Last week during a rare, midday sit when I was feeling, especially distracted, I realize the sense of relief when I stop and take a nice deep, satisfying breath , it’s like hitting the mute button on the radio after it’s been on for too long. The sense of relief is the same to me. When I move my attention back to my anchor, which is usually sound, all the noise in my head stops. It’s very helpful & relaxing.😎
Holy cow, get out of my head, Jeff. I also have been unhappy with MY growing sense of conviction about…stuff, and I’ve lost my balance because of it. Ego is such a pain in the ass at times. Also, I’d like to remove my brain for a few days and give the rest of me a break from its incessant chatter. Thanks for describing my recent restlessness so well and pointing me back toward the path of acceptance and noticing what actually IS and not what I think about, if that makes sense. Have a great retreat!
Wishing you a great retreat! The experience you describe of finally “seeing” people happens to me with all the plants/trees when I am on retreat. It is amazing! I hope your partner has a good circle of support so the responsibility of caring for the kids is easily supported in your absence🙏
I found this experience pretty profound. When I focused on where words came from, the chatter inside died and it was interesting listening "where" are were. Although I thought initially "in my head", that did nor prove true in time and reflection. Also, I see images as glimpses then thoughts. Thanks so much!
Whiny the Poop would be my smooth alias of choice, in one of my imaginary realities of one of the escapist temporal spatial metaverses. The one, where there's a lot of soft ripened cheese on the checkered picnic cloth of this corner of forest. Along with racoons, squirrels and lately sleepy capybaras too.
For your upcoming tacit and quiescent gathering, I can wholeheartedly offer a bearhug as a good luck to your rave inner reverse DJ's ( Dharma Jubilant ( TM ?) search for the silent scratch, the bringer of clarity.
PS: Are you allowed to burp, fart, moan and/or blow your nose in a silent retreat?
Like you, I have only had one experience where the world/ego/chatter dropped away. What peace. The peace that passes all understanding. I have never found my way back.
I finally imagined teddy bears as if they were people I admired, and knew. I added details like long eyelashes, and funny faces to help me picture it. It was great for me to explore!
The first time I scuba dived, I experienced the wonder of gliding through an absolutely silent blue world. Of course it wasn't silent at all-- my regulator was making bubbles and my breath in and out was loud. But I heard nothing at all. And felt joy. At an Omega retreat in 2022 with you, Jeff, I felt that same silence and joy during one of our sits. I didn't hear you, me, my neighbors, the fans. Just quiet. And joy. I can still access it. Thank you for helping me have that experience.
A profound moment I remember from one of my first 9 day silent meditation retreats. It was day 3 and I was feeling extremely wound up and HATING all the rules of the retreat and feeling so so so bound that I was going to explode. My humor is extremely important to me and I could not feel its presence. After talking to a meditation teacher, she suggested I break all the meditation rules. I felt an immediate release. Shortly after, I started writing a list of little know facts about the Buddha. These little known facts were all things that I have a hard time with - like "Did you know that the Buddha has chronic pain?" or "Did you know that the Buddha can be extremely irritable?". I started laughing and crying after making this long list. While I was laughing and crying the plant in front of me exploded in size and everything became still and I cried at the beauty of the plant and the non-attachment I felt during that time. What felt extremely profound for me was that I came to this moment through humor, not the serious face that I sometimes think everyone is telling me to make in order to be a "real meditator. " The experience was a gift that I will cherish.
I hope you get exactly what you need on this retreat Jeff :)
Like most of us I can completely relate to all of this on so many levels. I'm so glad to hear you get this time for retreat! Teddy Bears' picnic was my ALL TIME FAV when I was a child! Makes this meditation extra for me. Thank you 🙏
Most mind blowing insight? I actually saw inherent good in myself instead of just seeing the sorry and worthless excuse of a disappointment my mom wanted to abort and still wishes she had. (Sorry if that upsets anyone! 😬)
Last week during a rare, midday sit when I was feeling, especially distracted, I realize the sense of relief when I stop and take a nice deep, satisfying breath , it’s like hitting the mute button on the radio after it’s been on for too long. The sense of relief is the same to me. When I move my attention back to my anchor, which is usually sound, all the noise in my head stops. It’s very helpful & relaxing.😎
Safe travels!
Ahhhh sweet relief ….
