Laurel IV
- JLaurelC
- Topic Author
11 years 3 months ago #92090
by JLaurelC
Laurel IV was created by JLaurelC
I'm beginning yet another thread, having reached third path and now beginning the home stretch. I got to the first PL jhana on New Year's Eve (it's great to get paths on holidays; 2nd was on July 4th--makes it easy to remember!). Since then, I've had such awful bronchitis that sitting has been difficult. But I managed a session last evening and then this morning. Last evening was only 30 minutes, but I traveled up and down the jhanic arc twice, with a strong sense of where I was at each point. This morning was another matter: lots of sleepy-eyed dreamy stuff; I spent forever just getting access concentration and felt as if I was drifting in and out of whatever jhana. But it's all good.
I've been enjoying a honeymoon like no other. The chronic anxiety that has been my constant companion for decades is taking a break. From time to time I'll get a twinge of that tension in the gut and think, hm, so that's what that is. But then it dissipates. I feel philosophical about life, unable to get riled over much. Occasionally my 11-year-old gets me mad when he does the eye rolling thing. It happened a couple of nights ago, and I watched myself flare up and then settle down again. It was kind of interesting to notice this. I've been sick, but not complaining too much about it. The weather is winter, difficult and cold, but I like the crisp air and blue sky. Work is okay. I feel myself going through the day in the Witness mode most of the time, which feels about right.
My first thread is at kennethfolkdharma.wetpaint.com/thread/45.../Laurel%27s+practice and the post that refers to stream entry is 440.
My second thread is kennethfolkdharma.wetpaint.com/thread/48...urel%27s+Practice+II and 2nd path is at post 218.
My third thread is kennethfolkdharma.wetpaint.com/thread/5004399/Laurel+III and 3rd path is at post 137.
I've been enjoying a honeymoon like no other. The chronic anxiety that has been my constant companion for decades is taking a break. From time to time I'll get a twinge of that tension in the gut and think, hm, so that's what that is. But then it dissipates. I feel philosophical about life, unable to get riled over much. Occasionally my 11-year-old gets me mad when he does the eye rolling thing. It happened a couple of nights ago, and I watched myself flare up and then settle down again. It was kind of interesting to notice this. I've been sick, but not complaining too much about it. The weather is winter, difficult and cold, but I like the crisp air and blue sky. Work is okay. I feel myself going through the day in the Witness mode most of the time, which feels about right.
My first thread is at kennethfolkdharma.wetpaint.com/thread/45.../Laurel%27s+practice and the post that refers to stream entry is 440.
My second thread is kennethfolkdharma.wetpaint.com/thread/48...urel%27s+Practice+II and 2nd path is at post 218.
My third thread is kennethfolkdharma.wetpaint.com/thread/5004399/Laurel+III and 3rd path is at post 137.
The topic has been locked.
- cmarti
- Topic Author
11 years 3 months ago #92091
by cmarti
Nice!
Replied by cmarti on topic RE: Laurel IV
Nice!
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- Aquanin
- Topic Author
11 years 3 months ago #92092
by Aquanin
Replied by Aquanin on topic RE: Laurel IV
Way to go Laurel! Keep it up!
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- NeverSummer
- Topic Author
11 years 3 months ago #92093
by NeverSummer
Replied by NeverSummer on topic RE: Laurel IV
"The chronic anxiety that has been my constant companion for decades is taking a break. From time to time I'll get a twinge of that tension in the gut and think, hm, so that's what that is. But then it dissipates. I feel philosophical about life, unable to get riled over much. Occasionally my 11-year-old gets me mad when he does the eye rolling thing. It happened a couple of nights ago, and I watched myself flare up and then settle down again. It was kind of interesting to notice this. I've been sick, but not complaining too much about it. The weather is winter, difficult and cold, but I like the crisp air and blue sky. Work is okay. I feel myself going through the day in the Witness mode most of the time, which feels about right."
...finding myself in much the same place (sans 11 year-old). The witness seems omnipresent.
Congratulations Laurel, this is wonderful...
...finding myself in much the same place (sans 11 year-old). The witness seems omnipresent.
Congratulations Laurel, this is wonderful...
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- JYET
- Topic Author
11 years 3 months ago #92094
by JYET
Replied by JYET on topic RE: Laurel IV
How nice I wish you a long and joyous honeymoon Laurel.
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- PEJN
- Topic Author
11 years 3 months ago #92095
by PEJN
Replied by PEJN on topic RE: Laurel IV
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- Marc_R
- Topic Author
11 years 3 months ago #92096
by Marc_R
Replied by Marc_R on topic RE: Laurel IV
Nice, congratulations, Laurel!
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- Rob_Mtl
- Topic Author
11 years 3 months ago #92097
by Rob_Mtl
Replied by Rob_Mtl on topic RE: Laurel IV
Great to hear it, Laurel! Your journey here is so inspiring- you always keep it connected to living in this world, love, healing, and all the other things that we can lose sight of in this whole nutty pursuit.
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- mumuwu
- Topic Author
11 years 3 months ago #92098
by mumuwu
Replied by mumuwu on topic RE: Laurel IV
Congrats Laurel. I knew you were close.
