Hi there. Thrilled to see a streamentry community here on the fediverse. Starting a thread here to collate information about streamentry practices. Please share as much or as little as you feel inclined to.
Wanted to share the practice as “I” have been carrying it out of late.
- Begin by finding a comfortable point in space and time where no interruptions will arise (inevitably, some might, and that’s ok too).
- Then, to begin getting into the meditative state, listen and tune into the senses. Generally, this involves setting the posture (hips, heart, and head in one line, whether laying or sitting or standing), and allowing the attention to settle on the space in front.
- Then, softening the focus, prepare. Check in with the motivation for performing the practice, the intention that exists in the inner space, the feeling state in the body. Note any expectations that arise while settling into practice, and perhaps allow them to relax. Commit to the duration of the meditation, and remember that this is a time for stream entry (not a time for thought/working things out). Finally, check in with the posture (allow the neck to be free, the head to free away from the body, the back to lengthen and widen as relaxation spreads).
- Then, begin to tune into the breath, maybe taking a few deep breaths before allowing the eyes to close.
- Starting with a “wide lens” sensory focus, notice in detail the general hum and buzz of the space about (and the space within).
- Then, begin to contract the focus, noticing in more detail the space just around the body.
- Then, tune into to just the sensations of breath as it moves the body.
- Then, narrow the focus to just the sensation of the breath at the tip of the nose and on the bridge of the upper lip.
- Stay with the breath here for a while. Perhaps count within the breath, perhaps recite phrases with the in and out breath. Notice the breath in as much detail as possible. As thoughts arise, let them come, let them be, then let them go. The moment of recognition of the thought is the practice.
- When ready to close the session, reverse steps 5-8, slowly expanding the focus once more. Let go of the breath as an object of meditation. Allow the mind to do as it will. Anchoring back to points of contact with the world, between the body and the clothing, come back to the space.
Curious whether you apply noting/labeling at any of the steps?
Yeah! I generally apply noting at step 9, once things have settled, and during the preparation steps as well. :)
Have been doing Mahasi noting for the last 5 years now. Though this has been quite transformative, I feel I may be running dry, so I have decided to join a Jhana retreat in October with Leigh Brasington.
Besides sitting practice I also do micro meditations and have a background meditation where I note certain events (like walking through a door and grabbing things). I have to say this background meditation is still quite young and I find it somewhat hard to maintain.
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