Dark Night on Retreat

M H,修改在2 年前。 at 21-7-5 下午9:21
Created 2 年 ago at 21-7-5 下午8:25

Dark Night on Retreat

帖子: 2 加入日期: 21-7-5 最近的帖子
  • I am currently on day 14 of 18 day Mahasi noting retreat in a nondenominal buddhist retreat center. I have been practicing Mahasi noting fore 6 months for at least an hour every day before this retreat. Before that did a two month retreat on open awareness last summer. I have been practicing an hour a day for 12 years, mostly Mahyana Buddhism
  • I have a teacher on this Noting retreat and he has identified that I crossed the A&P on retreat. I believe i am now in the Dark Night and have been for the last few days because of the straight up dark weird shit, chaotic attention, despair, hinderances, etc. that is coming up. 
  • My issue: I am physically and emotionally exhausted from practicing. I don't want to stop now! I read Mastering Core Teachings and I need to keep going, but when I note, I get a throbbing pain in my forehead and behind my eyes. Also in my chest. Am I pushing too hard? Any advice on how to direct control effort in this stage of practice? Thank you in advance. 
A Dietrich Ringle,修改在2 年前。 at 21-7-5 下午10:02
Created 2 年 ago at 21-7-5 下午10:02

RE: Dark Night on Retreat

帖子: 881 加入日期: 11-12-4 最近的帖子
Samatha. Ignore the noting instructions. Noting will happen on its own. Decisions you make now count double. So make them count!
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Zero,修改在2 年前。 at 21-7-6 上午12:12
Created 2 年 ago at 21-7-6 上午12:12

RE: Dark Night on Retreat

帖子: 68 加入日期: 18-2-21 最近的帖子
Maybe this post seems relevant:
https://www.dharmaoverground.org/fi/discussion/-/message_boards/message/2405128

What were your teacher's instructions? Is the pain bearable? Could you foster more equanimity with the pain and see the impermanence of it(all the shifts and changes in locale and intensity)? You could try noting once every out-breath as Shargrol recommends.  Have you tried just being present and and noting without labels? Does the pain go away? Notice everything else going in your experience too, "sure there's pain, but what else?" In the dukkha nanas you really want to foster (shamatha) relaxing and centering as A. Dietrich Ringle suggests. All in all, stay present with the sensations that are presenting themselves and don't shy away. Very simply. Have a confident attitude, equanimity is right there and the lessons you're learning in the dukkha nanas is that "can I be fine even with this?" Keep going, but gently.. no need to bear down or grit, just be aware and present. Laugh at the pain because it's Mara throwing everything they've got at you. 
M H,修改在2 年前。 at 21-7-6 上午9:03
Created 2 年 ago at 21-7-6 上午9:03

RE: Dark Night on Retreat

帖子: 2 加入日期: 21-7-5 最近的帖子
Thank you Zero and A. Ringle, that is helpful. I will go forward gently. Metta and gratitude to you both! 
Eudoxos ,修改在2 年前。 at 21-7-6 上午10:59
Created 2 年 ago at 21-7-6 上午10:59

RE: Dark Night on Retreat

帖子: 136 加入日期: 14-4-6 最近的帖子
Talk to the teacher about it - I assume you did not as you don't mention that. Practicing with a teacher yet seeking instruction outside is a recipe for trouble. Stay offline. Good luck!
A Dietrich Ringle,修改在2 年前。 at 21-7-7 上午1:22
Created 2 年 ago at 21-7-7 上午1:22

RE: Dark Night on Retreat

帖子: 881 加入日期: 11-12-4 最近的帖子
Honestly I am getting some sort of left frontal cortex pain when I note too. Not sure what to do about it!