Hi Siska,<br/><br/>Well, at least you can never be accused of apostasy! I don't
think I know anyone who was raised as a Buddhist from birth (Japan doesn't
count), most people I know became Buddhists by choice. <br/><br/>I've never
practiced the Mahasi method formally (but I have practiced noting), but would
definitely consider a 3 month retreat to do so. I've heard good reports. Do you
also practice samatha mediation and, if so, have you ever experienced the
jhanas? I actually stopped seated meditation for a while because I entered the
first jhana so easily that it became a distraction from my vipsssana
meditation. <br/><br/>Yes, you're correct. All methods must be transcended
eventually. I find that some methods not only help to awaken, but are also
almost a 'taste' of what enlightenment is. Mindfulness is like that. With
strong attention it is possible for something to come into awareness, say a
normal piece of household furniture, and just a split
second before perception labels the object you aren't aware of its name. That
split second would be that Place where labels and concepts are always dropped.
In other words, Reality.<br/><br/>Mike<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>Sent from Yahoo!
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