Hi Krisfu
Even though beginners have some luck when it comes to meditation- attaining jhana is unlikely to happen to them. It usually takes around 3 hours of daily practice (3, 1 hour sessions a day) over weeks-moths to get into the first jhana. It might happen quicker on retreat. If you are interested in jhana I think you should go for it. It is a good initial goal to have (oh no -here comes the 'goalless' contingent...) and it will motivate your practice and make it a success...hopefully
with metta
Matheesha
meditation...
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- Posts: 1952
- Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:29 pm
- Location: London, UK
Re: meditation...
With Metta
Karuna
Mudita
& Upekkha
Karuna
Mudita
& Upekkha
Re: meditation...
I am under the impression that all the meditation in the world won't get you there unless you're doing the right things off the cushion. Is that wrong?
Re: meditation...
All the meditation in the world is a lot of meditation. Who knows what will get you here. Take Ajahn Sumedho's advice -andrer9999 wrote:I am under the impression that all the meditation in the world won't get you there unless you're doing the right things off the cushion. Is that wrong?
"When one says, “I am an unenlightened person who needs to practice meditation in order to become an enlightened person in the future,” one assumes that “I am this body. I have this history. I am so many years old, born in such and such a place. I’ve done all these things and so I have a history to prove that this person exists.” I have a passport and a birth certificate, and people even want me to have a website. But, in fact, there doesn’t seem to be any person in the awareness."
http://www.abhayagiri.org/main/article/593/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"When one thing is practiced & pursued, ignorance is abandoned, clear knowing arises, the conceit 'I am' is abandoned, latent tendencies are uprooted, fetters are abandoned. Which one thing? Mindfulness immersed in the body." -AN 1.230
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- Posts: 1952
- Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:29 pm
- Location: London, UK
Re: meditation...
I think the statement 'I am en unenlightened person, therefore...' and the statement re non-self is a good example of confusing the conventional and ultimate truths. Often a sign that the practitioner hasnt really experienced ultimate truths and basic his/her conclusions on contemplation of the dhamma.kirk5a wrote:All the meditation in the world is a lot of meditation. Who knows what will get you here. Take Ajahn Sumedho's advice -andrer9999 wrote:I am under the impression that all the meditation in the world won't get you there unless you're doing the right things off the cushion. Is that wrong?
"When one says, “I am an unenlightened person who needs to practice meditation in order to become an enlightened person in the future,” one assumes that “I am this body. I have this history. I am so many years old, born in such and such a place. I’ve done all these things and so I have a history to prove that this person exists.” I have a passport and a birth certificate, and people even want me to have a website. But, in fact, there doesn’t seem to be any person in the awareness."
http://www.abhayagiri.org/main/article/593/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
with metta
With Metta
Karuna
Mudita
& Upekkha
Karuna
Mudita
& Upekkha
Re: meditation...
The talk given by Ajahn Sumedho in the link provided gives all the necessary context for understanding why he was talking about that. There is no confusion there.rowyourboat wrote:I think the statement 'I am en unenlightened person, therefore...' and the statement re non-self is a good example of confusing the conventional and ultimate truths. Often a sign that the practitioner hasnt really experienced ultimate truths and basic his/her conclusions on contemplation of the dhamma.kirk5a wrote: http://www.abhayagiri.org/main/article/593/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
with metta
"When one thing is practiced & pursued, ignorance is abandoned, clear knowing arises, the conceit 'I am' is abandoned, latent tendencies are uprooted, fetters are abandoned. Which one thing? Mindfulness immersed in the body." -AN 1.230