Vibration and Vipassana

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Masht
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Vibration and Vipassana

Post by Masht »

I am an old student of Vipassana (Sayagi U Ba Khin tradition). In this tradition, we have been informed to practice in group sitting at least a week for good vibration. Moreover, teachers and old students are encouraged to mediate in centers for good vibration. We have also heard that Rev. S. N. Goenka rejected proposed land for a new center due to bad vibration in that area.

At the time of the Enlightened one, we have read that Bhikkhu Meghiya could not practice properly because his mind was influenced by negative thoughts. Perhaps, this situation could also be attributed to some extent on the vibration of a place where he meditated.

Thus, It appears that we need to protect ourselves (meditators) from bad vibration and expose to good vibration for better results.

In this context, views on this topic from senior monks of Therevada and experienced meditators could be instrumental for meditators on their journey of realizing truth.

Metta
Last edited by Masht on Mon Mar 13, 2017 2:58 am, edited 3 times in total.
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robertk
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Re: Vibration and Vippasana

Post by robertk »

hey there must be something in it.

see what the BeachBoys had to say( mayybe my fave band of all time), a visionary group.
https://g.co/kgs/Akd4mA
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Dhammabodhi
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Re: Vibration and Vippasana

Post by Dhammabodhi »

Masht wrote:
At the time of the Enlightened one, we have read that Bhikkhu Meghiya could not practice properly because his mind was influenced by negative thoughts mainly due to vibration of a place where he meditated.
Hi, could you please provide a reference for this? I read the Meghiya Sutta but it doesn't say anything about bad vibrations in the mangrove forest.

:anjali:
"Take rest, take rest."-S.N.Goenka
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Goofaholix
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Re: Vibration and Vippasana

Post by Goofaholix »

He is simply saying that associating with like minded people and practicing together will help and energise your practice, if you neglect that then it's likely you will stop doing it or pickup habits from the people or places you associate with.
Pronouns (no self / not self)
“Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hilltop, nor is it given by a teacher. Where you experience suffering, you can also find freedom from suffering. Trying to run away from suffering is actually to run toward it.”
― Ajahn Chah
justindesilva
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Re: Vibration and Vippasana

Post by justindesilva »

The Karaniys metta sutta was meant to be chanted by the bikkus as advised by lord budda when certain monks who went to meditate to the forest were disturbed by the devas who were residing on trees of the area. As the meditating monks radiated their living kind thoughts the devas subsided allowing the monks to meditate
I believe this gives an explanation to vibrations against vipassana meditation too. The mind is foremost and its one's own mind which can adjust to meditation by suppressing negative thoughts. If one can read one's own mind then the reason for negative thoughts as uddacca kukucca thinamidda kamachcanda can be identified with a view to destroying them. There are no areas with negative vibrating other than one's own mind.
Masht
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Re: Vibration and Vippasana

Post by Masht »

The main purpose of Sutta is to educate and motivate people to realize ultimate truth through meditation. We cannot understand profound aspects of meditation till we experience it or realize it. Till then, we need to rely on experiences of trustworthy teachers or senior meditators. In the mean time, we should try to verify those experiences with our own experiences.

In the context of vibration, I would like to refer to experiences of two prominent disciples of Sayagi U Ba Khin. After a long course, Sayagi U Ba Khin asked Rev. S. N. Goenka to visit a Pogoda and pay respect to Buddha Statue. There was a stone in front of Buddha Statue. Rev. S. N. Goenka bowed to the Buddha statue by putting forehead on the stone. Consequently, Rev. S. N. Goenka felt sick for almost two days. This is due to vibration near that stone where people come to pay respect to Buddha along with strong craving for materialistic fulfillment. Similarly, after a long course, when U Ko Lay was walking near a hospital, he felt as if somebody threw a stone on him. These experiences occurred immediately after completion of long courses. This reveals that bad vibration affects noticeably when mind is very pure.

With Metta
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Dhammanando
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Re: Vibration and Vipassana

Post by Dhammanando »

Masht wrote:At the time of the Enlightened one, we have read that Bhikkhu Meghiya could not practice properly because his mind was influenced by negative thoughts. Perhaps, this situation could also be attributed to some extent on the vibration of a place where he meditated.
But the Meghiya Sutta doesn't attribute it to this, nor to anything else. It just says that this is what happened. In other suttas, however, failure in solitary forest-dwelling is attributed to undertaking it without adequate prior preparation. See the Bhayabherava and Gaṇakamoggallāna Suttas.
Masht wrote:Thus, It appears that we need to protect ourselves (meditators) from bad vibration and expose to good vibration for better results.

In this context, views on this topic from senior monks of Therevada and experienced meditators could be instrumental for meditators on their journey of realizing truth.
The relevant sources here are the Senāsana Sutta's account of the characteristics of a suitable lodging and the Visuddhimagga's list of eighteen faults that make a monastery a place to be avoided by meditators. In neither of these is there any mention of good or bad vibrations (unless by "bad vibrations" one merely means "noise"). Concern about vibrations, whether of people or of places, is a quirk of the U Ba Khin/Sri Goenka tradition that doesn't seem to have any solid foundation in the Pali texts.

