Back from retreat with 2nd path attained

Hi everybody and everymind
So I am back from my retreat which was only 7 days ( I didnt feel for 3 more days hehe).
I thought I could share with you what happened (I didnt note or write anything during that time, so its going to be based on what I remeber).

2 days before the retreat the review cycles started to slow down. As I was trying to master the 4 jhanas these also started to be a little bit boring. They were unstable and I couldnt go deep in them. I had fruition only 3 times after the 1st path ( couldnt get them any more, even if I wanted so much or being in equanimity).
So I made the relolution to work upon the 2nd path path.

The first four days was like heaven and heeeellllll. Since I wasnt familiar with the 3 first nanas, I was completely lost. At the beggining I thought that I was already in A&P (what a lucky i thought, already there hehe) . Then things started to get strange and having no idea where I was. Struggling, staying with the sensantions, noting and trying to track the map at the same time was really hellish. I explained it to the monk about my expirence and the only answer i got was letting go and find emptyness (i.e reaching Nibbana).

These thoughts arose in me: ' Kenneth who?, strata of what?,' 'just let go of these things, drop the noting, maps, jhana arc etc' 'and find emptyness !!'.
Then wthout nowing I was dwelling as the witness. Another thought arose: ' hey, isnt it kenneth 2nd gear?' A thought answer: ' hell no, just forgett about it and keep going'.

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In the 5th day, meditating in the forest an A&P event occured. I knew that it was A&P, because of the bright lights and raptures and energetics all over the body (just like pre 1st path but more intense) and all I having been going through those days were the 3 first nanas. 'O yes, Kenneth Folk and the stratas of mind and this is the 4th nana, hehe ;D '.. I guess I was back in track. I knew what to expect and was sure to attain the 2nd path as long I was noting and dis-embedded.
'Lights, rapture etc, just corruptions, keep going... Oh The Dark night, you are welcome, Fear, Disgust, desire for deliverance?, Re-observation, ahh, calm, home sweet home (Equanimity)'

The amazing thing was that in 2 sittings I went through all these. The equnimity phase lasted longer and when it hit the path, just like the 1st path the thought arose 'was that it?'.. I ignored it and kept meditating. But there was nothing more to investigate, everything was still, bright and clear. That little 'I' which was still left and tryed to push foreword. Eventually it had no option but to surrender. The mind was very clear and quite (again just like the 1st path, but even clearer and lighter). There was nothing more to do, but to relax and see what would happen next day. I woke up with a very clear mind and noticed that I was cycling extremly fast during the day with a lot of pleasant feelings. When I had a conversation with a man about something serious , I couldnt help but to laugh. 'Why do you look so happy and laugh, asked the man, I didnt say anything funny??' ..
I guess I was cycling in maybe A&P or a fruition had occured haha.

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Anyway, right now I have more control over my mind and can easily acess all the jhanas. I feel happier and content and am cycling really fast. Sitting here in front the laptop there is alot going on the brow chakra and vibrations over my face which are pleasant (free massage hehe).

One thing that is still mistery to me as that I cant see when fruitions occur or how to make them. I can only know due to the after glow of bliss. People often describe that after 2nd path it is much easier to get them by only willing the mind toward them. For me willing the mind toward jhanas is easy because I know where they 'live'. But fruition is not like that. Is there anyway to master them? How to get them?

May you all awaken in this very life

Sugato

Congratulations, Sugato.

AWESOME!!

As I was the only voice on your previous thread suggesting you gun through to second path on retreat...well...cant help feeling especially pleased! (noted!)

Thanks Chris (it always feels good and encouraging to get congrats from somone who has gone further on the path)

Actually, I remembered your quote when making the resolution to do it "power through to second path on retreat! " -sparqi

mudita

in sangha...

Congrats mate,

You should now try making resolutions for a fruition to occur. It sounds like the fruitions you experience may be through the anatta door. These at times are hard to spot as they happen so subtly. The anicca door fruitions are much obvious "blip outs". As are the fruitions through the dukkha door. When you next sit, make the resolution to experience entry into a cessation moment through one of the doors. Will the mind up to equanimity of formations. When there, observe the impermanent nature of phenomena, say the vibrations or mental images etc. You will go through the anicca door. Do that for each of the characteristics. This is what I did and found each entry and exit experience is slightly different.

So make a firm resolution to experience fruition in your sit. Then kind of let go of that intention. The mind should carry you there. If you are "looking for" fruition it generally doesnt happen. You resolve for it to happen, sit and meditate as you usually do, and let go of the intent, note anticipation etc and it should happen in time.

Then you can make resolutions for it to happen in shorter periods, or maybe to dwell in it for long periods as opposed to a fraction of a second. This skill varies from yogi to yogi. I am only able to call up a fruition within 5 seconds anytime for a brief fraction of a second. I think Kenneth mastered staying in the cessation for minutes. Dont worry if you cant do that. Your skills may be different.

This is all called adhithana practice. Good luck and enjoy your new review period and be prepared for the new cycles to be confusing as hell. Remember to keep noting, especially during the dark night. And dwelling in the witness riding the arc. Using these two practices continuously, you'll be through the hall of mirrors that is 2nd path and third pathing it soon enough.

Again, congratulaions!!!!

Nick

Wow Sugato! You are on a roll - keep going!

Hi Nick
Thanks alot for your answer and I will try as you have described and see what happens.

I guess the dharmic gravity is just keeping pulling me Ron (By the way, I read you journal and Congrats for attaining the path

Congratulations Sugato,

Nice to see the instructions work and people are "getting it done" in real life. It is incredibly empowering and motivating to see others succeed. Right on and best of luck!


Upekha,
Andrew

"Wow Sugato! You are on a roll - keep going!

"

Same goes for you Ron. Great Job and good luck. Keep us posted!

Andrew