Holy cow, get out of my head, Jeff. I also have been unhappy with MY growing sense of conviction about…stuff, and I’ve lost my balance because of it. Ego is such a pain in the ass at times. Also, I’d like to remove my brain for a few days and give the rest of me a break from its incessant chatter. Thanks for describing my recent restlessness so well and pointing me back toward the path of acceptance and noticing what actually IS and not what I think about, if that makes sense. Have a great retreat!
I hear you Beth. What’s cool about this practice is how we get all curious about the incessant chatter and not be controlled by it.
Wishing you a great retreat! The experience you describe of finally “seeing” people happens to me with all the plants/trees when I am on retreat. It is amazing! I hope your partner has a good circle of support so the responsibility of caring for the kids is easily supported in your absence🙏
grateful for you Jeff and even more grateful for your long time mentor ShinZEN Young :) excellent stuff!
I found this experience pretty profound. When I focused on where words came from, the chatter inside died and it was interesting listening "where" are were. Although I thought initially "in my head", that did nor prove true in time and reflection. Also, I see images as glimpses then thoughts. Thanks so much!
What beautiful clarity Beverly- will be fun to see how this insight plays out in your future practice s. And life!
Whiny the Poop would be my smooth alias of choice, in one of my imaginary realities of one of the escapist temporal spatial metaverses. The one, where there's a lot of soft ripened cheese on the checkered picnic cloth of this corner of forest. Along with racoons, squirrels and lately sleepy capybaras too.
For your upcoming tacit and quiescent gathering, I can wholeheartedly offer a bearhug as a good luck to your rave inner reverse DJ's ( Dharma Jubilant ( TM ?) search for the silent scratch, the bringer of clarity.
PS: Are you allowed to burp, fart, moan and/or blow your nose in a silent retreat?
Like you, I have only had one experience where the world/ego/chatter dropped away. What peace. The peace that passes all understanding. I have never found my way back.
My best to you during the retreat.
My thanks for your presence on this journey.
Wishing you every success. Hugging you with my heart. Thanking you forever.
I modified this to “golden retrievers!“
I finally imagined teddy bears as if they were people I admired, and knew. I added details like long eyelashes, and funny faces to help me picture it. It was great for me to explore!
Nicole! Brilliant. I want to do it again with this twist.
The first time I scuba dived, I experienced the wonder of gliding through an absolutely silent blue world. Of course it wasn't silent at all-- my regulator was making bubbles and my breath in and out was loud. But I heard nothing at all. And felt joy. At an Omega retreat in 2022 with you, Jeff, I felt that same silence and joy during one of our sits. I didn't hear you, me, my neighbors, the fans. Just quiet. And joy. I can still access it. Thank you for helping me have that experience.
wishing you a lovely meditation retreat, jeff
This. It felt like a mind rinse 🚿
And so much joy in this AWESOME practice
Love the mind shouting “TEDDY BEAR!” 🐻 instant giggle
Expanding travels to you on your adventure into the quiet unknown Jeff💦
A profound moment I remember from one of my first 9 day silent meditation retreats. It was day 3 and I was feeling extremely wound up and HATING all the rules of the retreat and feeling so so so bound that I was going to explode. My humor is extremely important to me and I could not feel its presence. After talking to a meditation teacher, she suggested I break all the meditation rules. I felt an immediate release. Shortly after, I started writing a list of little know facts about the Buddha. These little known facts were all things that I have a hard time with - like "Did you know that the Buddha has chronic pain?" or "Did you know that the Buddha can be extremely irritable?". I started laughing and crying after making this long list. While I was laughing and crying the plant in front of me exploded in size and everything became still and I cried at the beauty of the plant and the non-attachment I felt during that time. What felt extremely profound for me was that I came to this moment through humor, not the serious face that I sometimes think everyone is telling me to make in order to be a "real meditator. " The experience was a gift that I will cherish.
I hope you get exactly what you need on this retreat Jeff :)
Like most of us I can completely relate to all of this on so many levels. I'm so glad to hear you get this time for retreat! Teddy Bears' picnic was my ALL TIME FAV when I was a child! Makes this meditation extra for me. Thank you 🙏
Most mind blowing insight? I actually saw inherent good in myself instead of just seeing the sorry and worthless excuse of a disappointment my mom wanted to abort and still wishes she had. (Sorry if that upsets anyone! 😬)
Most ordinary insight? I rather like it.