The story about the two monks with contrasting expressions of wakefulness really resonated with me. It's a beautiful reminder that there's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to enlightenment. We often have preconceived notions of what it means to be 'awakened,' but the reality is that it can manifest in countless ways. If we stop and think about it for a moment, it's liberating to know that our awareness can manifest so differently. There isn't just one way.
That's a wise view, Alex, and I think it takes time to understand it. After the divorce, I felt sad and disoriented but full of energy. I also laughed often, including during Gil Fronsdal's weekly talks. Afterward, people looked so severe, like they were going to the gallows. I wanted to shout, "Oh, come on, people, lighten up!"
Love this recount of your retreat, Ryan. Wonderful reflection on awareness. Isn’t it the most elusive thing (that’s not a thing) - how it’s right here in the open and yet unknown to most of the 8 billion humans . Like a super secretive club lol .
I experienced a 5 day silent meditation a month ago and came away not only refreshed , in deeper inner silence and stillness , but also able to ‘drop in’ to awareness with greater ease . Not to say that I live there 100% of the time , but the moments when I check out (ie. Judgment/ ego appear) are soooo much shorter . Coming back to awareness has become much simpler and natural.
Thank you for this wonderful and important share 🙏🏻💫🥰
Yes, that's exactly my experience too. Once the momentum is cultivated, awareness is much more readily accesible. I'm thrilled for you, Tammy, and I'm glad you took the time to share this so others can see the value of a meditation retreat.
I like the idea of the momentum of awareness carrying us forward. I think that’s so true because once we set the intention to be more aware, successfully be aware a couple of times, and then more times, we no longer have to effort to be aware. It’s just there.
Your reflection on retreat judgment made me smile. Noticing the mind get up to so many judgey thoughts is such a treat, once one gets over the judgeness of it all.
I also smiled at the question, "Are you aware?" The annoying non-dualist in this mind objected, citing there is no "one" to be aware. (People just love it when the reply to a question is, "I object to the question." 😆)
Anyway, thanks for the walk through your retreat. I really do think folks should step into one. What a time!
You're right. In absolute terms, there is no one to be aware. The interplay between absolute and relative continues to be a fascinating daily inquiry.
Apparently, if a student says to a Zen teacher, "There is no self," he or she will whack you with a stick and ask, "Do you still believe there is no self?"
When people asked me, "So, are you a Buddhist?" I would reply sincerely, "Well, that kind of defeats the purpose."
Thanks for sharing your insights and experience. I've been contemplating a retreat of some length, but haven't taken the plunge yet. Stories like these feed the fire of the search.
Oh, good, I'm glad to hear. I, too, appreciate being inspired by others. Best finding a retreat center near you, Josh. FYI Dhamma.org retreats in the style of SN Goenka, which are the most common intro to retreats, are somewhat different from those taught in Western-run centers.
I love this article. I've recently discovered meditation. I feel as if I've recently been awakened and see the world and myself with so much more compassion.
I travel usually 3-4 days a week and find myself meditating on airplanes, hotel rooms and pretty much anywhere. It has had a very positive effect on my life
That’s an interesting practice, simple yet powerful! I’ll give a look to check other articles. If you're looking for more insights, feel free to check out my articles as well.
I’ve been sharing tools and perspectives that have been a real help on my journey. Would love to hear your thoughts if you get a chance!
I appreciate the invitation, Alain. I will try, but I burned out trying to keep up with too many people and too much content. So now, I carefully monitor my outgoing energy. I wish you all the success.
I appreciate your answer. Be carefull of burning out. Your doing anw a great job. Thanks for letting me know anw. Its a pleasure to share some ideas thanks.
"Awareness is easier than easy." WOOOOOOSHHHHHHHHHH that is so beautiful. Tingles all over resting in the truth of that. It requires 0 effort. We simply get to fall into it.
Your point on "Awareness of awareness." reminds me of something my good friend EJ Allen shared with me- that he believes all that's required for transformation is noticing and celebrating. We merely need to rest back into awareness, notice, and then celebrate what we notice. From there, transformation is available effortlessly, without being hampered by judgement, criticism, and expectations. This becomes particularly fun when I notice myself criticizing myself, and get to shift by celebrating that I noticed it, versus following the downward spiral of criticizing myself for criticizing myself for criticizing... and one and on.
You had me laughing out loud: "criticizing myself for criticizing myself for criticizing..."
I like your friend's simple practice of noticing and celebrating. It reminds me of a teacher who once said that celebrating noticing when we are lost in thought and criticizing ourselves for it are two sides of the same coin. It's just a matter of which side we acknowledge. I'm glad you can enjoy the process without taking it too seriously. That's key.
