Hello, I've been toying with the idea of learning pali, but according to an earlier exchange of this forum, it seems that even people well-versed in pali do not always agree on the meaning of certain terms. So I'm wondering what kind of advantage learning pali gives us, if at the end of the day we ...

This may be of interest to some here:

https://www.worldreligionnews.com/relig ... ns-dies-66

I said last week that I would give this method a bit of a trial, see how I got on with it, and then report back for anyone who was interested. So here goes! . . . I would like to thank Javi for raising this topic, Tilt for his support, and others for whatever open-mindedness they showed. You are we...

Mr Man wrote: ↑Sun Oct 15, 2017 5:08 pm There is this - The Sound of Silence by Ajahn Amaro

http://www.lionsroar.com/the-sound-of-silence/

I had forgotten about this book. Good call.

Kantaka sutta, lists impediments to concentration such as sound paṭhamassa jhānassa saddo kaṇṭako It certainly can be an impediment, especially if one is trying to cultivate jhana; however, if one's concentration and mindfulness are strong, if one is an experienced practitioner, probably not so muc...

Thanks. What I really want to know perhaps is its legitimacy as a meditation object according to past teachers and traditions. You will get those who likely will say "no," for there is no textual support for it, but if you can pay attention to, be mindful of, a more or less constant sound, it may w...

You may find something addressing your interest here, Sound as a medititaion focus: https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&q=sound+as+a+meditation+focus&oq=sound+as+a+meditation+focus&gs_l=psy-ab.3..33i160k1.3729.22334.0.22693.41.38.3.0.0.0.147.4630.0j38.38.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.41.4642...0j0i1...

However, what I do see as a problem is when someone sees their perspective as the only one, the only proper way and everyone else is wrong. Me too. Any expansion that is not in the suttas is thus seen as a corruption. There is an ultra vigilance to expunge anything that is not directly spelled out ...

This is also a very tiring thing for others, because if one wants to discuss certain meditation techniques, but then one is unable to do so because of the constant claims of "not-buddhist", "not sutta" one is liable to just shut up or go elsewhere. You can do whatever you want, meditate how you lik...

. . . Well said. I think that we can trace the issue here to the minimalistic presentations in the suttas and how different personalities seek to practice and adapt themselves to this. I see the two main approaches as: 1: The minimalistic statements are enough on their own, and one should just do w...

My comments were very literal, and there was no "suggestion" beyond what was stated... namely, that if you and others wish to discuss modern techniques in an environment where it's inappropriate for them to being challenged in terms of conformity with Pali scriptures, then let me know and we can tr...

Yes, I find the same type of disinclination to practice can arise at any time. I know what I have been advised to do by my teachers; it has worked for me many times before; and I know how it fits in with the suttas. But on occasion, when getting on to the cushion, the mind just doesn't want to know...

Greetings Tilt, Over the years here I have seen Burmese Vipassana styles of practice criticized variously much along the same lines as the Sunlun practice is being criticized in this thread, as not being in line with the suttas and commentaries. Yes, and whilst this remains a "General Theravāda Med...

"Promoting his favoured style of meditation, he discerns: 'I am promoting my favoured style of meditation'; or denigrating another's favoured style of meditation, he discerns 'I am denigrating another's favoured style of meditation'. Or citing texts in support of his case, he discerns 'I am citing ...

... Yes, despite all of that it really does not change the fact that the preliminary exercise cultivates concentration and mindfulness that then can be easily applied to MN 118 or MN 10 types of practices. And interesting enough, in rereading these VM passages, one can experience that as the concen...