Author Topic: New members - introduce yourselves here. (Read 5438 times)

Vivek · « **Reply #50 on:** Wednesday 25 January 2012, 06:42 AM »

Hello, Rob. It is quite a tough ride in the beginning stages of practice, especially if one has mental issues also to deal with. But, if you stick to it no matter what, there are bound to be some positive impacts happening in the long run. We have couple of such inspiring stories here in the forums. Trust you would stay around and find many helpful things here. All the best.

Cilla · « **Reply #51 on:** Saturday 11 February 2012, 12:33 AM »

Hello All.

I took up with buddhism last year in about August. I read a heap, got significantly inspired, found a local sangha that suits me, have done one 10 day goenka retreat (in january and before that a 2 day retreat with my zen teacher. My teacher has been away since end of December for a few months and my practice is failing. Since he's been away i've lost momentum and am not meditating daily. I need to find a way back to that. The Goenka retreat while very good, did not help in this matter.

I need to sort this out and get back to daily practice.

I have done quite a lot of "work" on myself in the past and believe that i can make quite rapid progress in self development with buddhism. (ignore the word self here - for me self development is not becoming good in your job, making a lot of money etc. Its development of the character, just like in buddhism - Sorry, i felt i had to clarify that as i have seen the term self development erroneously described in this way by buddhists before).

Aside from that, i lead a pretty simple lifestyle; spending quite a bit of time gardening and caring for a few animals. I live with my father but I'm middle aged. I don't work.

Spiritually, i'm a total skeptic.

Andrew · « **Reply #52 on:** Sunday 12 February 2012, 08:54 AM »

Hi Cilla,

Welcome! Daily practice can be a weight around your neck if you let it. Best to start off small with 5 mins sits, and keep those up. Also; Relax. Letting go of all the striving is a big part of being able to notice the things that practice encourages us to notice. they go hand in hand.

anyway, welcome again

be happy and well

Andrew

Cilla · « **Reply #53 on:** Monday 13 February 2012, 08:22 AM »

Thanks Andrea. However, i think while some people need to relax more, some need to work a bit harder. I'm one of the latter. My life is pretty relaxed and I don't have a lot of worries. I've already let go a great many things.

I don't really agree with your position on not doing sitting meditation. I think there is an important place for it. Actually more than important. I think its imperative.

Vivek · « **Reply #54 on:** Monday 13 February 2012, 10:52 AM »

Hello, Cilla. Welcome to the community. I don't think you have been advised to stop sitting altogether. You seem too much fixated on having a definite outcome from your meditative practice. All such wanting will only keep you away from the true benefits meditation. The best thing would be, again, to relax and let go of such assumptions, expectations etc and be easy on yourself. Dhamma is all about balance, working on extremes almost always proves counter-productive. Attending more retreats, strengthening Sila as well as Samadhi are some other effective options to gear up your practice.

All the best!

Cilla · « **Reply #55 on:** Monday 13 February 2012, 05:47 PM »

I think the only thing i'm a bit fixated on at the moment is getting a sitting practice happening. I can assure that the only way i get anything done is by not being quite as undisciplined as i currently am. It helps me to keep pushing a bit when things are not happening. Take time out only helps if i've got a deadline and i need a break.

But thanks for the welcome vivek. I once knew (online)another vivek in india but i expect there are many, Right? He was photographer from Mumbai.

Vivek · « **Reply #56 on:** Tuesday 14 February 2012, 06:09 AM »

Many Viveks, yes..

Don · « **Reply #57 on:** Friday 17 February 2012, 12:38 PM »

Hi,

I'm a 31 yo M from Hawai'i and I just started practicing Vipassana starting January as a New Year's Resolution. I took an 6 week online course and during the process realized that I wanted to become a Buddhist so I asked my meditation teachers if they could help me to formally take Refuge in the Triple Gem. I am so happy to have finally found my true spiritual path after years of seeking.

The online course was based on Sayadaw Mahasi style Vipassana. I have also signed up for my first retreats, one retreat that is 7 days long and another 10 days long. My goal is to be able to someday attend the 3 month retreat at Insight Meditation Center.

I've been looking for a forum to help me with my practice and also to meet some good online Dharma friends. I am a newbie so I'm not sure how much I can contribute in terms of knowledge but I will try to help out when I can.

Looking forward to interacting with you all. Take care!

With Metta,
Don

Andrew · « **Reply #58 on:** Friday 17 February 2012, 01:55 PM »

Welcome Don,

Sounds like a resolution that is sure to make a real difference. Good work! feel free to contribute as you see fit.

