I’ve experienced. Various aspects of the sensory field became more clear though off-cushion investigation over the course of 4 weeks, starting July 23rd. My current experience is a lot different than before. The sense of processing from within the body is greatly reduced, and the sense of being ‘out there’ with the field has been enhanced. The internal world also is greatly freed to just be itself and bear its own significance in the psychic space. Emotional tenor has improved with spaciousness and increased sampling rate of surrender. The beauty of life is obvious and in my face.
As an alternate description, there is a sense of floating consciousness not necessarily confined to time and space. Access to this quality of experience seems to greatly reduce the basic pain of ‘being here’ that I've struggled with from an early age.
This is my best attempt to describe what I’ve experienced. I’m not interested in making claims or expressing certainties. As always, my experience is in relative terms or grayscale, and language is an imperfect method of sharing data. I’m trying to keep my writing short but would be happy to elaborate if that was deemed helpful.
In addition, I continued with Richard’s instructions (off-cushion) throughout the month. These include, but are not limited to: Gladdening the Mind, mindfulness of breath, Removal of Distracting Thoughts, Supramundane Right View & Lifestyle, etc. I suspect that the shift is closely related to my efforts in these areas since January.
Earlier this month, I read Cook Greuter’s 9 Stages of Ego Development, which helped me appreciate the importance of meta-systemic perspectives.
I also made an initial attempt at a technique from The Fountainhead School, called ‘The Dialectic.’ I was guided through this by a senior student there.
As part of lifestyle, I have found increases in patience and wisdom that have allowed me to structure my life through budget, meal planning, chore schedules and exercise regimens. These changes have been a long time coming, but would not have previously been possibly, without the aforementioned tools, as well as the stability gained from the major path shifts.
Finally, as a testament to the wonders of meditation, I noticed how much freaking resilience and joy I have gained over the past few years, during the week my parents visited on vacation. Sometimes it takes a framing situation like that to notice progress. I am grateful for it all.
As an alternate description, there is a sense of floating consciousness not necessarily confined to time and space. Access to this quality of experience seems to greatly reduce the basic pain of ‘being here’ that I've struggled with from an early age.
This is my best attempt to describe what I’ve experienced. I’m not interested in making claims or expressing certainties. As always, my experience is in relative terms or grayscale, and language is an imperfect method of sharing data. I’m trying to keep my writing short but would be happy to elaborate if that was deemed helpful.
In addition, I continued with Richard’s instructions (off-cushion) throughout the month. These include, but are not limited to: Gladdening the Mind, mindfulness of breath, Removal of Distracting Thoughts, Supramundane Right View & Lifestyle, etc. I suspect that the shift is closely related to my efforts in these areas since January.
Earlier this month, I read Cook Greuter’s 9 Stages of Ego Development, which helped me appreciate the importance of meta-systemic perspectives.
I also made an initial attempt at a technique from The Fountainhead School, called ‘The Dialectic.’ I was guided through this by a senior student there.
As part of lifestyle, I have found increases in patience and wisdom that have allowed me to structure my life through budget, meal planning, chore schedules and exercise regimens. These changes have been a long time coming, but would not have previously been possibly, without the aforementioned tools, as well as the stability gained from the major path shifts.
Finally, as a testament to the wonders of meditation, I noticed how much freaking resilience and joy I have gained over the past few years, during the week my parents visited on vacation. Sometimes it takes a framing situation like that to notice progress. I am grateful for it all.
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