I notice many judgmental thoughts. It is difficult to be myself, even for a second. I do not know who I am, but then I watch myself and I come closer. I can let myself touch things deeply. I am carried along by the whole world and I am grateful.
I also feel the challenge of being myself, even for a second. Do you think this arises because we are never really 'one self' even as we try so hard to maintain and express our concept of some unified solid state? I often notice how thoughts drive a wedge between my superficial expressions in the world and what feels like a truer core essence.
Well, I guess we are and we aren't. I think we come together in a way, in definition to that which we come in contact with. Maybe we need that, a conceptual self, at least in our journey here. Thank you for your thoughts.
Of the forty objects of concentration, enumerated in the 9th chapter of this book, the aspirant selects an object that appeals most to his temperament. This object is called Parikamma Nimitta—preliminary object. He now intently concentrates on this object until he becomes so wholly absorbed in it that all adventitious thoughts get ipso facto excluded from the mind. A stage is ultimately reached when he is able to visualise the object even with closed eyes. On this visualised image (Uggaha nimitta) he concentrates continuously until it develops into a conceptualised image (Pañibhàga nimitta). As an illustration let us take the Pathavi Kasiõa. A circle of about one span and four inches in diameter is made and the surface is covered with dawn-coloured clay and smoothed well.
As he continually concentrates on this abstract concept he is said to be in possession of “proximate concentration” (Upacàra samàdhi) and the innate five Hindrances to progress (Nãvaraõa), such as sense-desire (Kàmacchanda), hatred (Pañigha), sloth and torpor Thãna-Middha), restlessness and brooding (Uddhacca-Kukkucca,) and doubts (Vicikicchà) are temporarily inhibited. Eventually he gains “ecstatic concentration” (Appanà Samàdhi) and becomes enwrapt in Jhàna, enjoying the calmness and serenity of a one-pointed mind.
I also feel the challenge of being myself, even for a second. Do you think this arises because we are never really 'one self' even as we try so hard to maintain and express our concept of some unified solid state? I often notice how thoughts drive a wedge between my superficial expressions in the world and what feels like a truer core essence.
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess we are and we aren't. I think we come together in a way, in definition to that which we come in contact with. Maybe we need that, a conceptual self, at least in our journey here. Thank you for your thoughts.
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