Andrew

inconditus · « **Reply #59 on:** Friday 17 February 2012, 04:15 PM »

Greetings,

I stumbled upon Vipassana through a suggestion from a friend. I was ranting about how I was sick of "everything" on another forum and the only response I received was "Vipassana Meditation." A quick google search led me to dhamma.org-the main website for goenka retreats and I was facinated. My husband and I went on the January 25th-Feb 5th retreat and the whole time I felt like I was going bat shit crazy. Well, in hindsight I was/am crazy all the time but just didn't have the mindfulness to realize it let alone be o.k. with the reality that I created for myself. I really enjoyed the retreat but the one thing that just struck me is in one of the discourses Goenka said (and I'm am butchering this in a badly remembered paraphrase) that we dig many 10 foot holes searching for water and cry because this hole or that hole hasn't quenched our thirst yet. Rather than digging many holes it is wiser to pick one and continue digging.

This was/is hard for me because since highschool I've been a jack of all trades when it comes to spirituality. I've enjoyed mixing meditation techniques, doing chakra sometimes, visualization others, or simply practicing some self reiki to get out the negative junk.

I understand that Vipassana meditation is secular but it was my "hmmm..." moment where I decided to try Vipassana for at least a few months continuing the 1 hour morning and 1 hour in the evening schedule. I would like to commit a year but I'm commitment phobic

Already I am having trouble with this. I try to at least sit for the amount of time whether I do vipassana or anapana or even fall asleep after working late. Hopefully I am creating a habit if nothing else ^_^

This brings me to joining this forum, to find a community of people that can help me and hopefully I can provide some words of wisdom also. Sorry if this post is hard to read. My brain gets jumbled up when it comes to introductions

Andrew · « **Reply #60 on:** Saturday 18 February 2012, 12:36 AM »

Welcome inconditus,

Nice intro, not jumbled at all. I can relate to some of what you said, it is certainly encouraging to have you around making the effort to sit like you are. It is confronting when we start to see how much trouble we are making for ourselves, that I can definitely relate to!

love and light to you too

Andrew

pbzen · « **Reply #61 on:** Saturday 18 February 2012, 08:53 AM »

I've been meditating for about six months now (usually for about 20 minutes in the evening). I'm looking for other members to trade emails with and give each other support.

I really enjoy listening to gnostic lecturers like Alan Watts and Terence McKenna. Attempting to shed my ego is how I'm challenging myself every day. Meditation has given me a new perspective about my size and place in the universe.

I also have a strong interest in shamanistic rituals and their potential for allowing us to entering a more primal state of mind. Send me a message if you share some of my interests.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Peace, pbzen

Matthew · « **Reply #62 on:** Saturday 18 February 2012, 11:35 PM »

Watts is a gem.

Dhamma and meditation are gems.

Exchanging with others is a gem.

Welcome pbzen, I trust you will find something beneficial to your path here.

Kind regards,

Matthew

Matthew · « **Reply #63 on:** Saturday 18 February 2012, 11:37 PM »

inconditus,

Your words are not jumbled though your Dhamma may be if learned from Goenka. Worry not. All comes good in time.

Peace.

Matthew

Cilla · « **Reply #64 on:** Sunday 19 February 2012, 12:58 PM »

I've only just done the goenka course and i thought almost all of it - i'd say 97% fitted exactly with what i've known about dharma before i did the course.

Goenka differs in some crucial points which could be confusing to anyone who comes to buddhism through goenka.

Specifically what is different is that he downplays sati/mindfulness to the point of practically not mentioning it, and promotes vipassana to prana (spelling) wisdom. It is only this that is different from all the other books and things i've read.

Oh one other thing is different but its very valuable. He actually teaches a practical tool to cultivate equanimity.

Since you have come from the tibetan tradition Matthew, you might not realise that Goenka's version of dharma is pretty much straight from the pali canon.

I wouldn't say incognito that what goenka teaches is truly secular. He makes a valiant effort to make it palatable to anyone from other religions and i think that is very very commendable. And the proof that it works is that little film that gets shown called dhamma-brothers where its clear some of these guys are committed christians and manage to retain their belief in god.

Billymac629 · « **Reply #65 on:** Sunday 19 February 2012, 01:16 PM »

Hello I'm 34 living in new jersey... I dabbled in meditation years ago through martial arts... I've practiced consistently for a little over a year now... Focusing on mindfulness meditation.. Started with samatha working through a book written by yongey mingyur rinpoche called The Joy Of Living... Then started vipassana using mahasi method about 8 months ago...
Now I just kinda mindfully watch sometimes using noting sometimes not. don't really see big deal in vipassana vs samatha practice... In my view you need both in mindfulness meditation practice..
Enjoy jon kabat zinn, yongey mingyur rinpoche, jack kornfield, thich nhat hanh, and suzuki to name a few...
Anyway happiness to all.

Andrew · « **Reply #66 on:** Sunday 19 February 2012, 03:10 PM »

Welcome Billymac629.

