jhana – Integrating Presence

Questions And Points Put To Leigh Brasington On “Psychic Powers” In The Suttas

March 23, 2023 Update: See below for Leigh’s responses via email. I may or may not give some future response to Leigh’s responses Honor and respect to Leigh Brasington, not only for his extensive teachings on the jhanas, but for all the thoughts, teachings and practices surrounding the Sāmaññaphala Sutta (DN 2) during the FebruaryContinue reading “Questions And Points Put To Leigh Brasington On “Psychic Powers” In The Suttas”

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu Questions

[12/10/2022 UPDATE: This post was originally published 1/23/2022. I recently discovered that at that time I did not include the audio file here for the podcast so I had to change the blog post publishing date in order for WordPress to push this out as a new podcast.] Five short excerpts of some questions IContinue reading “Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu Questions”

What Is Meditation? | 11/2/2022 “Meditation Q & A With Wendy Nash” #02

We primarily address what meditation actually is while spiraling up, around and back on this topic to also include, amongst others: examples of what is and isn’t meditation; mind training; intention; familiarity with the mind; heart qualities; wisdom; aspiration; samatha; ego; Chittamatra or Yogācāra via the statement “emotions are thoughts”; scoundrels; conceit; foolishness; belonging; emotional mirroring; etc.

Dharma Questions: Miscellany — Part 7

The Heart 1 of Prajna 3 Paramita 4 Sutra 2 Bodhisattva 5 Avalokiteshvara 6, while deeply immersed 7 in prajna paramita, clearly perceived the empty nature 8 of the five skandhas 9, and transcended all suffering. Shariputra 10! Form is not different from emptiness, emptiness is not different from form. Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. So it is with feeling, conception, volition, and consciousness. Shariputra! All dharmas 11 are empty in character; neitherContinue reading “Dharma Questions: Miscellany — Part 7”

Studying And Practicing With “The Iddhipāda-Vibhaṅga Sutta — An Analysis Of The Bases Of Power”: Summary, Findings, Observations And Comparisons (7 of 7)

This fifth in a seven part series on Studying And Practicing With “The Iddhipāda-Vibhaṅga Sutta — An Analysis Of The Bases Of Power” addresses perceptions of night, daytime and light. (In the first two portions of the podcast I speak without notes and then I reference notes included in the blog post in the other portion.)

Full Of Love: Audio And Notes From The Insight Timer Live Event

Listen to the full unedited version of Full of Love with or without the Wisdom App: https://join.wisdom.audio/H6r5 The description for this August 26th Insight Timer live event followed by my notes: Not full of cr*p. For those (interested in) practicing the Four Sublime Abidings of loving-kindness, compassion, vicarious joy/rejoicing & equanimity join this Mettāsahagata Sutta (SN 46.54) sharing whereContinue reading “Full Of Love: Audio And Notes From The Insight Timer Live Event”

Classic Images For The Five Hindrances

The five hindrances — sensual desire, ill will, sloth & torpor, restlessness & worry, and doubt — hinder progress in meditation and in our daily lives. These five shroud: clarity of mind, the capacity of mindfulness, wisdom, and concentration. This wikipedia table states how each are suppressed and during what stages of enlightenment they are eradicated:Continue reading “Classic Images For The Five Hindrances”

Studying And Practicing With “The Iddhipāda-Vibhaṅga Sutta — An Analysis Of The Bases Of Power”: Perceptions Of Night, Daytime And Light (5 of 7)

Jhanic Factors And Formless Realms Contemplation/Meditation

Oops! For those joining the live *(Jhanic Factors And) Formless Realms Contemplation/Meditation* I unplugged the internet while moving seats only realizing this afterwards! Obviously I need more mindfulness! We’ll see if I schedule something live like this again Here’s the description for this June 12th Insight Timer live event: Addressing the politics and emotional chargesContinue reading “Jhanic Factors And Formless Realms Contemplation/Meditation”

June 2022 Insight Timer Live Events: Cultivating Discernment; Formless Realms; You Teach Me; Matrix Or Truman Show?

*Ask For (A) Change*
Where I continue exploring a format change for the monthly “Ask Us Anything”: 1) give and ask of each other advice; 2) needed changes individually & collectively; and 3) continuing the themes of speaking up & inquiring/investigating to spark curiosity & enthusiasm
https://integratingpresence.com/2022/05/31/ask-for-a-change

*(Jhanic Factors And) Formless Realms Contemplation/Mediation*
Addressing the politics and emotional charges often associated with Jhana & nimitta before talking about jhanic factors then placing this aside for a guided meditation/contemplation based on “The Shorter Discourse on Emptiness (MN 121)” involving village, wilderness, earth and the four formless states
— https://integratingpresence.com/2022/06/12/podcast-jhanic-factors-and-formless-realms-contemplation-meditation

*Cultivate, Develop, Train And Progress Discernment*
We all need discernment, but how? Let’s look at some ways to cultivate, develop, train and progress discernment. While there’s much to discernment, one key: “. . . one listening well gains discernment” ~from Āṭavaka’s Questions —
https://integratingpresence.com/2022/06/06/podcast-cultivate-develop-train-and-progress-discernment

*You Teach Me*
A (brief) experiment where (you) the audience teach me anything you’d like. It could be from the spiritual journey, inner work, everyday life, work, play, groups, family, friends, enemies, frenemies, relationships, etc. I may fill in gaps with how to approach others for knowledge, teachings, etc — https://integratingpresence.com/2022/06/26/podcast-you-teach-me

*Is Your Awakening Journey More The Matrix or The Truman Show?*
A brief 15 minute or so more lighthearted approach to the sometimes intense and weird moments of awakening via The Truman Show and Matrix films as reference points — https://join.wisdom.audio/oxBs

*Blocks, Paths, One-Way, (Super) Highways and Byways*
Let’s briefly explore these plus matrixes, nodal/access points, gates, portals, vehicles, crafts, dream-walking, teleportation, hitchhiking, ride sharing, mass transit, migration, flight, and other travel terms literally, figuratively, metaphorically & in the context of the “Ask Us Anything” format — https://join.wisdom.audio/mfSD

Multi-month Pāramitā (Perfections) Challenge For January 2022

Meditation, concentration, contemplation, intoxicating substances, cravings, awakening, wisdom, and future Buddhahood round out the main topics for month five of “The Pāramitā Challenge” in January 2022. See also Months 1-3 and Month 4.

In addition to contemplating topics about the Pāramitās or Perfections, so far, this challenge also includes precepts, the (10 Abodes from the) 52 Stages of the Bodhisattva Path and Bodhisattva vows.

Instructions are to journal contemplations resulting from observed intentions, opportunities, and actions to be generous, moral and ethical while arousing faith in the Triple Gem then seeing where/when confident and where/when in doubt.

Multi-month Pāramitā (Attainments/Perfections) Challenge For December 2021

Apparently November 2021 was a break so December is month 4 of “The Pāramitā Challenge” (which I previously wrote and spoke on the first three months.)

This month includes the Pāramitā on diligence, the Right Speech precept (also doubling as a past Insight Timer live event) and the middle stages of the 10 Abodes from the 52 Stages of the Bodhisattva.