Thread: Enlightenment - Quick Guide

Originally Posted by enso

Concentration is simply resting attention on an object. It can be done in different phases, from very directed and narrow to all encompassing. The first jhana is a very narrow focus, it widens in the second with the sense of effort dropping away. In the third jhana bliss is much less pronounced and isntead there is a great stillness and equanimity is more noticeable. In the fourth Equanimity is the dominant factor.

P.S. Majestic, I can share instruction with you that will allow you to remain more fully present for longer, if you're interested. ^__^

You definitely know what your talking about, I've heard of jhana before and I know it has something to do with concentration. I didn't get taught this exercise nor did I read about it, I simply started concentrating on something for a long enough time to fall asleep...I had sleep problems

I didn't know there was more than one stage after the very narrow focus....this is interesting...have you ever noticed imagery coming up while doing concentration exercises? Like visual images, that just come out of nowhere?

Also, yes I would like to hear your instruction for remaining present longer.

I usually use sounds for concentration practices...like I use the sound of the central air cooling system coming out of the vent..or the sound from a window air conditioner..or sometimes the oscillating fan, and put a very narrow focus at the "root" or the "source" of the sound if that makes any sense, and keep it there for as long as possible, but it's not easy at all...any musicians out there this is "very" helpful for music, you start hearing music in your sleep...VERY vivid..and very creative and original, and it's so clear like you have headphones on, but it's pretty hard to remember it upon wakening..that's why it's so good to be consistent with these concentration exercises

Anyone who is interested in these exercises you should definitely start doing it, the benefits are incredible..even for lucid dreams, if you are persistence long enough you notice your consciousness start creeping into your dream life...you "wake up" in dreams so to speak...your mind and all your energy will be unified so you might be unaware in dreams as usual, then all of a sudden you "wake up" in a dream out of nowhere with intense control and lucidity....and fall back asleep not much later

My biggest problem is the motivation to get up and do these exercises every day, I usually only do them every now and then

Enso, how often do you practice concentration meditations?