Buddhist Geeks Rick Hanson interviews

Required listening:

personallifemedia.com/podcasts/236-buddh...18-self-network/play

very interesting. I think a comprehensive neuromapping of jhanas, and nanas, as well as a precise mapping of neural activity in individuals with different degrees of realization (i.e., people in the four Paths) in this model, must be coming down the pike. The implications for a virtual teaching aid, a biofeedback for the jhannas for example, is really exciting. 100% real-time feedback to access jhanna! "Okay, make the tone go dowwwwwn....." Put *that* in public schools. What would the Ritalin manufacturers think?

I also thought he hinted at the issues on the "controversy" page on this site, and the possibility of investigating this territory with neuropsychology...
---Jake

rebloggingbradwarner.blogspot.com/2009/1...e-is-helping-to.html

Above is the third of three? Anybody other than Jake listen?
This segment is interesting because as far as I can tell he has a map of enlightenment like this: 1. travel through the formless realms; 2. cessation 3. nibanna.
boom.

" rebloggingbradwarner.blogspot.com/2009/1...e-is-helping-to.html

Above is the third of three? Anybody other than Jake listen?"

I think you mean here...

personallifemedia.com/podcasts/236-buddh...pisodes/66225-eddies

Or direct download here...

bg.pod-ad.com/content/BG/BG_151_EddiesStream.mp3

Very interesting indeed.

~Jackson

Thanks guys- I was waiting for the third installment.
Later!
Jake

"This segment is interesting because as far as I can tell he has a map of enlightenment like this: 1. travel through the formless realms; 2. cessation 3. nibanna.
boom. "

I actually didn't really like his map, as it's not how cessation plays out experientially.

As Kenneth has pointed out, cessation occurs after the 11 ñana (Equanimity), which correlates to the same stratum of mind as 4th shamatha jhana.* Therefore, cessation does not necessarily occur after moving through all 8 jhanas - 4 material (rupa) and 4 immaterial (arupa).

Cessation seems to occur when one has enough mindfulness and equanimity to allow formations to do what they do. By letting the field of experience go on its own without resistance, one will eventually experience what happens when the waves of experience sync up and cancel each other out for a moment. That's the Zero moment. It doesn't necessarily happen by reducing one's neurological "noise."

Now, if he's referring to Nirodha Samapatti he may be on to something. The entry to NS does naturally follow 8th jhana, and it is a cessation experienced as a total power failure. NS could be considered one of three meanings of "nibbana" - with the others being the fruition at the end of the progress of insight cycle, and the attainment of Arahantship. Why Hanson would emphasize NS is unclear to me, which makes me wonder whether or not this is the case.

It also makes me wonder whether or not his model is based on experience or off of some kind of jhana-neuroscientific hybrid model. But I digress...

Thoughts?

~Jackson

*http://kennethfolkdharma.wetpaint.com/page/20+Major+Strata+of+Mind

I bought Rick Hansen's book recently but haven't been able to get to these podcasts yet. Too much work, too little time. I'm in St. Louis right now working, but after tomorrow -- vacation! Time enough to read and to listen. To catch up.

" The entry to NS does naturally follow 8th jhana, and it is a cessation experienced as a total power failure."

A slow motion power failure

I guess I really need to listen to these podcasts!

Thanks Jackson.
Yes, I think he is probably not in disagreement with you and Kenneth but is describing something different, probably that NS process you referred to.
The guy is really interesting and has such a likable way of presenting this material.