Gathering Q's for Daniel Ingram

[Seeker of Wisdom]

So I asked Daniel Ingram for a TDB interview, and he's up for it.

 

Daniel Ingram, MD, is a key figure in 'hardcore/pragmatic dharma' along with folks like Kenneth Folk and Shinzen Young, advocating a goal-oriented, straightforward technical approach to Buddhist practice which emphasizes vipassana (probing into the Three Characteristics of experience), particularly the Mahasi Sayadaw noting technique, stripped of dogma and hagiography so pragmatic tech and real results are left. At his forum, the Dharma Overground, there is a controversial cultural norm of being open about attainment, and expecting practitioners to become awakened with good practice. This stuff makes him rather unpopular with many traditionalists.

 

From his book, Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha or 'MCTB', which is currently being updated into MCTB2 (http://static.squarespace.com/static/5037f52d84ae1e87f694cfda/t/5055915f84aedaeee9181119/1347785055665/)

 

Here’s my Western Teacher Bio the way I would have it on a retreat center brochure: [...] “Daniel is an extroverted Gen X intellectual. He is known for his pronounced enthusiasm, lip-flapping, grandiosity, eccentricity, and calling people on their stuff and shadow sides regardless of whether or not this is helpful or even accurate. He is an arahat and has a solid mastery of the basic concentration states from the first jhana to Nirodha Samapatti, including the Pure Land Jhanas. He also has a solid knowledge of Buddhist theory and the texts, and because of these three areas of expertise considers himself a qualified teacher. He was also authorized and encouraged to teach by a lineaged abbot of the Mahasi Sayadaw tradition. When it comes to insight practices, he has standards so high, exacting, and uncompromising that only those who are dedicated practitioners are likely to find them helpful. On the other hand, he is a firm believer that if people simply practice the basic techniques recommended by the Buddha they can be very successful and awakened meditators. He is one of the rare teachers who will talk about insight directly and answer nearly any question about dharma practice without using code, covering things up or watering things down. Daniel is a diehard Mahasi Sayadaw fan, though he is very happy whenever he sees people trying to master any of the world’s great mystical traditions and thus considers himself a pan-mystical evangelist.

 

He is also a chronic map-monger and technique freak because he has had them work very well for him. He does not claim to have any special knowledge of how to live skillfully in the conventional world, but has found that a positive attitude, non-pretentious kindness, and a sense of humor will take you a long way. If you imagine that you want to bust out some hardcore practice but are in fact just looking for a daddy, shrink, social worker, or someone to help you prop up your self-esteem, Daniel is unlikely at this stage in his development to be the best person to help you meet your needs. He considers himself to be one badass Dharma Cowboy and prefers similar company or at least those who aspire to be so.”

 

Here is his interview on batgap: 

 

So, let's gather some questions!

Edited July 5, 2015 by Seeker of Wisdom

[Seeker of Wisdom]

My Q's (this list isn't the final one I'll be sending, just my own Q ideas):

*The intro questions.

*What will be the main differences between MCTB and MCTB2? From the section out now, there seems to be a touch more on 'allowing reality to reveal itself' - a bit of Zen influence?

*Judging from anecdotes by you and also by Kenneth Folk, there's a bit more openness about attainments in places like Burma. Any comments on this and other cultural differences?

*Can you describe the experience of awakening in your system? What are the key features of each of the Four Paths (both the process of working towards each one, and the changes that result when you attain it)?

*Anything you'd like to add?

Edited July 7, 2015 by Seeker of Wisdom

[thelerner]

Hi Daniel,

 

Thank you for taking time out to share your insights with our forum. 

 

What is your practice schedule like? ie what practices do you do daily and for how long

What kind of 'practice' schedule would you recommend for a beginner?

Here's a an Americanized question- What technique have you found gives the best bang for the buck?  

 

 

Thank again. 

[Wells]

.

Edited May 10, 2016 by Wells

[MooNiNite]

Hi Daniel,

 

Can you describe the experience of awakening in your system? The shifts or changes that it may accompany.

 

Thank you,

 

James

[Seeker of Wisdom]

Good questions folks, keep them coming!

Edited July 7, 2015 by Seeker of Wisdom

[rex]

Who have been your Buddhist teachers and are you currently practicing and studying under the guidance of one?

Is there a particular Buddhist tradition that you practice within?

 

Edit: tpyo

Edited July 6, 2015 by rex

[dawei]

You can see the three intro/bio questions I'd like to have for each interview here:

http://thedaobums.com/topic/34799-gathering-questions-generic/?p=561734

 

I used this approach on the Flowing Hands Interview:

http://thedaobums.com/topic/36392-flowing-hands-interview-completed/

 

As can see, I grouped similar questions together so the order in the FINAL version is really up to you.  Format it as you want.

Great job to get another interview

[Seeker of Wisdom]

Here are some really interesting talks which go a bit more into detail on vipassana and the nanas than the batgap interview:

 

https://vimeo.com/28182419

https://vimeo.com/28182458

https://vimeo.com/28182481

Edited July 7, 2015 by Seeker of Wisdom

[Apech]

1 ) There are a lot of people nowadays on the internet, both Buddhist and non-Buddhist claiming to be accomplished and teaching others, why do you think there is such proliferation of this kind of thing and how can people distinguish the genuine from the false.

 

2 ) You seem to be an advocate of pared down Buddhism by eliminating from the dharma anything that doesn't fit with your own view and experience.  Don't you think there is a risk of throwing out the baby with the bath water by ignoring 2,500 years of practice and experience, especially if the causes and conditions which gave rise to, say the vajrayana, are not understood by you?

[forestofclarity]

1. What is your definition of nibbana? Is it a state of eternal non-consciousness? If so, what's the point? 

 

2. If there is a gap in consciousness and it is discontinuous, what notices the gap?

 

3. Is there rebirth after death? If not, then what's the point of practice?

 

4. What is your position on pure awareness in the Advaitic sense?

 

5. Have you had a brain scan or EEG done? If not, why not? If so, how does your brain compare with other, normal brains? If not, why not? 

 

6. What is your thought on non-duality? 

 

7. Many people accuse you of teaching the extreme of nihilism. Are you aware of these criticisms, and if so, how do you response? 

 

8. Have you corresponded with mainstream Theravada teachers? If so, what do they think of your teachings? How do you respond to their criticisms? 

 

9. How does one tell the difference between an arhat and someone who simply claims to be an arhat? 

Edited July 8, 2015 by forestofemptiness

[Seeker of Wisdom]

4. What is your position on pure awareness in the Advaitic sense?

Great question, forest. Since words can be so slippery here, though, could you define what you mean more? Is this definition from Swami Krishnananda acceptable?

 

The whole universe is a spiritual unity and is one with the essential Brahman [which] is the ultimate Knower. [...] “There is no seer but That, no hearer but That, no thinker but That, no knower but That.” It is the eternal Subject of knowledge, no one knows it as the object of knowledge.

Edited July 9, 2015 by Seeker of Wisdom

[Seeker of Wisdom]

I will be sending out the interview questions on Thursday. If you have anything you'd like to ask Daniel Ingram, post here before then!

[Seeker of Wisdom]

I've sent the questions - Daniel's a busy guy so it may take a while to get his answers. Thanks to those who put forward questions - all of them are included, although some overlapping ones are merged. Fun fun fun...

[Seeker of Wisdom]

Interview complete! http://thedaobums.com/topic/38892-tdbs-interview-with-daniel-ingram/