The Most Powerful Insight

Some First Gear introspection here...

I've been thinking about the powerful insight I've had during the course of my practice. Dangerous for me to think that much, yes But seriously, after reading some of the recent threasds both here and on the Dharma Oveground I think I can point specifically to one particular thing: the realization that what you are experiencing all the time is made up of separate bits and pieces, that what you used to experience as solid is really not solid at all but a process during which a very basic perception kicks off a trail of events that leads to the mind's creation of your world. I think this is really what the Arising and Passing Away is all about, and for me it was the most important insight I've ever experienced. After I could see the insubstantiality of phenomena (aka form is emptiness, emptiness form) everything kind of fell into place and started happening on its own. I was being dragged into Dharma instead of having to drive the bus myself.

Does your experience match up to mine? I'm curious.

Edit for spelling and grammar.

so thats what it was. i remember first time i went arising and passing away i thought of it of getting down to the tiny bits and pieces, but not in a dependent-arising sort of way like u explained, actually i thought more like: im looking at one particular point in space, and im zooming, zooming, zooming in. . i'd love to have my next event having what u described in mind. right now i am preventing an A&p event, since monday. (its now wednesday) to be ok for work this week.

wonder how the a&p of 1st path will be like compared to pre 1st path

Hi cmarti

I have found that to be an incredibly powerful insight too, upon reflection. Similar to mindful1983 I find myself cautious about looking for it though, because it only takes a moment of attention to the apparent solidity for me to notice the flickering impermanence and I've just kicked off another cycle.

I would say there are three powerful insights which have stayed with me.

1. A&P as you outlined which leads to a cycle of intense suffering followed by equamnity and then cessation
2. Rigpa which transcends suffering
3. The truth of the PCE (that in a delightful sensate attention to whats right here in front of me, there is no suffering to be found whatsoever)

I really can't say any of those three is more powerful than the other... but they are conflicting. It's like the clash of the titans.

Craig

CGN, thanks, You make a good point and I should clarify something thereby -- I do not consider rigpa to be an "insight." It is a higher order occurrence that transcends by orders of magnitude the insights I was referring to in my original post, which are the result of vipassana practices.

I have no experience of PCE. It sounds like the acronym for a medication