Alex's experiment with the grounding of emotions

Hi Alex,

I found that when doing exactly as you described above, I sometimes thought that there was no sense of 'me' ness there, and sometimes it just wasn't there, but other times, when i looked with a much more focused intent, there was still the subtlest sense of 'location'. See if there still is a sublte sense of 'location' when the sense of 'me' seems absent. If there still is a subtle sense of 'something' like location, even if it gives off no 'me'-ness, actualise it as you are doing.

"Hi Alex,

I found that when doing exactly as you described above, I sometimes thought that there was no sense of 'me' ness there, and sometimes it just wasn't there, but other times, when i looked with a much more focused intent, there was still the subtlest sense of 'location'. See if there still is a sublte sense of 'location' when the sense of 'me' seems absent. If there still is a subtle sense of 'something' like location, even if it gives off no 'me'-ness, actualise it as are doing. "

My issue is that I aaaalways sense a sense of 'being'. always some subtle tension somewhere or other. even in the highest of EEs, i still have a sense of location. The issue being that I can't actualize it so easily.. it is pretty hardened, all over my head, and rarely gives in. By default there is some hardening, and some neutral vedana (just blotting out part of my head) that I don't notice the shape of. If i focus, I notice the shape (where the blotch is), and if I start tracing attention around it, it hardens. And then there's a 'switch' or something which when it's on, the things start draining somewhere and/or popping, but generally disappearing, and when it's off, it just hardens + hardens into a really tight knot that then takes a little bit to undo itself.

It's very concentrated in the head.. and I don't have much success in actualizing it.. I'll keep fiddling with it, but lemme know if you have any tips in particular.

"
I found that when doing exactly as you described above, I sometimes thought that there was no sense of 'me' ness there, and sometimes it just wasn't there, but other times, when i looked with a much more focused intent, there was still the subtlest sense of 'location'. See if there still is a sublte sense of 'location' when the sense of 'me' seems absent. If there still is a subtle sense of 'something' like location, even if it gives off no 'me'-ness, actualise it as you are doing. "


Great advice, many thanks.

I have been experiencing a simple Taoist / yogic technique yesterday. Since then, blissful sensations keep flowing along the spine, leaving me in a continuous state of wellbeing. Beside being pleasant, this keeps my attention rooted on physical sensations all day long. When experiencing bliss, nothing seems to be a cause of anger, while -even if still present in a subtle way-, lust or greed fail to arise since pleasure is already experienced in the absence of pleasurable objects.

I notice also that things that would get me stressed or worried are no big deal. I may experience a sense of anxiety for a few seconds followed by physical sensations, bliss and wellbeing.

During formal sitting, EEs keep coming up. I try to identify sublter ways by which the sense of self creeps in, like the sense of location, passing of time, sense of knowing that something clicked, etc.

This is just the beginning, but I start to see what is the potential of all this. I realize also that I am not as goal oriented as I have been on the way to technical 4th path. Maybe because I already saw was I was trying to see and understand back then, Maybe also because the current practice is a reward in itself and not only a means to an end.

"
I have been experiencing a simple Taoist / yogic technique yesterday. Since then, blissful sensations keep flowing along the spine, leaving me in a continuous state of wellbeing. Beside being pleasant, this keeps my attention rooted on physical sensations all day long. When experiencing bliss, nothing seems to be a cause of anger, while -even if still present in a subtle way-, lust or greed fail to arise since pleasure is already experienced in the absence of pleasurable objects.

I notice also that things that would get me stressed or worried are no big deal. I may experience a sense of anxiety for a few seconds followed by physical sensations, bliss and wellbeing.

During formal sitting, EEs keep coming up. I try to identify sublter ways by which the sense of self creeps in, like the sense of location, passing of time, sense of knowing that something clicked, etc.

This is just the beginning, but I start to see what is the potential of all this. I realize also that I am not as goal oriented as I have been on the way to technical 4th path. Maybe because I already saw was I was trying to see and understand back then, Maybe also because the current practice is a reward in itself and not only a means to an end.
"

Now might be a very good time to be investigating the supposed ownership of volition. Can you notice in real time how your actions arise on their own due to the play of cause and effect and how strange it is that they get "owned" by "you" after the fact?

"... how strange it is that they get "owned" by "you" after the fact?"

All the damned time! Conscious "control" (agency) occurs well after the fact of what, and when, actually occurs. That's what my little shower exercise is all about every morning, Once tuned into this truth can be dialed in more easily all day long.

