Resolve: A powerful technique for progress?

As I read the many wonderfully inspiring threads on this site, I have noticed the technique of resolve being used. Such as resolving to gain path by a certain point or to have a fruition or to enter into NS, ect.

I was wondering if anyone could provide some advice, tips, or personal experience with this technique.
Does it work, how does it work, what is the best way to go about it?

Thanks so much!
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I believe very much in the power of resolutions especially for the awakening process. It is especially effective post-path but I also believe it was powerfully effective pre-path in order to get Stream Entry. For one, it gives you permission toget it done. It creates a very conducive mindset for getting it done. If you start to slacken off, if you have previously resolved to take it all the way, then this resolve will arise in the mind to remind you to note that slacking off and get back on track.

Resolving for something seems to push the mind in the desired direction, at least in my own experience. If I wish to experience this jhana or that jhana, this experience or that experience, the fact that the mind has resolved to accomplish or experience something is enough for it to start doing what needs to be done to accomplish or experience the desired things, or keep the momentum going to eventually have success.

It's like anything in life. You resolve with all your heart and energy to do it, and you go do it. You've set up a mindset that is conducive to progress and success.

For me, I resolve with all my mental focus to experience something, then i let the resolution go. I do not crave for the result. I let the resolution do it's job. Seems to work for me. Seemed to work for me when I resolved continuously to get stream entry. When I started slacking off, I felt the resolution to keep up the momentum jump into my mind, and it was enough to "keep up the momentum".

Which do you think would be a faster way to get to the centre of town?

Just walking willy nilly down the street without some clear way to reach the centre of town. You just walk at a slow pace, with some idea of where you want to go ie. the centre of town. You might ask for directions, you might not. But you just keep walking, you may or may not reach the centre of the town. (This approach reminds me of many of my dhamma friends immersed in the Goenka tradition)

VS

You resolve with all your mental energy to get to the centre of town. "I WILL get to the centre of town by any means possible!!!" You start to run, you ask passers-by for directions, you wave a car down as it passes, you get into the car and pay the driver to drive you into town. (This reminds me of people here)

Which one gets you faster to the centre of town?

You could make the resolution as ritualistic as possible or just state it before you start practicing, everytime you sit. It's up to you and should be something that resonates with you. I just state it to myself out loud before I close my eyes. Then I let go of the resolution. This seems to be key for me. I let go any expectation of results. This is how Mahasi Sayadaw instructed. Just let go of the resolution, let it do it's magic and you continue to practice as you normally do.


Some of my resolutions:

Eg. "I wish to experience my cutting edge in this sit" (Jhanic arc)

"I wish to experience a fruition in 5 seconds from now"

"I resolve to achieve stream entry by keeping the momentum going with noting all phenomena that takes centre stage until I get 1st path." (This was my resolution that I took when I went on a 10 day vipassana course-got 1st path on the 5th day)

You could bang a cymbal and chant it or write it down or whatever. Whatever gives it more power for you, the better.

Hope this helps

Resolutions are powerful. They don't have a 100% success rate, but then what does. I use them often. Nick has given a brilliant description here and I am not sure what I could add. Make sure to believe with all your being that the resolution will work when you make it. Resolutions I have made

I resolve to get stream entry as soon as possible
I resolve to not experience a fruition untill I get second path/I resolve to get 2nd path on this retreat...
I resolve to get arahatship as soon as possible...
I resolve to become lucid during my dreaming tonight...

The list goes on... Try em out...

"
"I resolve to achieve stream entry by keeping the momentum going with noting all phenomena that takes centre stage until I get 1st path." "

Very nice. I am about to have 3 weeks of vacation before school starts again( one week of work left). This may very well be my daily resolution on this personal retreat.
Just thinking this sentence in my head I start to get sense of energy and focus.

Thanks guys.
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Best wishes... Stream entry is definatly doable... people seem to be poping here all the time... Make sure to make the resolution and then let go of it as best you can. I have never gotten a new path without letting go of the craving I had for that path...

I think Nik is right that the sort of almost magical power of resolution probably starts post path.
Of course, though, I think the resolution to get SE is still powerful, but, for me, the important resolution is to committ to actually doing the practice and meticulously following directions during each sit. To not waste any time with thinking, or reflecting or analyzing, you know? To committ to just bare practice only each time you sit.
It also helps to committ to keep the momentum going from each sit to the next by continuing to stay as mindful as possible at all times.
Momentum seems to be very important.

Thanks Clayton.

It will be hard to not induldge my strong craving for getting path. I can certainly see how it gets in the way though. I will try to turn that strong craving into strong practice!
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"Thanks Clayton.

It will be hard to not induldge my strong craving for getting path. I can certainly see how it gets in the way though. I will try to turn that strong craving into strong practice!
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The craving will probably arise anyway. It's one of the probable drawbacks of making resolutions. Thank goodness you have a wonderfully effective technique to deal with it. Doesn't matter if you crave stream entry. Now you just have more fuel for your rocket ship to awakening. Include the "craving" as just something else to note ...."craving", "craving", "vibrations" (in the chest), "unpleasant" etc

Happy Resolution Making!!!

For what it's worth, I made a strong resolution prior to going on a 32-day retreat to get stream entry by the end of the retreat and I actually got it on the second-to-last full day of the retreat.

"I think Nik is right that the sort of almost magical power of resolution probably starts post path.
Of course, though, I think the resolution to get SE is still powerful, but, for me, the important resolution is to committ to actually doing the practice and meticulously following directions during each sit. To not waste any time with thinking, or reflecting or analyzing, you know? To committ to just bare practice only each time you sit.
It also helps to committ to keep the momentum going from each sit to the next by continuing to stay as mindful as possible at all times.
Momentum seems to be very important. "

Great topic. I recently started to realize the power of resolutions after a call with Kenneth a couple of weeks ago. Silly me didn't think until yesterday that I should resolve to attain stream entry as soon as possible, but here's hoping that will work soon enough. I have had success, though, with making a resolution each night as I lay in bed. I resolve to wake with an awareness of whether I wake on the in breath or out breath. More often than not, I notice the breath immediately upon waking. Echoing what Mike said, this is a great way to get the momentum going for the day. I've tried playing around with the resolutions, too, but resolving to wake up at ___ am or __ minutes before my alarm goes off. The success rate is unbelievable and it is fun to play around with.

Nick is right craving is unavoidable I was just observing that it usually burns itself out before the next shift for me

I started more consciously noticing that the 1st 1/2 of my sittings had a lot of drifting thought before getting down to practice in the 2nd 1/2. Seemed like a waste of precious sitting time, so started making a resolve at the start of most sittings to work hard and be present from start to finish. For a few weeks at least it didn't seem to make much difference, though it felt sincere and worthwile. In just the last couple of weeks I started noticing that I was kicking better into gear as much as 2/3's quicker. The past few days sometimes it just starts immediately. Can't say for sure, but it's enough to make me want to start a routine of resolving for 1st Path. In fact, next sit.