Senāsana Sutta

Eighteen Faults of a Monastery
Yena yena hi maññanti,
tato taṃ hoti aññathā.


In whatever way they conceive it,
It turns out otherwise.
(Sn. 588)
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Bhikkhu Pesala
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Re: Vibration and Vipassana

Post by Bhikkhu Pesala »

There are places like the cave inhabited by Nandopānanda that others would find impossible to stay in. That is, there are various evil-minded spirits that could be responsible for people feeling "bad vibrations."
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form
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Re: Vibration and Vipassana

Post by form »

If I remember correctly, choosing a right place is mentioned in vmagga and the nikaya. Something like at the border of the village, so can get alms and yet quiet for practicing. If one were to choose a dwelling for meditation practice, not to be disturbed and enough necessity supply will be two sensible criteria. As far as I can tell, the Buddha do regularly meditate in the nature where there are less people around to recharge.
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Dhammabodhi
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Re: Vibration and Vipassana

Post by Dhammabodhi »

This is what Goenkaji had to say about vibrations:
Goenkaji wrote: What are vibrations? How do they affect us?

Everything in the Universe is vibrating. This is no theory, it is a fact. The entire Universe is nothing but vibrations. The good vibrations make us happy, the unwholesome vibrations cause misery. Vipassana will help you come out of effect of bad vibrations- the vibrations caused by a mind full of craving and aversion. When the mind is perfectly balanced, the vibrations become good. And these good or bad vibrations you generate start influencing the atmosphere all around you. Vipassana helps you generate vibrations of purity, compassion and goodwill - beneficial for yourself and all others.
I do agree with Bhante that importance is given to vibrations much more in the Goenka tradition than others: for example, one trustee at a centre attributed the rule of not stretching your legs towards the assistant teachers to the "bad vibrations emanating from the soles of the feet". The same trustee also claimed that one can meditate better in the mountains because there are less bad vibrations at high altitudes, because most of the human population lives near or around sea level. Another person I met used to give good vibrations to the food before eating it- to remove the bad vibrations it might have accumulated from all the people it came in contact with.

I personally try to keep an open mind, but with loads of skepticism. Many times it is difficult to say whether someone is right or not.

Moral of the story- suspend judgment until you find conclusive evidence in either direction.

:anjali:
"Take rest, take rest."-S.N.Goenka
2600htz
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Re: Vibration and Vipassana

Post by 2600htz »

Well yeah, every activity needs a good environment to be developed.
Why make it more complicated than that.
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Virg02
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Re: Vibration and Vipassana

Post by Virg02 »

Right Understanding can be developed anytime, anywhere, but there must also be Right Effort.

Virg02
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_anicca_
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Re: Vibration and Vipassana

Post by _anicca_ »

The heart of the Buddhist path is to use the conditioned to reach the unconditioned.

Environment can have a large impact on mental development and can be cultivated as an asset to lead to awakening.
"A virtuous monk, Kotthita my friend, should attend in an appropriate way to the five clinging-aggregates as inconstant, stressful, a disease, a cancer, an arrow, painful, an affliction, alien, a dissolution, an emptiness, not-self."

:buddha1:

http://vipassanameditation.asia
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Sabbe_Dhamma_Anatta
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Re: Vibration and Vipassana

Post by Sabbe_Dhamma_Anatta »

.




Vibrations, vibrations...


  • As soon as a sight comes to the eye, or a sound to the ear, an aroma to the nose, a taste to the tongue, or a tactile sensation to the body, the mind is what knows. Things vibrate right to the mind. Just this is enough to give rise to an understanding.
    • In Simple Terms: 108 Dhamma Similes
      by Ajahn Chah translated from the Thai by Thanissaro Bhikkhu



  • The human body as a mere conglomeration of the elements of solidity, fluidity, heat and vibration; the inevitability of old age, sickness, death and of the separation from all we love...

    ...

    His mind was now able to go beyond the barriers it had erected for itself, and he was able to investigate the four elements of solidity, cohesion, vibration and heat that constitute the physical world, as well as both the true and conventional nature of reality.
    • stillness flowing: The Life and Teachings of Ajahn Chah



  • When contemplation of the body ensues in perception of its unattractiveness, or of its constituent elements of hardness, cohesion, temperature and vibration [1] then that is meditation.
    • Dhamma Teachings of Looang Boo Sim Buddhacaro
      by Looang Boo Sim



  • Now, you can reflect on the conditions of the body and mind and concentrate on them. You can sweep through the body and recognise sensations, such as the vibrations in the hands or feet, or you can concentrate on any point in your body.
    • Ajahn Sumedho - Mindfulness: The Path to the Deathless



  • Mentally I create an aura of loving-kindness around me. By means of this aura, I cut off all negative thoughts, hostile vibrations. I am not affected by the evil vibrations of others.
    • Buddhism in a Nutshell
      by Narada Mahathera



