Starting point

Jeffrey

I thought this was relevant particularly to myself as I have been a bit frustrated not to have an extraordinary experience in meditation..

From Trungpa Rinpoche Ocean of Dharma:

It would be foolish to study more advanced subjects before we are familiar with the starting point, the nature of ego. Speculations about the goal become mere fantasy. These speculations may take the form of advanced ideas and descriptions of spiritual experiences, but they only expoloit the weaker aspects of human nature, our expectations and desires to see and hear something colorful, something extraordinary. If we begin our study with these dreams of extraordinary, "enlightening," and dramatic experiences, then we will build up our expectations and preconceptions so that later, when we are actually working on the path, our minds will be occupied largely with what will be rather than with what is. It is destructive and not fair to people to play on their weaknesses, their expectations and dreams, rather than to present a realistic starting point of what they are. It is necessary, therefore, to start on what they are and why we are searching.

Brigid

You know what else Trungpa Rinpoche said?

When any of his students came to him breathless and full of excitement about some mind blowing, extraordinary meditative experience he would listen politely, nodding when appropriate, and when they were finished he'd say, "Yes. Wonderful. But no big deal, eh?"

FoibleFull

Yup. These experiences do not produce enlightenment. In fact, they carry the danger that we will think we are "getting somewhere" (ooooo ... look at ME sort of thing), when in fact they create no actual change, no actual growth.

SherabDorje

FoibleFull wrote: »

Yup. These experiences do not produce enlightenment. In fact, they carry the danger that we will think we are "getting somewhere" (ooooo ... look at ME sort of thing), when in fact they create no actual change, no actual growth.

As in "Spiritual Materialism".

truthseeker

Jeffrey wrote: »

I thought this was relevant particularly to myself as I have been a bit frustrated not to have an extraordinary experience in meditation..

How long have you been practicing?

I remember having a few unusual experiences when I started, such as seeing colours, altered time perception, and demon apparitions. Yes, true colour 3D demons. All of this stuff subsided, however. I've been told that this is not uncommon. For me, the long-term benefit is mindfulness. After a while, the sustained mindfulness from meditation practice somehow spills over into daily life. It's probably more useful than demons, though, these fellas were quite interesting.

Cheers, Thomas

Jeffrey

truth seeker I've been meditating almost daily one short session each day for about 8 years. I am a bit more settled but I am trying to add counting to keep me from drifting off so much. I often feel a calm and then as I am trying to find out what happened I start having a sense of confusion like wondering what is happening or what next. I would guess its a very much sort of mind wishing to continue to have the feeling of release. Then I have some longing for the feeling. Then I notice I am spinning out and come back to the breath.

I meditate in the way Trungpa Rinpoche taught as thats the same way my teacher teaches I recognize.

truthseeker

Eight years almost daily? You're certainly more diligent than me. I use standard Theravadan samatha and vipassana, but I tend to take longer breaks, after it started plateauing. To get over this plateau, I feel that I would have to do something quite intensive, like spending three weeks in a cave, alas with family and kids, such opportunities are rare.

Cheers, Thomas