My understanding is that MBTI posits a spectrum rather than a set of clear-cut "containers"; Clearly inaccurate: there are four pairs of clear-cut containers, and the test is a litany of false-choice in order to accomplish this misleading dichotomy. Spectra are specifically ignored; notic...

It's probably important to put too much emphasis on your type, but the numbers lean quite disproportionately towards IN types (it seems mainly INFPs). If MBTI were pure hokum, you wouldn't be seeing trends like that. In that link to the dharmawheel forum, almost everyone responded as an IN. IN's con...

I just read an article on the INTP class, and it mentions: The way of the Buddha is in many ways characteristic of the INTP approach—figure out how to save yourself first, then help others do the same. In this light, the idea of grassroots or “bottom-up” change holds particular appeal for INTPs. I ...

I just read an article on the INTP class, and it mentions: The way of the Buddha is in many ways characteristic of the INTP approach—figure out how to save yourself first, then help others do the same. In this light, the idea of grassroots or “bottom-up” change holds particular appeal for INTPs. I a...

I don't have much to add to this topic.. but on a related note, I want to mention that sometimes I feel as if by the time I end up leaving this site, I do it knowing less than I originally knew.

I saw two Cambodian monks at a 10 day course earlier this year. Saw a few Vietnamese ones at my first sit in 2009 as well. They usually sit on a Dais, much like the ATs do. I'm not sure if it had anything to do with it, but during the course where I sat with the two Cambodian monks, I entered some s...

It means responding to your needs instead of mindlessly sticking with the program. The Goenka people were adamant about not differing from the technique, which chafed. No one there had any answers besides astonishing me for not staying correct with their strict interpretation of what should be done...

It means responding to your needs instead of mindlessly sticking with the program. The Goenka people were adamant about not differing from the technique, which chafed. No one there had any answers besides astonishing me for not staying correct with their strict interpretation of what should be done...

Everyone has to master the basics, but for some people, to advance means making the experience real for themselves. My Goenka retreat was useful in some ways, but I left feeling squished by the technique. Sticking with that over and over, it seemed, was not the way to growth. For me, being more act...

Don't you think that's stretching it though? You could argue the same for Anatta and Annica. The 3 characteristics point to the same thing. What we are talking about is which characteristic that Goenka emphasizes more.. and I'm fairly certain that if you were to ask most Goenka students, they'd tel...

they'd tell you that Annica stands out. Insight into one is insight to the others. I can't really argue with that, but that's going off in a different tangent. The point I was discussing with Modus is which characteristic that Goenka emphasizes on the most. Also, some people have certain procliviti...

I'm not sure where you get the Dukkha part from - he doesn't talk about it much, and though the pain you get from sitting is prevalent (when is it not?), you aren't as encouraged to focus on it as much as you are on Anicca. He outrightly says that the sensations are a representation of impermanence...

It focuses more on Anicca than anything else. Goenka is always talking about it in the discourses, and he always mentions that the sensations are representations of the changing nature in life. Out of the four foundations, though, I think it focuses only on Vedana (Joseph Goldstein and a few others...

The only issue I see is that no matter what people tell you, your curiosity won't be satisfied because you aren't able to see for yourself.. so there's always going to be doubt.

Dr. Lin: "By observing our bodily sensations how can we eradicate our defilements and change our habit pattern? Isn’t it easier to practise by observing our mind directly and not let unwholesome thoughts arise?" S. N. Goenka: "Purifying the mind by changing the thoughts from unwholes...