Thank you Owen and Chris. I must confess that, on the way to awakening, I have spent more time debunking the *knower* than the "doer*. This stage will therefore be more tricky, but very interesting. Having been in a state where everything flows like a movie without the sense of doing anything, it is nothing new as such. But this state only lasted for a few hours at a time, especially around the event of awakening.

The trick will now be to see in real time how "my" actions are in realty conditioned responses and reactions co-opted half a second later by an imaginary doer. I will keep you all posted.

"
Thank you Owen and Chris. I must confess that, on the way to awakening, I have spent more time debunking the *knower* than the "doer*. This stage will therefore be more tricky, but very interesting. Having been in a state where everything flows like a movie without the sense of doing anything, it is nothing new as such. But this state only lasted for a few hours at a time, especially around the event of awakening.

The trick will now be to see in real time how "my" actions are in realty conditioned responses and reactions co-opted half a second later by an imaginary doer. I will keep you all posted.

"

Happy to help. One other thing. Don't be surprised if a huge chunk of fear comes up around this point, it might even glom with thoughts and break through the grounding. It can get pretty damn overwhelming. During the last days I spent a lot of time coming up with ways to escape the country anonymously if the need suddenly arose. If you start having fantasies about writing a will but there is no drama around it, that's a good sign. This will be the point at which you will confront the terror of non-existence. Have fun.

It may also be beneficial to ignore any more advice from myself and others as you have enough to get it done. 'I' did not bother investigating what Owen and Chris mentions. It is not exactly necessary as far as getting it done. Though it will become quite obvious post if not already. Alex, you are mashing the aspects and actualizing and that will get it done. Too much info may spoil the broth. 'I' liked to tweak and tweak until the original effective means of getting it done was diluted and not as effective. I then let go of all other things I thought would get it done quicker and returned to what did.

"
I have been experiencing a simple Taoist / yogic technique yesterday. Since then, blissful sensations keep flowing along the spine, leaving me in a continuous state of wellbeing. "

Alex, could you share this technique with us?

"Alex, could you share this technique with us?"


Yes sure. Let me first state that rapturous joy (piti), the main Jhana factor of the first and second jhanas is directly related to sexual energy (Skt. ojas, Chin. Jing chi). In yogic science, the nose is directly connect to the root chakra at the perineum. Anapanasati with a focus on the flow of the breath at the aperture of the nose awakens the root chakra, which awakens the kundalini manifesting as rapturous bliss. Tibetan yogis do the same thing visualizing themselves as deities in sexual embrace, to tap into sexual energy and redirect it along the spine while visualizing energy channels, bindus and blazing tummo fire. Hatha yoga includes other similar techniques such as Shakti Chalana Mudra and Yoni Mudra. (cont.)

Now what I found that works best to increase the flow of 'Piti' is to relax and apply a mild contraction of the perineum muscle (Moola bandha). Then, to breathe from -or through- the sexual organs. Yes, this is arousing (sorry), but the purpose here is not to allow it to flow out, but on the contrary to redirect the energy towards the sacrum bone and the spine. The contraction of the perineum muscle acts as a bridge. If we succeed, we start to feel a form of blissful vaporous steam (or even an ecstatic warm liquid) rising up along the spine. One may then follow the breath and allow the other jhana factors to grow stronger until we lock in the first jhana.

One may also combine it with the practice of spinal breathing (Kriya yoga pranayama), before or after, breathing while imagining on the in-breath a flow of energy rising up from the perineum along the spine ending at the third eye (brow chakra) and, on the out-breath, to allow it to flow back to the perineum along the spine. What happens is that after a few days of gentle practice, 'Piti' (rapturous bliss-joy) keeps flowing effortlessly along the spine throughout the day, leaving you in felicitous state that may eventually evolve into ongoing happiness and then ongoing equanimity.

I don't see it as an end in itself, but only as a means to facilitate midfulness of physical sensations 24/7. As it increases, we feel blissed out and focused in the present, midful of the actual world of physical sensations. As a consequence, we tend to feel happy and harmless. A sense of wonder starts to grow. Actualizing emotions, feelings and passions in real time becomes easier and almost effortless, Actualizing Jhanas during formal practice, and later during the day, should then complete the job, togther with other side techniques such as seeing in real time that the body and the mind are just functioning and reacting to causes and conditions without a puppet master (thanks for the tips).

