--- In [email protected], Vaj <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > On Feb 25, 2007, at 12:22 AM, sparaig wrote: > > > --- In [email protected], Vaj <vajranatha@> wrote: > >> > >> http://what-buddha-taught.net/Books/Ajahn_Chah_Dangers_in_Samadhi.htm > >> > >> Wrong samadhi is where the mind enters calm and there's no awareness > >> at all. ...the mind enters calm, and we don't want to come out to > >> investigate anything. We just get stuck on that happiness ... With > >> right samadhi, no matter what level of calm is reached, there is > >> awareness. There is full mindfulness and clear comprehension. > >> > > > > > > Sigh. Samadhi is where the thalamus stops (or at least extremely > > reduces) accepting > > sensory input from the outside world AND stops (or at least > > extremely reduces) allowing > > cortical-thalamic-cortical feedback loops, while the brain remains > > in a restfully alert state. > > So in forms of samadhi where the senses remain intact, the thalamus > tries to close them down? > > This sounds like something you heard, did not examine critically and > then believed (and parrot). > > Different forms of samadhi occur in consciousness and the hardware of > consciousness, the brain, shows that change in consciousness. >
As I understand it, the current theory is that it is a continuum: when the sensory-gateway- activity of the thalamus reduces past a certain level during TM practice, breathing changes are triggered: some people show the apparent breath suspension and some show a sudden reduction in volume, but continue to breath in a normal pattern, albeit with reduced airflow. And the forms of samadhi where the senses remain intact occur due to repeated exposure to the sensory-reduction form during TM. During this time, the brain is optimizing its activity in a relaxed, alert mode, with far less interruptions from sensory input or sensory- feedback loops (thought)--this is pure awareness left lively with no content. As the brain continues to modify itself as a result of this mode of functioning, it shows this mode of functioning outside of meditation: pure awareness becomes apparent even outside of meditation and replaces intellect, personality, beliefs, etc., as the most constant thing present: "Self."
