Clicking, Popping & the Moment Everything Changed

Hello everyone. I have been following everyone's threads/practice journals and found them so encouraging that I decided to post my own notes. I also have had a skype session with Kenneth and attended a couple of his meditation classes in his home.

As people have progressed I noticed that in their posts somewhere something similar to these words are written: "clicking, popping, the moment everything changed or the moment everything looked different." Is there anyway someone could explain it to me so that I could possible try to wrap my head around it.

I am new to all this and I am trying desperately to become friends with my mind. I would like to know if it is possible for someone to explain "Awakening" further. I am trying to understand it in laymen's terms what exactly happens (after the clicking, popping, the moment everything looks different). Unless, is it that I can't comprehend it because I would have to go through it to understand?!?!

I guess, also because I have been watching people's practice unfold to the point of awakening, it seems that people still have difficulty during turbulent times. So, I am not sure if I either don't completely understand the definintion of "Awakening" and all that comes with it?!?!? I know that life will always be there (or not) whether awake (or not) but how could I explain to someone who asks me about "Awakening" what it is exactly and what's the point of "Awakening".

I apologize in advance for my ignorance and lack of understanding. I am a fellow "newbie" and would greatly appreciate any and all feedback. Thanks everyone!!

Hi nyingie,

My take on the whole awakening thing at the moment is seeing all the mental patterns that cause us misery without any confused sticky warping going on. That warping seemed to be the odd and strangely addictive habit of the mind to identify with all phenomena as part of the illusion of a separate self. It's like there is a sectioned off part of the mind that believes itself separate from everything else, when it really isn't separate in the first place. It just feels like it is and convinces itself (weird) that the separation is real. That weird arse warping going on there, such blind ignorance to what is really going on, is what causes a lot of all the fuss and misery we experience as humans.

But when you start noting all phenomena, you start dis-identifying the sense of self i.e. this weird-arse illusion of duality, with all phenomena. And then it becomes clear once you note long enough, from an experiential point of view, that the "self" with it's weird arse pattern of identifying with phenomena is the root cause. There is a misreading of the whole relationship between all the phenomena and that is what is dealt with when you experience the final "blip". It's like a moment when that warping is seen through and it just stops.

1st path, 2nd and 3rd path however, occur after a specific blip that is often called a fruition/cessation moment where all the senses shut down for a brief moment. In my experience it seems very much related to a physio-energetic development in the body. These fruitions are sometimes called "blips". One should be aware that there are many types of "blips" and "popping" experiences but when we are talking stages of awakening, we are talking fruitions.

This explanation was overly long winded. Sorry about that....I'm in need of a coffee.
My opinion is subject to change at the drop of a hat.

Nick

WOW! Thanks Nick! I guess what I am wondering is what happens in day to day experiences. For example, people most often bust my chops when meditating at work saying something like " oh are you going to that fuzzy warm place where everyone gets along?" or when I am done for my 1/2 hr. people will say to me "do you now love everyone now that you have had your quiet time?"

So, once I mentioned that people are awakening here, I have heard nothing but "so does that mean that everyone loves eachother once they are awake and it really is all peace, love and happiness?"

Does it truly come down to perspective?? After all that happens with the 1st path to the 3rd and the "blips", fruition,......what exactly is experienced by the person who is awake? How does one handle conflict, death, emotions (anger, jealousy, unhappiness, happiness, joy, bliss, etc)? Has anyone ever gone from being "awake" to somehow losing sight of the path and "blipping" out of "awakeness" into not "awake" .

I am all about the "warm fuzzy places" but I don't know how to explain it to others in laymen terms. More often than not I am at a loss for words in any language to appropriately explain anything so I would appreciate any words of wisdom.

Thanks in advance.

The amazing thing is all our experiences with the paths will be a little different. However there are some general outlines. People confuse insight into the nature of things with good moral behavior all the time. Its not their fault that is what most traditions put forth. I have noticed myself growing more and more equnimous with each path, but every emotion you experience I experience as well... I just don't confuse them with my true nature. I also *usually*have more ability to not act unskillfully.

I talk in detail about this stuff with very few people. Many know I practice, but I keep it vauge unless someone is interested. And only with people who I have known a long time would I even consider talking about paths etc... so easy for people to misunderstand...

"I am all about the "warm fuzzy places" but I don't know how to explain it to others in laymen terms. More often than not I am at a loss for words in any language to appropriately explain anything so I would appreciate any words of wisdom.
"

Don't go there. I think this is still so far from mainstream that any attempts at explanation will generate glassy-eyed stares, ridicule (as you have witnessed), or something other than what you probably want. If someone really, really wants to know, then you can ease them into it.

Just my 0.02.

i think i made it to first path
nothing has changed except the kinds of things nik talked about -- it occurs to me less and less and less to identify with things. this makes life just easier, lighter. I have more energy, less anxiety
but it's not over, you know? even though the IDing is less, it is still going on here and there and I can still get stressed over normal stuff -- just not as often, and not as long
plus, meditation becomes more fun.
and, I have a good all day mindfulness habit going (I work at this still and I think it can be lost if it isn't always being developed) and that activity is always teaching me when and how i behave badly and is helping me to slowly change -- not really for moral or religious reasons but because I don't like hurting so it is almost automatic once i really SEE the results of my behavior
one of the reasons i think the change isn't so subtle for me is that my inner life was SO miserable for SO long (a long dark night I'm thinking now) that just getting through days relatively pain free is like a freaking miracle.
what also makes me happpy is knowing that I've just started
I haven't talked to anyone in my life about my practice except my wife and she already enlightened so she understands completely

Hey nyingje,
It has been my experience that before it happened to me, I was really grasping for a description I could wrap my brian around. But - and this is the big but - the real motivation was that I wanted one last intellectual understanding that I could hide my ego in. I could go on and on describing all the details of it, and believe me, some nights I do. Much to the chagrin of my close friends.
As much as I wanted it to be, this is not a philosophy class. This is training. This practice is the work that allows those amazing moments where you forget yourself and just be to become the default state.
If you want to know what it is really like, do it! Become aware of your experiences, become aware of your thoughts, become aware of your emotions, become aware of everything you have ignored. When this becomes a habit, you are awake and samsara will loose its bite. There will be pain, but it will not be a problem. There will be joy, but you won't need it to be happy. You can actually have that right now, right in this moment. Just look. It is right in front of you, it's always there. But if you want to keep it, grab a cushion, sit your ass down on it and get noting.
Much love,
-o

Clayton,
I absolutely know what you mean. I don't talk about my practice to anyone unless I know they have a practice or have some general questions. I have had some really bad experiences with people regarding having a practice that has resulted in loss of friends and being ex-communicated from family. So, having said that, I really appreciate everyone's input!! I really find it comforting to know that their are "other people" like me working on the path. Comfort is really not the best word but it just really means alot.

Thanks,
Nyingje

Mike,
You speak my language!! This is what I was looking for. I totally get this. This is what I thought but sadly people can't understand simplicity. I absolutely get this. This is what it is about. I love the way you post and keep it human!

Thanks for everything,
Nyingje

Owen,
Your words are genuine poetry. I definately get this. I am so happy to be a part of this community. I am constantly learning. I am really trying to work on anger and frustration to not be a problems as they arise. Lets just say it is a work in progress.

I am going to print out your post and hang it on my fridge. No scratch that I am going to hang it on my wall at work. I thank you for your genuine frankness and clarity! It is greatly appreciated.

PS. my ass will be on the cushion this evening and noting.

Thanks,
Nyinge