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.
Attachment to Method
Re: Attachment to Method
How do you know you are stuck and going nowhere?Myotai wrote: Problem is that my practice seems to be 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 Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
- 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 Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
Re: Attachment to Method
Hello Ben,Ben wrote:How do you know you are stuck and going nowhere?Myotai wrote: Problem is that my practice seems to be stuck and going nowhere.
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.
Re: Attachment to Method
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
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 Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
- 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 Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
Re: Attachment to Method
.
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.
.
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.
.
Re: Attachment to Method
Thanks for the replies.... I think the danger I speak of is oft referred to as "Quietism".