Alex: 'I have been experiencing a simple Taoist / yogic technique yesterday. Since then, blissful sensations keep flowing along the spine, leaving me in a continuous state of wellbeing. Beside being pleasant, this keeps my attention rooted on physical sensations all day long. When experiencing bliss, nothing seems to be a cause of anger, while -even if still present in a subtle way-, lust or greed fail to arise since pleasure is already experienced in the absence of pleasurable objects.

I notice also that things that would get me stressed or worried are no big deal. I may experience a sense of anxiety for a few seconds followed by physical sensations, bliss and wellbeing.

During formal sitting, EEs keep coming up. I try to identify sublter ways by which the sense of self creeps in, like the sense of location, passing of time, sense of knowing that something clicked, etc.

This is just the beginning, but I start to see what is the potential of all this. I realize also that I am not as goal oriented as I have been on the way to technical 4th path. Maybe because I already saw was I was trying to see and understand back then, Maybe also because the current practice is a reward in itself and not only a means to an end."

What is the taoist method, Alex?

Alex, Nick's advice is probably spot on, but I can't resist sharing this technique. If you have experience with Witness practices, perhaps you'll have noticed that they are intermediate between ordinary personal identity and nonduality. The Witness is like a subtle bridge between the two-- an Impersonal Knower, often rooted in a chakra spot. (I've never been into this, but have experienced it spontaneously).

Well what i've discovered is there is something analogous with the Doer. Between the everyday, personal Jake doer and pure natural activity of spontaneity, there is a spectrum of states corresponding to the Witness. As the Witness is anchored in the head, what i refer to seems rooted in the hara. By sensing that movement originates in the hara region, a shift occurs in which "life flows like a movie". It's not pure natural activity, but it's a bridge. There's the sense that "me" becomes very simple, and instead of claiming activity, simply notices that activity is happening on it's own by 'stepping back' into non-doing doing, rooted in Hara. This is for walking around and doing things, talking and thinking too. This simple "me" who refrains from owning activity drops easily for glimpses since it is in a state of wonder and peace at the naturalness of activity and the freedom from effort.

"
What is the taoist method, Alex?"


What I describe and summerize just above (259 - 261), Adam.

"Alex, Nick's advice is probably spot on, but I can't resist sharing this technique. If you have experience with Witness practices, perhaps you'll have noticed that they are intermediate between ordinary personal identity and nonduality. The Witness is like a subtle bridge between the two-- an Impersonal Knower, often rooted in a chakra spot. (I've never been into this, but have experienced it spontaneously).

Well what i've discovered is there is something analogous with the Doer. Between the everyday, personal Jake doer and pure natural activity of spontaneity, there is a spectrum of states corresponding to the Witness. As the Witness is anchored in the head, what i refer to seems rooted in the hara. By sensing that movement originates in the hara region, a shift occurs in which "life flows like a movie". It's not pure natural activity, but it's a bridge. There's the sense that "me" becomes very simple, and instead of claiming activity, simply notices that activity is happening on it's own by 'stepping back' into non-doing doing, rooted in Hara. This is for walking around and doing things, talking and thinking too. This simple "me" who refrains from owning activity drops easily for glimpses since it is in a state of wonder and peace at the naturalness of activity and the freedom from effort. "


Very interesting, I will try to find this spot. Thanks.

Oops, I should have read your other posts... ;-P

Additional thought, I assume you are aware that Yogani covers all that stuff too. If not def check out his books. I can email them to you if you don't have them.

Adam. Edit for additional sentence.

"Oops, I should have read your other posts... ;-P

Additional thought, I assume you are aware that Yogani covers all that stuff too. If not def check out his books. I can email them to you if you don't have them.

Adam. Edit for additional sentence."


Right. Yes, I have most of his books. Initially I was trying to find a way to help a student get to feel "piti" (rapturous joy) to help her experience Jhana. Trying it on myself first, I have been living in a continuous ecstatic state for days. Those who tried were also surprised to see how powerful this simple exercises could be. I also found it useful to stay rooted on physical sensations.

The ecstatic flow of energy keeps my attention focused on physical sensations throughout the day. Whenever an emotion, feeling or passion arises, I just have to tell myself "how is this emotion/passion/feeling expressed physically within the body?" to experience them as physical sensations that soon merge with the ecstatic (felicitous) sensations running through the spine, leading to less and less feeling of self. The trick is to do it in real time until it becomes an effortless habit.

