Hey all,
Just found this site yesterday. Lets see, I have been interested in the Dhamma since reading the Dharmapada about three years ago. Having been raised a fundamentalist Christian something about the Dhamma resonates deep within me. I am a recovering alkie and drug addict with 6 months clean. I go to AA and like the support--but I know that it is the spiritual path I find in Buddhism that will help me overcome this suffering. If anyone else has any experience in this area I would love to hear about it. I am going on a 10 day S.N. Goenka retreat next week--I have heard from some staunch buddhist that his emphasis on pain as a meditation object is skewed... Nonetheless I look forward to getting some time away to seriously pursue my practice... Hope everyone has a blessed day
Metta,
Clayton
A Buddhist discussion forum on the Dhamma of the Theravada
Short Intro
8 posts
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Re: Short Intro
by zavk » Sat Dec 05, 2009 3:55 am
Hi Clayton
Welcome! I'm glad Buddhism resonates with you. I (along with a few others here) have attended Goenka courses. I'd suggest that you let go (as much as possible) whatever preconceptions you have about the course--I have found it most productive that way. In any case, Goenka doesn't emphasize pain as such. What he does emphasize is the need to investigate our habitual reaction to pain.
Pain in this sense is not something to be sought after nor is it to be avoided when it does arise. It has no value in and of itself. But if the aim is to understand our habitual reaction to pain, then, as and when pain arises it becomes a useful opportunity to investigate our habitual reaction--we do not actively induce pain as such.
Welcome! I'm glad Buddhism resonates with you. I (along with a few others here) have attended Goenka courses. I'd suggest that you let go (as much as possible) whatever preconceptions you have about the course--I have found it most productive that way. In any case, Goenka doesn't emphasize pain as such. What he does emphasize is the need to investigate our habitual reaction to pain.
Pain in this sense is not something to be sought after nor is it to be avoided when it does arise. It has no value in and of itself. But if the aim is to understand our habitual reaction to pain, then, as and when pain arises it becomes a useful opportunity to investigate our habitual reaction--we do not actively induce pain as such.
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Re: Short Intro
by David N. Snyder » Sat Dec 05, 2009 3:57 am
Clayton wrote:
I am going on a 10 day S.N. Goenka retreat next week--I have heard from some staunch buddhist that his emphasis on pain as a meditation object is skewed... Nonetheless I look forward to getting some time away to seriously pursue my practice... Hope everyone has a blessed day
Welcome to Dhamma Wheel!
The only thing skewed is that person's interpretation of the Goenka retreats!
Congrat's on the recovery and going to that retreat!
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Re: Short Intro
by Clayton » Sat Dec 05, 2009 5:21 am
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
- Clayton
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Re: Short Intro
by Ben » Sat Dec 05, 2009 5:50 am
Hi Clayton and welcome to Dhamma Wheel!
I'm also going on a ten-day Goenka retreat next week! I've been practicing under Mr Goenka's instruction since 1985 and have done many 10-day retreats and numerous other retreats including shorter and long courses for 'experienced' practitioners - and I keep going back very regularly to sit or serve on courses.
What Zavk said is very true. For the vast majority of newcomers to Mr Goenka's courses, pain is the predominant sensation, and the sensation, whether it is painful, pleasant or neutral, is just an aid to develop insight. As someone recovering from substance abuse, you may actually find the ten-day course of profound benefit to you, as many others have before you. As Zavk says, drop any preconceptions you might have before attending.
If you have any questions regarding your upcoming ten-day course, please feel free to ask, privately if you want to, and I will try and answer any questions or allay any concerns you may have. All the very best with your retreat and I look forward to reading your contributions here.
metta
Ben
I'm also going on a ten-day Goenka retreat next week! I've been practicing under Mr Goenka's instruction since 1985 and have done many 10-day retreats and numerous other retreats including shorter and long courses for 'experienced' practitioners - and I keep going back very regularly to sit or serve on courses.
What Zavk said is very true. For the vast majority of newcomers to Mr Goenka's courses, pain is the predominant sensation, and the sensation, whether it is painful, pleasant or neutral, is just an aid to develop insight. As someone recovering from substance abuse, you may actually find the ten-day course of profound benefit to you, as many others have before you. As Zavk says, drop any preconceptions you might have before attending.
If you have any questions regarding your upcoming ten-day course, please feel free to ask, privately if you want to, and I will try and answer any questions or allay any concerns you may have. All the very best with your retreat and I look forward to reading your contributions here.
metta
Ben
...he wondered whether there was any love between human beings that did not rest upon some sort of self-delusion.
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-- John le Carré, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar)
Buddhist Global Relief
UNHCR Somali Emergency Relief Appeal
e: ben.dhammawheel@gmail.com
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Re: Short Intro
by BlackBird » Sat Dec 05, 2009 6:45 am
Welcome friend, best of luck on your retreat.
"But, Udāyi, let be the past, let be the future, I shall set you forth the Teaching: When there is this this is, with arising of this this arises; when there is not this this is not, with cessation of this this ceases." - Majjhima ii,32
Nanavira Thera's teachings - An existential approach to the Dhamma:
http://bit.ly/LDsGHg
Nanavira Thera's teachings - An existential approach to the Dhamma:
http://bit.ly/LDsGHg
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Re: Short Intro
by retrofuturist » Sun Dec 06, 2009 1:08 am
Greetings Clayton,
Welcome to Dhamma Wheel.
Metta,
Retro.
Welcome to Dhamma Wheel.
Metta,
Retro.
If you have asked me of the origination of unease, then I shall explain it to you in accordance with my understanding:
Whatever various forms of unease there are in the world, They originate founded in encumbering accumulation. (Pārāyanavagga)
'We should not congratulate someone on the success of their misdeeds, but on the contrary should endeavour to advise him or her to lead a more skilful and wholesome life. If such advice is ignored then we can only give up and let go' - Phra Panyapatipo
Dharma Wheel (Mahayana / Vajrayana forum)
Whatever various forms of unease there are in the world, They originate founded in encumbering accumulation. (Pārāyanavagga)
'We should not congratulate someone on the success of their misdeeds, but on the contrary should endeavour to advise him or her to lead a more skilful and wholesome life. If such advice is ignored then we can only give up and let go' - Phra Panyapatipo
Dharma Wheel (Mahayana / Vajrayana forum)
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Re: Short Intro
by Cittasanto » Sun Dec 06, 2009 1:37 am
Welcome to dhammawheel!
Please read the four noble truths by venerable Ajahn Sumedho, a quick search will find it!
Please read the four noble truths by venerable Ajahn Sumedho, a quick search will find it!
This offering maybe right, or wrong, but it is one, the other, both, or neither!
With Metta
Upāsaka Cittasanto
Blog - Some Suttas Translated.
"Others will misconstrue reality due to their personal perspectives, doggedly holding onto and not easily discarding them; We shall not misconstrue reality due to our own personal perspectives, nor doggedly holding onto them, but will discard them easily. This effacement shall be done."
With Metta
Upāsaka Cittasanto
Blog - Some Suttas Translated.
"Others will misconstrue reality due to their personal perspectives, doggedly holding onto and not easily discarding them; We shall not misconstrue reality due to our own personal perspectives, nor doggedly holding onto them, but will discard them easily. This effacement shall be done."
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