The Role of Meditation in the Work

[kenlee]

In a nutshell, could the energy I'm saving in trying to be impeccable be wasted by focusing my attention on the blissful pleasures of meditation? As another draw into illusion, or an incentive to disengage from the world? I know the beliefs about renunciation and "letting go of the world" that the Theravada Buddhists practice, and I want no part of that.

I think the state of bliss will be there since it might simply be a chemical refection of something much deeper that you may be making contact with. I'll feel it when pondering on ideas and seeing patterns of significance in their interconnections but even then, I think, this is still a 'state' that's limited (to greater and lesser degrees). What you might be making a connection with (and this is just my opinion) is  something that goes even beyond conditioned states and even beyond ideas themselves. Possibly it's like being in a receptive mode of readiness to receive something where ideas and patterns take form in your consciousness.

But whatever it is, it may be a world that's 'beyond form' that your making a very, very brief contact with and it may feel blissful when this happens but I don't think it's a 'blissful world.' It's just that your state of non anticipation to receive something from this formless world (that takes some kind of form in your consciousness) can feel' blissful' when your in this pure state of non anticipation which may only last for a very brief moment before, of course, it can (and probably will) become all subjective when you cling to the forms and the feelings associated with it! Just my opinion of course FWIW.

[herondancer]

Even though I've have many benefits and increased reality-engagement recently (even just two weeks after, I've been meditating more, getting up earlier to be more productive in the mornings, gaming far less, et cetera), it is something I wanted to bring up here.

One thing I realized while typing all this out is that I should probably remember that meditation is a means to an end, and my end is to reach higher levels of being/knowing to better serve others. I guess from that perspective enjoying meditation isn't necessarily a bad thing unless I don't set it aside once its job is done in helping me (in whatever way it does) become more STO-oriented.

*Shrugs* Does it stop being part of The Work once it starts feeling less like work? 

It appears you have already had some practical results from your work as you've written above.  So tangible results can provide a benchmark for how effective your practice is. G.'s activities were about continuously improving the quality of human beings.  Are you becoming more able to serve others in your everyday life?  Are you a better friend and a better son?  Are you a better member of your workplace? 

The soul needs nourishment just as the body does, and imo, might "enjoy" feeling nourished.  It only becomes a problem when that pleasure becomes something that disengages you from the responsibilities of 3D life.  You already seem to be aware of that.

[whitecoast]

Hey, thanks for the feedback all 

Obyvatel, I do have a semi-consistent schedule - meditating a half hour to an hour with EE mixed in either in the morning or at night 3-4 nights a week. I've actually noticed it's much harder to meditate in the mornings, and reach the same level of non-anticipation/focus/awareness as I do at night. I was wondering if it had something to do with how my centers were being plundered. Similar to how a water bucket with a hole on the side of it rapidly gushes out water initially, then reduces as the water line matches the hole's position. Maybe my sex center energy, which is plundered a lot by my mental center, has much more energy in the morning and gushes out through the leaks in my machine, but does so in a way that's much easier to control later in the day (since most of it is spent already by then)?  My mind can never seem to shut up earlier in the day, hehe.

Kenlee, thanks for you input - the whole "being obsessed and fixed on a temporal state of being" makes a lot of sense... as long as the blissful state is not harmful in itself I'm at peace with it (which is what my main concern was).

It appears you have already had some practical results from your work as you've written above.  So tangible results can provide a benchmark for how effective your practice is. G.'s activities were about continuously improving the quality of human beings.  Are you becoming more able to serve others in your everyday life?  Are you a better friend and a better son?  Are you a better member of your workplace? 

The soul needs nourishment just as the body does, and imo, might "enjoy" feeling nourished.  It only becomes a problem when that pleasure becomes something that disengages you from the responsibilities of 3D life.  You already seem to be aware of that.

For your questions I would say yes, I have been a better servant, friend, son, and worker. But I can't say that's been due to meditation entirely. It has more to do with my attempts at considering circumstances over internal conditions, and related conscious efforts. The boons in energy I feel from meditation don't often last beyond 24 hours unless I'm at a retreat where stimulation is low. In terms of being an active force, everyday self-remembering often does the majority of heavy lifting. But like I mentioned initially, as a way to cut out wasteful pursuit of physical, emotional, and mental desires it serves me strongly.

[ROEL]

I just want to know what tecniques of meditation and energy work can be utilized to further one on the path of truth.

My suggestion is to read "Mindfulness in plain English" by Gunaratana.  Excellent is not enough praise.