Comments on Dr. Tham's Report

Do you know that it is actually a good sign if you have new experiences; you can say that your practice has improved, of course, provided it is still in keeping with the basic principles of Vipassana. So looks like you have progressed well during the last retreat. For yogis who do not progress they keep having the same experiences day after day so they are "stuck" at a certain level either due to strong attachment (defilements) to that particular experience or due to slow progress in concentration and mindfulness. Whatever it is, lack of progress is generally because they have yet to get a good grasp of the technique. They lack skillfulness in the practice and this will be remedied by practising repeatedly...as the saying goes "Practice makes perfect". Another thing you need to realise is that as you progress in the practice you will have to give up the concepts you are accustomed to, so when you are pracitising, the realities will become more prominent than concepts. If you are seeing more of such sensations it means the mind is discerning this mind and body directly without concepts involved. You wrote "my primary meditation object seems to change to physical sensations hardness, tingling, pressure, etc." It is only natural for the mind to focus on those bare physical sensations when there is stronger mindfulness and concentration in Vipassana. We can say it is a natural result of developing momentary concentration (Khanika Samadhi). Beginners will not have this experience and even if they do, it will be not be clear to them and it would not arise continuously. In ordinary life we cannot perceive these qualities of the elements. Instead we see only hand, leg etc. which are concepts that cover up these realities. These sensations perceived are due to the manifestations of the elements. Hardness is characteristic of Earth Element, Tingling and Pressure, of Wind Element, warmth, of the heat element etc and all these are known as Specific or Unique Characteristics [Sabhava Lakkhana]. Rest assured they are valid objects of vipassana, being paramatha dhammas. They are sensations of the body (at touch sense base) and they are definitely real as you experienced them yourself. It is not created by you or any Creator. By observing these sensations directly, the mind will let go of the concepts for eg. Leg, head etc and at a later stage, there is awareness only of these very sensations continously arising and disappearing. This is directly experiencing the qualities or nature of Materiality (Rupa). A vipassana yogi will have to watch these characteristics again and again for a long time until it becomes clearer and clearer until he realises their inherent conditioned nature of arising, being and passing away, called Sankhata Lakkhana (Conditioned Characteristics). If the yogi continues to practise ardently to a more advanced stage, he will perceive only the Common or Universal Characteristics (Samanna Lakkhana of Anicca, Dukkha and Anatta). "These specific characteristics (sabhava) of phenomena must be noted with relentless effort and precision before the Universal Characteristics can become evident". One cannot hope to perceive the common characteristics without first perceiving the specific and conditioned characteristics. It is simply not possible so there is no short-cut. It will take many more retreats for the yogi to develop enough skill together with the development of the wisdom factor, before his practice matures to this more advanced stage of seeing the common characteristics. Following the process of continuous and constant change in these sensations will culminate in the realisation of Anicca (Aniccanupassana or Contemplation of Impermanence); meditating on the lack of control over the sensations arising and disappearing on their own accord is Contemplation of Anatta. This is having correct vision of mental and physical phenomena known as Vipassana Samma Ditthi. The maturity of this vision leads to attainment of Nibbana and realisation of the Four Noble Truths. Coming back to your report..”Sometime sharp transcient pain (like needle poking) is felt in between other sensations. These sensations become prominent after just a short while of watching R/F. Sometimes I purposely ignore these sensations in the very beginning and continue with my R/F, but a short while later these sensations become more intense and I have to note them”. When the sensations are very sharp and piercing but momentary it is a very good indicator that mindfulness is keeping up with concentrationn so this is a good sign. You should not ignore these sensations because when you do that, you are asserting the ego (wanting to control) instead of perceiving them as Anatta (beyond control). Instead you ought to look closer and try not to miss those “little sensations that come in between”! To do that your mindfulness must be very strong and alert and your notings has to be fast enough to catch up with those changes. We should not, at anytime while practising, try to ignore the objects that arise especially if they are very clear and prominent. As you have said..they are very intense (this is because of good samadhi) even though you tried to ignore them, they will continue to arise. So we just need to be mindful of their arising. No need to do anything about it or anything else apart from being aware of their presence. Eventually you will see each arising followed by disappearing very distinctly..then it will be very satisfying. "sometimes it is also very boring because the arising and vanishing of these sensation is endless . Never ending,.." I sense you are saying in other words that you do not like these sensations ...it is the normal yogi's reaction but you should note as disliking or feeling bored or feeling oppressed at this point. It is good that you noticed the unpleasant feeling of having to note all these endless pheonema..because they are showing you the nature of Dukkha inherent in them. This is the contemplation known as Dukkhanupassana which cannot be avoided if you want to progress in the Wisdom of Seeing Things as they really are. Just remember to note the unpleasantness (as a mental feeling) in connection with watching this ceaseless arising. Hope this has helped to assure you that your practice is going on well. Please continue to practise diligently as much as you can. SADHU 3X and With Metta, Sis. Gin