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Vipassana meditation comes naturally; Samatha meditation incredibly hard.
I have also found this to be the case when practicing samatha meditation. Here is my understanding of why that is, and how to deal with it:
In vipassana meditation, you do not need to "tune" ...
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Does samatha practice always come before vipassana practice?
While different traditions might emphasize one over the other, they all need a certain level of development for both:
"These two qualities have a share in clear knowing. Which two? Tranquillity (...
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6
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Shamata and vipassana - loss of willpower
I can relate to your question. I too come from a software background and have had a similar set of experiences.
Even though we have had similar experiences, the underlying cause could be different. ...
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Does samatha practice always come before vipassana practice?
Often mediators will get stuck in Samatha thinking that they have become permanently enlightened. Samatha takes away all the defilments but it's only temporary. Also mediators could get addicted to ...
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4
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Stabilizing the counterpart sign
The prepatory steps (precepts, location, time, etc.) are just as important as the actual practice. Ven.Buddhadasa's detailed anapanasati's instruction might be useful..
- 9,638
4
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Shamata and vipassana - loss of willpower
You lose interest because your MINDFUL. Mindfulness acts like a barrier or a filter. It creates distance. Your not as engaged to the five senses and it's objects as you use to be, therefore your not ...
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Is it possible to see the counterpart sign (nimitta) with eyes open?
The proof of the pudding is in the eating, no matter how many books are written about the pudding. Once eaten there can be no mistake about it.
As a samatha meditator, both the signs exist for both ...
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Sleep and meditation
I have. The hypnagogic/hypnaponic state is known for the interesting and even intense phenomena that can arise. Here's my most vivid experience:
I woke up one morning, paralyzed. This happened ...
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Effects of samatha
Summary: "Negative" is a subjective term - I believe there is learning to be had in every moment in life.
Certain Samatha and Vipassana experiences can puzzle the unstable or ignorant mind. The ...
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Does samatha practice always come before vipassana practice?
You should not have an emphasis on which should develop fist but let it take its natural course. Both are important as wisdoms has concentration as the base and concentration has morality as the base. ...
3
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I was wondering about deep meditation and out of body experiences
I suddenly looked down and saw myself sitting, I was out of my body, I
tried to look around and I saw what I can only describe as many beautiful places/doors
This is an effect of certain Samatha ...
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3
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Is samatha meditation more suited to lay people than vipassana?
Samatha = citta-samatha = Leading to wholesome mind = seclusion of unwholesome in 5 strings, kāmaguṇa.
Vipassanā = samatha-vipassanā = Leading to sabbasaṅkhāra-samatha, nibbāna = seclusion of whole ...
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Samatha while studying
Higher levels of concentration is not possible while the mind is active but you can have some level of non-exclusive focus on like the breath or bodily sensations while working. You need to develop ...
3
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How to maintain a Buddhist practice through dark times?
I am in your state. I am sick as well. I want to be a monk but I can't.
The difference is I don't feel bad because I can see my effort when looking back to check what I did.
I can say I never sit as ...
- 6,048
2
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Details for Kasina Meditation
This link goes into detail about how to construct and use a colored-wheel kasina device. I have been using this 'method' for a few weeks now to some good effect...there is something about being able ...
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In meditation, should one pursue tranquility first, prior to looking for insight?
You know, I preferred one particular answer given above by rabbit:
...part quoted here:
I've been taught that one needs to have a relatively stable mind in order to practice insight meditation. But ...
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Stabilizing the counterpart sign
To stabilise the nimitta when doing breath meditation requires one to ignore it and continue to keep ones focus on the object of meditation.Maintain the focus on the breath point and the nimitta will ...
- 3,072
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Shamata and vipassana - loss of willpower
This answer from Ven. Yuttadhammo answers your question well.
It's a very long answer. Let me quote a part of it. Quote:
I felt as if my ego wasn't quite ready to deal with the complexities of ...
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Vipassana meditation comes naturally; Samatha meditation incredibly hard.
It appears your nervous system may need some help. You need to spend time in nature, also try walking meditation barefoot. Avoid caffeine, sugar, nicotine, excitable entertainment and other stimulants....
- 7,413
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I was wondering about deep meditation and out of body experiences
What you're describing is one of the many superpowers you can develop when practicing meditation.
In the Kevatta sutta http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.11.0.than.html the Buddha ...
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Is Dhamma-thinking considered wise attention?
Yes, if that Dhamma-Thinking is arising continuously without five strings, without five hindrances, and with understanding the real reality, more than trillion times in a second, with it's real ...
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How to maintain a Buddhist practice through dark times?
While sitting meditation is good, it shouldn't be your sole activity of cultivation. Obviously a sick and frail body won't get one very far. You'd need a strong healthy body to take on the task too. ...
- 9,638
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How to maintain a Buddhist practice through dark times?
The first thing I noticed in your question is the ultra long hours you put into meditation.
You might find this advice from Ven. Ajahn Chah useful.
From "The Teachings of Ajahn Chah: A collection ...
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Former hedonist started with Samatha, worried about dukkha nanas
The end point of practice is liberty: not the commonly-heard but overly simplistic notion pf political liberty, but the essential principle that underpins that concept. Unfortunately, this sense of ...
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