  • When one projects this total wish for others to dwell happily, free from hostility, affliction and distress, not only does one elevate oneself to a level where true happiness prevails, but one sets in motion powerful vibrations conducing to happiness, cooling off enmity, relieving affliction and distress.
    • Metta: The Philosophy and Practice of Universal Love
      by Acharya Buddharakkhita



  • ii. the water-element, cohesion, building matter into mass;
    iii. the fire-element, temperature either hot or cold, maturing;
    iv. the air-element, motion, vibration.
    • Saíyutta Nikáya: An Anthology Part I
      byJohn D. Ireland






  • Ajahn [Ajahn Brahm] stoked up the good vibrations in our "Dhamma Living Room" with a long, peaceful group meditation.
    • Post-Vassa News From Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project
      Newsletter # 25  November 2019



  • By reason of the absence of close or repeated contact [apaccamatthatta] of mind with matter this happens. Tension, oscillation or vibration of mind is quicker than that of matter, seventeen times.
    • The Way of Mindfulness: The Satipatthana Sutta and Its Commentary
      by Soma Thera



  • Animals know and fear a man who has fear while they are aware of the peaceful vibrations of the fearless meditator.
    • Forest Meditations: The Verses of the Arahant Talaputa Thera
      translated from the Pali with some reflections by Bhikkhu Khantipalo



  • Many instances in the Buddha's life illustrate the fact that the peaceful thought vibrations of the Buddha produced salutary effects, so much so that the intoxicated elephant Nalagiri and the wild Angulimala were completely subdued.
    • The Heart Awakened
      by Eileen Siriwardhana



  • Full awareness will extend up to their end phase: to their last vibrations and reverberations.
    • The Power of Mindfulness: An Inquiry into the Scope of Bare Attention and the Principal Sources of its Strength
      by Nyanaponika Thera



  • If you do this once or twice daily, your horizon will widen. You will find yourself directing these vibrations to all beings and non-beings who have entered your consciousness, without exceptions.
    • Beginning Insight MeditationAnd Other Essays
      by Dorothy Figen

:heart:
𝓑𝓾𝓭𝓭𝓱𝓪 𝓗𝓪𝓭 𝓤𝓷𝓮𝓺𝓾𝓲𝓿𝓸𝓬𝓪𝓵𝓵𝔂 𝓓𝓮𝓬𝓵𝓪𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓽
  • Iᴅᴇᴀ ᴏꜰ Sᴏᴜʟ ɪs Oᴜᴛᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴀɴ Uᴛᴛᴇʀʟʏ Fᴏᴏʟɪsʜ Vɪᴇᴡ
    V. Nanananda

𝓐𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓽ā 𝓜𝓮𝓪𝓷𝓼 𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓘𝓼
  • Nᴏ sᴜᴄʜ ᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴀs ᴀ Sᴇʟғ, Sᴏᴜʟ, Eɢᴏ, Sᴘɪʀɪᴛ, ᴏʀ Āᴛᴍᴀɴ
    V. Buddhādasa
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Sabbe_Dhamma_Anatta
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Re: Vibration and Vipassana

Post by Sabbe_Dhamma_Anatta »

skandha wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2020 5:00 am @Sabbe_dhamma_anatta,

One from the Buddha,

Sabbo pajjalito loko, sabbo loko pakampito
All the world is ablaze, All the world is quaking (vibrating).
SN 5.7

:anjali:
====================




  • 'The entire universe is nothing but combustion and vibration'
    ('Sabbo pajjalito loko sabbo loko pakampito').




Saṁyutta Nikāya: Sagātha Vagga :Bhikkhunī Saṁyutta: Suttas of the Sisters / Upacala Sutta - Sister Upacālā [SN 5.7]

  • Sabbo ādīpito loko, sabbo loko padhūpito,
    The whole of the world is in flames, the whole of the world is blazing, [2]
    Sabbo pajjalito loko, sabbo loko pakampito.
    The whole of the world is burning, the whole of the world is shaking.












  • Ablaze is all the world, the heav'ns do quake.
    • Translated from the Pali by Mrs. Rhys-Davids and F.L. Woodward, M.A. Assisted by Sūriyagoḍa Sumangala Thera
      PTS books

:heart:
𝓑𝓾𝓭𝓭𝓱𝓪 𝓗𝓪𝓭 𝓤𝓷𝓮𝓺𝓾𝓲𝓿𝓸𝓬𝓪𝓵𝓵𝔂 𝓓𝓮𝓬𝓵𝓪𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓽
  • Iᴅᴇᴀ ᴏꜰ Sᴏᴜʟ ɪs Oᴜᴛᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴀɴ Uᴛᴛᴇʀʟʏ Fᴏᴏʟɪsʜ Vɪᴇᴡ
    V. Nanananda

𝓐𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓽ā 𝓜𝓮𝓪𝓷𝓼 𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓘𝓼
  • Nᴏ sᴜᴄʜ ᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴀs ᴀ Sᴇʟғ, Sᴏᴜʟ, Eɢᴏ, Sᴘɪʀɪᴛ, ᴏʀ Āᴛᴍᴀɴ
    V. Buddhādasa
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