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- JLaurelC
- Topic Author
11 years 3 months ago #92099
by JLaurelC
Replied by JLaurelC on topic RE: Laurel IV
Thanks so much, everyone. I do really appreciate all the support! And I am glad that my record of my experiences can be of use to others.
After having claimed a path, I now am (temporarily) unable to access the Pure Lands, but that is all okay b/c I just have to keep practicing. I sat this morning, set the timer for 45 minutes, and after what seemed like a longish sit checked to find out I'd been sitting for over an hour! I must have punched in an hour and 45 minutes. Since I had to get up and go to work I was in a bit of a dither. But I traveled up to the 8th jhana on the second goaround and just sat there, wavering between 7 and 8. I decided not to push. I still have to spend some quality time with the videos of Kenneth instructing Nikolai. This will be my next major undertaking. I am also doing a bit of vipassana practice from time to time just to see where I am. Last evening sat for 25 minutes, got to the point of fine vibrations, low equanimity. I'm curious about cycling, how this will manifest. Have re-read all that stuff about "12th path" and all. My mood is remaining stable for the time being. Review here has been different from previous experiences. Not a lot of energetic stuff going on, on or off the cushion.
In the meantime I'm getting on with life. The sits lately have involved a lot of hypnogogic stuff. I'm still coming off of a cold and bronchitis, and am tapering steroids. I've found that steroid use tends to interfere with jhana, wondering if others have had that experience.
After having claimed a path, I now am (temporarily) unable to access the Pure Lands, but that is all okay b/c I just have to keep practicing. I sat this morning, set the timer for 45 minutes, and after what seemed like a longish sit checked to find out I'd been sitting for over an hour! I must have punched in an hour and 45 minutes. Since I had to get up and go to work I was in a bit of a dither. But I traveled up to the 8th jhana on the second goaround and just sat there, wavering between 7 and 8. I decided not to push. I still have to spend some quality time with the videos of Kenneth instructing Nikolai. This will be my next major undertaking. I am also doing a bit of vipassana practice from time to time just to see where I am. Last evening sat for 25 minutes, got to the point of fine vibrations, low equanimity. I'm curious about cycling, how this will manifest. Have re-read all that stuff about "12th path" and all. My mood is remaining stable for the time being. Review here has been different from previous experiences. Not a lot of energetic stuff going on, on or off the cushion.
In the meantime I'm getting on with life. The sits lately have involved a lot of hypnogogic stuff. I'm still coming off of a cold and bronchitis, and am tapering steroids. I've found that steroid use tends to interfere with jhana, wondering if others have had that experience.
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- betawave
- Topic Author
11 years 3 months ago #92100
by betawave
Replied by betawave on topic RE: Laurel IV
Congrats!
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- apperception
- Topic Author
11 years 3 months ago #92101
by apperception
Replied by apperception on topic RE: Laurel IV
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- Eric_G
- Topic Author
11 years 3 months ago #92102
by Eric_G
Replied by Eric_G on topic RE: Laurel IV
"
i.minus.com/ivvD9bXtX9MHy.gif
"
Congrats, and thanks for starting the awesome Third Path thread.
( kennethfolkdharma.wetpaint.com/thread/4975774/Third+Path )
Congrats, and thanks for starting the awesome Third Path thread.
( kennethfolkdharma.wetpaint.com/thread/4975774/Third+Path )
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- JLaurelC
- Topic Author
11 years 3 months ago #92103
by JLaurelC
Replied by JLaurelC on topic RE: Laurel IV
"Three paths in one year?
"
Yeah, I know--the last one just under the wire. It was quite a good year.
"
Yeah, I know--the last one just under the wire. It was quite a good year.
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- JLaurelC
- Topic Author
11 years 3 months ago #92104
by JLaurelC
Replied by JLaurelC on topic RE: Laurel IV
Sit this evening, went up and down twice, spaced out a bit at the upper end. This seems to be a pattern lately. Trying to keep mindful during the day. Yesterday I succumbed to some mild depression, but today pulled out of it, got lots done and feel better, even after a poor night. So all continues well. I'm looking forward to getting back to the Pure Lands again. It may be awhile, though.
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- Rod1
- Topic Author
11 years 3 months ago #92105
by Rod1
Replied by Rod1 on topic RE: Laurel IV
Hi Laurel,
Congrats - inspirational to someone like me at the new end of things - I can only aspire!
Congrats - inspirational to someone like me at the new end of things - I can only aspire!
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- JLaurelC
- Topic Author
11 years 3 months ago #92106
by JLaurelC
Replied by JLaurelC on topic RE: Laurel IV
"Hi Laurel,
Congrats - inspirational to someone like me at the new end of things - I can only aspire! "
You'll do more than that sooner than you think! Just keep on doing what you're doing.
Congrats - inspirational to someone like me at the new end of things - I can only aspire! "
You'll do more than that sooner than you think! Just keep on doing what you're doing.
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- WSH3
- Topic Author
11 years 3 months ago #92107
by WSH3
Replied by WSH3 on topic RE: Laurel IV
Congrats Laurel - thanks for taking the time to post here!
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