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Spiritual Breakthroughs

InmostLightInmostLight
edited May 2010 in Buddhism Basics
Good day,

I have a question regarding enlightenment / spiritual 'breakthroughs'. Two days ago I spent the day practicing mindfulness and reading as I usually do. I ended up receiving this new feeling of space and understanding around me. It was a sudden comprehension of knowledge and religious understanding lasting to the present. Any anxiety is no longer apparent.

Does anyone else feel consistent improvement as well as feeling suddenly hitting new spiritual plateaus in their practice?

Cheers :D

Comments

  • ravkesravkes Veteran
    edited May 2010
    For me it's gradual relaxation into what is. I used to have massive anxiety attacks, when they come now I see them as they are and they come and go. Everything comes and goes, the feeling of space, the feeling of entrapment, this feeling.. that feeling.. all undefinable..

    Glad to hear that you have some improvement. Mindfulness is used in order to bring one self back into a clear seeing and stable ground; one will eventually see that all grounds, feelings, phenomena are stable when seen without judgement (mindfulness).. Soon the effort drops away, when one sees how effortless it really is.
  • InmostLightInmostLight
    edited May 2010
    Thanks for the reply Ravkes. Removing thought forms and being closer to the 'is'ness continues to take me aback with how significantly it changes the mind.
  • ravkesravkes Veteran
    edited May 2010
    It's really so radically simple too. Removing the thought forms aren't needed, that means you're attached to emptiness. The 'isness' is is there regardless of what arises because everything that comes and goes arises within it, it is it. We really don't know anything about anything lol, see how things look when you really admit to yourself that you're 'ignorant'.. You don't need practice.. All of life is practice.. Just let go. Thought forms come and go, let them come and go.. Sensations come and go, let them come and go..

    Everything just is and unknowable, haha.. it's so stupidly simply. I'm laughing right now. Anyways, I just had to share that with ya man :lol: ..
  • StephenStephen
    edited May 2010
    I used to have anxiety attacks and would have to take Xanax/Zanex/Xanex, however you spell it, or thought I was having a heart attack (at worst) or was simply very anxious in the company of too many people (at best). My practice has eradicated all such anxiety, so yes, there are visible fruits in this life of following the path. :)
  • Fran45Fran45
    edited May 2010
    I look forward to achieving that stability Stephen. One of the most disturbing aspects is that I have a heart condition that responds very quickly to anxiety and I can end up in a spiral and heading for a shock - I have an implanted defibrillator as I am a high risk for cardiac arrest. My heart tips into a dangerous rhythm when I get stressed. The great thing about this condition is that I have had to learn to 'relax' into my attacks of anxiety and panic so that things don't get worse. My last panic attack put me in hospital because of the effect on my heart...So this heart condition motivates me to develop equanimity.

    As the Dalai Llama says - your 'enemies' are actually your best friends!
  • StephenStephen
    edited May 2010
    It's probably for the best that you've found this path. I'm not sure if there are other religions or ways that teach methods that will end anxiety. It would seem there may be meditative techniques outside of Buddhism that do.

    Yet, Buddhism is assuredly nothing greater than the path toward liberation from all such stress, and a lasting liberation at that (at least while you're around). I can vouch for its effectiveness at treating anxiety such as I have had, and so I am hopeful that if you remain dedicated you will reach your goal.
  • InmostLightInmostLight
    edited May 2010
    Thanks for the responses! I initially looked into Buddhism after reading a book by Allan Watts and heard some great things from others, and looking inwards for happiness made much more sense to me, and the anxiety relief seems to be just one of the benefits. It's as if a long-lasting anxiety that I could not detect simply because it was already prevalent had been lifted. The ideologies have proved themselves to be pragmatic and effective :D.
    Fran45 wrote:
    One of the most disturbing aspects is that I have a heart condition that responds very quickly to anxiety
    I can relate to this, although not to the same degree. My father died from a heart attack, and I too have inherited heart palpitations. Neat how relaxation can deconstruct a lot of these problems. Relaxing, exercising, and a non-smoking lifestyle can really help!
  • Fran45Fran45
    edited May 2010
    Thank you both for reminding me that there is so much that we can do to manage and/or eliminate our physical and emotional problems.

    With metta
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