Jhana Not by the Numbers by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Discussion of meditation in the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.
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Jesse
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Location: Virginia, USA

Jhana Not by the Numbers by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Post by Jesse »

Hello all,

During the course of my meditations, I have begun to ponder what exactly 'wrong concentration' means, particularly, during meditation I find there is a very fine line between concentrations that lead to a sense of understanding and being present and aware, and those that leave me feeling disassociated and distant. Doing a bit of Googling, I came across this article, and found it very relevant, I thought I would share it, if I am allowed to.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... mbers.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

:yinyang:
Image
Thus shall ye think of all this fleeting world:
A star at dawn, a bubble in a stream;
A flash of lightning in a summer cloud,
A flickering lamp, a phantom, and a dream.
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Konchog1
Posts: 1673
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2011 4:30 am

Re: Jhana Not by the Numbers by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Post by Konchog1 »

ghost01 wrote:Hello all,

During the course of my meditations, I have begun to ponder what exactly 'wrong concentration' means, particularly, during meditation I find there is a very fine line between concentrations that lead to a sense of understanding and being present and aware, and those that leave me feeling disassociated and distant. Doing a bit of Googling, I came across this article, and found it very relevant, I thought I would share it, if I am allowed to.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... mbers.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

:yinyang:
Once your mind was firmly established in a state of concentration, Ajaan Fuang would recommend "lifting" it from its object, but not so far that the concentration was destroyed. From that perspective, you could evaluate what levels of stress were still present in the concentration and let them go.
Tsongkhapa recommends this too
Equanimity is the ground. Love is the moisture. Compassion is the seed. Bodhicitta is the result.

-Paraphrase of Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel citing the Guhyasamaja Tantra

"All memories and thoughts are the union of emptiness and knowing, the Mind.
Without attachment, self-liberating, like a snake in a knot.
Through the qualities of meditating in that way,
Mental obscurations are purified and the dharmakaya is attained."

-Ra Lotsawa, All-pervading Melodious Drumbeats
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