Expanding and Dissolving the Self: Dark Night and Rebirth

This is Chapter 10 of the Kornfield book.

It is divided into the following sections:

(1)  Buddhist Maps of Absorption and Insight Stages–Realms of Absorption, Realms of the Dissolution of Self

(2)  The Entry to Expanded Consciousness:  Access Concentration–Access concentration is the first strong level of presentness and steadiness that arises in prayer or meditation….in it we develop enough steadiness of heart and mind to give us meditative entry to the higher realms

(3)  States of Absorption–Five Factors of Absorption-directed and sustained attention, rapture, happiness, and concentration.  These qualities will arise whenever the heart and mind are concentrated, pure, undistracted.

(4)  The Realms of Existence

(5)  Dissolving the Self

(6)  The Dark Night

(7)  The Realm of Awakenings

(8)  Meditation on Death and Rebirth

The Spiritual Roller Coaster: Kundalini and Other Side Effects

This is Chapter 9 of the Kornfield book.

The sections in this chapter are:

(1)  Atitudes Toward Altered States–Certain spiritual paths insist that we need to attain profoundly altered states of consciousness in order to discovery a “transcendent” vision of life, to open beyond our body and mind and realize the divine taste of liberation. [Other schools]’s teachings say that liberation and transcendence must be discovered here and now, for if not here in the present, where else can it be found?  Instead of seeking to transcend, the perspective of the “immanent” school teaches reality, enlightenment, or the divine must shine through every moment or it is not genuine. (p. 120)

(2)  Some Common Altered States–When we begin a spiritual practice, we struggle with the pains of our body and the armoring we have forged for it over the years, we face emotional storms, and we encounter a procession of five common hinderances.  But as we continue spiritual practice, and become more familiar and compassionate with our deepest difficulties, even the most ingrained pattens of holding and fear will gradually lose their power over us.  We develop a spirit of calm and steadiness, whatever our means of practice. (p. 122)

(a)  Raptures–rapture is a broad term used to cover the many kinds of chills, movements, lights, floating, vibrations, delight, and more that open with deep concentration, as well as the enormous pleasure they can bring to meditation.  (p. 122)…Deep concentration can lead to all kinds of visions and visionary experiences.  Floods of memories, images of past lives, scenes of foreign lands, pictures of heavens and hells, the energies of all the great archetypes, can open before our eyes.  (p. 125)…(this has happened to me:  “…we can experience a release of the strongest kinds of emotions, from sorrow and despair to delight and ecstasy.  Meditation may feel like an emotional roller coaster as we allow ourselves to be plunged into unconscious emotions.” p. 126)

(b)  Chakras–This section describes the chakras and the openings of the energy body and the experience as our inner energy tries to move and free itself in the body

(3)  Skillful Means of Working with the Energetic and Emotional Openings–we need a teacher who has personally encountered and understood these dimensions of the psyche

(a)  All Experiences are Side Effects–In the Buddhist tradition, the Buddha often reminded students that the purpose of his teaching was not the accumulation of special good deeds and good karma or rapture or insight or bliss, but only the sure heart’s release–a true liberation of our being in every realm.  This freedom and awakening, and this alone, is the purpose of any genuine spiritual path. (p. 129)

(b)  Finding the Brake—very cool and interesting section!  The most important thing, however, is:  it is necessary to find a guide, someone who has touched their own madness, grief, and loss of boundaries, who can gradually and fearlessly direct us back to the ground of our own true nature.  (p. 132)

(c)  Awareness of the Dance–the practitioner’s primary responsibility is to open to the experience with a full awareness, observing and sensing it as a part of the dance of our human life. (p. 133)

(4)  Meditation:  Reflecting on Your Attitude Toward Altered States

Jivamukti Yoga: Putting Yoga Together in the West

Above is an image of the authors, Sharon Gannon and David Life.  Their studio began in New York City and they traveled to India to strengthen their practice.  Below are excerpts from Chapter 1.

“Hinduism is a religion, based on a way of life called Sanatana Dharma, or the Universal Way.  It includes four pillars: (1) vegetarianism, (2) an acknowledgemetn of the law of karma (the law of cause and effect), (3) a belief in reincarnation, and (4) a belief in the possibility of moksha, or liberation from all forms of suffering.  True Hinduism incorporates all religions, because it recognizes that if you have a way that works for you, it is valid…”(Gannon 8)  I absolutely love this rationalization of how to incorporate the faith I grew up with into the yoga that I trust and know to be true.  To make my rationalization even better:  “Yoga is not a religion; it is a school of practical philosophy.”  (Gannon 8).  Knowing that yoga is not a religion, but a school of practical philosophy makes me feel a sense of apologetics toward yoga to help me explain to my religious friends that I am just adding a layer of spirituality and discipline to religion.  

Another element that shows that yoga is a school of practical philosophy is the use of language during the practice.  “…we chant Om [because] it means absolutely no-thing.  It doesn’t belong to any religion or sect.  It is too primal for that.  Om comprises the three most basic sounds that a human being can make.  Ah, Oooh, Mmm.  This takes it out of the realm of the intellect. It is beyond thought so it means no-thing.  It is liberating to start a practice with the experiential acknowledgement that one can go beyond thought.” (Gannon 13).  As you can see, it is not language based on any Jewish text or Roman book, it is the primal part of human nature.  

“Challenging your preconceptions about your abilities helps you push beyond the limitations imposed by your mind.”  (Gannon 13).

“…the practice of asana creates biochemical changes that improve one’s ability to reach a meditative state and gain insight into the scriptures.” (Gannon 15).  Jivamutki yoga stresses the turning away from yoga for fitness only and instead stresses yoga for the whole person.    Knowing that biochemical changes are an effect of yoga is comforting because it recognizes that yoga is not scripture alone, not practice alone, but a blend of all of the above.  The balance is charming.

“Most people fail to grasp that their own lives hold the keys to their happiness; instead, they tend to seek happiness elsewhere.  There are many teachers in your life already…” (Gannon 17).

“Tasmai Shri Guruvey Namaha:  This means ‘I offer all my efforts to the teacher.’  Without the effort of the student, no teaching can be obtained.  I bow; I surrender all of my self to that Self.  Not my will, but Thy will, be done.  We surrender all of our efforts and practice, and the fruits of that practice, at the feet of our Guru.”  (Gannon 18).