The Contracted/Constricted Mind

General discussion of issues related to Theravada Meditation, e.g. meditation postures, developing a regular sitting practice, skillfully relating to difficulties and hindrances, etc.
Saengnapha
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Re: The Contracted/Constricted Mind

Post by Saengnapha »

2600htz wrote: Sun Dec 10, 2017 12:42 am
SarathW wrote: Thu Dec 07, 2017 8:24 pm
2600htz wrote: Thu Dec 07, 2017 5:27 pm Hello:

A contracted mind is a mind with sloth and torpor, like Mkoll pointed out.
Why contracted?, because thats what happens to your mind, it gets tight and small, everything you do is troublesome, hard, restricted, so you zone out and get into dreamy states.

Regards.
Yes, this seems to be the most applicable explanation.
Then what is expanded mind? (without saying "free from sloth and torpor")
A person free from sloth and torpor is equated to a person released from the prison.
Hello:

As i understand it, an "expanded/exalted mind" is a mind with a rupa jhana, and a "surpassed mind" is a mind with arupa jhanas.

Regards.
Arupa jhana still contains the 'I' maker, the perceiver of nothingness, the formless. According to Punnaji, the Buddha came to the state of Neither Sensation Nor No Sensation, and let go of that. This is called Sanna Vedayita Nirodha, Cessation of Sensation and Feeling. The complete stopping of the activity called mind.
SarathW
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Re: The Contracted/Constricted Mind

Post by SarathW »

"When the mind is restricted, he discerns that the mind is restricted. When the mind is scattered, he discerns that the mind is scattered. When the mind is enlarged, he discerns that the mind is enlarged. When the mind is not enlarged, he discerns that the mind is not enlarged. When the mind is surpassed, he discerns that the mind is surpassed. When the mind is unsurpassed, he discerns that the mind is unsurpassed. When the mind is concentrated, he discerns that the mind is concentrated. When the mind is not concentrated, he discerns that the mind is not concentrated. When the mind is released, he discerns that the mind is released. When the mind is not released, he discerns that the mind is not released.

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DooDoot
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Re: The Contracted/Constricted Mind

Post by DooDoot »

Saengnapha wrote: Sun Dec 10, 2017 5:22 amArupa jhana still contains the 'I' maker, the perceiver of nothingness, the formless. According to Punnaji, the Buddha came to the state of Neither Sensation Nor No Sensation, and let go of that. This is called Sanna Vedayita Nirodha, Cessation of Sensation and Feeling. The complete stopping of the activity called mind.
According to the suttas (see link for all nine jhana: http://awake.kiev.ua/dhamma/tipitaka/2S ... ggo-e.html), the Buddha & his arahant disciples practised arupa jhana without any "I" making. Clearer translation is below:


Image
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SarathW
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Re: The Contracted/Constricted Mind

Post by SarathW »

“Narrowed mind,” sakhitta cita, ie “narrowed‟ due to sloth and torpor.
65 “Distracted mind,” vikkhitta citta, ie “distracted” by restlessness and worry.
66 “Great mind,” mahaggata citta, ie made great or “exalted” because all the mental hindrances have been
overcome, thus attaining a dhyana or a formless attainment. Properly speaking, only the first 4 form dhyanas are
called jhna, while the higher four formless bases are called sampatti (attainment); and that the 4 formless attainments
actually belong to the 4th form dhyana since they all possess the same two factors (ie equanimity and samadhi).

67 “Unsurpassable” (anuttara) mind, probably synonymous with “developed” mind. See D:W 592 n667.
68 Sujato, in A History of Mindfulness, makes an important note on this section: see Intro (5D.3)


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Saengnapha
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Re: The Contracted/Constricted Mind

Post by Saengnapha »

DooDoot wrote: Sun Dec 10, 2017 6:12 am
Saengnapha wrote: Sun Dec 10, 2017 5:22 amArupa jhana still contains the 'I' maker, the perceiver of nothingness, the formless. According to Punnaji, the Buddha came to the state of Neither Sensation Nor No Sensation, and let go of that. This is called Sanna Vedayita Nirodha, Cessation of Sensation and Feeling. The complete stopping of the activity called mind.
According to the suttas (see link for all nine jhana: http://awake.kiev.ua/dhamma/tipitaka/2S ... ggo-e.html), the Buddha & his arahant disciples practised arupa jhana without any "I" making. Clearer translation is below:


Image
Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't Sariputta an Arahant already? For the Arahant, they can dwell in any state without 'I' making.
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