Although I had occasionally lurked on the Dharma Overground since 2010, I didn’t understand what pragmatic dharma was until late 2013. Around October, I had an epiphany about what a map was; that the spiritual path could be tracked in an impersonal and objective manner. I then realized this meant I could reliably make progress within a system, and therefore heal my bipolar disorder beyond what I’d already done with medications and therapy. The idea that sealed the deal for me was Mahasi noting: that there was an option to meditate in a more active way, rather than the boring mindfulness I had previously engaged in. Furthermore, Mahasi noting could be done with low levels of concentration, meaning outside of formal meditation , which would become my bread and butter for awhile. I started doing “freestyle, off-cushion, noting with mental labels” constantly, morning to night, in daily life. I was working as a waiter, and studying as a 4th year Junior in colle...
At the intersection of deep meditation, growing up, and mood disorder.