What's been the main catalyst of your practice?

I'm interested in finding out what thing or things have triggered a major shift in gear in your practice. These aren't necessarily quick fixes, but rather catalysts that have pushed your practice further.

It could be:
- a particular style of practice, such as noting, or Mahamudra, or Second Gear, or Direct Mode. Or a combination.
- a particular attitude, such as making resolutions.
- a particular level of attainment, such as First Path
- something to do with the amount of practice, such as a certain number of hours a day, or number of retreats a year.
- understanding the theory, such as the Progress of Insight
- or any number of other things, such having the support of a community, your teacher etc

Answers below please!

pain

Hi Andy

Can I pick all of those )

"pain"

I so agree with this Jayson. I keep telling people that my main motivation to practice is finding ways to ease suffering.

Lately I combine the "actualizing the jhanas" approach with ngöndro, dzogchen, direct mode. That has catapulted everything. A&P was a big catalyst a few years ago. This community rocks too

For me, it was finding the right teacher and sangha.

* Yes, "suffering", more particularly: Finally really, really realizing that nothing in the world would "satisfy" me.
* Having a very powerful first-time intensive course (Goenka), coming out feeling the most balanced, calm, and accepting I had ever felt.

My partner says "Mahamudra noting -- and knitting"

"Having a very powerful first-time intensive course (Goenka), coming out feeling the most balanced, calm, and accepting I had ever felt."

Yeah, I agree that Goenka does that to you. He drags you through the muck to get you there, but somehow it works.