Sloth Torpor or Jhana...?

General discussion of issues related to Theravada Meditation, e.g. meditation postures, developing a regular sitting practice, skillfully relating to difficulties and hindrances, etc.
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Beautiful Breath
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Sloth Torpor or Jhana...?

Post by Beautiful Breath »

When getting deeper into our practice how can we differentiate between our concentration becoming more focused and consequently a quieter mind and lapsing into a numbness that just feels good?

I sometimes practice Silent Illumination (Shikantaza Jp. Just Sitting) and often get a real sense of there being no sense of my body and a sort of expanded awareness of my immediate environment....feels 'nice' but I am often concerned that its a trap - depite seeming to fit in with 'progress' as described in that method...

Ta!

BB...
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reflection
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Re: Sloth Torpor or Jhana...?

Post by reflection »

In my experience, if it's going the right way you can in a way feel mindfulness get sharper and more single pointed. It's not like a zoning or dulling out, there is a center point of awareness where happiness arises. If you don't really know what you are aware of, it is a sign of dullness.

But do know that I have not heard of Silent Illumination and am explaining it in terms of my experience.

With metta,
Reflection
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IanAnd
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Re: Sloth Torpor or Jhana...?

Post by IanAnd »

Hi BB,

Obviously, as with any kind of question like this, there's bound to be differences in the way people experience these states and in the way they describe their experiences. Sometimes, they may be talking about the same thing, but using different descriptors that have personal meaning to them, but may not translate in the same way to other readers because they associate a different interpretation of the descriptors. Keeping that in mind, I will attempt to communicate a response to your question.

I think you kind of answered the question yourself within the question you asked. You asked: "...how can we differentiate between our concentration becoming more focused and consequently a quieter mind and lapsing into a numbness that just feels good?" The way this question is worded already shows an awareness of a difference.

However, if you need more details, Thanissaro Bhikkhu once wrote an excellent essay on this very issue entitled Jhana Not By the Numbers which at one time helped me to sort out this very same question. Over the years, I have found his descriptions of the practice of meditation to have been confirmed by my own personal experience. His writings, therefore, because they are so prolific can be a valuable resource for figuring out these difficult questions.

A few pertinent excerpts from the essay might help to shed some light on the matter. Talking about his preceptor, Ajahn Fuang, Thanissaro mentions: "As he once told me, 'If I have to explain everything, you'll get used to having things handed to you on a platter. And then what will you do when problems come up in your meditation and you don't have any experience in figuring things out on your own?' "

"So, studying with him, I had to learn to take risks in the midst of uncertainties. If something interesting came up in the practice, I'd have to stick with it, observing it over time, before reaching any conclusions about it."

There is a decided qualitative difference between a mind that is dull and basking in bliss, and one that is alert, aware, awake, sharp, and focused on its object (or whatever arises in the mind, as it often the case). While the former state is, as you state, a "feel good" state, the latter state not only feels good but is rock solid in its execution and stillness without devolving into a dull or unfocused pleasant state. One of the hindrances that produces this dull state of mind is the lack of application of mindfulness to the task at hand. Mindfulness keeps the mind alert, awake, and sharp, and helps produce that rock solid "feeling" of a focused and concentrated state.

As Thanissaro writes: "Strong concentration is absolutely necessary for liberating insight. 'Without a firm basis in concentration,' he [Ajahn Fuang] often said, 'insight is just concepts.' To see clearly the connections between stress and its causes, the mind has to be very steady and still. And to stay still, it requires the strong sense of well being that only strong concentration can provide."

Bottom line: dullness of mind is cured by developing and asserting strong mindfulness on the object at hand. This has a very different feel or sensation to it than the "feel good" state you mentioned. And once you experience it, you (hopefully) won't want to return to the "feel good" state.

As Thanissaro writes in the essay about hitting a state wherein he lost all sense of the body, internal or external sounds, or thoughts or perceptions:
  • The second state was one I happened to hit one night when my concentration was extremely one-pointed, and so refined that it refused [to] settle on or label even the most fleeting mental objects. I dropped into a state in which I lost all sense of the body, of any internal/external sounds, or of any thoughts or perceptions at all — although there was just enough tiny awareness to let me know, when I emerged, that I hadn't been asleep. I found that I could stay there for many hours, and yet time would pass very quickly. Two hours would seem like two minutes. I could also "program" myself to come out at a particular time.

    After hitting this state several nights in a row, I told Ajaan Fuang about it, and his first question was, "Do you like it?" My answer was "No," because I felt a little groggy the first time I came out. "Good," he said. "As long as you don't like it, you're safe. Some people really like it and think it's nibbana or cessation. Actually, it's the state of non-perception (asaññi-bhava). It's not even right concentration, because there's no way you can investigate anything in there to gain any sort of discernment. But it does have other uses."
Read the essay (and anything else that Thanissaro puts out about meditation) you won't be disappointed. He knows what he is talking about and can become an excellent source for testing one's own experiences against.

In peace,
Ian
"The gift of truth exceeds all other gifts" — Dhammapada, v. 354 Craving XXIV
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Beautiful Breath
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Re: Sloth Torpor or Jhana...?

Post by Beautiful Breath »

Ian thanks so much for taking the time to reply so comprehensively. I will indeed read the link. its a difficult time for me at the moment re my practice and has been for a while now. I've been verging on turning my back on what potentially could be something important.

_/|\_
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Re: Sloth Torpor or Jhana...?

Post by IanAnd »

Beautiful Breath wrote: its a difficult time for me at the moment re my practice and has been for a while now. I've been verging on turning my back on what potentially could be something important.
Hang in there, BB. Good things happen to those who are patient. Be diligent in your actions and intentions and sooner or later you will be rewarded. It's really just a matter of catching on to what works for you and being able to recognize it as it is happening.

Things get better (and begin to make more sense) as one begins to receive competent instruction and is able to execute it.

Taming the mind is the hardest (as well as the most rewarding) thing you will ever do in this lifetime.
"The gift of truth exceeds all other gifts" — Dhammapada, v. 354 Craving XXIV
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Re: Sloth Torpor or Jhana...?

Post by Spiny Norman »

Beautiful Breath wrote:When getting deeper into our practice how can we differentiate between our concentration becoming more focused and consequently a quieter mind and lapsing into a numbness that just feels good?
In practice it can be something of a balancing act, but I think it's about developing a state which is both alert and relaxed.
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daverupa
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Re: Sloth Torpor or Jhana...?

Post by daverupa »

Lapsing into numbness is either a lapse of mindfulness, else you can still be aware of "numbed out mind" (though this counts as a hindrance, probably, whereupon one gets back to work). Additionally, part of satipatthana is knowing when a pleasant feeling is worldly or unworldly - only one of those is a sensual cord, so this is an occasion for practice, not for worry.
  • "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting oneself one protects others? By the pursuit, development, and cultivation of the four establishments of mindfulness. It is in such a way that by protecting oneself one protects others.

    "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting others one protects oneself? By patience, harmlessness, goodwill, and sympathy. It is in such a way that by protecting others one protects oneself.

- Sedaka Sutta [SN 47.19]
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Re: Sloth Torpor or Jhana...?

Post by Beautiful Breath »

...imagine being in a busy rush hour, with lots of smog and cars beeoing their horns...pouring with rain....etc...etc...

Then suddenly you find yourself in a meadow on a warm day feeling nothing but the breeze and hearing nothing but the birds in the distance...eys closed and feeling no sense of physicality....


...its a bit like that. Not sure whats further down the road either if I were to stay or deepen that experience.

Thanks,

BB...
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