Vipassana Retreat, Installment 17

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2009. 3:00 PM

FIRST TIMER’S SESSION

RELATIVE RESTFUL STATES (SUBJECTIVE vs. OBJECTIVE)

TECHNIQUES FOR NOTING SUBJECTIVE RESTFUL STATES

PEACE (the absence of FEEL)

BLANK (the absence of IMAGE)

QUIET (the absence of TALK)

One can meditate in TALK space, noting TALK versus QUIET in the rhythmic way previously established, noting each aspect as it momentarily arises. The same can be done with BLANK vs. IMAGE, and PEACE vs. FEEL, etc.

TECHNIQUES FOR NOTING OBJECTIVE RESTFUL STATES

RELAXATION (the absence of TOUCH)

LIGHT (the absence of SIGHT)          

SILENCE (the absence of SOUND)

One can meditate in SOUND space, noting SOUND vs. SILENCE in the rhythmic was previously established, noting each aspect as it momentarily arises. The same can be done with RELAXATION vs. TOUCH, and LIGHT vs. SIGHT.

           

ABSOLUTE RESTFUL STATES

“The still point on the turning world”. Absolute Zero (Ain Soph Aur—a kabbalist term referring to the deeper reality behind God);

1)    Point yourself toward “Zero” (noting the vanishings).

2)    Cease pointing at anything (the “Do Nothing”) technique.

DO NOTHING

The intention is to control one’s attention (to one’s thoughts or anything else).

-Let whatever happens happen, whatever arises arise. Whenever one finds oneself trying to control your attention, stop and return to letting whatever arises arise.

-An INTENTION is something at one can easily chose to do or not do. If one are unable to do it, it is not an intention by our definition.

-One is not expected to monitor, moment by moment, every arising of one’s intention to control one’s attention. One can become aware any time one manages to do so.

-Technique should be practiced in silence with eyes shut for several sessions before one attempts to take it out into the world, like, say, on walks.