--- In [email protected], "sparaig" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> --- In [email protected], Vaj <vajranatha@> 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."
>
Yep, feels about right...
