Climbing a mudslide
- someguy77
- Topic Author
13 years 6 months ago #90192
by someguy77
Climbing a mudslide was created by someguy77
Hey,
I wonder if anyone might be able to help me get over this hump. For at least a month, my practice has been like this: Sensations become subtle and pleasant very quickly, then awareness becomes very expanded and sensations localize in the head. The body is comfortable. There is a strong sense of energy in the head, and a slight upward pull. And thoughts are relentlessly slippery. I relax and assume an expanded focus. Then I slip into a thought tangent. Start again. And slip. And so on. Sometimes the thoughts have a dreamy quality, sometimes are slightly negative. But they're always, always very slippery. Any advice is appreciated.
I wonder if anyone might be able to help me get over this hump. For at least a month, my practice has been like this: Sensations become subtle and pleasant very quickly, then awareness becomes very expanded and sensations localize in the head. The body is comfortable. There is a strong sense of energy in the head, and a slight upward pull. And thoughts are relentlessly slippery. I relax and assume an expanded focus. Then I slip into a thought tangent. Start again. And slip. And so on. Sometimes the thoughts have a dreamy quality, sometimes are slightly negative. But they're always, always very slippery. Any advice is appreciated.
- stephencoe100
- Topic Author
13 years 6 months ago #90193
by stephencoe100
Replied by stephencoe100 on topic RE: Climbing a mudslide
Slippery thoughts are good. Just let them be, and watch them slip away!
- Rob_Mtl
- Topic Author
13 years 6 months ago #90194
by Rob_Mtl
Replied by Rob_Mtl on topic RE: Climbing a mudslide
Yeah, this is good work. This is exactly what happens. Just keep on!
- nadavspi
- Topic Author
13 years 6 months ago #90195
by nadavspi
Replied by nadavspi on topic RE: Climbing a mudslide
Try asking "I wonder what the next thought will be" when this happens and watching for the next thought. Like whack-a-mole. Repeat.
- Antero.
- Topic Author
13 years 6 months ago #90196
by Antero.
Replied by Antero. on topic RE: Climbing a mudslide
Your practice sounds good. One way of watching thoughts is binary noting.
When no thoughts are present, note: silence.
When thoughts arise, note: noise
This will create a feedback loop, so you know if you have drifted off and will help you to become more familiar with your thoughts. Because of the simplicity of the technique, it can be done continuously off the cushion too.
When no thoughts are present, note: silence.
When thoughts arise, note: noise
This will create a feedback loop, so you know if you have drifted off and will help you to become more familiar with your thoughts. Because of the simplicity of the technique, it can be done continuously off the cushion too.
- someguy77
- Topic Author
13 years 6 months ago #90197
by someguy77
Replied by someguy77 on topic RE: Climbing a mudslide
"Your practice sounds good. One way of watching thoughts is binary noting.
When no thoughts are present, note: silence.
When thoughts arise, note: noise
This will create a feedback loop, so you know if you have drifted off and will help you to become more familiar with your thoughts. Because of the simplicity of the technique, it can be done continuously off the cushion too."
That is something I haven't tried. Thanks everyone for the encouragement. Some days it seems sysiphean but that's another illusion I suppose. I persevere.
When no thoughts are present, note: silence.
When thoughts arise, note: noise
This will create a feedback loop, so you know if you have drifted off and will help you to become more familiar with your thoughts. Because of the simplicity of the technique, it can be done continuously off the cushion too."
That is something I haven't tried. Thanks everyone for the encouragement. Some days it seems sysiphean but that's another illusion I suppose. I persevere.