Thank you for your respectful response Ben. I understand your position. You are correct that what I call Jhana does not line up with some of the Suttras and Commentaries. I accept that. Indeed it is important to tend towards caution when assessing our progress. I have checked my experience with not ...

That is the funny thing about delusion--you don't know when you're in it. Dynamic Jhana--wow! You must be so cool. Sure wish I could go there. Yeah I am pretty cool, thank you for noticing. You know what I don't think is cool though, Slander... Do not consider the faults of others Or what they have...

Pardon my doubts, Clayton. I have a few. But as your practice doesn't impinge on my own, I suppose you are welcome to see what you want as you want. No need to pardon anything. I would be worried if you didn't have doubts. As for giving everyone a taste: I don't know that 'taste' comes by ear at al...

Hey this is Clayton, I was the third voice in that recording. I had quickly risen up to the state which we refer to as the 8th jhana... experiencing neither perception nor non perception. Coming out of it I mentioned it for the recording. We practice something called dynamic jhana which is not as ab...

Hey everyone. I guess I'll jump into the discussion... first of all Nick is a good friend and Dharma brother of mine... its easy to understand why he could get defensive in this thread. To be fair what our teacher proposes is different from the buddhist 'party line' so of course we are going to diff...

Highly Recommended... I sat my first retreat last december. Sitting another one next month...

I enjoy your posts a lot Jack. May you find what you seek.

Clayton

No, there are some books published, but a lot of Theravada teachers make their work available online (including books) for free out of compassion. This has been a great benefit to me in my practice. Check out Amazon if you want hard copies...

Clayton

The Insulting truth is a good one... here is the complete list of talks by Ajahn Munindo http://aruno.org//index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=3&Itemid=9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Under dhamma Talks vol 2 you can find one titled Prayerful Practice....

Thanks Retro, JC, and Adosa for your encouragement. I have probably close to a year left before I finish my undergraduate degree. As this is something my parents encourage I have no intention of going forth before I complete this part of my practice. I don't believe I wish to be in robes for the res...

Well I do have occasional bouts with ordination fantasies... I notice however that they tend to co-inside with the more difficult stages of my practice... Although it is plain to me that the problems are within my own relationship to circumstances I sometimes desire to have a complete spiritual envi...

Wow. That is unbelievable... it really goes to show how strong delusion may be. Your commitment to the dhamma in the face of persecution is inspiring. Women ordination come on people we aren't living in the dark ages anymore...

Clayton

I remember in one of his talks he talked about how he started a study group when he was 7 years into practice instead of waiting 10 years like was expected. (I think I am remembering this correctly.) I enjoy his teachings I find his talks kind of run together... but he has a good message. I think he...

Hey I went on my first Goenka retreat recently. It ended on the 20th of December. I would recommend it to anyone serious in meditation. It is very challenging at times... on day 6 I had the worst 15 minutes of my life in meditation... on day 7 the best 15 minutes of my life doing the exact same thin...

Thanks Zavk and David for the quick responses. It certainly clarifies some things about the retreat. It seems like solid advice, i'll try to just go without expectation. Looking forward to more dhamma fellowship from this site