New Things - Jhana

My intention here is to share some deeper experiences with the world, to connect to others and maybe even inspire a few to continue deeper with their exploration.

Transitions can be confusing, but adaptation takes work and progress is easy in time. During this time of constant change in my life, I've been practicing meditation more, looking into the Jhanas. These are an eastern concept originating from Buddhism, that describe the levels of penetration into oneness that can be achieved with focus and meditation.

It is a good framework with which to understand the inner worlds- something which our culture provides achingly little context for or understanding of.

As the world drops away, the distinction between mind and body and spirit become indistinct. Eventually these sensations merge with the environment and the universe and all that is felt is a deep sence of inner peace and contentment as oneness is embraced more and more completely.

The meditator passes through various states, from excitement and tingling, to a deeper joy, to peace, and finally great peace. At this point, there is a great leap to various levels of infinite- infinite space, consciousness, and even beyond- to non-being and non-perception.

(I have to say that at the final levels of non-being/non-perception, I usually end up falling incredibly deeply asleep, probably because the feeling is so incredibly and deeply relaxing that my body takes the chance to sleep deeply and regenerate. Perhaps once I get more used to this and my concsious mind gets more refined, I will be able to stay conscious for more of these levels)

In these states and feelings, there is nothing to feel uncomfortable about since oneness is so prevalent. It shows you that all joy, all peace, all love, can be accessed from inside of ones' self.

I come back refreshed, alive, accepting, deeply at peace, recharged, centered, and ready for the day, and the more I practice meditation, the more I can bring the cosmic peaceful energy into my daily life.

For these reasons, and that it makes me feel better than anything else I do, except maybe rock climbing, and good naps, I feel like its becoming more and more my focus as time goes by.




For more on the Jhanas and Jhana states, check out:

http://www.jhanas.com/


Ultimately, there is no difference between Higher Self and 'ego' self, or any other aspect of our being or universe. Jhana meditation is the only way to fully and completely realize and understand this experientially, which, as a scientist, seems to be the only way I am good at understanding anything.

More to come
Peace
Z

Question Should I take out a loan..

Cast Hexagram:

52 - Fifty-Two
Kên / The Mountain

Above this Mountain's summit another more majestic rises:
The Superior Person is mindful to keep his thoughts in the here and now.

Stilling the sensations of the Ego, he roams his courtyard without moving a muscle, unencumbered by the fears and desires of his fellows.
This is no mistake.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

There is a higher vantage point available to you, but it is obscured by the visible peak of personal ambition.
To climb to this higher plane, you must shake off the desires and fears of the conscious, visible world around you.
To make this journey you must quiet the Ego, empty your mind of past and future, and dwell totally in the moment at hand.
Thorough mindfulness of what is before you is the only tranquility.
Be. Here. Now.




Changing Lines:

There are Four Changing Lines.
Read the Upper NON-changing Line.

Hexagram Fifty-Two/Line Six:

His constant goal is an end to striving.
Good fortune.


Transformed Hexagram:

1 - One
Ch'ien / Creative Activity

Heaven above and Heaven below:
Heaven in constant motion.
With the strength of the dragon, the Superior Person steels himself for ceaseless activity.

Productive Activity.
Potent Influence.
Sublime Success if you keep to your course.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

The time for action has come.
You now have the focus and the stamina necessary for accomplishing great tasks.
The path before you is being cleared and reward lies ahead.