Zendervish, You're not alone. I've been getting the same thing for a couple of years now. It first appeared on a 10 retreat where I did some pretty intensive meditation (at least10 hours a day). It became so persistent that I really (and I mean *really*) thought it would drive me insane. I approached the retreat senior instructor and was told not to worry because it's actually quite common for people who undertake intensive meditation. This did make me feel somewhat better (shared pain seems to have that effect) and when I finished the retreat I did some research on it and, sure enough, the teacher was quite correct. In fact, in Hinuism/yoga it's revered as a divine sound. Krishnamurti 'suffered' from it as does Mr Goenka (Vipassana) as do many other meditators. It's so commmon in fact that teachers in Vipassana suggest that you use the sound (a constant 'chirpping' sound, or similar to the sound of water gushing from a faucet as well as the cricket sound you mentioned) to enter into higher states of samahdi or the jhanas. Begin by concentrating on the sound and soon you'll find that there isn't just one continous hum, but many different sounds and tones. This becomes an excellent tool for realising that nothing is permanent. Sounds you concentrate on eventually fade and new ones appear. Focusing on this aspect of sound within your meditation is a fantastic vehicle for learning the reality of impermanence. It also transforms the suffering of the condition into a readily accessible, and very useful, meditation technique.
Mike ________________________________ From: salik888 <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, 18 November 2011, 3:22 Subject: [Zen] Curious experience Gasho For years now I have had Tinnitus, a condition of slight ringing in the ears. On October 22nd of this year I woke up with the ringing louder than before, and it has remained. After a month medical adventures (audiologists, doctors, specialists) I have ended up with two hearing aids and lots of sound therapy. With this new condition it is particularly difficult to do Zazen as before. Naturally, I am incorporating some sound therapy, water falls, etc . . . into my sitting. Any information from my brothers and sisters on the path would be helpful. Apparently there is some information out there about acupuncture and other treatments from China, etc . . . Also, someone was telling there were a few /Chan/Zen Masters who heard the crickets as well. Keep me posted huge gasho from cricket-san Good to be back zendervish
