Attachment to Method

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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Myotai
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Joined: Mon Aug 19, 2013 11:39 am

Attachment to Method

Post by Myotai »

Hello everyone,

For some time now my practice has developed into a fixation on methods. This manifests as a sort of inner narrative about the benefits of Koan, Vipassana, Mahamudra....I know it sounds daft but I have established that its a form of grasping like any other.

Problem is that my practice seems to be stuck and going nowhere. Has anyone else experienced this?

Thank you for reading.
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Ben
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Location: kanamaluka

Re: Attachment to Method

Post by Ben »

Myotai wrote: Problem is that my practice seems to be stuck and going nowhere.
How do you know you are stuck and going nowhere?
“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.”
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road

Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725

Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global ReliefUNHCR

e: [email protected]..
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Myotai
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Re: Attachment to Method

Post by Myotai »

Ben wrote:
Myotai wrote: Problem is that my practice seems to be stuck and going nowhere.
How do you know you are stuck and going nowhere?
Hello Ben,

Because for many months now, all I seem to do in my practice is watch my mind procrastinate over methods. Almost as if its seeking a reconciliation. It goes no further than this.

Thanks.
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Ben
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Location: kanamaluka

Re: Attachment to Method

Post by Ben »

Thanks for the clarification, Myotai.
The reason I ask is sometimes I am requested to give advice for co-practitioners who feel the same way but on further investigation, it is clear that the practitioner is expecting certain meditative experiences or that meditation should be pleasant or that life, post adopting practice, should be bliss-filled pleasantness devoid of difficulty.

In your situation I would evaluate whichever method suited me best and give it my undivided attention for at least a year.
kind regards,

Ben
“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.”
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road

Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725

Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global ReliefUNHCR

e: [email protected]..
PimonratC
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Joined: Thu Jul 18, 2013 7:03 am
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Re: Attachment to Method

Post by PimonratC »

.

May I recommend you to this book too?

It was something about mindfulness of mind.
http://03.wimutti.net/pramote/books/The ... 0eBook.pdf

This help me at the beginning till now so I recommend to you. :buddha2:




.
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Myotai
Posts: 514
Joined: Mon Aug 19, 2013 11:39 am

Re: Attachment to Method

Post by Myotai »

Thanks for the replies.... I think the danger I speak of is oft referred to as "Quietism".
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