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Thanks for the answers :)
Of course it didn’t put me off, I value good exchange of information and ideas :) I’m also honored that you take your time to explain these things to me :)

As to Ajahn Brahm, he doesn’t teach “eradication of kamma beeja”. Ajahn Brahm teaches more like you, goodness (metta & sila), then develop deep jhanas so you can do final vipassana and get liberation.

Goenkaji teaches that eradication of kamma beeja as essential part of the practice and he puts great emphasis upon that. And Daniel Ingram who is not really a good refference (he’s falsely self-proclaimed Arhat, who wrote pretty controversial, somehow damaging but also helpful in other stuff book about meditation practice). But I think he took that from Mahasi Sayadaw tradition. So in general, this is burmesse tradition teachings. I don’t know if they are right or wrong. I’m don’t consider myself competent enough to judge what is right or wrong.

I hope you’re right :) But I really can’t be sure yet. It would be great if path could be without eradication of kamma beeja. But I can’t dismiss that possibility entirely, because Goenkaji puts sooo much emphasis on it, and a lot of things he says are actually very in line with Buddha Dhamma teachings, so he could be right (don’t saying he is right). Or maybe there are different paths to same goal? Donno.

Anyway, my technique is such:
First I do karuna meditation, to feel suffering of myself and the world, then I develop metta to all beigns (may they achieve Nibbana), then I do mudita to arising jhanic energy that takes me “off” to my comfortable energetic bubble, then I do upekkha, seeing visuals as just “rupa” and my bodily sesnations as just “vedana”, my perceptions about reality as just “sanna”, my reactions and intentions as just “sankharas” and my thoughts and knowing as just “vinnana”. Then I stay aware by observing visual field and then just let everything slowly “cool down” due to seeing all 5 kandhas as anicca, dukkha, anatta. Deep peace comes from this meditation and sometimes some jhanic states emerge.
I understand anicca, dukkha, anatta of 31 completely. I believe my samma ditthi is complete and EXPERIENCED. My technique bases upon finding some samatha and upekkha on visual field, then simply do non-grasping based on wisdom (tilakkhana) of EVERYTHING in my mind. And of course cultivating goodness and progressively dissolving bad gati. I also practice in my whole life, not just formal sessions.

I will see where that take me :) I will see if bad dreams continue, or the path become more calm.
For now, IT HAS BECOME MORE CALM and my dreams are better :) So there is big chance you’re right :) But it is too early for me to judge completely.

Thank you for your teaching Lal, they’re great help to my practice and my life :)
I also want to say that I’m doing much more meditation like you now, and after this posts I have more doubts about Goenka teachings. Anyway my technique is totally in line with your teachings, and not really in line with Goenkaji technique, I find them too extreme to my taste.
I also hope your interpretation of stream entry is true :)

With metta :)

[Invo]

Hey, thank you for answers :)
I understand your point of view and I will surely think on it :)

@Lal

I’m not here to defend Goenka vipassana, because I too have some opposition towards few ideas and techniques there and it is not exactly the technique I follow, just another source of wisdom among many (my first course was vipassana so I feel gratitute for first steps in dhamma). My favorite teacher btw. is Ajahn Brahm and you Lal.
I learn from a lot of teachers, not just tipitaka, because I’m not competent enough to make my own translations so I have to get help from teachers like you. I’m not THAT sure like you in this particular version of dhamma yet, since I know it for a few weeks, I’m still learning and checking how things work.

I completely don’t defend Goenka translation of sanpajano and all this stuff. I just wanted to share for consideration the idea of stream entry as fruit of eradication of kamma beeja related to apayas through samadhi and brahma-viharas practice. It seems reasonably to me, I don’t say it is right version.

It is interesting to note that it is hinduistic belief and not buddhist one. I will have to deeply consider that.
Still, I don’t think that everything which is hinduistic must be wrong or useless. I consider myself buddhist, but I also respect wisdom of different traditions.

As to “practice of jhanas leads to rebirth in lower realms later” well, could be of course. There is a difference thou to experience jhana few times, and many many times in proper way to get sankharas away. Could be that only deep ariya samadhi/jhana lead to proper eradication of course.

@Christian:
Well yeah, lets say I meant samadhi, not jhanas, to be more specific.
Also me and my friend had different experience. My experience was that I was meditating and after feeling a lot of piti or upekkha in meditation, during my dreams I had very severe nightmares that were related to my past-lives traumas.
My friend on the other hand had experiences visions of war during meditation.
General dynamics of experience was the same thou, mine just happened in dreams after meditation, and his during meditation.
I’m far from stating any absolute truth, just stating my own experience.

btw. my meditation technique includes Lal’s way of meditation mostly, but I also find “solace” in observing my visual field, which is a type of kasina meditation (but completely not like Buddhaghosa explained it).

Anyway, for example Ajahn Brahm has different take on the jhanas. If you think him incompetent teacher, then please read his biography and consider that again. For me he (and Lal) are greatest examples of dhamma living right now and I would not dismiss his interpretations easily.

I wouldn’t be so quick to tell what is dhamma and what is adhamma.

I’m pretty far from creating a schizm in the sangha xD I just offered some things to be considered, thats all.

@Lal & Christian

I see and respect and gonna deeply consider your point of view, thank you for telling me your interpretations :) I’m deeply grateful for your explorations and sharing your wisdom :)

Btw. how long do you both practice these techniques?
Perhaps the “dark night” you’re criticising has just not come yet? Or perhaps it does not come when practicing properly ;)

Only our practice will tell to some extend :) I’m very curious and wish you all the best on the path. I’m also glad your practice goes without such unpleasant side effects.

With metta

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Hey Christian :)

Thank you for invitation, I accepted and joined your group :)

It is nice to stay in touch with people who practice deeper dhamma and believe in and actually pursuit and live accordingly to its values.

With metta :)

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Great to hear back from you Lal! :)
I’m going to read a little bit more of your site, and then I’ll happily engage in some discussions.
I have some nice referrences because I spent a lot of time studying techniques of different meditation teachers associated with theravada, so I hope that my input could perhaps inspire you is some way.

But first I want to learn more from your site, because I don’t want to ask questions or propose solutions about things that could be already answered on your site :)

With metta

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Thanks you very much for answer Lal. :)

It is interesting that a chant is combined with both sutta and dhammapada sections :) I think it is very nice connection. If affects me deeply, feeling more “technical” sutta stuff combined with poetic Dhammapada atmoshpere. It shows that actually meditation technique and precise understanding of and following the teachings are what help us to get to the “most beautiful” – Nibbana. Very much in the Buddha way of things :)

I’m still curious about the actual correct translation, but please do it only if you find happiness in it, it is not that importaint to take your precious time :)

With metta,
Invo

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Hey :)

Aside from what Lal wrote, I think it is very importaint to say you’re deeply sorry to directly to your parents, with real humility, remorse, understandning and metta and ask them for forgiveness, without expecting them to give you that forgiveness right away.

Also I think that doing something good for poeple you used to harm is very good idea. Like giving a thoughtful gift without wanting anything in return. It really works wonders, at least in my culture.

I think you should be more concerned about THEIR feelings, than your kamma seeds and it should be good.

With metta

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