This rapturous energy tends to blend with the inner silence of the awakened natural state, turning into a sense gratitude and wonder at the beauty and perfection of nature.

"
Now what I found that works best to increase the flow of 'Piti' is to relax and apply a mild contraction of the perineum muscle (Moola bandha). Then, to breathe from -or through- the sexual organs. Yes, this is arousing (sorry), but the purpose here is not to allow it to flow out, but on the contrary to redirect the energy towards the sacrum bone and the spine. The contraction of the perineum muscle acts as a bridge. If we succeed, we start to feel a form of blissful vaporous steam (or even an ecstatic warm liquid) rising up along the spine. One may then follow the breath and allow the other jhana factors to grow stronger until we lock in the first jhana."

Alex,

I'm not sure where to visualize/feel the end of the inhalation/beginning of exhalation. Do you mean inhale through to the base of the spine, then exhale out from the base of the spine through the genitals?

Thanks, Eric

"Alex,

I'm not sure where to visualize/feel the end of the inhalation/beginning of exhalation. Do you mean inhale through to the base of the spine, then exhale out from the base of the spine through the genitals?

Thanks, Eric"


Hi Eric,

1). You can start breathing through your chakras along the spine one after the other, from base (perineum), sacrum, navel, heart, neck, third eye - and then down again (third eye, and along the spine neck, heart, navel level and perineum). By breathing through I mean breathing as if your nose was located on the charka. You will start to feel energy.

2). When you feel the energy, you can start to move your attention up and down along the spine, from perineum to third eye and then back again. Then to synchronize it with the inhale (up) and exhale (down). You will then feel a flow of electro-magnetic energy moving along your spine. With practice you may experience pleasurable sensations within the spine.

3). To increase this sense of pleasure, you can breath through the genitals to activate the second chakra. Vajrayana yogis also tend to visualize themselves a yidam in loving embrace with their divine consort to activate this sexual energy. Once aroused to a certain level, the blissful energy can be moved towards the sacrum bone to refine it into finer energies. On can contract the perineum muscle to bridge the energy and allow it to rise up along the spine. When it reaches the sacrum bone, you should start to feel this warm pre-orgasmic energy rising up like steam along the spine. Then you go back to spinal breathing no. 2).

When this is mastered, one becomes able to reactivate this kundalini energy throughout the day. Eventually this ecstatic current flowing along the spine become permanent. As a result, we find ourselves in a felicitous state that allows us to be mindful of physical sensations 24/7, transforming lust and anger into bliss and emptiness.

"
Hi Eric,

1). You can start breathing through your chakras along the spine one after the other, from base (perineum), sacrum, navel, heart, neck, third eye - and then down again (third eye, and along the spine neck, heart, navel level and perineum). By breathing through I mean breathing as if your nose was located on the charka. You will start to feel energy.

2). When you feel the energy, you can start to move your attention up and down along the spine, from perineum to third eye and then back again. Then to synchronize it with the inhale (up) and exhale (down). You will then feel a flow of electro-magnetic energy moving along your spine. With practice you may experience pleasurable sensations within the spine.

3). To increase this sense of pleasure, you can breath through the genitals to activate the second chakra. Tantric and Vajrayana yogis also tend to visualize themselves as deities embrace their divine consort to activate this sexual energy. Once aroused to a certain level, the blissful energy can be moved towards the sacrum bone. On can contract the perineum muscle to bridge the energy and allow it to rise up along the spine. When it reaches the sacrum bone, you may should start to feel this warm pre-orgasmic energy rising up like steam along the spine. Then you go back to spinal breathing no. 2).

When this is mastered, one becomes able to reactivate this kundalini energy throughout the day. It then becomes stronger and stronger until we find ourselves walking down the street with this ecstatic current flowing along the spine. As a result, we are the felicitous state that allows you to be mindful of physical sensations 24/7. "

stupid practical question? does this practice not lead to...well, rather indiscreet problems for men "walking down the street"?

I was gonna say.....

"stupid practical question? does this practice not lead to...well, rather indiscreet problems for men "walking down the street"?"

That's a reasonable practical question.

Here's a more direct question, about the point of it all:
Does all this energy manipulation have anything whatsoever to do with "supreme, perfect, unexcelled Awakening"?

"
I was gonna say.....



"

glad I'm not the only one wondering! being a girl, not sure how this might work. only recalling in teenagers it's considered a terrible embarrassment.

@Gozen, good question