The new perceptual shift is holding up, and developing, two months later. I’ve been working with purposely combining formless aspects of the sensory field with heart chakra warmth and processing (thanks Dream Walker). In August, the panoramic width of the visual field and the ‘knowing’ depth of space seemed like separate non dualities. Around mid September, this heart chakra technique mushed them into one thing.
There also seems to be another development related to the wild energy of all objects inhabiting their own space, not being ‘considered’ from a reference point. The inner and outer worlds are sort of like 5th/6th jhana, but there is no ‘container’ to hold them like there is an a jhana. They just echo forever, no ceiling, no floor. I’d like to bring this formlessness more to the fore in my day to day. The stress relief I get from the penetrating spaciousness is quite wonderful. Also, I keep getting really hard cessations, some maybe as long as five seconds. I don’t know if that’s significant.
I discovered a new way of framing practice which encompasses the differing approaches I learned from Ron and Richard. It categorizes types of transformations: major path shifts, minor shifts (the ones that are hard to pinpoint) and gradual reductions. The same for measuring systems: there are maps which only measure integration of shifts (synergy between the input of technique and output of positive side effects) and maps which measure the shifts themselves. Different traditions produce different intermediate results, but complete mastery would necessarily look similar across the board. Thinking this way has been really helpful, as it allows me to understand my own practice, and that of others.
There also seems to be another development related to the wild energy of all objects inhabiting their own space, not being ‘considered’ from a reference point. The inner and outer worlds are sort of like 5th/6th jhana, but there is no ‘container’ to hold them like there is an a jhana. They just echo forever, no ceiling, no floor. I’d like to bring this formlessness more to the fore in my day to day. The stress relief I get from the penetrating spaciousness is quite wonderful. Also, I keep getting really hard cessations, some maybe as long as five seconds. I don’t know if that’s significant.
Late last month I discovered the efficacy of Hinayana repulsion meditations as a “trigger practice” (i.e. Shinzen). Whenever gluttony arises, spend five seconds calling forth an image of moldy, rotten food. Do the same with libido and diseased or dead human bodies. This can be extended to personality traits, i.e. if I’m feeling self absorbed, think about the obsessive narcissists I know and dislike. This exercise seems to be effective in providing enough mental space to see through the subtle reification that is trapped in such blind spots. Similarly, when I feel critical of others or myself, I name 10 things I like about the person instead. When I am thinking in dramatic or grandiose terms, I substitute for easygoing, encompassing storylines. I believe my work with the removal of distracting thoughts has created enough leeway to practice this more refined adjustment.
I did a couple more Fountainhead dialectics on detailed dreams. They seem to be revealing themes about self-identity, guilt vs success, power vs insecurity, etc. Each time I dig into a detailed dream with the method, it releases a geyser of feelings. I’m not sure exactly what it’s doing to me yet, but it seems positive.
I did a couple more Fountainhead dialectics on detailed dreams. They seem to be revealing themes about self-identity, guilt vs success, power vs insecurity, etc. Each time I dig into a detailed dream with the method, it releases a geyser of feelings. I’m not sure exactly what it’s doing to me yet, but it seems positive.
I’ve continued with all my disciplined lifestyle projects: food plan/shopping/prep, budget, chores/cleaning, exercise (hot yoga), sleep schedule, etc. This feels like a period of “paying my dues” in terms of wiring in these habits. They’ll be autopilot soon enough. Until then, there seems to be a precarious balancing act between working too hard and falling back into laziness. To navigate this, I try to stick with what has been working for me throughout my path: pragmatism, methodicalness, following a teacher’s (or the Buddha himself) instructions, being lighthearted, etc.
I discovered a new way of framing practice which encompasses the differing approaches I learned from Ron and Richard. It categorizes types of transformations: major path shifts, minor shifts (the ones that are hard to pinpoint) and gradual reductions. The same for measuring systems: there are maps which only measure integration of shifts (synergy between the input of technique and output of positive side effects) and maps which measure the shifts themselves. Different traditions produce different intermediate results, but complete mastery would necessarily look similar across the board. Thinking this way has been really helpful, as it allows me to understand my own practice, and that of others.
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