By the way, I'm so happy you liked the "easier than easy," which came to me during walking meditation. It was a take on the term "nearer than near."
Thank you Ryan. Thanks for sharing your experience. Took me back to my first Vipassana retreat which was a wonderful experience. Having meditated all day every day for 10 days I mistakenly thought putting aside and hour in the morning and an hour in the evening for meditation would be a piece of cake. Ha Ha! My small children greeting me on my return had a very different plan.🙂 They and my time management challenges won. (luckily those very children turned out to be my best awareness teachers. Story for another time).
Two hours of daily meditation? You were either wildly ambitious or very naive, Ian! 🤣I applaud your effort, even if your kids and life had a different plan. I can relate. Being a step-parent for the past eight years has revealed all my conditioning, doubts, weaknesses and insecurities. I look forward to hearing your story when the time is right!
Good for you, Phoebe. It takes courage and persistence to survive a 10-day retreat. SN Goenka's retreats seem to be the most common gateway to meditation in the US.
Oof the judgment part hits... Comparison is the thief of joy, and by that I get what you mean by aware of awareness. Living in the moment is turning off judgement, but if you turn judgement completely off you will start failing to see how others treat you. Ignorance is bliss until you painfully become aware of your ignorance. It's the Circle Of Life!!!
The story about the two monks with contrasting expressions of wakefulness really resonated with me. It's a beautiful reminder that there's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to enlightenment. We often have preconceived notions of what it means to be 'awakened,' but the reality is that it can manifest in countless ways. If we stop and think about it for a moment, it's liberating to know that our awareness can manifest so differently. There isn't just one way.
That's a wise view, Alex, and I think it takes time to understand it. After the divorce, I felt sad and disoriented but full of energy. I also laughed often, including during Gil Fronsdal's weekly talks. Afterward, people looked so severe, like they were going to the gallows. I wanted to shout, "Oh, come on, people, lighten up!"
Ummm now I need a refresher on what exactly awareness is lol.
In forest therapy we have a saying: Notice what you are noticing.
Is this the same thing?
Yes! Noticing what you are noticing is the same as being aware of awareness.
Unsurprisingly, it sounds like forest therapy involves noticing/awareness/mindfulness.
I actually forget that it does since we specifically avoid those words - some people have misconceptions about meditation and mindfulness.
Indeed. Mindfulness is probably the most talked about spiritual practice...and least understood. Including me.
Love this recount of your retreat, Ryan. Wonderful reflection on awareness. Isn’t it the most elusive thing (that’s not a thing) - how it’s right here in the open and yet unknown to most of the 8 billion humans . Like a super secretive club lol .
I experienced a 5 day silent meditation a month ago and came away not only refreshed , in deeper inner silence and stillness , but also able to ‘drop in’ to awareness with greater ease . Not to say that I live there 100% of the time , but the moments when I check out (ie. Judgment/ ego appear) are soooo much shorter . Coming back to awareness has become much simpler and natural.
Thank you for this wonderful and important share 🙏🏻💫🥰
Yes, that's exactly my experience too. Once the momentum is cultivated, awareness is much more readily accesible. I'm thrilled for you, Tammy, and I'm glad you took the time to share this so others can see the value of a meditation retreat.
Thanks , Ryan. 🙏✨😊🕉️
Lucky life.✨💫
Awareness of awareness is essential.
It creates a simple touch point rather than the herky-jerky pull you described.
I also love that practice of two endpoints. Never tried it before, but I might today :)
I’d be curious to hear your experience.
I had not practiced with physical objects in this way before and was delighted with the first-time experience.
I like the idea of the momentum of awareness carrying us forward. I think that’s so true because once we set the intention to be more aware, successfully be aware a couple of times, and then more times, we no longer have to effort to be aware. It’s just there.
You understand and catpture this truth well, Alex.
Your reflection on retreat judgment made me smile. Noticing the mind get up to so many judgey thoughts is such a treat, once one gets over the judgeness of it all.
I also smiled at the question, "Are you aware?" The annoying non-dualist in this mind objected, citing there is no "one" to be aware. (People just love it when the reply to a question is, "I object to the question." 😆)
Anyway, thanks for the walk through your retreat. I really do think folks should step into one. What a time!
You're right. In absolute terms, there is no one to be aware. The interplay between absolute and relative continues to be a fascinating daily inquiry.
Apparently, if a student says to a Zen teacher, "There is no self," he or she will whack you with a stick and ask, "Do you still believe there is no self?"
