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Me likey much..

Nothing wrong with sitting around eating chocolate and all the rest of the fun stuff as long as one is not expecting to gain any profound insights from such practices. There is, however, a fraction of a chance that the impossible could happen. It could be that one is fully prepped in a previous instance (or lifetime, whichever applies) -- one could arrive at complete enlightenment from doing any or all of the above, simultaneously... B A N G! There you are... right where you were meant to be, doing exactly THAT which you were meant to do. What happens then?

Thanks, Chris. Any particular reason you did not proceed further? Just curious.

This is one of the more obvious shortcomings faced by contemporary students. Nowadays everyone wants instant results. In the past, for example, in monasteries, out of hundreds of novices, only 3 or 4 get the go-ahead to proceed into the 'secret' stages, not secret because the methods are advanced, but because the handful of students have shown, during the preliminary stages, their hidden potential to advance, and are then given the opportunity to do so. The methods are available to all, but not all can ready themselves to receive the methods.

It can be a good thing not to fixate on any one method. Things go blank mainly because there is a kind of forced 'seeing' happening. The idea is to gaze pervasively, but not too tight and not too loose. Too tight and a sort of mental and physical 'clenching' happens; too loose, and the whole psycho-physical posture collapses -- one could doze off, lose concentration, become led astray by discursive thoughts, begin to notice all kinds of minute discomforts -- in fact, become prone to all things detrimental to a productive session. In order to remain in the right space, it is recommended to keep the sessions short, like 15 minutes each, and take small breaks. As is often the case, realizations occur during these gaps rather than in the actual practices themselves. Quality sessions are often more effective than quantity ones. Personally i never sit for longer than half an hour each time. Usually intermingle sitting with breathwork or prostrations, or both, and then settle afterwards with pervasive gazing coupled into the sitting. Sometimes i would do visualizations, but even then, it can be done with eyes opened, but not staring upwards.

Not really. Some who are without sight 'see' more than those who's supposedly sight-endowed in full.

In the Nyingma schools all sitting meditations are done with eyes fully opened. Key phrase is 'seeing things exactly as they are.'

I think one way of interpreting intent is to view it as a basis for measuring movement. For most of us, there seems to be a constant need to reflect what is being sensed, in other words, the tendency to absorb and make sense of things that come and go around us, against a set of values we have already imputed into what we call the 'self'. This is the prime motive and action behind intent, in my view. Its very useful in a mundane sense. Many equate this ability with sanity, which is one way to explain why there is so much resistance to change... because apparently one has to replace a whole new set of 'intent' data, which is a very daunting task, to say the least. Its like willing the rug to be shaken off from under one's feet each time one arrives at any possible conclusive outcomes in terms of deriving understanding. If we move away, even slightly, from the mundane, into magickal or psychical, or even spiritual territory, it might be a good idea to ask what is the role of intent in the pursuit of stillness (assuming that at the zenith of realization of magickal and psychical abilities one ultimately arrives at a still point?) Also, i am wondering whether it is altogether correct to say 'contents of awareness', as opposed to 'contents of consciousness'? For me, awareness is like the light of a projector... as in, the light does not really 'contain' the images? Just some thoughts.

No worries. Wise to listen to your inner voice. Although some of my Aussie Buddhist friends find him to be very inspiring, not that it really matters...

These precepts.. are they really appropriately recommended for those who choose to walk the path of aloneness? Except for two or three, the rest are like ethical guidelines towards interacting with others.

Im curious about the mention of 'high level' -- why is it 'high level'? My interpretation of 'turning back on itself' suggests a movement, and all movements generate heat, even the movements of thought. Some thoughts move more than others, and those that become primarily significant gather so much heat that they become 'things' or concretize, forming emotional waves, which could set off chains of events if not allowed to 'cool' off, or in spiritual parlance, not pacified or dissolved at the point of arising. In lieu of this, it could be that the observer who stated that (no.1) saw creation as issuing forth from one single majestic thought (which he calls 'God')? IDK... God must have been very excited at some point.

I recall reading somewhere of some student of Kunlun visiting Kan for a healing as he was in great pain all the time, so much so his face and body was almost always contorted - during the healing session, a translator (not a Kunlun practitioner) became very excited because she witnessed black smoke emerging from a non-specified area around this pained student. When asked by an interviewer, Kan nonchalantly said all he did was to reset his body foundation. The interviewer verified that he had a glimpse of the seeker before and after, and the difference was spectacular! Anyone witnessed any similar sessions?

Glad you enjoyed it. Its fun to think of imponderables now and again.. Whats even more fun is knowing we are actually not outside of that which is imponderable, a never-ending loopy loop! Here's another one which is like... from the horse's mouth itself (sorry Ajahn Brahm... just a bit of wise-cracking goin' on). A bit longish, for when you have the time. I havent watched the whole clip yet myself.

'Me' as guest, or, 'Me' as host? http://theunborn.org.uk/Guest%20&%20Host.html

I picked up on it, thats why i asked.

Yeah for sure. Reminds me of the time i nearly got spat upon by some street-savvy Hong Kong folks... Walking innocently down the street when i caught a whiff of something tremendously pongy. Had to turn around and walked in the opposite direction, holding my nose. Met some locals walking towards a stall in the distance, the source of the smell. They heard me muttering something to the effect of, "Who in their right mind could actually be attracted to this foul stench?" They began cussing at me in Cantonese. Turned out they were on their way to sample the local's all-time favorite -- Stinky, Fermented Tofu!!! :lol:

Thanks. Is tea included? Green or Earl Grey?

I have seen a diamond. No, all you have seen is a useless rock. No, it was diamond! And i tell you, its a rock.. Families have gone to war for generations over such arguments. (sorry for poking my nose in...)

http://www.lulu.com/shop/ron-henshall/the-unborn-and-emancipation-from-the-born/paperback/product-5358229.html The author's blog: http://theunborn.org.uk/

just remembered another two martial arts 'heroes' i used to love to watch: Ti Lung and David Chiang:

Peter Russell asks - "Does our brain really create consciousness?" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-russell/brain-consciousness_b_873595.html

http://www.abhidhamma.org/CommentaryHeart.htm

.yikes. (pulling duvet over head) Goodnight, Mr. Lawrence.

One way of looking at the distinction is to see consciousness as the primary contents of mind, and awareness as that which can be led to comprehend such contents, their arisings, causes for such arisings, cessations, and causes leading to cessation. Being able to see thus, determine if these arisings are of a neutral, harmful or a helpful one, and in recognizing thus, is able to act wisely and beneficially. Accordingly, as it is said in the Samannaphala Sutta - In going forwards and in going backwards, he is a doer of clear comprehension. There is a section in the Satipatthana Sutta called The Contemplation of Consciousness which you may (or may not, idrk) find helpful to gain deeper insights into your inquiry.