NOW

Hi Tom,
Excellent - I will let you know when next coming to Toronto! would be great to catch up again with you too

Rod wrote: Ha! By the way I just realised....I now live in Ottawa, Canada, dropping in to Toronto, NYC, Chicago and occasionally Minnesota for work - not too far from a few of the folks on this site I believe. So might be fun to catch up when next over your way or let me know if you come to Ottawa (its a bit out of the way but Montreal is also just down the road too).

Come see me in Minnesota! I’m about 35 miles south of the Twin Cities.

Cool - that would be great - will let you know when I am next coming through!

Interesting turn of energy. Maybe fatigue from work/travel over the past few weeks, coupled with a cold/flu that has followed the travel and fatigue - but a switch flicked and a rare depressive state is passing through now. Usually my teachers have not been 'Teachers' and this is another example with much being learnt from this different perspective offering better insight into what is affected and what remains unaffected through these changing states. Of course its unpleasant, but there is still a neutral kind of contentment beneath/behind/within it. Curiosity and a tone of okay-ness/friendliness around it too.

In the past I would look for another perspective, some distraction to slip around it, pretend its not there, but whats the point - its here and now and IS the experience.... another teacher not to be ignored

Back to the jhanas

Reading as much of the Pali Canon as I can - just feeling drawn to it for some reason (Haha - as a Buddhist it shouldn't be surprising!) Its repetitive, meticulous and subtle but probably like many these days, I learnt about the Buddha and his life from commentators who distilled and made the writings/teachings more palatable to modern sensibilities. I never realised how often the Buddha refers to the Jhanas - its a key foundation of his teachings but one would not think that today. They have been key for me so far and I am returning to use them now.

Something I also am noticing is how common the mention and role of non-human beings (Devas etc) - the Buddha taught them and considered them equally to humans. Again these days we tend to ignore/dismiss such beings as fairytale/new-age or an artefact of the time he lived and culture he was in. However, expansion of awareness must encompass all and I am sure a practice in knowing and accepting other beings (in more detail than the general generosity of Metta prayers) would be useful. Maybe it would be best a practice of the heart and maybe its some kind of 'mega-metta'. It might be useful in accepting even other human beings for all their differences?

On another topic...the planet...I thought this was probably the most direct speech I have heard/seen in a long time (not intending to offend anyone)

Hi Rod,

Planning to move to Ottawa in the next year or so. Would be fun to touch base when that happens! Will be looking for local friends to practice with and bounce things off of.

Hi Ranger,

Yes would be great - not used to having someone to discuss this stuff with
You are based in Japan now? I lived in Japan for a few years too.
Let me know when you plan to move. Ottawa is a great place!

Well howdy. I'm also from Toronto. Ever check out the Consciousness Explorer's Club? They're some cool cats

Nice to meet you - looks like there a few folks here in Canada and Toronto specifically. I will let you know next time I am over there and maybe we can catch up for a meal or coffee? Yes I met Jeff Warren a few years ago at a Buddhist Geeks conference in Boulder - I think it was the last or second last one - nice guy.

Hi Everyone,
Its my 'once every few years' message LOL ...Hi Tom, Shargrol, Chris, Laurel, Ona, Russell, Kacchappa, Abre, and anyone else I have missed. I hope you are all going well in your lives/practice and wishing you all the best.
What brought me to check in this time? Well I came across a great interview with Leigh Brassington (Some Youtube channel with the word 'Viking' in it) and it reminded me of the Jhanas - something I spent alot of time doing along with insight practices back around 2012/13 and logged my experiences and practice on this site. Everyone here was very helpful to me back then and I am very grateful.  I remember meeting Leigh back then in a discussion group on the jhanas at a Buddhist Geeks conference. Then I didn't do them and it didn't make sense to use them anymore - jhana and not-jhana was the same. Since then my practice has been non-practice (Dzogchen) and I guess its been part of a larger practice arc that has been playing through over the past 8 years I suppose, of integrating some very fast progress and insights in 2012/13 - I covered alot of ground quickly, then spent the next 8 years trying work out what the hell just happened. I recently reflected on the jhanas (as I do periodically) and how they might again be a useful tool, this time in support of trekcho and surprisingly found that Leigh Brassington talks of this exact approach in the interview I saw. I still have questions about jhana and not-jhana being the same.  So, will try to reach out to him, but looks like he is a busy man in the service of the Dharma so will probably put in another 8 years trying to figure it out <smile>. I know this site isn't really a Dzogchen focused site but any thoughts on it are appreciated. Anyway, all the best and I have the best intentions to check in more....                                                    

PS: Tom, I think that my old practice log is locked - not sure why I asked for that years ago, but if you could unlock it, it might be useful to someone. Thanks for not booting me off the site too. <smile>.

Rod

Nice to hear from you again!