Good to have you here, I really enjoyed your first post the other day. I'm also of the opinion that all the divisions talked about are not a 'big deal', what matters are results.

Happiness to all indeed.

inconditus · « **Reply #67 on:** Sunday 19 February 2012, 03:35 PM »

Quote from: Matthew on Saturday 18 February 2012, 11:37 PM

Your words are not jumbled though your Dhamma may be if learned from Goenka. Worry not. All comes good in time.

I'm curious to hear an explanation on this if you don't mind. I've tried looking up the differences of vipassana meditation and Theravada buddhism sects but haven't found much that sticks with me. I've always been better at hearing things from people rather than articles though

Eventually I want to read the sutras and have my own interpretation of them rather than another's. I've always been a proponent of finding one's own path even if it is within a wider religious/spiritual community. That's the beautify of subjective reality I suppose.

Andrew Thank you for your kind words. I've been playing around with listening to chants for a few minutes in the beginning and the end, which sometimes helps and sometimes doesn't. Same with timing to see if that helps witht he sleepiness but is still close enough to when I go to sleep that it's still "bedtime meditation." Lol.

Matthew · « **Reply #68 on:** Sunday 19 February 2012, 05:43 PM »

inconditus,

The differences in approach have been argued a lot on the forum over the years, and often far from eloquently. You can read many threads exploring - and sometimes downright arguing - these things to death.

Please accept my apologies for posting those words in the introduction thread. Not the most welcoming welcome I could have mustered!

Access to Insight is a great resource for the Suttas. http://www.accesstoinsight.org

I recently linked to an article there which explains something important about "Vipassana meditation".

Kind regards,

Matthew

Vivek · « **Reply #69 on:** Monday 20 February 2012, 12:03 PM »

Hello Don, inconditus, pbzen and Billymac629, welcome to the community. Hope you'd find it worthwhile being part of this community.

inconditus · « **Reply #70 on:** Monday 20 February 2012, 12:53 PM »

Matthew,

Thank you for the links. I took no offense to your earlier comment either though I do appreciate your apology

Satipatthana · « **Reply #71 on:** Sunday 26 February 2012, 07:17 AM »

Greetings All,

Matthew, thanks for adding me. I was a little concerned when I read that "we're now taking new members" that maybe you don't always and maybe I had missed the window of opportunity...

Other interest:

1. I'm an Internet security engineer. Have worked on servers in the pentagon, etc. Currently working for a company that runs fingerprints.
2. Married 16 years, 5 kids, 3 are adopted from Haiti.
3. Getting ready to launch several Internet Marketing ventures.
4. Meditating off-and-on for about a year now, read on meditating for many years, mostly focused on being mindful, then came across some Goenka recordings - 11 of them, I guess his nightly discourse. So I started sitting for a while.
5. I play chess - interested in some games?

At any rate, glad to be here. I'll be posting some of my questions out in the other areas of the forum.

Billymac629 · « **Reply #72 on:** Sunday 26 February 2012, 03:34 PM »

Welcome satipatthana!

Andrew · « **Reply #73 on:** Monday 27 February 2012, 12:29 AM »

Welcome mate, good to have you here. Sounds like you like challenges...

teacher · « **Reply #74 on:** Tuesday 28 February 2012, 08:20 AM »

Namaste everybody

Here is my little story about how i got into mindfulness

From past 5 years i was like identified by my ego

. My mind was a total mess.Constant pressure of career has made my life like a hell.I was drifting through life.3 months back i suddenly got a mental shock

.It was like uncontrolled thoughts and pain in my head

.My mind was creating thoughts about reality,about suicide and everything bad and good. :angel:I was depressed and suicidal .Then i surfed internet to know what has happened to me.I then realized that my ego was collapsed. :)The situation was like spiritual emergency.I continued my research without taking medications.I realized lots of things about life and started to bring mindfulness.It was a great improvement.1 month back i consulted the physchiatrist because although a great improvement was there but i was little bit worried because i am not feeling completely normal.

He prescribed me very mild medication.i am still taking the drugs but continuously doing mindfulness throughout the day (from past 2 months ) and vipassana meditation at night (past 1 month) and really feeling good and lots and lots of improvement.Thoughts are still there but very very few .i have never stilled my mind to such a level from my childhood.So i understand that it will take some time to train my mind to deep stillness.

i don't know what type of disorder has caught me in although i suspect it was borderline bipolar disorder .
doctors say that there is nothing to worry without mentioning the disorder.Now i feel more or less normal.

comments are welcome ....

i am a funny guy and i like to make lots of friends. will share more if anybody is interested .i Know it is not a mental disorder forum .So sorry for describing my illness but i now believe that after sufferring comes realization .I want to commit myself to meditation and dhamma .

enjoy and thanks for taking me into this community .My best wishes to all

Author Topic: New members - introduce yourselves here. (Read 5438 times)

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