Hi Benjamin, I'd prefer to keep the Mahasi controversies in their own threads, but this is your thread so if you want to chat about it at anytime, I'd be more than willing to. As you can probably tell, I'm sold on the idea that the Mahasi method is indeed suttanta-based and others feel this way, as well.Benjamin wrote: ↑Sat Jan 05, 2019 12:15 pmWell, I'd consider that more of a contemplation on the body itself, rather than a breath meditation which is grounded in the body, which is more what Thanissaro is getting at. My original "eureka" moment with the technique is that I never had great success with focusing on the breath sensations exclusively, and what Thanissaro Bhikku teaches is essentially a whole body awareness via the breath.Manopubbangama wrote: ↑Sat Jan 05, 2019 10:35 amBenjamin, pardon my ignorance of the exact method but is this basically like kayagatasati?
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitak ... .than.html
Basically, use the internal sensation of breathing to fill the body, but maintain an awareness of the body throughout the meditation. This way, when the breath becomes subtle or simply between individual breaths, there is still this strong sense of "breath energy" in the body, which IMO is really just his way of referring to the internal energetic experience of the body. So, a little bit different than that sutta which seems to focus more on developing disenchantment with regards to the body via analysis of constituent parts.
That being said, I can only listen in astonistment of your praise of the Thanissaro tecnique.
If the meditation works, the proof is in the pudding and you definitely inspired me to look more into it.
I think different tools in the tool box is a great idea.
I will give it a shot and if it works for me, great, if not, than oh well, just like if people don't like the Mahasi method they are still my brothers in the Triple Gem.
With much metta,
M