When people asked me, "So, are you a Buddhist?" I would reply sincerely, "Well, that kind of defeats the purpose."
This made me laugh.
Ah, Zen. So many uses for a stick. So much gratitude for receiving those uses. I could prolly use more stick whacking in this life.
Me, too. A stick would make the message clearer and more durable.
Thanks for sharing your insights and experience. I've been contemplating a retreat of some length, but haven't taken the plunge yet. Stories like these feed the fire of the search.
Oh, good, I'm glad to hear. I, too, appreciate being inspired by others. Best finding a retreat center near you, Josh. FYI Dhamma.org retreats in the style of SN Goenka, which are the most common intro to retreats, are somewhat different from those taught in Western-run centers.
I love this article. I've recently discovered meditation. I feel as if I've recently been awakened and see the world and myself with so much more compassion.
I'm delighted that meditation is already fostering greater compassion for yourself and the world. The key is not to quit.
I travel usually 3-4 days a week and find myself meditating on airplanes, hotel rooms and pretty much anywhere. It has had a very positive effect on my life
That’s an interesting practice, simple yet powerful! I’ll give a look to check other articles. If you're looking for more insights, feel free to check out my articles as well.
I’ve been sharing tools and perspectives that have been a real help on my journey. Would love to hear your thoughts if you get a chance!
I appreciate the invitation, Alain. I will try, but I burned out trying to keep up with too many people and too much content. So now, I carefully monitor my outgoing energy. I wish you all the success.
You blow my mind with how many people you keep up with on here.
Interesting to hear from your perspective because I regularly go days without reading friends' newsletters or replying to comments.
The fact that you have kind of regular practice in that is impressive to me.
I appreciate your answer. Be carefull of burning out. Your doing anw a great job. Thanks for letting me know anw. Its a pleasure to share some ideas thanks.
Thanks for your understanding, Alain. I enjoyed this exchange too.
Yes thats really interesting thank you
"Awareness is easier than easy." WOOOOOOSHHHHHHHHHH that is so beautiful. Tingles all over resting in the truth of that. It requires 0 effort. We simply get to fall into it.
Your point on "Awareness of awareness." reminds me of something my good friend EJ Allen shared with me- that he believes all that's required for transformation is noticing and celebrating. We merely need to rest back into awareness, notice, and then celebrate what we notice. From there, transformation is available effortlessly, without being hampered by judgement, criticism, and expectations. This becomes particularly fun when I notice myself criticizing myself, and get to shift by celebrating that I noticed it, versus following the downward spiral of criticizing myself for criticizing myself for criticizing... and one and on.
You had me laughing out loud: "criticizing myself for criticizing myself for criticizing..."
I like your friend's simple practice of noticing and celebrating. It reminds me of a teacher who once said that celebrating noticing when we are lost in thought and criticizing ourselves for it are two sides of the same coin. It's just a matter of which side we acknowledge. I'm glad you can enjoy the process without taking it too seriously. That's key.
By the way, I'm so happy you liked the "easier than easy," which came to me during walking meditation. It was a take on the term "nearer than near."
Thank you Ryan. Thanks for sharing your experience. Took me back to my first Vipassana retreat which was a wonderful experience. Having meditated all day every day for 10 days I mistakenly thought putting aside and hour in the morning and an hour in the evening for meditation would be a piece of cake. Ha Ha! My small children greeting me on my return had a very different plan.🙂 They and my time management challenges won. (luckily those very children turned out to be my best awareness teachers. Story for another time).
Two hours of daily meditation? You were either wildly ambitious or very naive, Ian! 🤣I applaud your effort, even if your kids and life had a different plan. I can relate. Being a step-parent for the past eight years has revealed all my conditioning, doubts, weaknesses and insecurities. I look forward to hearing your story when the time is right!
The two hour meditation plan ended on day two at home! 😜
😂
I did a 10 day Vipassana at the end of 2023, was an eye opening experience! Appreciate you sharing this, thank you, Ryan!
Good for you, Phoebe. It takes courage and persistence to survive a 10-day retreat. SN Goenka's retreats seem to be the most common gateway to meditation in the US.
Love this Ryan! “When awareness is present, judgement is absent.” This will be my new mantra. Gotta say, the retreat sounds wonderful. 🩵
Oof the judgment part hits... Comparison is the thief of joy, and by that I get what you mean by aware of awareness. Living in the moment is turning off judgement, but if you turn judgement completely off you will start failing to see how others treat you. Ignorance is bliss until you painfully become aware of your ignorance. It's the Circle Of Life!!!